9v battery came loose during shipping

[BraydenDakota]

I purchased a guitar recently where the 9v battery for the pickup came loose and bounced around inside the guitar during shipping. I was really looking forward to the guitar and was really bummed out when I heard it banging around in there when I picked up the box.

The pickup system got thrashed pretty good but I don't see any cracks in the guitar.

The seller has offered to allow me to return the guitar. Is there likely to be damage to the guitar that a layperson could not detect? Should I return the guitar just to be safe? I like the guitar and would like to keep it, but not if it is going to have problems down the road.

[sutherland]

I would return the guitar.

[roylor4]

Return it. Better safe than sorry.

[lt20dbl]

depends on how much you like the guitar. I'd still take off the strings and have some skinny girl feel for loose braces.

[rstaight]

If you really like the guitar I would contact the seller and find out if they are willing to cover the cost of repair or reduce the price.

If they are unwilling to do that, back it goes.

[DesertTwang]

Guitars are more sturdy than most people give them credit for.

I once walked around in the dark with a guitar hanging from a strap at a "backyard bluegrass bash" and right into a wrought iron gate I didn't pay much intention to since it was open. What I didn't see was that the latch protruded into the walkway, and so I crashed the guitar's top right into it as I walked through. The resulting cracking noise was so horrible and loud that I expected the guitar's top to be split in half.

Surprisingly, all I could find was a minor dent, and a subsequent inspection at a guitar shop revealed no damage, no loose braces, no nothing.

I say there is a high chance your guitar stood up just fine to a 9V battery bouncing around in it a couple of times. Take it to a repair shop and have them inspect it. I'd be a shame to return a guitar you really like over a potential non-issue.

[erhino41]

Have a competent tech look it over. If you really like the guitar and it does need some repair, the seller may consider some sort of arrangement where both of you are happy.

[Edgar Poe]

At the very least I would expect a refund to cover replacement of the EQ, then have a luthier look at the guitar.
If the seller is not willing to agree to those terms, I'd ask to return it.

Ed

[Yrksman]

Happened to me several times and I’ve never returned the guitar. The noise of the loose battery sounds scarily loud but I’ve not found any damage.

Maybe I’ve been lucky.

[ctvolfan]

They should have known to not ship with the battery in it. Wasn't like they were saving you a ton of money furnishing you a battery.

[BraydenDakota]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I decided to return and search for another.