BE-100, ON THE MEND

[brickford]

This isn't ment as a bitch thread and not intended to flame anyone but mearly highlight a situation one could find themselves in as i indeed did.

Back in December last year i placed an order for a new Friedman BE-100 with extra mod (BE-HBE switch mod), paid in full and paid via paypal gift as the fees would have been pass on to myself etc.
I had sold my VH4 in order to fund this purchase as i am of limited means etc so it ment that i would be without a decent amp during the period of waiting.

After several delays (2.5 months after its initial build time) it finally shipped on March this year through USPS to England, but somewhere between US and UK it dissapeared....nearly $4000 worth of amp vanished in to thin air with out trace and No-one could account for where it went? USPS couldn't find it, UK receivers/delivery said that it still waiting on it to arrive UK customs?? a case of its gone bye-byes and you ain't seeing it again.

After several weeks I had near enough resigned to the fact that i had lost $4000 and still had no decent amp in the mean time, but was fortunate to have a cousin who had a VH4 which help me out when i needed a good amp.
It has taken many months of over-time working just to get back to where i had started prior to buying the Friedman last year, and was working towards getting funds to get a replacement BE-100.

About a week and a half ago i got a steal on a CLR attomic cab in the US and bought it and was expecting its arrival here in England, i got customs order of amount to pay (little sooner than expected?) and i paid then paid extra for a Saturday delivery (yesterday) and at 9.55 am i got the knock on my door...

Delivery guy didn't have a Atomic CLR... He was standing there with a beat up Cameron amp box in head shape and i was like WTF?? that ain't no CLR??
Signed for it and open it up and there it was the Friedman BE-100. I was completey Gob-smacked!
Given the condition of its box i was like dumb-founded, couldn't really let it sink in that it's here? I was happy yet confused at the same time but was curious as to whether it was in working condition as the box had received abuse, it was shunted on it botton left side and holed and left a damage mark on the bottom left back side of the BE-100 amp.
I also could not believe that a $3500 amp could be shipped internationally in a single box with no packing and just an inch thick corner foam paddings which allowed an inch clearance all around the amp but the feet touching the bottom?? (i thought of Steve-k's Gillyaron perdicament) i mean C'mon, whats with these high$$ stuff being sent out in limited packaging?? when i bought a Diezel Hagen few years back it came double box with packing and 2.5 - 3 inch foam corner paddings etc??.
Anyways... the BE-100 is not working and have tried a band mates power tubes to see it if was minor tube issue... its not and i am like jeez after 7 months from it being declared lost i get it to only have to comtemplate sending it all the way back to LA to get fixed??
Only plus side right now is that i have the amp and its found and means the money is not lost,
Guess i am looking at the glass half full as opposed to half empty when it was considered lost.

The CLR is scheduled to arrive customs on Tuesday and the seller has assured me that its double boxed.

Lessons have been learned and mistakes will be well avoided in future.

 

[Charvel_King]

Why not have someone local fix it?

There are plenty of decent amps tech here in the UK

There arent any magic tricks inside those amps or any other amp.

Anyone worth their salt would be bale to fix it.

 

[brickford]

Why not have someone local fix it?

There are plenty of decent amps tech here in the UK

There arent any magic tricks inside those amps or any other amp.

Anyone worth their salt would be bale to fix it.

Yep that's my thought on it too but was wondering if it affects any warranties or what not but i am sending a email to Dave friedman to see if there's any shed of light to be had on it.

 

[rlord1974]

Sounds identical to the packing job used on my brand new, first production run Cameron CCV. It was absolutely shameful. A $3,500 amp shipped in a single walled cardboard box with about 4 strips of the cheapest packing tape I've ever seen. When it arrived at my door, the box looked like hell, and I could reach my hand inside the now open top flap and touch the top of the amp. And it wasn't Customs that opened the box, as the Customs paperwork clearly stated that the box had not been opened and inspected. Inside the box was the same 1" packing foam on either end of the amp head. Miraculously, the CCV worked.

It's pathetic that an amp of that value would be packed/shipped so poorly. That pretty much convinced me never to buy another amp from Cameron or Friedman. Your story now confirms my conclusion was correct. Sorry about the bullshit you've been through. You certainly shouldn't be out a cent from this deal. You paid for a brand new, 100% functional BE-100, and that certainly is not what you received. Between the seller and the shipping company, they need to make it right for you - at their cost.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Glad it showed; lame as hell it showed up 7 months after you ordered it and non functional. Happy/sad for you, man. Hope you get it working and it's your dream tone.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Sounds identical to the packing job used on my brand new, first production run Cameron CCV. It was absolutely shameful. A $3,500 amp shipped in a single walled cardboard box with about 4 strips of the cheapest packing tape I've ever seen. When it arrived at my door, the box looked like hell, and I could reach my hand inside the now open top flap and touch the top of the amp. And it wasn't Customs that opened the box, as the Customs paperwork clearly stated that the box had not been opened and inspected. Inside the box was the same 1" packing foam on either end of the amp head. Miraculously, the CCV worked.

It's pathetic that an amp of that value would be packed/shipped so poorly. That pretty much convinced me never to buy another amp from Cameron or Friedman. Your story now confirms my conclusion was correct. Sorry about the bullshit you've been through. You certainly shouldn't be out a cent from this deal. You paid for a brand new, 100% functional BE-100, and that certainly is not what you received. Between the seller and the shipping company, they need to make it right for you - at their cost.

 

[brickford]

Sounds identical to the packing job used on my brand new, first production run Cameron CCV. It was absolutely shameful. A $3,500 amp shipped in a single walled cardboard box with about 4 strips of the cheapest packing tape I've ever seen. When it arrived at my door, the box looked like hell, and I could reach my hand inside the now open top flap and touch the top of the amp. And it wasn't Customs that opened the box, as the Customs paperwork clearly stated that the box had not been opened and inspected. Inside the box was the same 1" packing foam on either end of the amp head. Miraculously, the CCV worked.

It's pathetic that an amp of that value would be packed/shipped so poorly. That pretty much convinced me never to buy another amp from Cameron or Friedman. Your story now confirms my conclusion was correct. Sorry about the bullshit you've been through. You certainly shouldn't be out a cent from this deal. You paid for a brand new, 100% functional BE-100, and that certainly is not what you received. Between the seller and the shipping company, they need to make it right for you - at their cost.

I actually thought the way Diezal packs the gear is overkill but... now i see their packing as a god-send considering the abuse shippers do to parcels.

 

[JimmyBlind]

You sound pretty calm under the circumstances. That sounds like one of the most infuriating purchasing experiences I've ever heard.

 

[brickford]

You sound pretty calm under the circumstances. That sounds like one of the most infuriating purchasing experiences I've ever heard.

Suffer from mild form of Bells palsy that is brought on by stress etc so it's a matter of stay calm in a situation that you have no control of.
But trust me i would be freaking and stressin and pissin' in people sand-boxes like a motherfxxker if i could

 

[Heritage Softail]

You sound pretty calm under the circumstances. That sounds like one of the most infuriating purchasing experiences I've ever heard.

Suffer from mild form of Bells palsy that is brought on by stress etc so it's a matter of stay calm in a situation that you have no control of.
But trust me i would be freaking and stressin and pissin' in people sand-boxes like a motherfxxker if i could

Yo are a good example is a couple ways. Hope this all workout good for you man.

 

[metalmaniac93]

Sounds identical to the packing job used on my brand new, first production run Cameron CCV. It was absolutely shameful. A $3,500 amp shipped in a single walled cardboard box with about 4 strips of the cheapest packing tape I've ever seen. When it arrived at my door, the box looked like hell, and I could reach my hand inside the now open top flap and touch the top of the amp. And it wasn't Customs that opened the box, as the Customs paperwork clearly stated that the box had not been opened and inspected. Inside the box was the same 1" packing foam on either end of the amp head. Miraculously, the CCV worked.

It's pathetic that an amp of that value would be packed/shipped so poorly. That pretty much convinced me never to buy another amp from Cameron or Friedman. Your story now confirms my conclusion was correct. Sorry about the bullshit you've been through. You certainly shouldn't be out a cent from this deal. You paid for a brand new, 100% functional BE-100, and that certainly is not what you received. Between the seller and the shipping company, they need to make it right for you - at their cost.

Sorry to hear that!!! Very pathetic!!! I will never buy a Friedman or a Scameron!!!! Learned my lesson with the Scameron!!

 

[glip22]

What about insurance? I have to think Friedman amps are all shipped with insurance protection. Allot of negative stories recently I would be furious if it wasn't insured and I was told I was SOL.

 

[Heritage Softail]

For a great Marshall based sound with a few additional options, a Henning Cherry Bomb seems like a solid choice. Plus they ship out of stock....

 

[metalmaniac93]

This isn't ment as a bitch thread and not intended to flame anyone but mearly highlight a situation one could find themselves in as i indeed did.

Back in December last year i placed an order for a new Friedman BE-100 with extra mod (BE-HBE switch mod), paid in full and paid via paypal gift as the fees would have been pass on to myself etc.
I had sold my VH4 in order to fund this purchase as i am of limited means etc so it ment that i would be without a decent amp during the period of waiting.

After several delays (2.5 months after its initial build time) it finally shipped on March this year through USPS to England, but somewhere between US and UK it dissapeared....nearly $4000 worth of amp vanished in to thin air with out trace and No-one could account for where it went? USPS couldn't find it, UK receivers/delivery said that it still waiting on it to arrive UK customs?? a case of its gone bye-byes and you ain't seeing it again.

After several weeks I had near enough resigned to the fact that i had lost $4000 and still had no decent amp in the mean time, but was fortunate to have a cousin who had a VH4 which help me out when i needed a good amp.
It has taken many months of over-time working just to get back to where i had started prior to buying the Friedman last year, and was working towards getting funds to get a replacement BE-100.

About a week and a half ago i got a steal on a CLR attomic cab in the US and bought it and was expecting its arrival here in England, i got customs order of amount to pay (little sooner than expected?) and i paid then paid extra for a Saturday delivery (yesterday) and at 9.55 am i got the knock on my door...

Delivery guy didn't have a Atomic CLR... He was standing there with a beat up Cameron amp box in head shape and i was like WTF?? that ain't no CLR??
Signed for it and open it up and there it was the Friedman BE-100. I was completey Gob-smacked!
Given the condition of its box i was like dumb-founded, couldn't really let it sink in that it's here? I was happy yet confused at the same time but was curious as to whether it was in working condition as the box had received abuse, it was shunted on it botton left side and holed and left a damage mark on the bottom left back side of the BE-100 amp.
I also could not believe that a $3500 amp could be shipped internationally in a single box with no packing and just an inch thick corner foam paddings which allowed an inch clearance all around the amp but the feet touching the bottom?? (i thought of Steve-k's Gillyaron perdicament) i mean C'mon, whats with these high$$ stuff being sent out in limited packaging?? when i bought a Diezel Hagen few years back it came double box with packing and 2.5 - 3 inch foam corner paddings etc??.
Anyways... the BE-100 is not working and have tried a band mates power tubes to see it if was minor tube issue... its not and i am like jeez after 7 months from it being declared lost i get it to only have to comtemplate sending it all the way back to LA to get fixed??
Only plus side right now is that i have the amp and its found and means the money is not lost,
Guess i am looking at the glass half full as opposed to half empty when it was considered lost.

The CLR is scheduled to arrive customs on Tuesday and the seller has assured me that its double boxed.

Lessons have been learned and mistakes will be well avoided in future.

Maybe you should contact Dan Gower, if you do not want to send it back to LA. He might be able to help. I would just send it back to LA and get my money back though!!! If you were Steve Stevens, Jerry Cantrell or a high profile player, your amp would probably be special delivered with a nice bow on it!!

 

[steve_k]

Damn bro. That is fucked up and yes, there is no excuse for piss poor packing. You need to get in touch with Tone Merchants and see if Rob/Dave will help you out. You could also get in touch with Dan Gower in London. I bet he would have a look at it for you. The circuit is quite easy to figure out. There's a few other amp builders that are just as bad with packing. They could all take a lesson from Diezel and Bogner on how to pack an amp. I feel for you man.

Steve

 

[brickford]

This isn't ment as a bitch thread and not intended to flame anyone but mearly highlight a situation one could find themselves in as i indeed did.

Back in December last year i placed an order for a new Friedman BE-100 with extra mod (BE-HBE switch mod), paid in full and paid via paypal gift as the fees would have been pass on to myself etc.
I had sold my VH4 in order to fund this purchase as i am of limited means etc so it ment that i would be without a decent amp during the period of waiting.

After several delays (2.5 months after its initial build time) it finally shipped on March this year through USPS to England, but somewhere between US and UK it dissapeared....nearly $4000 worth of amp vanished in to thin air with out trace and No-one could account for where it went? USPS couldn't find it, UK receivers/delivery said that it still waiting on it to arrive UK customs?? a case of its gone bye-byes and you ain't seeing it again.

After several weeks I had near enough resigned to the fact that i had lost $4000 and still had no decent amp in the mean time, but was fortunate to have a cousin who had a VH4 which help me out when i needed a good amp.
It has taken many months of over-time working just to get back to where i had started prior to buying the Friedman last year, and was working towards getting funds to get a replacement BE-100.

About a week and a half ago i got a steal on a CLR attomic cab in the US and bought it and was expecting its arrival here in England, i got customs order of amount to pay (little sooner than expected?) and i paid then paid extra for a Saturday delivery (yesterday) and at 9.55 am i got the knock on my door...

Delivery guy didn't have a Atomic CLR... He was standing there with a beat up Cameron amp box in head shape and i was like WTF?? that ain't no CLR??
Signed for it and open it up and there it was the Friedman BE-100. I was completey Gob-smacked!
Given the condition of its box i was like dumb-founded, couldn't really let it sink in that it's here? I was happy yet confused at the same time but was curious as to whether it was in working condition as the box had received abuse, it was shunted on it botton left side and holed and left a damage mark on the bottom left back side of the BE-100 amp.
I also could not believe that a $3500 amp could be shipped internationally in a single box with no packing and just an inch thick corner foam paddings which allowed an inch clearance all around the amp but the feet touching the bottom?? (i thought of Steve-k's Gillyaron perdicament) i mean C'mon, whats with these high$$ stuff being sent out in limited packaging?? when i bought a Diezel Hagen few years back it came double box with packing and 2.5 - 3 inch foam corner paddings etc??.
Anyways... the BE-100 is not working and have tried a band mates power tubes to see it if was minor tube issue... its not and i am like jeez after 7 months from it being declared lost i get it to only have to comtemplate sending it all the way back to LA to get fixed??
Only plus side right now is that i have the amp and its found and means the money is not lost,
Guess i am looking at the glass half full as opposed to half empty when it was considered lost.

The CLR is scheduled to arrive customs on Tuesday and the seller has assured me that its double boxed.

Lessons have been learned and mistakes will be well avoided in future.

Maybe you should contact Dan Gower, if you do not want to send it back to LA. He might be able to help. I would just send it back to LA and get my money back though!!! If you were Steve Stevens, Jerry Cantrell or a high profile player, your amp would probably be special delivered with a nice bow on it!!

Dan Gower was my original idea i even spoke in email form with him about mods late last year but saw the BE-100 and GAS'd like you do and thought that'll do me nicely
Hindsight is a wonderfull thing to have, something that i lack.

 

[shgshg]

Pay by credit card next time. Any dramas, reverse the transaction, let the cc company sort it out.

 

[metalmaniac93]

This isn't ment as a bitch thread and not intended to flame anyone but mearly highlight a situation one could find themselves in as i indeed did.

Back in December last year i placed an order for a new Friedman BE-100 with extra mod (BE-HBE switch mod), paid in full and paid via paypal gift as the fees would have been pass on to myself etc.
I had sold my VH4 in order to fund this purchase as i am of limited means etc so it ment that i would be without a decent amp during the period of waiting.

After several delays (2.5 months after its initial build time) it finally shipped on March this year through USPS to England, but somewhere between US and UK it dissapeared....nearly $4000 worth of amp vanished in to thin air with out trace and No-one could account for where it went? USPS couldn't find it, UK receivers/delivery said that it still waiting on it to arrive UK customs?? a case of its gone bye-byes and you ain't seeing it again.

After several weeks I had near enough resigned to the fact that i had lost $4000 and still had no decent amp in the mean time, but was fortunate to have a cousin who had a VH4 which help me out when i needed a good amp.
It has taken many months of over-time working just to get back to where i had started prior to buying the Friedman last year, and was working towards getting funds to get a replacement BE-100.

About a week and a half ago i got a steal on a CLR attomic cab in the US and bought it and was expecting its arrival here in England, i got customs order of amount to pay (little sooner than expected?) and i paid then paid extra for a Saturday delivery (yesterday) and at 9.55 am i got the knock on my door...

Delivery guy didn't have a Atomic CLR... He was standing there with a beat up Cameron amp box in head shape and i was like WTF?? that ain't no CLR??
Signed for it and open it up and there it was the Friedman BE-100. I was completey Gob-smacked!
Given the condition of its box i was like dumb-founded, couldn't really let it sink in that it's here? I was happy yet confused at the same time but was curious as to whether it was in working condition as the box had received abuse, it was shunted on it botton left side and holed and left a damage mark on the bottom left back side of the BE-100 amp.
I also could not believe that a $3500 amp could be shipped internationally in a single box with no packing and just an inch thick corner foam paddings which allowed an inch clearance all around the amp but the feet touching the bottom?? (i thought of Steve-k's Gillyaron perdicament) i mean C'mon, whats with these high$$ stuff being sent out in limited packaging?? when i bought a Diezel Hagen few years back it came double box with packing and 2.5 - 3 inch foam corner paddings etc??.
Anyways... the BE-100 is not working and have tried a band mates power tubes to see it if was minor tube issue... its not and i am like jeez after 7 months from it being declared lost i get it to only have to comtemplate sending it all the way back to LA to get fixed??
Only plus side right now is that i have the amp and its found and means the money is not lost,
Guess i am looking at the glass half full as opposed to half empty when it was considered lost.

The CLR is scheduled to arrive customs on Tuesday and the seller has assured me that its double boxed.

Lessons have been learned and mistakes will be well avoided in future.

Maybe you should contact Dan Gower, if you do not want to send it back to LA. He might be able to help. I would just send it back to LA and get my money back though!!! If you were Steve Stevens, Jerry Cantrell or a high profile player, your amp would probably be special delivered with a nice bow on it!!

Dan Gower was my original idea i even spoke in email form with him about mods late last year but saw the BE-100 and GAS'd like you do and thought that'll do me nicely
Hindsight is a wonderfull thing to have, something that i lack.

Yes, I have a 1983 Marshall 2203 that is Dan is working on and I live in the US. His customer service is outstanding unlike some of the other amp builders.

 

[Anonymous]

Geez, that story sounds familiar...

Make sure it isn't the customs that opened it up for inspection...

Check the preamp tubes and fuses; they can crack quite easily

And don't contact nobody but Friedman, or whatever dealer you bought it from
You buy something new, you're entitled to a brand new, 100% functionnal product. It's the goddamn law, check what the exact law is in the US/UK, and sue their ass if you don't get your money back.
You shouldn't have to pay a penny more than what you already paid.

 

[metalmaniac93]

Geez, that story sounds familiar...

Make sure it isn't the customs that opened it up for inspection...

Check the preamp tubes and fuses; they can crack quite easily

And don't contact nobody but Friedman, or whatever dealer you bought it from
You buy something new, you're entitled to a brand new, 100% functionnal product. It's the goddamn law, check what the exact law is in the US/UK, and sue their ass if you don't get your money back.
You shouldn't have to pay a penny more than what you already paid.

Well said!!!