Almost bought a 1986 Fender today but...

[blazer]

Okay then today I was pretty stoked about doing some business. I had the plan to get myself a 1986 Fender japan Strat by trading in one of the guitars I don't play anymore. I had talked about the trade with the shopkeepers and that alpine white beauty was as good as mine.

BUT, as soon as I unzipped my gigbag and presented the near mint ESP guitar I saw the face of the shopkeeper cringe and I realised it was trouble. Deciding to grab the bull by the horns I asked "Okay, what's wrong, why do you think I can not do this trade?"

"Well you see..." he began "thing is, with Fenders and Gibsons I can give you a better deal because I know what it's worth, this one, in as pristine condition as it is, can be bought from the import company for a lot less than your asking price and we're talking about brand new instruments. It's a deal I simply cannot do because it means a loss in profit for the shop and in our paychecks. And I don't want to saddle you up with a cheaper instrument because that would also be a loss for you."

I take a look at the Strat and take a look at the shopkeeper, who sees my extreme disappointment and tries to reason with me. "But if you really want to make this deal I can set this guitar apart for you and you'll have to wait until the manager gets back from vacation and he can do this deal with you."

"And how long do I have to wait?"

"Around two weeks."

Deciding that that was too long I told him to forget about the whole thing and I walked off. I stopped by the acoustic department and decided to vent my frustration by fingerpicking a Godin Nylon string. My buddy who alerted me on the Fender walks up and goes. "So did you get the guitar?" To which I told him what happened. "Strange we sell a dumpload of those axes, why wouldn't he make the trade your guitar would be sold withing a couple of days."

Deciding to not pursue it I walked out and walked into a record store to buy "Kissology 2" DVD set so I could at least have some rare footage to watch later when I would get home.

BUT when I got it home, it was in the wrong region code so I can't watch it.

Oh please why couldn't I get a break today?

[kcole4001]

I've had days like that, where everything I touch turns to *******.
I wouldn't pick up my favorite (and most expensive) bass, figuring that an unforeseen accident would leave it lying broken in half on the floor!

I feel for you, Wouter. Just sit back, try to relax, & remember "Tomorrow's another day".

And just what IS the deal with that STUPID region code foolishness? It is such a HUGE P.I.T.A.
The DVD industry should have gotten it's collective act together before issuing such an imbecilic, arbitrary limitation.
I assume there was a good reason for this, but it certainly escapes me.

[alanz]

There are ways around it, you know.

Sometimes you can reprogram the flash memory in the player via remote control commands.

But, I've said too much; we respect intellectual property rights around here.

[kcole4001]

Actually, the player I'm frustrated with is my DVD drive, which I've just used the last region change of the 5 allowed, which in itself is childishly arbitrary, since the discs causing the problems are legitimate retail copies I paid full price for.

Region 1 (U.S. & Canada) vs region 2 (Europe) is my main problem.

My DVD player, which is hooked up to the TV, stereo, etc. is toast again.

I have found out that there are freeware players that will play the discs while ignoring the region flags, VLC being one.

[jingle_jangle]

Why not wait two weeks, do your research well, and go back and negotiate with the vacationing manager? At least you hopefully will get a better hearing.