Another Musician's Friend Scam

[rogerbmiller]

Get this.

For Xmas I received a $150 MF gift certificate via email. It is essentially a code to use at check out.

I used $95 of it to buy some stuff and figured the code was still valid, and that they would keep my balance in their system as all other retailers I've dealt with routinely do.

So weeks later I go to use my $55 balance for a purchase, enter the code, and get a message saying "Sorry, you have already used your gift certificate".

So I call and after them hunting and pecking, they give me a new number with the balance. No emails were ever sent stating the new balance or code, mind you.

So I use my new number towards a purchase which I have to return because the item shipped was damaged upon receipt.

Again, weeks go by and no email or new code number is ever sent, so I call today.

I spent 20 minutes of my life on the phone with them and had to get nasty and insist after asking nicely three times that they TELL me my new code number. They refused to give it to me verbally, and instead insisted that they sent me an email that never arrived. Then they said they would resend it rather than tell me (that was this morning and it is still not in my email box).

So, three times in a row their emails with my balance and code never made it to me, yet ALL of their solicitaiton emails, ship confirmations and purchase receipts have had no trouble getting to me.

Now tell me, doesn't it sound like they as a matter of policy change the codes and don't give them to you so that a lot of folks don't ever use their prepaid gift cards.

After I spend my balance, I am done with them.

[Rick Auricchio]

Was this a certificate that someone paid for? Or was it just a freebie?

If it was a freebie, then you still got something from it.

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

Was this a certificate that someone paid for? Or was it just a freebie?

If it was a freebie, then you still got something from it.

Iit was a gift that someone else paid for in cash.

[rogerbmiller]

Follow up. I was so incensed by this that I took another 7 monutes of my life to speak with an MF account manager.

Though I was constructive and cordial, they were a bit defensive to say the least. I think I eventually lowered the gentleman's guard and got him to clarify their policy. I also got him off of the "what does it matter to you" thing and engaged him in the issue to talk to upper management. He admitted he didn't quite understand why the policy is as it is, but here is the policy:

-If you do not use the entire balance of a gift certificate, you get an "in store credit" that can only be used on the phone.

-You are NEVER emailed a new code (so I was lied to this morning).

-This policy is not stated anywhere, either on the gift card/gift card email or in purchasee orders and it is not explained via phone when purchasing a gift certificate.

So buyer beware as they say.

Please pass this info around. I guarantee you that some folks give up and leave them with a balance.

[HMZ]

stop crying...you still got something
for free. That's more then you'll get
from gc or Sam ash.

[scottbass]

Believe it or not, MF does not try to cheat you out of your money. I have found that they do have a difficult time administering their business from time to time. And that's definitely a source of frustration.

Forgive me, but I'm just curious: You said you were eventually successful in spending the remainder of your gift certificate ($55), but the item was damaged when you received it. Isn't that just a straight replacement without you needing to get another code? Isn't MF going to ship you a replacement item after you send the damaged one back to them?

[MarkTAW]

On Amazon the amount remains in your account, no reason to apply a new code. So if I have a $100 gift certificate, and spend $50, there's still $50 credit in my account. I can't re-use the same code because I still have $50 waiting for me to spend. If I spend $60 after that, I only have to pay $10 out of pocket.

Are you sure it's not the same - that the money is credited to your account and when you go to check out your balance will be $50 less?

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by scottbass

Believe it or not, MF does not try to cheat you out of your money. I have found that they do have a difficult time administering their business from time to time. And that's definitely a source of frustration.

Forgive me, but I'm just curious: You said you were eventually successful in spending the remainder of your gift certificate ($55), but the item was damaged when you received it. Isn't that just a straight replacement without you needing to get another code? Isn't MF going to ship you a replacement item after you send the damaged one back to them?

Opten to return for a refund. Given all I went through I wanted to cut my losses.

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by MarkTAW

On Amazon the amount remains in your account, no reason to apply a new code. So if I have a $100 gift certificate, and spend $50, there's still $50 credit in my account. I can't re-use the same code because I still have $50 waiting for me to spend. If I spend $60 after that, I only have to pay $10 out of pocket.

Are you sure it's not the same - that the money is credited to your account and when you go to check out your balance will be $50 less?

Positive. I've gone through hell 4 times now.

And to he who asked me to stop crying, I am not crying. I am generously sharing information with our community so that no one has the same frustrating experience that I have three times in the period of about 6 weeks.

[JeremyBender]

I too had a pretty awful experience with MF but it was a little of my own fault.

I ordered an amp through them simply because none of the my local places had one, and rather then have Sam Ash or GC order it for me, I figured I would try out MF. Also I thought it would be even better if I got the MF credit card, as I could pay it at my leisure and do it interest free.

Well, they sent the wrong amp. However, I found that I liked the amp they sent. It was also a couple hundred bucks cheaper.

I called them, and asked if I could keep the amp, they said sure.. take a few pics and send them to us using the link provided in customer service.

So I didn't find the link and I called back.

The second guy said "oh you don't have to do that. Let me just verify with shipping about the item they sent and we'll credit your account. Don't worry I will take care of it.."

So the bill comes, and I'm still paying for the amp I ordered, but not the amp that came.

I call back again, and they said that they would need me to ship the amp back to them, and then they would credit my account, and ship the amp I ordered back. I said I didn't want that amp anymore, and would prefer to keep this one.

They then said, ok.. ship the amp back, and we'll verify what we need to, and then ship it back to you.

At this point I was confused. I said "look, can't I just read you the serial number so you can verify you had this amp in stock and no longer do? ".

They told me they do not stock items by serial number, and they have no way of verifying with their shipping department what was actually sent.

At that point, I just said to hell with it. I kept the amp they shipped and I am paying for the amp I didn't get.

I paid off the card, closed the account, and I will never order anything online again.

[Earwigger]

Originally Posted by HMZ

stop crying...you still got something
for free. That's more then you'll get
from gc or Sam ash.

That's a little harsh, he got (almost) ripped off of 55$. I'd make a fuss about 55$ any day.

[HMZ]

Originally Posted by Earwigger

That's a little harsh, he got (almost) ripped off of 55$. I'd make a fuss about 55$ any day.

It was a free coupon worth $150.00 dollars. I got one as well and it said right on it good for one purchases only. So if he choses to only use $95.00 worth who's fault is that? I find it odd that a company gives you $150.00 dollars to spend on merchandise and because its not on your terms you were scammed. I have bought many things from MF and returned stuff as well and never had a problem.
Some people are never happy. Plus after you cried to them they still made good and because the item was damage (probably from the shipper) now MF is still no good.

[Rhythm5]

I have actually had pretty good luck with MF. They have always handled my problems really well. Far better than Guitar Center!

[spc]

Originally Posted by HMZ

It was a free coupon worth $150.00 dollars. I got one as well and it said right on it good for one purchases only. So if he choses to only use $95.00 worth who's fault is that? I find it odd that a company gives you $150.00 dollars to spend on merchandise and because its not on your terms you were scammed. I have bought many things from MF and returned stuff as well and never had a problem.
Some people are never happy. Plus after you cried to them they still made good and because the item was damage (probably from the shipper) now MF is still no good.

He said above:

Iit was a gift that someone else paid for in cash.


I'd want the balance, wouldn't you?


shawn

[rogerbmiller]

Are you kidding!?

First of all this was far from free. My brother paid the MF $150dollars of his hard earned money for the gift and there was no such stipulation as "good for one purchase only" when he made the purchase. And I have the certificate to show this.

The fact is that they make you jump through hoops to use the full amount in separate transactions and they bet that many people assume what you just said after failing at making a subsequent purchase with a balance.

Second, what's with your tone? Do you own Guitar Center and find my criticism hurtful cause this is an ethical company that you spent your entire life building for the good of the community? Do you use verbiage such as "crying to them over $55" cause you are such a big man that you wipe your duff with $50 bills? Maybe you own Bain Capital, the private equity company that bought Guitar Center that bought MF? That would certainly be one explanation as to why this discussion seems to agitate you so much.

Did you not read the bit about me being constructive and plesant with them onthe phone? I told them several times how much I enjoyed shopping with them and thought they should hear my feedback and have a chance to reply to me. I even began by thanking them for handling my merchandise return so generously.

Did you read that I wanted to share my experience with the TB community in case someone else has to deal with this and DIDN'T figure out how to get their store credit? I am sure there are some of my fellow TBers who value $55 even more than I do.

Are you capable of engaging in any discussion without attempting to belittle those with whom you have a conflicting opinion? Or without looking like the tough guy in the room?

Back off the personal remarks, please.

Originally Posted by HMZ

It was a free coupon worth $150.00 dollars. I got one as well and it said right on it good for one purchases only. So if he choses to only use $95.00 worth who's fault is that? I find it odd that a company gives you $150.00 dollars to spend on merchandise and because its not on your terms you were scammed. I have bought many things from MF and returned stuff as well and never had a problem.
Some people are never happy. Plus after you cried to them they still made good and because the item was damage (probably from the shipper) now MF is still no good.

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by rogerbmiller

Are you kidding!?

First of all this was far from free. My brother paid the MF $150dollars of his hard earned money for the gift and there was no such stipulation as "good for one purchase only" when he made the purchase. And I have the certificate to show this.

The fact is that they make you jump through hoops to use the full amount in separate transactions and they bet that many people assume what you just said after failing at making a subsequent purchase with a balance.

Second, what's with your tone? Do you own Guitar Center and find my criticism hurtful cause this is an ethical company that you spent your entire life building for the good of the community? Do you use verbiage such as "crying to them over $55" cause you are such a big man that you wipe your duff with $50 bills? Maybe you own Bain Capital, the private equity company that bought Guitar Center that bought MF? That would certainly be one explanation as to why this discussion seems to agitate you so much.

Did you not read the bit about me being constructive and plesant with them onthe phone? I told them several times how much I enjoyed shopping with them and thought they should hear my feedback and have a chance to reply to me. I even began by thanking them for handling my merchandise return so generously.

Did you read that I wanted to share my experience with the TB community in case someone else has to deal with this and DIDN'T figure out how to get their store credit? I am sure there are some of my fellow TBers who value $55 even more than I do.

Are you capable of engaging in any discussion without attempting to belittle those with whom you have a conflicting opinion? Or without looking like the tough guy in the room?

Back off the personal remarks, please.

And for the record, the damage was not caused by UPS. It was checking an small cracks at the neck joint caused by Epiphone

[Metal5stringer]

Once I ordered some gear when they were moving warehouses and the shipment went out 3 days later than expected. A month later they sent me a 20% off my next purchase coupon. I was like holy$^#&. I bought a $729 bass for $580!!!! IMO MF rocks and im sure that was no scam, just a code that fell through the cracks.

[rogerbmiller]

Originally Posted by Metal5stringer

Once I ordered some gear when they were moving warehouses and the shipment went out 3 days later than expected. A month later they sent me a 20% off my next purchase coupon. I was like holy$^#&. I bought a $729 bass for $580!!!! IMO MF rocks and im sure that was no scam, just a code that fell through the cracks.

Agreed. Not a scam. Harsh language on my part. But certainly an opaque policy that has fallen through the cracks. It certainly doesn't hurt them that folks cannot figure out how to use their prepaid credits and it certainly is not hard to fix this "quirk" in their retail system given other online retailers do not have this problem. That makes me skeptical enough to spend a few minutes out of my life posting it on TB.

[CraigG]

FWIW, I have found American Musical Company (www.americanmusical.com) to be very good for online purchases and my experiences with returns and replacements have been very positive.

Craig

[jojo99]

Originally Posted by HMZ

stop crying...you still got something
for free. That's more then you'll get
from gc or Sam ash.

Rubbish. Someone paid hard cash to MF, and many states have passed laws regarding fees and expiration dates on unused gift certificates because of this sort of nonsense. A gift certificate should not be treated as less than cash, period! Total BS, IMO. I've never had a prob with MF, but you never know who you will be talking to on the phone...an operator could be clueless, could be a new hire, etc, who is only guessing company policy. If someone has a beef with a retailer, by all means I'd hope they'd air it publicly and let the rest of us decide how much merit to put upon it. Retailers seem to hope that folks will lose or forget about gift certificates, because it's a sweeet profit for them to sell them and hope that happens. (hence new laws in many states concerning this.) Props to the OP for standing up for his/her rights and taking the time to resolve it and air it publicly. Some businesses seem to operate on the hope that consumers are wimpy pukes who give up at any sort of challenge to their rights because it's not worth their time. Sometimes a genuine mistake or miscommunication happens, but I'm glad to hear about it regardless.