Gibson J-45 Standard VS

I recently purchased a Gibson guitar from Thomann. I tested it carefully for just two days and decided to return it, as it didn’t fully meet my expectations. The instrument was kept in perfect conditions, and I made sure to handle it with care — as I always do with high-end instruments.

However, when Thomann processed the return, they claimed that the lacquer had been “degraded” and deducted €400 from my refund. This came as a huge surprise, given the very short period I had it and the fact that the guitar was never mishandled.

Their communication was polite but ultimately unhelpful. They said that my photos and video were “not detailed enough” to prove the original condition, even though the documentation clearly showed the instrument as received. In other words, without their own detailed “before” pictures, I was held responsible for something I’m confident I did not cause.

I’ve been a Thomann customer for years and always appreciated their service, but this experience has seriously shaken my trust. Be aware that even small, normal handling marks (or things that can happen due to nitro finish sensitivity) may result in a significant refund deduction.

Great selection of products, but return policy on high-end guitars is risky — take extremely detailed photos and videos before touching the instrument if you ever plan to return it.