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Sopris - Posted - 12/18/2025: 19:55:09
Hi,
I purchased a Banjo from a reputable dealer on Reverb. The ad listed some minor finish delamination on the resonator binding. I looked very closely at the photos I could see some minor damage around the edge on the back, but it didn’t seem extreme.
When I received the Banjo, I was really bummed to discover there was much more damage than was pictured in the ad. I didn’t guess the sides were much more damaged than the back. As well a clip that holds on the resonator is broken.
The shop wants me to pay shipping both ways and a 5% restocking fee.
Is this reasonable? Is this ‘minor delamination’? It is like this most of the way around.
Thx,
Michelle
Edited by - Sopris on 12/18/2025 19:59:45
J.Albert - Posted - 12/18/2025: 20:31:36
Shame on that seller for not providing full disclosure and pics of the finish damage.
It's up to you as to whether to keep it or not. I'd probaby send it back, and live with the charges.
If you do that, tell us the name of that "reputable" dealer...
Old Hickory - Posted - 12/18/2025: 20:34:33
This strikes me as misrepresentation. The seller withheld photos showing the true extent of the damage. I don't know if Reverb has a grievance or buyer protection policy or rules about misrepresentation. If you paid by PayPal, they may offer assistance.
The restocking fee strikes me as unreasonable, especially in the face of their misrepresentation. Did they disclose the fee in their listing?
Maybe the first thing is to look into Reverb's rules. The next thing is to reject their restocking fee and state your case that they misrepresented the condition of the banjo. But it seems you've already been in touch with them and so I don't know if you can introduce a new claim or argument.
What happened here is finish chipped off. I guess delaminated is as good a word as any. And it's not just clear lacquer or polyurethane, but a tinted finish. So this is a tricky repair. Just touching up the exposed area with clear finish can provide adequate protection for the wood, but it won't look right.
Good luck.
Old Hickory - Posted - 12/18/2025: 20:47:00
Google says if an item is not as described you're supposed to contact the seller and Reverb through Reverb within seven days. You're supposed to take photos and clearly state your claim.
You can find the process. Do what it says.
Mickhammer - Posted - 12/18/2025: 23:04:01
No reputable seller would have sold you that banjo without precisely describing its condtion and providing pictures of the damage.
This seller was out to make a quick buck. Report him/her and fight the charges.
lightgauge - Posted - 12/19/2025: 05:16:00
I think deceptive on the level of damage. I would continue to dispute. Paying one shipping would be enough. You knew you were taking a small chance, but a restock fee is ridiculous.
dpgetman - Posted - 12/19/2025: 06:25:16
Just a thought, but if the issue is delamination (glue failure) and not damage from impact, then the banjo might be under some kind of warranty, especially if it is higher end. No part of a banjo should just delaminate, that's a manufacturing issue if it happens. Just to cover all of your options, perhaps get in touch with the maker and ask about that kind of thing?
Sopris - Posted - 12/19/2025: 07:42:51
Thanks, I will call Tom Nechville this morning. He said he can possibly refinish it via email late yesterday. I’ve seen some of his resonator refinish jobs and they come out nice.
slammer - Posted - 12/19/2025: 08:16:55
New Resonator vs. Shippng costs and 5% stocking fee???
Slammer!!!
Sopris - Posted - 12/19/2025: 08:42:54
@slammer I assume there will be some fees with a refinish but if its repairable that’s a definite option
Omeboy - Posted - 12/19/2025: 08:59:34
If you find yourself really loving this banjo, I'd just bite the bullet and get the resonator repaired. And I wouldn't hesitate to contact Tom Nechville for an estimate (and tell him your story.)
KCJones - Posted - 12/19/2025: 09:02:21
2nd Slammer... It seems like a new resonator could be the cheapest option here.
Alex Z - Posted - 12/19/2025: 09:10:13
From the seller's description:
"Cosmetic damage is limited to minor finish delamination around the resonator binding, which may be as a result of drying out, but may also have come from the banjo being dropped at some point."
The part that's not "reputable" is that the damage is clearly visible and easily photographed, but the seller never showed a picture of the damage or even a picture of the banjo from the side, which would have disclosed the damage.
"Restocking" charge on a used instrument? I've seen that kind of charge on a new instrument, to dissuade prospective buyers not really in the market for an instrument from merely ordering on line for a try out, and paying the shipping back if they don't like it. Meanwhile, the seller gets a "new" banjo back that may have had 2-7 days of playing, not just a half hour demo in the store.
I'd take the complaint to reverb, get the refund. Might never feel good about this experience, even if the banjo is repaired at the seller's expense. (Why should the buyer have to pay for a repair? 
) There are other banjos.
Edited by - Alex Z on 12/19/2025 09:11:49
Banner Blue - Posted - 12/19/2025: 14:06:21
Trying to be dispassionate, it is possible that the finish damage was exacerbated by shipping damage combined with cold weather checking. Were there any finish chips loose in the case?
pinenut - Posted - 12/19/2025: 14:18:59
quote:
Originally posted by dpgetman
Just a thought, but if the issue is delamination (glue failure) and not damage from impact, perhaps get in touch with the maker and ask about that kind of thing?
I Agree, it's not just a coating problem; that joint needs attention.
Edited by - pinenut on 12/19/2025 14:19:52
DSmoke - Posted - 12/19/2025: 15:20:16
From the dealers website:
"Cosmetic damage is limited to minor finish delamination around the resonator binding, which may be as a result of drying out, but may also have come from the banjo being dropped at some point. We have chosen not to do any of the elective finish work and do not believe this banjo is a candidate for refinishing."
This is very misleading - "do not believe this banjo is a candidate for refinishing."
If you're not satisfied with your purchase I would contact Reverb and try to get some help. They have helped me with an issue in the past.
Old Hickory - Posted - 12/19/2025: 18:04:04
quote:
Originally posted by dpgetman
Just a thought, but if the issue is delamination (glue failure) and not damage from impact, then the banjo might be under some kind of warranty, especially if it is higher end.
Used. No warranty.
The "delamination" is pieces of finish that have broken off.
It's a Nechville.
The item listing at Reverb incompletely described the damage and showed none of in photos.
Edited by - Old Hickory on 12/19/2025 18:08:31
Sopris - Posted - 12/19/2025: 21:12:50
Banner Blue - fair question. Their shop is relatively close by (350) miles. Banjo was in transit approx. 2 days in relatively warm temps (50’s daytime). I do not see any chips in the case, nor did the seller deny the delamination. So there’s no reason to think that is the issue.
I am supposed to talk to the other guy Monday and plan to resolve it one way or the other.
I will say, I have purchased a couple of nice banjos through Banjo hangout classifieds and got spoiled with problem-free transactions, and awesome sellers who were incredibly forthcoming about the condition of instruments. :).
LouZee Picker - Posted - 12/25/2025: 09:14:42
Clearly a deceptive ad, they only posted the picture of the back of the resonator, where there was very little damage.
The ad clearly states at the bottom of the description of the banjo paragraph:
*Please note, per our return policy, all sales on used and consignment instruments are final.*
That alone would have been a non starter for me alone, I been down that road a long time ago.
Good Luck, I hope you get good results.
1935tb-11 - Posted - 12/26/2025: 04:45:31
looks like they went out of the way not to show the extent of the damage. i think i would want some money back or refund.
Alex Z - Posted - 12/26/2025: 08:31:09
Buyers have "policies" too. One of my "policies" is that I want a refund or compensation for damage that the seller knew about but failed to disclose.
This is a common legal standard, often applied when buying a house. Seller has obligations too.
LouZee Picker - Posted - 12/27/2025: 05:40:05
quote:
Originally posted by Alex Z
Buyers have "policies" too. One of my "policies" is that I want a refund or compensation for damage that the seller knew about but failed to disclose.
This is a common legal standard, often applied when buying a house. Seller has obligations too.
I agree with you 100%, the ad was totally misleading, so when I see, no returns or final sales, on a instrument that I can't put my hands on, I stay away from it unless I have a phone conversation with the seller asking for more detailed pictures & information. Often times when you see a disclaimer like that, somethings up, just like this situation.
