Bad Trader Alert

[PoorMan]

I had a bad experience with Stratosphere as well. Bought an SG husk, they email stating it sold and offered another. I declined and asked for a refund.

I sent multiple followup emails asking for the refund--zero responses.

Called and spoke with someone who made excuses and said he'd tell the office. Finally got an email response, but they couldn't figure out how to issue a refund?!?!?!

Filed dispute with eBay, took 30 days to get my money back.

[UnderTheFlame83]

Good luck and sorry for the crappy product you received.

I got my money back on the covers. Not from the seller, though. Disputed it and it showed up yesterday on my card

[Hsb]

Good luck and sorry for the crappy product you received.

[UnderTheFlame83]

If you ordered the pickup covers using your credit card, dispute the charge on your card, chance the card will refund the money.

I didn't even think of that. I'll give it a shot.

[Hsb]

If you ordered the pickup covers using your credit card, dispute the charge on your card, chance the card will refund the money.

[UnderTheFlame83]

Ordered a set of new Epiphone gold pickup covers on ebay from the seller The Stratosphere. They came all pitted and scratched up. They both look 30 years old. After several messages sent to The Stratosphere, they have not returned any message, so it looks like I stuck with these terrible covers. And I am not the only one this has happened to. I'd advise no one to purchase anything from The Stratosphere. Nothing. If your order ends up like mine, you will NOT get a return, or your money back. Their prices might be good, but that's it. They sell junk! Don't buy from them!

[jeremy]

sucks to hear that, hopefully this gets resolved before long

[Masta' C]

I really hate to do this...seriously, I didn't want to get to this point...but I finally have to call out a long-time forum bro:

ItsaBass, aka: Keith L.

Keith, one of my favorite forum members to date, was a real stand up guy and offered to help me sort out a custom pickguard for my Warmoth Strat hybrid project. Some of you may remember this concept photo from my thread about it over a year ago:



Last July, I sent Keith a template for the guard that I had drawn to exact specs, along with a Warmoth Tele guard I originally ordered with the body (just for reference), and a sheet of spare pearloid pickguard material to practice on. I also had Warmoth ship a sheet of their premium ($$) pickguard material to him directly for the final guard to be made out of.

Well, it has been over 8 months now and Keith has offered nothing other than a series of growing excuses. I have half a dozen texts from him over as many months saying "oops, sorry man, I totally forgot...I promise I'll get to it this weekend". Then he was out of town helping a friend. Then it was personal issues causing delays around the holidays. Then he couldn't get into his shop due to Covid. Now he's "working out of town for a few weeks", but will surely get it to me just as soon as he gets back...whenever that is.

I tried not to contact him more than about once a month and I gave him every opportunity along the way to back out without hard feelings. I assured him that I was not intending to inconvenience him in any way with this project. But, he insisted that he could help and that he would make it a priority...again and again.

I know by his activity that he visits the forum regularly, so I know he'll see this shortly. I'm happy to edit this post if things turn around, but right now, this post is serving as a placeholder and a notice to others that ItsaBass may not be a reliable member to deal with right now.

[JB_From_Hell]

Hey so did anyone else buy anything from Leon of Late ?

I didn't necessarily make a purchase but he agreed to send me some strap locks and I sent him some cash to ship them, he said he was going to send them and then ghosted me. it's been over a month, no package and he's not returning my messages. I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt but over a month without hearing anything back is rather worrying, so I'm wondering if anyone else had any dealings.

About 15 years ago, I traded guitars with a dude on here (Kac, I apologize again), and was too broke to afford shipping. Spent a long time dragging my feet not shipping out my guitar, and kinda did what you’re describing.

There’s basically no excuse for it, especially if you paid specifically for shipping. It’s a super lame move, and while I am in a much better financial situation now than I was then, I try to actively communicate much better rather than ghost someone out of embarrassment.

Btw, which strap locks were you looking for?

[BeKindRewind]

Hey so did anyone else buy anything from Leon of Late ?

I didn't necessarily make a purchase but he agreed to send me some strap locks and I sent him some cash to ship them, he said he was going to send them and then ghosted me. it's been over a month, no package and he's not returning my messages. I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt but over a month without hearing anything back is rather worrying, so I'm wondering if anyone else had any dealings.

[BeKindRewind]

Re: Bad Trader Alert

Stratosphere parts. Sent me a neck that was more damaged than stated. They wouldnt even consider testing it when I returned it. Got screwed for shipping and etc. Poorest customer service ever! Avoid at all costs!!!

I just want to say that they *used* to be good. I bought a bunch of stuff and built 2 stratocasters entirely of parts from their store in like 2006 or so. They were friendly and helpful, the prices were great and the shipping was very reasonable even up here in canada.

Last year I wanted to order some pickups from them and the shipping was astronomical. I emailed them to ask them why their shipping prices essentially quadrupled and if they could take a look at getting me a better shipping price , and their response was irrationally rude and aggresive. Would not deal with them ever again.

[Securb]

You gotta admit though, the "Bad Trader Alert" is somewhat entertaining.

I hate reading about any of our forum brothers getting screwed but yes this thread can be gold.

[Lewguitar]

You gotta admit though, the "Bad Trader Alert" is somewhat entertaining.

Made ME look!

[ArtieToo]

You gotta admit though, the "Bad Trader Alert" is somewhat entertaining.

[Mincer]

Yeah, I will look into having some restrictions posting in that area. It doesn't make sense to have just anyone posting there. If the post hadn't been reported, I wouldn't know about it, as I don't regularly monitor that area (I guess I will now).
Other forums restrict classified ads to supporting members only. We don't have that, but here you have to go by the reputation of the poster. Look at their past posts...do you have any interactions with them? Are they a good or bad trader? There are not many protections for the buyer here if you can't go by the reputation of the poster.