How to deal with small amp builders?

  • Thread starter Thread starter VC4Ever
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VC4Ever

VC4Ever

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I ordered an amp from a small builder. I won't say the name as of yet. But it seems like I am getting the run around. Amp was suppose to be done around 6- 8 weeks. It has now been over three months. Responses have been something like, I am finishing the amp before yours and will be starting yours next week..

Ok over a month has gone by. Then he says I have been busy with something else and it should be done earlier next week..

Ok well now its the end of the week and no response. I am getting a little bit :confused: here. What should I do as it is a small builder and I don't know how to deal with it. Anything big with a reputation and I will be all up in that trying to get my amp.

I made a deposit off half the amp price and I want my amp. This is just getting ridiculous. Anyone with similar expieriences and solutions. T
 
Pucker up & kiss some ass
Any sign of frustration on your part will lead to no amp
 
VC4Ever":10y69v36 said:
I ordered an amp from a small builder. I won't say the name as of yet. But it seems like I am getting the run around. Amp was suppose to be done around 6- 8 weeks. It has now been over three months. Responses have been something like, I am finishing the amp before yours and will be starting yours next week..

Ok over a month has gone by. Then he says I have been busy with something else and it should be done earlier next week..

Ok well now its the end of the week and no response. I am getting a little bit :confused: here. What should I do as it is a small builder and I don't know how to deal with it. Anything big with a reputation and I will be all up in that trying to get my amp.

I made a deposit off half the amp price and I want my amp. This is just getting ridiculous. Anyone with similar expieriences and solutions. T
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Sounds like the exact same thing I went through one time. I was told 9 weeks and that turned in to 6 months. It sucks. I hope the wait is worth it.
 
Ask for your money back.

All these horror stories about this same thing.

I dont think id ever pay anyone money upfront for anything ever. Gear or no gear.

If they gave you a time frame at the time of taking your money they need to keep to that time frame. If not they messed up not you.

You should request a refund

Id make an exception for a Bernie Rico Jr. perhaps :)
 
It is always up to the buyer to do research before putting money on the table for goods/products/services especially if the product does not exist and is built to order.

There are always two sides to a story. If you want resolution, out them on the forum and let them come defend themselves on their behalf.

Honestly many small time hot-shots that read a few topics and buy a fluke meter can claim to be a capable of doing repair work or builds for that matter. It is the internet. If you have no amplifier and are getting the run-around then it looks like you are getting fucked over.

I waited 2 years for a special custom guitar to be made from ESP - run-arounds were not a part of any conversation. I had a contact phone number and personal recommendations from others plus researched on my own. I was able to keep in touch very easily and was also able to work with ESP USA directly.

Shit happens, but it should not be at your expense or hastle. Ask for a refund and out them. Problem solved. just my .02.
 
Anytime I order custom crap, I can always count on doubling the quoted time-frame. Guaranteed. If it meets the my delivery date, I lucked out. The only exception is Nate Perle from PerleGuitars (plug for Nate), he is ALWAYS on point.

I'm closing in on a year past the projected delivery date for a custom guitar. But that luthier is in constant contact on my inquiries on my order.

Your amp builder possibly is not responding due to nothing to update. I understand this is aggravating. If your worried about your deposit... How did you pay. You shouldnt worry if its tied to a credit card. Know your deadlines for recourse. If you paid PP linked to a regular bank account..... You are his hostage if you have exceeded the allotted recourse time pertaining to a claim.

How far away is this amp builder from your dwelling area? Pay him a visit.
 
Seriously, hope you have a good credit card company. At this point I would be after recovery of funds. These empty promises could go on literally for years and years. Cameron is much like the Titanic in that their greatest contribution has been to serve as a warning to others.
 
Sorry to hear this man. As I hope to be a amp builder one day, I never want to be like this. Really be interested in seeing who this is.
 
Originally quoted 6-8 weeks to now with a little over 3 months does not sound like so long of a delay, shit happens, I would have expected a delay before hand regardless of the time quoted it happens with everything..

Maybe grow some balls to call and talk to the builder personally and find out what is going on instead of pussy footing around with a whining post on the internet..
 
VC4Ever":3sasv54f said:
I ordered an amp from a small builder. I won't say the name as of yet. But it seems like I am getting the run around. Amp was suppose to be done around 6- 8 weeks. It has now been over three months. Responses have been something like, I am finishing the amp before yours and will be starting yours next week..

Ok over a month has gone by. Then he says I have been busy with something else and it should be done earlier next week..

Ok well now its the end of the week and no response. I am getting a little bit :confused: here. What should I do as it is a small builder and I don't know how to deal with it. Anything big with a reputation and I will be all up in that trying to get my amp.

I made a deposit off half the amp price and I want my amp. This is just getting ridiculous. Anyone with similar expieriences and solutions. T
Click to expand...
The estimates you will get from most boutique guitar, amp, pedal, etc. builders are usually wild-assed guesses and in many cases flat out lies that will never be met in my experience. Hell, even an operation like the Charvel Custom Shop is full of shit. I was originally told November 2011 for a guitar I ordered in April 2011 and it is now over a year and it is probably going to be another 2-3 months minimum. If they have no idea, what do you expect from most guys building 20-50 amps a year? It is what it is though and truthfully, based on my experience I fully expected this, so I'm not even caring... 2-3 months from now I will be though...

That said, 12 weeks on a 8 week estimate is a bit early to be freaking, IMO...

If you are done waiting, I would ask nicely for my deposit back since it hasn't been started yet and he is losing nothing by returning it and moving on. If he won't return your deposit, if you have his delivery timeframe in writing, tell him you will take him to small claims court to get your money back + lost wages, etc. If that doesn't work, either follow through or chalk it up as a loss and move on.

I've been through this multiple times and in only two cases did the person not ultimately deliver (although delivery was sometimes a year later than originally quoted), however in both cases I was able to retrieve my cash, sometimes driving over 100 miles to get it. I feel lucky...

It is one downside of ordering custom stuff from flaky "artistes"... I have found that VERY few boutique guitar, amp, pedal, etc. builders have any business sense whatsoever. Many act as if they are doing you, the paying customer, some sort of favor, and it is so incredibly maddening...

Steve
 
I can understand if the builder would just say I am having some problems with production at the moment and so on. But to say that I will be working on your amp after I finish off the one I am doing and it should be done really soon, then not contact me at all for a month and I have to ask hey whats up? And then get more run around saying it will be done eary this week but man its now the end of the week and nothing.

I will bite my tongue for and wait a little longer but I don't know for how long.
 
While i am sure there are a few builders
That maybe have issues
I do not feel it I's fair to paint them all
With the same brush
Dave @ Baron for instance gives the most
Amazing customer service responds to emails
Almost as fast as you send them and not one word responses either
But long concise explanations
You end up learning so much during conversations
With him
So my point I's although we do not know who it is
I guarantee i can say who it isnt
 
gtr31":38hro5sb said:
While i am sure there are a few builders
That maybe have issues
I do not feel it I's fair to paint them all
With the same brush
Dave @ Baron for instance gives the most
Amazing customer service responds to emails
Almost as fast as you send them and not one word responses either
But long concise explanations
You end up learning so much during conversations
With him
So my point I's although we do not know who it is
I guarantee i can say who it isnt
Click to expand...
There are exceptions to every rule. I will be one of them, but the vast majority can be painted with this brush. I have too much experience with this to entertain other arguments...

Nice to hear about Baron!

Steve
 
VC4Ever":2d2bd1x9 said:
I can understand if the builder would just say I am having some problems with production at the moment and so on. But to say that I will be working on your amp after I finish off the one I am doing and it should be done really soon, then not contact me at all for a month and I have to ask hey whats up? And then get more run around saying it will be done eary this week but man its now the end of the week and nothing.

I will bite my tongue for and wait a little longer but I don't know for how long.
Click to expand...
Par for the course, man... Par for the course...

Steve
 
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