Harley Benton SC-500 WH Vintage Seri B-Stock

Ordered this B stock guitar because it wasn't available new, and I had GAS for a Randy Rhoads lookalike LP.

At just 7 euros cheaper than a new one I expected there to be no serious difference between this and a new guitar. How wrong I was.

I received what is clearly a secondhand well used guitar.
The rear of the body has many minor scuff marks consistent with a good amount of use. The fretboard has a light 'stripe' along the top half (lengthwise) where the rosewood has been scratched revealing a lighter shade of wood beneath the dark rosewood surface. The binding on the top body of the guitar is crap - 3ply in parts, 2ply in other parts. Looks like a partial respray?

The body between the pickups has aged - a slight yellowing being apparent and it does not look good.

7 euros off the new price is an insult, especially since I've spent lot of money at Thomann over the last couple years. But this isn't the first time I've found their so called excellent customer service to be lacking.

I didn't send it back because it plays ok and it sounds ok, and I couldn't source another one at the same price. But I am most disappointed.