This Review Was Cancelled Due to THEFT

[@Trog]

I used to suggest USPS International for ease of paperwork, but items coming from Japan don't make it. Other countries have been fine so far... ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 🟢My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/shop/troglys?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly

[@clarkbabin9799]

Sounds like someone in the customs office your packages are going through is a thief.

[@SIXPACFISH]

CHICAGO! Nuff Said!

[@BenjaminRoethig]

I've had a similar experience with the Chicago USPS. I'm convinced that the only reason my guitar finally made it to me weeks later was because they found out how cheap my Harley Benton was and it wasn't worth their while.

[@pulaski1]

Hey Trog, if the guitars from Japan are coming through USPS, contact the US Postal Inspectors - they're the postal service's in-house police, with full powers to investigate, arrest, and send crimes for prosecution.

[@thejakefromstatefarm6768]

I bet someone recognized your name as trogly and everyone knows what trogly does so if a guitar guy happened to see your name they would know there’s a guitar in the package. So he stashs it while he tried to get it out of the facility. I used to work in a shipping facility and it’s easy to get your hands on anything you want but getting it out of the building is a very difficult thing to do.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

I bet that customs agent has a killer collection.

[@YesItsReallyKeith]

yeah someone over there is recognizing the box shape and is able to hide it until it expires and then they arrange the auction !!! smells total scam !! this does not happen twice to the same person unless it's criminal !!!

[@RokDAWG1]

I’m kinda thinking the same thing.

[@younkinjames8571]

What are you? A "conspiracy theorist"? Yeah, someone is stealing shit...

[@SquirrelDarling1]

Chicago..

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

@@SquirrelDarling1 The Chicago Anti-Music Exchange

[@artcamp7]

Someone needs to do an investigation. I have heard this story so many times.

[@JokersWild70]

And exactly why I won't send thousands of dollars overseas and hope that I get the guitar I ordered

[@lysdexicsoftheworlduntie1881]

"US Customs has conducted a complete investigation into ourselves and have determined that no wrongdoing has taken place and no US laws or Customs policies have been violated. In short, we are now closing this case and no further action will be taken."

[@Psichlo1]

Sounds to me like there is an inside person either in Chicago or in customs that is high jacking shipments. The coincidence is a little too much. I think I would be contacting customs and/or stop ordering from over seas as much as possible. That's ridiculous.

[@johnbriggs3916]

They get paid by tipping off the dealers who bid at the auctions.

[@CR0SSJ]

As much as Trogly said "no consipracry theories" yea...gotta say there seems to be someone that knows something, and definitely doing something shady behind the scenes.

[@younkinjames8571]

You've clearly had too much to think...no conspiracy theories he said lol

[@mordokch]

I think we all know who's doing this stuff, don't we ? I'd better not say, but we know.

[@donbishop6994]

​@@mikes9759 Chicago fell around 50 years ago and likely will downspiral even more. Sadly, you get what you vote for.

[@koDaffi]

That center in Chicago is a black hole for packages.

[@benallmark9671]

Well when there's no punishment for crime it will continue and only get worse.

[@norjia]

@@benallmark9671when no ones reports it no one gets punished. you can go "there's something fishy" all you want but unless you report shit nothing will ever be done.

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

It's pretty common for customs in both Chicago and San Diego to rip people off. It's happened to me several times over the last couple decades.

[@scottclark7592]

yeah chicago has had many issues over the years for sure

[@_trashvis_]

yep.. chicago is the absolute worst

[@Factory_Muff]

@@_trashvis_ Diversity knows quality.

[@Riggy931]

@@Factory_Muff racist alert

[@ChrisTopherBunnell]

@@Factory_Muff That "diverse" guitar you have on your profile banner/wallpaper, sure lacks the quality of a legible brand on the headstock.

[@Kahuna54]

I believe there’s a group of people in the Customs Department who are stealing these guitars and no one it catching them!

[@johnbriggs3916]

They are not getting caught because they are putting them to one side, and then shipping them to auction. Nothing to detect! They then tip off the dealers who bid at auction, and get kickbacks.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Can't you contact a postal inspector and ask them to investigate this?

[@davidmarks5400]

The Chicago customs is notorious for "lost" items. I have tracked items that came from overseas and the trail ends at Chicago customs,never to be seen again. Never have a problem with items that go through New York.

[@philbob420]

I've purchased over 50 guitars from japan in the past few years, no issues with customs in Canada. Something shady is most definitely going on with customs in Chicago. That sucks big time!!

[@rbarker1706]

There needs to be AirTag-type devices used as standard shipping protocol for some packages. That should thwart at least some of these thefts.

[@MechaNintendoMast]

This needs investigating period. No conspiracies involved, just the harsh reality.

[@johnbriggs3916]

There will be no investigation as long as the receipts from the auctions matches or exceeds the "lost" customs dues. The government won't be losing money, so no investigation.

[@morganmanesh5142]

USPS Chicago and USPS are so dang shady, lost my packages every time they were in their possession

[@davidriley4895]

These repeated instances of your merchandise going missing, and then ending up for sale, or something you need to contact your federal member of the house and senate about. If it’s happening to you, it is probably happening to many other small business owners who don’t know the news happening to other people.

[@smelltheglove2038]

Unfortunately, if you’re hoping that the government is going to find anything investing themselves you’re gonna be disappointed. This seems to happen so regularly this kinda corruption is deeply ingrained and most likely impossible to root out. This country gets closer and closer to the 3 world each day.

[@dindjarin1961]

Never had a problem with Fedex. Bought a few guitars from Japan sellers. Goes to customs in Alaska, not Chicago.

[@radfury23g32]

I've had so many items disappear at the Chicago distribution center...I can't believe it's still going on

[@gerardvalentino]

I worked in a private shipping company depot in Ohio and in less than 18 months we caught ten or more groups of employees that had a process for stealing items, even though the packages had no outward identifying marks other than ship to and ship from, they were able to figure out the valuable packages and find ways to open them, steal the contents and crotch them…it wasn’t shocking, it was sad

[@corey747]

Customs needs to be held accountable. They will continue this practice as long as they continue getting away with it.

[@ShredAimlessly92]

When was the last time we he’d anybody in a government agency accountable…??? Lol

[@ruffryder13]

I used to love Chicago...every time I go back to visit it's worse and worse.

[@stephenlittle7769]

I used to fly there every year to see a few Cubs games. Now, I wouldn’t even consider going near Chicago.

[@aarongarciahernandez7423]

Trogly, I’m from Mexico, and I work imports and exports from here to US, so the thing that I works here in Mexico, and as far as I know and work. You need a figure that is call a “Customs Broker”. Your carrier needs to give you advise on this figure. At least that is how I work my duties to Export to the US, one Broker in Mexico and one Broker in the US. Many people isn’t award of this entity, so that would be my “profesional” advise. Get a customs broker or work with another carrier that gives that service. I know is a pain, I know is more money, but that is how the governments in the US, MX CAN “work” and keep things “safe”.

[@anthonyglennmollicasr.425]

I have been having a lot of problems with USPS in Jacksonville. Many of the packages were being stolen from their post office and also by some of the carriers.

[@latrace1986]

I live in Chicago and have had mail stolen *at* the post office. I had a $200 pre-paid rebate card stolen and used by a postal worker. I filed a claim with the post inspector general and did a phone interview, but I have no idea if anyone was ever held accountable. The post office operations in Chicago are so corrupt and unethical. I'm sorry this happened to you, Trogly. Please be sure to file a report with the postal inspector and file a police report if possible.

[@dbelche2]

Contact The Office of the Inspector General. That's who will investigate/take complaints for federal agencies (customs/usps).

[@johnbriggs3916]

As long as the Government isn't losing money, there will be no investigation.

[@steveniemyer9288]

I never ship any packages through USPS and I won’t do business with any company that only ships USPS.

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

Figures such beautiful guitars! Typical of what is going on in this country but that’s another conversation

[@gregorioh7034]

60 Minutes should do a Story on the US Customs Chicago area department.

[@itsalwayssomething7490]

The guitars probably got shot in Chicago.

[@aaronmohney649]

Trogley, this happened to you and I emailed you about it. Chicago is shady and I had the same experience. Got my insurance money but I’d rather have the guitar!

[@highseasmarinediaz493]

I'm going through the same situation with USPS! It seems like Chicago is your problem though.

[@lazy_lefty]

If you can't get anywhere by going through customs or they won't give you any info, I would honestly try contacting the FBI because if you've had multiple high value imports "disappear" under sketchy circumstances they might want to investigate what's going on.

[@harrisonandrew]

Outrageous! It would be interesting to hear from others who have experienced the same issue. I’m sure that, if there are enough examples, law enforcement must act.

[@jonlavigne3270]

You need to either have a lawyer contact Customs directly and present your complaints and evidence physically. There’s something happening deliberately at that Customs Chicago location that needs to be criminally prosecuted. Edit: either that or contact your representatives in US Congress. Unless they’re one of those reps that are doing conservative theatre and uninterested in helping their constituents.

[@PhoenixGuitars]

It’s Chicago. That’s the problem.

[@tardcore4life]

if I could pay extra to not have packages route through Chicago, I would.

[@evilutionltd]

Probably less hassle and cheaper to just fly to Japan and bring guitars back with you.

[@thomasmikucki1432]

I purchased two guitars from Europe, shipped UPS, they got through customs in one day. 2 to 3 months is way too long. You should have taken action much sooner.

[@TXCrafts1]

Back in December I had a 200+ year old violin "Lost" in the mail by UPS. It stated the package was never delivered to the office even though the sell had a receipt with the tracking from when he dropped it off. After a month of investigation we just gave up, it was a loss for all, I lost a nice old instrument and the seller had to refund my purchase all because of scummy practices from the postal service! Side note this was a US seller

[@rexrathtar3893]

What a fiddle.

[@TXCrafts1]

@@rexrathtar3893 If your curious there is a sound sample video from the dealer the previous owner bought it from. look up " Violin J. C. FICKER 1790 "on KZbin and it should be the first video.

[@stephenlittle7769]

I’ve never imported a guitar but I’ve had several watches shipped to me through DHL Express with zero issues.

[@WutipongWongsakuldej]

I like Ken's Strats, both when he was with Fernandes, and now with Fender. The Fernandes models might not be as crazy, but the cat/gecko inlay at 12th fret really got me. I was actually upset when I saw his Fender does not come with those 12th fret inlay. Even now I'm still looking for his Fernandes signature, but most in the used market here are the Floyd Rose model, which I'm not really into it. The Fender's model is really really really expensive. The galaxy red one is like as twice as expensive.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I have had guitars sent from Japan to EU. With EMS takes about 3 weeks to deliver and FedEx 1 week.

[@jeffcarlson3269]

I wondered what happened to things going through customs. I myself have been the victim of various things missing after being ordered from overseas. Even from. England. I will never order from overseas again for 2 reasons. Theft or loss. AND. For the outrageous overseas shipping charges these scammers charge. I ordered 2 of the same item and one person charged me about 40 pounds English currency for shipping. Another one in England shipped at a cost of 13.50 pounds. When I questioned the expensive one regarding the high shipping fee they stated that they know it will arrive safely. Funny thing is … I got the one with the 13.50 charge .., sooner.

[@ElJuanSolo]

A while back I purchased an Edwards Die signature guitar ( he’s from the Japanese band Dir En Grey) and it made it to customs where it entered a black hole. It took about 2 weeks of actually missing (all tracking information disappeared) before it reappeared. Maybe my daily phone calls helped them to “find it” It eventually arrived and after a few months I ended up selling it. Only imports that arrive from EMS without any issues have been my music purchases from CDJAPAN.

[@zurnie]

Back in the 80s I drove truck cross country. One load I had was delivering to a warehouse in a larger eastern USA city. Across the fence from the dock I was parked in was the regional USPS hub. The three hours I was waiting to get unloaded I watched people in USPS uniform shirts coming out of the back door of the hub putting packages into personal vehicles. This would not have caught my attention but this was happening every 5 to 10 minutes.

[@noahherne4626]

I think we as consumers and Citizens should bombard customs questioning this. If it’s happening that much someone is stealing for sure and it’s not OK.

[@AtlasExperimentGuitar]

One of the white teles just popped up for sale for $1900 in Westfield Indiana on central Indiana guitar marketplace.

[@pwayne3580]

Chicago. That is the problem.

[@stop736]

That looks close to one of those Jim Root JazzMasters. If it had blacked out hardware and EMG’s they’d be the same thing practically.

[@BushidoPhoto]

Contact the postmaster general. I had things stolen as they went through San Francisco when I was stationed in Japan. There was an investigation and I think there were postal workers in the warehouse who were stealing.

[@johnhutton9105]

Those Elementals are gorgeous. I hope they find their way back to you soon 😢

[@shelbyavant5081]

Hate to say it Trogs, but you're off on that Explorer. I'll buy every 1983 or 4 Explorer in white that you can find for $2500. Guys pay thousands for these, and it is precisely because of James Hetfield. That's why they reissued them in '07, that's why they're going to reissue them again, and there is even a 400 page coffee table book of James' guitars coming out in October. This is the very guitar that made the top 3 metal albums of all time.

[@shelbyavant5081]

Update. The Explorer sold very quickly once it was lowered to $7000. Are we still calling that a $2500 guitar? I didn't think so.

[@thesilverburstreserve]

I just purchased guitar insurance a few weeks ago. I went with Heritage. If a guitar is damaged they pay you to get it fixed, pay you a depreciation amount due to the damage, and then you can keep it or sell it.

[@chriscutress1702]

Similar results with items I've tried to import from the US. Everything is fine until they arrive at the US customs depot and then never pass through into Canada. Specialty camera batteries and books that I'm still waiting for. Finally had to cancel with the senders and claim refunds.

[@_Suzuka_Joe]

I bought a R9 from Italy a couple years ago and it shipped DHL. Arrived in a couple weeks but no issues aside from France taking a week off when they had it so it just sat in their warehouse.

[@HelpFrankSlipd]

Ray Liotta is looking down shaking his head at these jokers for stealing this idea from Goodfellas.

[@rockinrob2004]

Sorry to see so many pieces getting ripped off, I wonder WHERE the security cameras are?

[@johnbriggs3916]

It happens in plain sight: the package is put to one side, and is eventually sent to auction. Now, the question is, who pays for that to happen?

[@303MoTo]

9:11 - similar to a Jim Root (Slipknot) Jazzmaster. Different bridge for sure though. I like it!!

[@donnatollison5096]

Contact your representative and/or senator. Let them know what has happened. If anything, it could yank some chains.

[@sog6289]

I was going to buy an old Yamaha sg guitar but now I'm nervous to do so

[@frantisca]

Happened to me with a neck purchased through Reverb. Made it to Customs in Chicago, where the trace was lost. USPS gave me a # to call, but no avail. The ref # couldn't be found...! To make a long story short, the seller was very kind and cooperative and Reverb offered a refund, as the item was insured. But it doesn't end there: 2 days after, I received the neck ! I notified Reverb and the seller, and had to go to the whole refund process the other way round. But it was worth it, this is one of the best necks I've played and it's now mounted on a nice HSS Strat with Suhr pickups :) Cheers Austin

[@zoeherriot]

Something weird is going on - because I noticed my local Kurosawagakki shop has stopped sending Gibson, Fender and Ibanez guitars to the US. They have a big notice on their website now as of the past week or two.

[@sevenexes7778]

Probably not the best idea to keep buying guitars outside North America

[@keithcollins6642]

I would feel really bad for the guy who doesn’t have the money they had to struggle and save to purchase one and had to wait that long and has to go through that BS ! Just wrong.

[@gunsofsteele]

Troglys next episode; The NSA raid Troglys guitar shack. 😂😂😂 Thanks for more shipping stories. They sure help when things go south. ✌️

[@S.Lang7]

You are right ! Would probably worth to raise an official complaint since you already have all these documented. I would go do it for sure !

[@johnburns5783]

Definitely something dodgy with either USPS or US Customs

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Should be sent with a gps tracker

[@therapist6328]

I brought one of my acoustics to Cuba a decade ago. Just an F-150 Yamaha, so i would be fine if it got damaged. Anyways when getting the guitar back (it was loaded with the strollers and whellchairs), upon arrival home, i could tell somebody opened my case and played the guitar. Fortunately for me, they took off their Cuban chain silver bracelet to not damage the guitar. Unfortunately for them, they left it in my case.

[@gayrambo4529]

Bought three guitars from Japan to southern California off reverb. One EMS and two FEDEX and never had a problem.

[@PeterMoore350]

That quilted blue guitar withe gold inc Bigsby is beautiful. I’ve got a nice Solar S1.6 with an awesome quilted top but it’s a veneer. Best guitar I’ve ever played tho and I’m 59. Bought 4 other Solars coz of that. Very happy. Probably getting the taxi yellow E2.6 artist guitar if i can swing it. Got the E1.6FBB on my lap now whilst watching this on my couch 😍 Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘

[@caphenning]

The common factor is Chicago, instruct the shipment go through Seattle,.

[@rockerbob949]

Customs have some shady goings on!

[@HenkeEdge]

Take it to court, sue those bastards.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

If a Gibson has a headstock break that is repaired, and you can’t really tell by looking at it, or by playing the guitar, I feel like it shouldn’t affect the value. I’m not supporting fraudulent repairs to cover up damage, I’m just saying that if it works and looks nice it should be worth the same as an unbroken guitar that looks and functions the same

[@ernieb3626]

infuriating. someone knows whats going on

[@sailingsvzara]

Have the shop put an Apple Air Tag in the case. You will find out which agent is a crook. Then let the FBI know.

[@timsmyname]

I recently had a MIJ Jag shipped from Japan and it vanished in LA customs. I started making calls right away getting nowhere. The. About 3 weeks later the guitar showed up in Atlanta at the lost mail facility. Apparently the address on the customs doc got lost but the packages still had a bar code. I filled out an online form and it showed up 2 days later in an entirely different box. The original Fender box was replaced with a generic cardboard wrap. Amazingly the guitar was fine.

[@scottbogfoot]

What you should do is send the seller a Apple airtag or whatever its called, and have them put it in the guitar case or even better in the control cavity. You'd be able to track it yourself then. I'd also ship separately. Could cut you losses by 50%. Also at what point do it make sense for you to start a business or have a vacation place in Japan so you can be your own 'Man in Japan'

[@lacaz212]

Bad experiences with customs also. Damaged and missing orders. Pretty sure someone in Customs is thieving. No surprise.

[@21sungalute.42]

You should liaise with your Japanese dealer and have them insert a tracking device inside the guitar before shipping.

[@kevinsnipp4998]

Chicago the arm pit of America

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

what about putting an air tag in it before it ships?

[@highlands]

You need to conact the Police so they can investigate. It simply isn't reasonable that this keeps happening.

[@johnbriggs3916]

As long as the Government isn't losing money, there will be no investigation.

[@markheefner8245]

FBI

[@An2oine]

Well, Chicago is a place known for honorable people. You're naive if you can't figure out what is happening. This isn't the shpper.

[@caseyjones7404]

CHICAGO.... All you need to say

[@1364a-c3w]

well, USPS steals elections, why wouldn't they steal guitars 😂🤣😂

[@comicsrcool5483]

Maybe you should have the stuff shipped to a different address. They obviously have caught on to who you are and what you have shipped in.

[@joermnyc]

Only imported stuff via FedEx and UPS, new and used and only the used one got stuck in JFK customs, but then I got called and e-mailed about “what is this? what woods is it made of?” Thankfully I was able to find an archived spec sheet and forwarded it to them, probably that CITIES endangered lumber thing. It was not made with rare woods, so 2 days later it was at my door.

[@meining-mech4378]

Even with the headstock break, so long as it got fixed, C-027 would be really cool to have. I really like the Centipede. Also, sorry for the crumby luck with shipping. I can only imagine how frustrating that can be.

[@somethingbl]

Why no video on the Kirk Hammet CS and Standard models coming out? Seems like huge news.

[@s.d.g.global4582]

How do you know he isnt involved in the missing items? It is not difficult to do so.

[@mmrseed]

They are not discriminating against shipments from Japan, they are suspiciously interested in boxes that obviously contain guitars. I have had international shipments of guitars get lost after leaving customs in Chicago and AMAZINGLY the lady at USPS all but admitted that stuff like that happens if somebody wants a package. I was amazed that she seemed to suggest that holding packages to later sell at auction was almost a cottage industry. I don't think she meant to that honest but...

[@arustydodge2111]

Sounds like the common denominator here is; “Chicago” 🧐

[@jasongormley5174]

Seems like Chicago's the stumbling block - could you route your packages through another city/hub? LA or Dallas maybe? Good luck. Love to see MIJ Fenders on your show.

[@benallmark9671]

Its all falling apart , everything we once knew is gone or going but keep staring at your phones.

[@thegateofknowledge7425]

Send your oders though UPS going to be more money, but what ever Facility in that country order from at UPS, it will leave with process papers, so whenever it lands in the country of origin, it’s already processed . UPS does not send any international packages without being process .

[@dustin2901]

I've ordered stuff from japan a bunch of times with no problems. But I've never got a guitar from there. The only time I didn't receive something I ordered was from Amazon and it was coming from the US. I got a email saying my package was lost.

[@papablue3015]

Happen to me too! Guitar made it to customs! Then disappeared! And I never got my money back either! Bummer!

[@CA10Z]

Try shipping to a different address. Once they [the bad guys] see you're the recipient. Boom is gone to parts unknown.

[@robnamowicz8073]

Got a pal who lives in Chicago, mail at his house is always screwed up. And he can't have anything delivered to his home, porch pirates steal everything. Many of our biggest cities need martial law, Chicago for sure.

[@Joe___R]

Chicago customs has a massive theft problem. Since your boxes are obviously guitars, they are easy targets. They also have teams of people who will intentionally destroy the labels on packages so they can buy them at auction for cheap and resell them. This is likely what happened to the guitar you bought twice.