American Musical Supply AMS Selling Factory Fender Strat Seconds as New, Not Posting Negative Customer Reviews New Jersey 

I ordered, what I understood to be a new, unblemished, Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster Olympic White for 1,049.99 + $21.00 so I could pay in 12 installments. I have dealt with AMS for over a decade and had few issues and usually none other than they do their best NOT to honor price matches.

So above guitar arrived. It was unplayable. I've been playing for 40 years...I'm not some kid. Fender makes a solid Strat out of Mexico so the fact this was as well being a signature model gave me no concerns. Brings up the adage about "knowing when you assume". I assumed better from Fender and better from AMS. Finsh had flaws, no set-up was done, frets were not finished to the point the sharp edges cut my hand, the was a blem on the side of the fretboard that was filled in and no attempt to even match it. I've played guitars for $200-$300 that were far better and would expect this quality out of a $60-$75 guitar.

I will be calling tomorrow to return it or ask for 1/2 off so I can professionally have the repairs done. I have taken pictures and will be posting them elsewhere. Aside from the blatant disrespect selling a damaged and/or factory second guitar without claiming so knowingly I see 4 days later same guitar at AMS for $150 more. I guess they unloaded all the bad guitars on unsuspecting chumps like myself. When I went to their site to leave a user review and voice my dissatisfaction it was BLOCKED! Why have the option to leave honest user comments/reviews if they censor the negative ones and only allow the positive? THAT really adds insult to injury here!

Though I've used AMS I will NEVER do so again and urge others to use one of the many online music dealers.