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Post by plinker on May 7, 2023 20:03:02 GMT -6
Griping about GC is so, 2010...let's go after someone else.
How about SwetWater?
I purchase from them only when I can't get what I want from somewhere else.
This particular $75 item took 6 weeks to arrive -- granted, it was custom ordered from the capo manufacturer...but still...
I had to prod and prompt on a weekly basis for updates about the item I ordered. They would always respond, but still...
However, ever since, I receive text-after-call-after-text on a weekly basis to see if I'm "OK with my gear situation and maybe need something else".
Yeah..Fuck that!
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Post by jeremygillespie on May 7, 2023 20:57:00 GMT -6
Pretty much my favorite company to hate on.
Last week I ordered some electric baritone strings and a new D’addario cable (I like their “stage cables”). Paid for 2 day shipping as I needed it, stuff didn’t arrive for over 5 days.
Then the texts and calls and emails start up. Give it a rest fellas, who is actually talking to their sweet water rep for ideas on what to purchase next???
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Post by Ward on May 8, 2023 6:44:34 GMT -6
Pretty much my favorite company to hate on. Last week I ordered some electric baritone strings and a new D’addario cable (I like their “stage cables”). Paid for 2 day shipping as I needed it, stuff didn’t arrive for over 5 days. Then the texts and calls and emails start up. Give it a rest fellas, who is actually talking to their sweet water rep for ideas on what to purchase next??? That's exactly my experiences also. Online sales? Warren at Zen Pro is fantastic.
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Post by plinker on May 8, 2023 11:07:00 GMT -6
Yeah -- Warren is The Man! Anyone remember when he started Front End Audio with his, then, business partner? He had a forum and drumsound was a moderator.
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Post by drumsound on May 8, 2023 11:26:36 GMT -6
Yeah -- Warren is The Man! Anyone remember when he started Front End Audio with his, then, business partner? He had a forum and drumsound was a moderator. I got to write some fun reviews for them and their sister site, and I think they're all gone now, unless I resurrect some old computer(s).
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Post by sentientsound on May 8, 2023 12:15:15 GMT -6
I haven't had anything too absurd happen with gear merchants, but I haven't used Sweetwater much. Occasionally get follow-ups from Vintage King, but that's it.
Software/plug-in companies are the most extreme IME, for example I bought Kit's BB102 and was getting daily e-mails for months until I blocked them. Many other plugin brands do weekly or daily mailouts too. Good spam/pomotional inbox filters are a must.
On a positive note all the individual builders or boutique HW people I've dealt with are really cool and easygoing, and we often exchange stories or geek out about engineering or certain music. A total contrasting experience to getting assigned a "sales engineer".
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 8, 2023 17:21:37 GMT -6
Griping about GC is so, 2010...let's go after someone else. How about SwetWater? I purchase from them only when I can't get what I want from somewhere else. This particular $75 item took 6 weeks to arrive -- granted, it was custom ordered from the capo manufacturer...but still... I had to prod and prompt on a weekly basis for updates about the item I ordered. They would always respond, but still... However, ever since, I receive text-after-call-after-text on a weekly basis to see if I'm "OK with my gear situation and maybe need something else". Yeah..Fuck that! Custom orders are always a pain in the ass. Not sure if small or large manufacturers are worse but a dealer should always be cautious when promising delivery dates. Honestly 6 weeks isn’t bad, hell I can think of stock items that take longer if you hit the wrong dates. SW usually has the information to at least warn you it’s going to be a while, nothing worse than a dealer who doesn’t explain “ we have an x minimum order so the order might not even go out for a while.” Or someone who doesn’t check how long a particular order will be. Most sales weasels like their clients think manufacturers are set up to make any SKU at any moment. No manufacturer works that way, either the production line or their materials on hand are probably based on a schedule. I can’t tell you how oftenI broke out in laughter at a customers timeline for a particular piece ( nor how often I pulled off the impossible). Many are of the school of “ never walk a possible deal because you can’t meet the deadline.” Life is to short and the time spent dealing with follow up on that $75 order could be spent making $! Here is a very basic lesson if your SW or other rep is cold calling he needs to make his quota, otherwise he wouldn’t have the time to cold call, use his need to get a deal, because saying no to a quick easy close doesn’t get you any closer to that nut.
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Post by svart on May 9, 2023 7:55:53 GMT -6
I remember.. Maybe 16, 17 years ago.. Wanting to buy some high end stuff from SW and wanted to use their financing thing at the time. Called them up, talked to my "rep" who seemed nice but eager to make the sale, then promptly declined my financing for some reason that I can't remember. The rep then tried to sell me other gear that I didn't want and offered financing on that instead. I don't remember all the details but it seemed really shady that WHAT I was going to buy mattered to get financing.
Anyway, I went to Alto and they not only got me financing with 0% interest, but beat SW's price by a LOT. ALTO for LIFE. Every time I need something BIG, I go to Alto first to see if they have it.
SW continued to call me for a while after that to see if I was still interested in buying the gear and seemed pissy that I went elsewhere after they turned me down for financing on what I wanted to buy. They even went as far as saying something to the tune of "why didn't you call us back, we could have matched Alto's price and got you approved".. And I was like
WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST DO IT THE FIRST TIME?
Occasionally I'll get a call or email with a "new" rep referencing something I bought years ago as a way to open some kind of communication.
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Post by gwlee7 on May 9, 2023 9:36:46 GMT -6
I have never had a single issue with SW. Maybe I got lucky with my "rep" who might call me once a year and that's usually between thanksgiving and christmas. Once he helped me with a pretty big initial purchase, he has left me alone other than to follow up when I have reached out to him first.
That said, I can certainly appreciate that lots of folks experiences have been different than mine.
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Post by plinker on May 9, 2023 10:32:21 GMT -6
Occasionally I'll get a call or email with a "new" rep referencing something I bought years ago as a way to open some kind of communication. Hah! This is akin to salesmen knocking on the door saying "We're currently doing an install in your neighborhood and thought we'd offer you a discount on upgrading your windows (or roof, or siding), while we're here".
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Post by teejay on May 9, 2023 12:07:34 GMT -6
Occasionally I'll get a call or email with a "new" rep referencing something I bought years ago as a way to open some kind of communication. Hah! This is akin to salesmen knocking on the door saying "We currently doing an install in your neighborhood and thought we'd offer you a discount on upgrading your windows (or roof, or siding), while we're here". ...which in my case are those incessant Metronet fiber internet salesmen who don't understand "No, I'm not interested...stop coming to my house."
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Post by jeremygillespie on May 9, 2023 12:31:42 GMT -6
Occasionally I'll get a call or email with a "new" rep referencing something I bought years ago as a way to open some kind of communication. Hah! This is akin to salesmen knocking on the door saying "We currently doing an install in your neighborhood and thought we'd offer you a discount on upgrading your windows (or roof, or siding), while we're here". I get 2 pieces of mail every week from Larry at Renewal by Andersen window company telling me he will get me a great price on all new replacement windows for my house. I’ve called him three times telling him I’m not interested, still getting bs mail. So after putting in $20k of A series Anderson windows and doors in my place myself, I give Larry a call and ask him to come out and give me a quote. Man… he was f’ing pissed off when he showed up….
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Post by Ward on May 9, 2023 17:49:43 GMT -6
LMAO . . . classic!
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Post by plinker on May 9, 2023 18:26:38 GMT -6
Hah! This is akin to salesmen knocking on the door saying "We currently doing an install in your neighborhood and thought we'd offer you a discount on upgrading your windows (or roof, or siding), while we're here". I get 2 pieces of mail every week from Larry at Renewal by Andersen window company telling me he will get me a great price on all new replacement windows for my house. I’ve called him three times telling him I’m not interested, still getting bs mail. So after putting in $20k of A series Anderson windows and doors in my place myself, I give Larry a call and ask him to come out and give me a quote. Man… he was f’ing pissed off when he showed up…. Did you actually install the windows yourself, or through a different vendor? I ask for 2 reasons: 1. WTF?, and 2. I need new windows, and I'm not nearly that friggin' handy!
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Post by jeremygillespie on May 9, 2023 20:12:38 GMT -6
I get 2 pieces of mail every week from Larry at Renewal by Andersen window company telling me he will get me a great price on all new replacement windows for my house. I’ve called him three times telling him I’m not interested, still getting bs mail. So after putting in $20k of A series Anderson windows and doors in my place myself, I give Larry a call and ask him to come out and give me a quote. Man… he was f’ing pissed off when he showed up…. Did you actually install the windows myself, or through a different vendor? I ask for 2 reasons: 1. WTF?, and 2. I need new windows, and I'm not nearly that friggin' handy! I put them in myself. We purchased a house for pre Covid prices with Covid interest rates that needed a lot of work but I worked for a GC for years and had the ability to do the work myself. The windows were basically falling out and half of them didn’t open. The only way we could afford the renovation is me doing it. My wife and I haven’t even killed each other yet so that means it’s going well. Windows were the easy part, I got carried away with design and ripped the entire front off the house and reframed the whole thing. It’s been a trip hahahah.
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Post by plinker on May 9, 2023 21:28:54 GMT -6
I put them in myself. We purchased a house for pre Covid prices with Covid interest rates that needed a lot of work but I worked for a GC for years and had the ability to do the work myself. The windows were basically falling out and half of them didn’t open. The only way we could afford the renovation is me doing it. My wife and I haven’t even killed each other yet so that means it’s going well. Windows were the easy part, I got carried away with design and ripped the entire front off the house and reframed the whole thing. It’s been a trip hahahah. I wish I were that handy! Way to go! Still $20K for new windows, materials only, is killing me.
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Post by keymod on May 10, 2023 4:12:05 GMT -6
Did you actually install the windows myself, or through a different vendor? I ask for 2 reasons: 1. WTF?, and 2. I need new windows, and I'm not nearly that friggin' handy! I put them in myself. We purchased a house for pre Covid prices with Covid interest rates that needed a lot of work but I worked for a GC for years and had the ability to do the work myself. The windows were basically falling out and half of them didn’t open. The only way we could afford the renovation is me doing it. My wife and I haven’t even killed each other yet so that means it’s going well. Windows were the easy part, I got carried away with design and ripped the entire front off the house and reframed the whole thing. It’s been a trip hahahah. Did you do inserts, or complete windows? Much respect....
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 10, 2023 15:10:03 GMT -6
Hah! This is akin to salesmen knocking on the door saying "We currently doing an install in your neighborhood and thought we'd offer you a discount on upgrading your windows (or roof, or siding), while we're here". I get 2 pieces of mail every week from Larry at Renewal by Andersen window company telling me he will get me a great price on all new replacement windows for my house. I’ve called him three times telling him I’m not interested, still getting bs mail. So after putting in $20k of A series Anderson windows and doors in my place myself, I give Larry a call and ask him to come out and give me a quote. Man… he was f’ing pissed off when he showed up…. I get them from Larry’s cousin, tried to explain its a rental on the 21ist floor, they still keep sending mail , worse is the siding company they offered a $25 ViSA gift card with a quote, tried 3 times nobody showed and I’m still on the mailing list.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 10, 2023 15:18:22 GMT -6
If we are going to bitch about online dealers, let’s talk about those that sell used gear : 1. Little or no discription 2. How about only putting stuff you will ship online? 3. Real dimensions and shipping weight? 4. Hiring people who actually know what they are selling. 5. Useful zoomable pictures!
The 3 worst GC, Samash and Musicgoround. GC your the world’s largest MI / pro audio dealer how about actually hiring someone to curate even on a National level your used gear? Musicgoround, all you sell is used gear! God I miss the days when you were HITECH Consignments, your staff knew what they had and that was in the days before the internet!
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Post by copperx on May 10, 2023 15:41:14 GMT -6
I'm here just making a note about the ones that DON'T suck.
So far,
* Alto Music * Front End Audio (great experience) * ZenPro
I'll add that I've had great experiences with SoundPure and Calistro Music.
Is there any retailer where you know that you can consistently get less than MSRP? I know that Calistro will always give you a great price, but he doesn't carry everything, for example, MOTU stuff.
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Post by geoff738 on May 10, 2023 15:43:16 GMT -6
Still I think you guys in the US are fortunate. At least there’s some competition.
That said I’ve never set foot in or ordered from any of these places, so I don’t know how bad they might be.
Cheers, Geoff
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 10, 2023 15:55:43 GMT -6
I'm here just making a note about the ones that DON'T suck. So far, * Alto Music * Front End Audio (great experience) * ZenPro I'll add that I've had great experiences with SoundPure and Calistro Music. Is there any retailer where you know that you can consistently get less than MSRP? I know that Calistro will always give you a great price, but he doesn't carry everything, for example, MOTU stuff. Most dealers will beat MSRP, but in most cases the manufacturer will enforce a MAP ( Minimum Advertised Price). The rules vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but if a dealer gets caught breaking MAP in most cases the dealer agreement states that dealer is cut off or their MAP program is no longer enforceable on other dealers.
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Post by plinker on May 10, 2023 17:13:34 GMT -6
yes -- and for clarity, MAP refers to general advertisements. They can negotiate down to $1.00 with the customer, if they wish, without breaking the MAP agreement.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 10, 2023 17:26:05 GMT -6
yes -- and for clarity, MAP refers to general advertisements. They can negotiate down to $1.00 with the customer, if they wish, without breaking the MAP agreement. That is not true, it depends on the vendor, some dealer agreements consider any verbal or written quote an advertisement, you can invoice it below MAP you just can’t tell the buyer a price below MAP. Most dealers will enforce a very strict MAP policy across the board because the complexities of all the different MAP policies is above the intellect of their sales staff and they know it. Consider some of the very strict MAP policies out side of our industry ( most designer clothing) Rolex is infamous for its MAP and it’s tough enforcement.
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Post by gwlee7 on May 10, 2023 19:56:40 GMT -6
If we are going to bitch about online dealers, let’s talk about those that sell used gear : 1. Little or no discription 2. How about only putting stuff you will ship online? 3. Real dimensions and shipping weight? 4. Hiring people who actually know what they are selling. 5. Useful zoomable pictures! The 3 worst GC, Samash and Musicgoround. GC your the world’s largest MI / pro audio dealer how about actually hiring someone to curate even on a National level your used gear? Musicgoround, all you sell is used gear! God I miss the days when you were HITECH Consignments, your staff knew what they had and that was in the days before the internet! Lol. Remember when I went over to Plano to check out some stuff for you?😂
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