Another reason not buy local

[Kurt]

A letter to Taylor explaining the lack of service from their local representative might get the local distributor a kick in the pants too..

Maybe a short letter to the GM about the lack of service could be in order, not that it will make much of a difference to anything.
So on with life.

[Gian]

Hi Dale

I certainly would write an email explaining your situation to Taylor in the US, and how you had little success locally.

I am sure they would be keen to hear your experience and lack of support.

[Chris H]

Hi Dale

I certainly would write an email explaining your situation to Taylor in the US, and how you had little success locally.

I am sure they would be keen to hear your experience and lack of support.

And i would include a link to this discussion if that's ok by Rick and the higher authority. It will make a difference to the local situation, as problems like this are typically middle management issues and when those higher up in the company get this sort of feedback, asses get kicked. Local distributor attitudes impact on the bottom line.

[no-fi]

wow... that's some very poor performance on supporting a $4500 guitar, from both the manufacturer and the distributor.

There's some great distributors in Australia who do deserve our support, but I'll be looking long and hard at other options anytime I'm buying something that comes through electric factory...

[Hybrid88]

...I'll be looking long and hard at other options anytime I'm buying something that comes through electric factory...

Hmm, interesting you say that, so is this a common thing? Because I had an absolute shocker of an experience when I tried to buy a $400+ keyboard stand through a local retailer using ELFA as their supplier.

Long story short, I enquired about a specific model to ELFA who told me to place an order through the local retailer which I did, after waiting three whole months with nothing, I emailed back to ELFA who told me that the manufacturer had discontinued production of that model, he then offered me a similar model. I then asked a bit more about the replacement and the differences between the two and didn't get a reply.

Now, I eventually got everything sorted out (over three months after my initial order mind you) through the local music retailer who were very good and told ELFA about my displeasure. I then got an apology from ELFA and finally ordered the replacement stand and all was good.

But here's the deal, what really pissed me off wasn't that the stand wasn't available anymore, it was more the fact that I had it on order and ELFA did not tell my local retailer that it wasn't coming?! WTF! And then the guy doesn't respond to my emails.

At the end of it all I did get an apology from the boss at ELFA but this was more due to the nice guys at the local music shop than anything. Makes you wonder though...

[rick]

this whole conversation is about respect for the end user
when a business loses respect for their customers , when the complaining customer is always apparent "wrong"
when the whole operation is just a means to get to the next years balance sheet

sombody has lost their way in business

but they are probably making more money that way then i ever will

[NYMo]

Hi there,

Dale ...write to the Gm..don't let them get away with that.

Thats why they get away with it...because they are not accoubtable for what they did(or didn't do)

People used to complain about me to the Brashs management all the time..and they used to reprimand me..
*whadya mean that customer had to have mental treatment for a week ^???(true !!)

Sorry..its been a big week...just venting ;-)
cheers
N
Y
M
O

[musikwerks]

I think Bob Taylor would be pretty interested in your story Dale.

Maybe I should write to the companies represented by a certain dealer in Australia who outright refuses to sell their product to me. The dealer in question has called me a liar and a few other things, all because I purchased some gear from the USA and not from him (and he wonders why?). He'll probably see this post and send me a pm demanding I take it down, like he's done in the past.

[HA_DA_JA]

I have moved on

[Ausrock]

I think Bob Taylor would be pretty interested in your story Dale.

Maybe I should write to the companies represented by a certain dealer in Australia who outright refuses to sell their product to me. The dealer in question has called me a liar and a few other things, all because I purchased some gear from the USA and not from him (and he wonders why?). He'll probably see this post and send me a pm demanding I take it down, like he's done in the past.

Care to throw out some hints as to who this dealer "might be".

[musikwerks]

No one in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne or Adelaide.

[graemeh]

Yes, write to the CEO.

I got an immediate response when I wrote to the CEO of a power company after months of runaround and bullshit fro their staff...

I got a letter and phone calls of apology and a $150 voucher as a goodwill gesture - mind you I had days, dates, names etc all written down, which helped.

CEO's need to know what's happening on the factory floor so to speak...

[HA_DA_JA]

Well my package arrived from USA today and low and behold they shipped not one but an extra tuner.
I was most happy with the outcome. I am even more perplexed about the service managers comment that you cant get these anymore and that they are no longer available in USA.
Wow just looking back at the dates it all started on the 14th of July- that was 9 days ago. Here I have in my hands a result that came from overseas.
Its amazing how when you buy some things in Australia that are in stock that it can take 2-4 weeks delivery.
I guess other then a letter to the GM its case closed.

[Chris H]

Great news. Glad it all worked out.

[The Tasmanian]

99.9% of the time I by local, I strongly believe it supports the local industry,
BUT:
I am interested in a Eventide H8000fw - I can get it in the US for 5k US - or buy it here for over 8k.
Called the importer today and he didn't even know what a H8000 was - had to look it up on the computer to see if they sold them.
Anyone recommend a good US store and person to deal with for a shopping stint?
3k markup for a product that they don't even know helped me bypass my industry patriotism this time.
pretty simple to work out what is the best move - I don't care if I have to send it back for repairs!
Also while we are on topic - I believe that Billy Hydes and Allens music are merging - this makes one huge music retailer with massive buying power - ramifications?
Anyone got a H8000fw for sale??

[HA_DA_JA]

Bigger does not mean better.

[lonearranger]

Chris,

You can try http://www.jrrshop.com - they will often discount (UAD Forum member discount) or cover fright on more expenesive items. They only have the eventide pedals on the site so you would need to contact them to see if they can supply it.

Saw the Allans/Hydes merger email today. I guess if the retailer also becomes the importer then it can push costs down, but then if they control local supply and retail then there is no need to be competive, and it might have negative impact on the little guys who really care about what they do. Guess we got a bit closer to having an AU version of Guitar Center.

Cheers

[Sammas]

99.9% of the time I by local, I strongly believe it supports the local industry,
BUT:
I am interested in a Eventide H8000fw - I can get it in the US for 5k US - or buy it here for over 8k.
Called the importer today and he didn't even know what a H8000 was - had to look it up on the computer to see if they sold them.
Anyone recommend a good US store and person to deal with for a shopping stint?
3k markup for a product that they don't even know helped me bypass my industry patriotism this time.
pretty simple to work out what is the best move - I don't care if I have to send it back for repairs!
Also while we are on topic - I believe that Billy Hydes and Allens music are merging - this makes one huge music retailer with massive buying power - ramifications?
Anyone got a H8000fw for sale??

I've given up (mostly) buying any large ticket items locally but that is mostly because I search for used gear.

Awave's have them listed for $7000. You could probably convince them to knock some off the top as well.

Sweetwater list the H8000fw at $5500us. That's about $6100aus straight of the bat. At 10% gst and you are already at $6700 not including the potential 5% import duty, 60 buck customs fee and shipping costs. I think if you buy it new overseas you will quickly be paying more than the $7000.

Used would be a different story. If you keep an eye out on US ebay you could probably snag one for a considerable discount.

[GlennS]

FWIW, 5% import duty does not apply to a H8000fw.

[The Tasmanian]

I'm glad Awave have them - they are good guys, another good reason to buy local

[Hybrid88]

FWIW, 5% import duty does not apply to a H8000fw.

Interesting, why's that?

[walding]

I'm glad Awave have them - they are good guys, another good reason to buy local

+1

[GlennS]

FWIW, 5% import duty does not apply to a H8000fw.

Interesting, why's that?

Because it's a signal processor, and signal processors are specifically mentioned in the Australian customs tariff as being duty free.

[stosostu]

I would absolutely detail the full interaction with the local distributor to Taylor in the US, I'm sure they don't want this sort of thing affecting their reputation and it appears that the manufacturer was more than happy to help directly. Once again, an Oz distributor shooting itself in the foot over a few dollars and they wonder why people buy via the internet, from US retailers. Of course, the other option would have been to buy an Oz made instrument. IMO there are local luthiers who can compete favourably with anything from overseas in both quality and price, you just have to know which ones.

[HA_DA_JA]

I have moved on.