Guest HRB853370 Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Got the 137 back from the shop a few minutes ago. New 500k bridge pot installed to replace the bent one. N/C. Why? There were three small marks left on the back of the guitar in the finish that were not there when I brought it in. The owner, who I usually deal with, was not there. The young tech apologized, tried to buff them out with no luck, and told me no charge. On the way home, the owner called me and vehemently denied that it could have happened in the shop. He reiterated over and over that he personally inpects all instruments before they get worked on and when completed, before they go back in the case. He also said all work benches are completely clean and free of debris before the guitar hits the bench. "Well Mr. Owner, can you explain then how this happened?". He tried to put the blame on me, saying the guitar had those marks when I brought it in, and in the same breath, apologized to me, and said he was sorry that I felt it happened there. I replied by saying, "I don't feel it happened there, I KNOW it happened there". He finished up by saying he hopes it will not deter me in the future from being a customer. Its a good thing the young techie was there to hand me over my guitar at N/C, as I believe the owner would have flatly denied it and made me pay!! At any rate, here she is all spread out, with the new speed knobs that Gitfiddler sent me. Thanks Tim! She is still pretty and the little marks do not show up in the photos.
DetroitBlues Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Where are the marks? Can you find a pic of them?
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Where are the marks? Can you find a pic of them? Too small to photograph with my cheap camera but they are there.
GuitArtMan Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Lear to work on your own guitars... just sayin...
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Lear to work on your own guitars... just sayin... In the midst of moving, stuff packed up, no place to even consider working on a guitar right now, I took it to a shop who has always been reputable. That said, thanks for your unsolicited advice. FYI I do most of the simple stuff myself anyhow.
Kuz Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 I had that happen to me when a very well respected luthier in Columbus was working on my 575 about 2.5 years ago. Prior to the work I told them it was a brand new guitar, not a scratch on her, and to baby her. I got her back with many surface scratches from the sandpaper used to radius the baseplate. Before I could say anything the 2nd in charge said, "there are some minor surface scratches there, but not from us.". I said that they weren't there when I brought the guitar in. Then I played the guitar and the action was much higher than I requested. I brought the guitar in to have the bridge & base plate install and I knew the scratches would probably buff out and I could fix the action. To let the guitar leave looking and playing like that, made me notice that I was only getting the "generic" setup and no personal attention. They had become too big to give personal attention. Almost 3 yrs later and I have never been back (and I used to take an acoustic in about every 6 months).
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 I had that happen to me when a very well respected luthier in Columbus was working on my 575 about 2.5 years ago. Prior to the work I told them it was a brand new guitar, not a scratch on her, and to baby her. I got her back with many surface scratches from the sandpaper used to radius the baseplate. Before I could say anything the 2nd in charge said, "there are some minor surface scratches there, but not from us.". I said that they weren't there when I brought the guitar in. Then I played the guitar and the action was much higher than I requested. I brought the guitar in to have the bridge & base plate install and I knew the scratches would probably buff out and I could fix the action. To let the guitar leave looking and playing like that, made me notice that I was only getting the "generic" setup and no personal attention. They had become too big to give personal attention. Almost 3 yrs later and I have never been back (and I used to take an acoustic in about every 6 months). It would have been just fine John, if the owner would have just said, "its possible that we did scratch it, our sincere apology, no charge for the work". It was so insulting that the owner vehemently denied that it did not happen there. Turns out, they are very minor marks, but nevertheless, they were not there when I brought the guitar in. Its a matter of principle. Just fess up that it happened and you will have a more satisfied customer than if you deny it and tell the customer he is lying, and that he brought it in to the shop with scratches!!! Am I right or am I full of BS?
eljay Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 a right purdy guitar! it's a shame you had a poor experience w/ the shop . . .
Kuz Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 It would have been just fine John, if the owner would have just said, "its possible that we did scratch it, our sincere apology, no charge for the work". It was so insulting that the owner vehemently denied that it did not happen there. Turns out, they are very minor marks, but nevertheless, they were not there when I brought the guitar in. Its a matter of principle. Just fess up that it happened and you will have a more satisfied customer than if you deny it and tell the customer he is lying, and that he brought it in to the shop with scratches!!! Am I right or am I full of BS? Sounds perfectly reasonable to me, Will.
yoslate Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 It would have been just fine John, if the owner would have just said, "its possible that we did scratch it, our sincere apology, no charge for the work". It was so insulting that the owner vehemently denied that it did not happen there. Turns out, they are very minor marks, but nevertheless, they were not there when I brought the guitar in. Its a matter of principle. Just fess up that it happened and you will have a more satisfied customer than if you deny it and tell the customer he is lying, and that he brought it in to the shop with scratches!!! Am I right or am I full of BS? Will, we try to look at every instrument that comes in for scratches, nicks, that kind of thing, in order to protect ourselves and our customers. I, particularly, will show Tom anything I think might be a finish issue on anything I'm working on. I vacuum my bench (it's covered in carpet) regularly. That being said, accidents do happen. We try to repair them the best we can (Tom's really good at "covering tracks"), but, when something happens, we always fess up to the customer when he or she shows up to get the instrument. Unfortunate when it happens, but it's terrible business to deny it.
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 Will, we try to look at every instrument that comes in for scratches, nicks, that kind of thing, in order to protect ourselves and our customers. I, particularly, will show Tom anything I think might be a finish issue on anything I'm working on. I vacuum my bench (it's covered in carpet) regularly. That being said, accidents do happen. We try to repair them the best we can (Tom's really good at "covering tracks"), but, when something happens, we always fess up to the customer when he or she shows up to get the instrument. Unfortunate when it happens, but it's terrible business to deny it. My stuff is coming to your shop from now on Rob, since I am in the Carolinas now!!
je00143 Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 I'll pass this along, for what its worth - next time you rent a car, TAKE PHOTOS!! I have found out - painfully - that the rental companies like to come back after you two weeks after the rental and say, "You did this, please remit." Maybe it has come to the point when you need to take photos of your instrument before you hand it over. Sad.
fretless Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 Wow what a killer axe . Glad to hear at least there was no charge and don't let that bother you too much . Go rock that thing and don't worry about that slab one bit . \m/
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 Wow what a killer axe . Glad to hear at least there was no charge and don't let that bother you too much . Go rock that thing and don't worry about that slab one bit . \m/ Ain't worried Jeff, the marks are almost inconcpicuous now. Its just that it was 100% flawless, but a little character never hurt. Yes, I am gonna rock it!! We got twins don't we??
fretless Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 Ain't worried Jeff, the marks are almost inconcpicuous now. Its just that it was 100% flawless, but a little character never hurt. Yes, I am gonna rock it!! We got twins don't we?? yes , very close Kin . yeah a rocker looks best with some character IMO , it certainly goes for the throat with the tone \m/
FredZepp Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 Those 137's are a really inviting guitar to rock out on.... That one seems like it would be a real blast to spend some time rockin' through a good amp setup. Enjoy !
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