If the repairs could be made for $400 properly, that is to say, so you REALLY can't see them in the final, you still have the task ahead of you along with its attendant worries about how well it's being done and whether you'll be happy with the end result. Psychologically, the disappointment inerent in your first impression might also linger, especially if the reworking doesn't erase all evidence of what visibly triggered your disappointment. This pretty much applies whether you're paying someone else to do the work or if you're painstakingly doing it yourself. Either way it's time and energy spent. If you already have a better Victor wood horn, there doesn't seem to be much reason to keep an inferior one, unless in the end this one serves you OK at the price paid. About a year ago, a friend of mine bought a Columbia wood horn from eBay, which was relatively presentable but not great with some trouble areas not well represented, but he was excited about it because the price was right and he didnt' have any other wood horns. Ultimatlely, he may upgrade it but he's enjoying it as is, more than the near-perfect metal horn it replaced. Just my two cents worth. It boils down to the collective effort of having it the way you want it, combined with how you'll feel about it in the end. Andy Baron On Jul 10, 2007, at 4:23 PM, <wilenzick at bellsouth.net> <wilenzick at bellsouth.net> wrote: > That's one opinion of course. You did get the horn at a good price > ($695) which is well below what better condition horns are going > for. Even if you spend $400 to get it repaired properly, which you > will need to do, you still will not have too bad of a deal. His > description is incorrect and misleading, as Walt says, but he does > say in addition "Also a few seams reglued" which is correct. > Almost all wood horns on eBay have defects or damage of some kind, > and they seem to be going for well over $1,000 anyway. Find out > what an expert will charge to do the repairs before sending it > back. That's my opinion.