Beware of Musician's Friend / Music 123 Shipping Charge Nonsense

[SBassman]

I need a new combo, and I have been scouting the mail order sites regularly. I am seeing some serious nonsense coming from Musician's Friend and Music 123 that I wanted to pass on.

They keep messing with the shipping prices. In some cases, really gouging shipping prices. In the last few days, I have seen
these shipping prices for the same amp:

- Free
- 19.99
- 69.99 - absolutely ridiculous

Pay attention to this, if you are making purchases of heavy goods from MF/M123. Buyer beware.

[Matt The Knife]

Those idiots at musicians friend sent me the wrong amp, then when I returned it, sent me the wrong one AGAIN. It took 3 months to get the right one

[SBassman]

I have usually done very well with the service from MF,
but this shipping nonsense has to be broadcast. It's turning into something like the eBay scam where people sell you a cheap instrument or bass and then take All the money back with an outrageous shipping charge. No thanks. I'll give my bucks
to my local store then. [which I always try to do when possible]

[SpankyPants]

MF has screwed me more times than I can count.

[()smoke()]

try AMS, they've always been better about everything than MF in my experience (if they carry the brand you're buying)

[Mastermold]

I've been trying to get my upright bass from them for months, but I'm told the backorder is King's fault, not theirs.

[mophead]

They are called MF for a reason.

[Lowbrow]

Last week, I ordered a Schroeder 1212R cab from MF that happened to pop up in the "scratch 'n dent" section at a $180 markdown. Nice.

I initially received the usual e-mail notice confirming my order (with confirmation # and everything). The next day I received an e-mail that said the cab was "backordered." I called MF and asked how a blem item -- usually a return from a customer to MF -- could possibly be backordered.

I was informed that the blem cab had sold to someone else the very moment that I had placed my Web order. As such, the blem cab was not available as advertised by MF and paid for by me.

Before I had a chance to complain, the rep put me on hold for a moment, then returned and told me that he had spoken with his manager, and that MF would ship me a first-quality cab at the "scratch 'n dent" price.

I have no problem with Musician's Friend.

[bassgod76]

I haven't had any issues with shipping cost.

My only gripe with MF is that anything I want is out of stock, and you can't track the package once it ships.

I try to stay local, but sometimes fuel costs and time driving out weigh a nominal shipping fee.

[staccatogrowl]

I have no problem with MF, and have always received excellent service from them.

One of my buds just purchased an Eden cabinet that was flagged as blem / refurb / clearance. Although he paid $70 in shipping, cabinet arrived as new. All in all, total cost was less than used ones on ebay.

Plus, it has a 45-day trial window.

Where's the problem here?

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by staccatogrowl

Where's the problem here?

Just to re-align the thread:

I didn't start it to encourage an MF blast fest.
Specifically, it was to broadcast about the shady
shipping tricks now in progress. And to maybe hear
if others have observed it yet.

[blipndub]

Never pay shipping for anything more than $100. If you can't get it shipped free through Sweetwater order it through your local shop.

[Joe Nerve]

I just about always use AMS (www.americanmusicalsupply.com), and I've always been more than happy with everything about them, including their customer service.

As for shipping costs I don't think anyone is trying to scam anyone. You are CLEARLY told what your final payment is going to be before clicking the place order button. Shipping costs fluctuate I believe because of gas prices, and I think the people who maintain those sites aren't 100% on the ball. They also offer specials all the time and you may have gotten caught between one of them.

Oh yeah - bassgod... I've tracked everything I ever ordered from all the online places. Only way you can't I believe is if it's something small that gets sent USPS.

Last note is that if someone's looking for bargains then common sense needs to be applied. Get the best price, shipping and tax included and either get it in an online store, go to ebay, or go haggle at the local store. It's incredibly easy to get great deals these days if a little patience is put into it. And I only consider something a scam if someone is lying about something, and then not willing to make right on it.

[bassgod76]

You know who is horrible with shipping is Stew Mac. I love their products, but it you want a small bag of screws, you're paying the same amount of shipping as you would if you bought a bunch or larger items. This is why I purchase from them in one large order.

[varunkapahi]

they messed up my only chance to get a preamp too

[fish slapper]

Originally Posted by blipndub

Never pay shipping for anything more than $100. If you can't get it shipped free through Sweetwater order it through your local shop.

I've had great experiences with MF and its my understanding that 5 day ground is free for orders over $100. Of course, you pay through the nose for any "hurry it up, I need it NOW" charge.

Enjoy that 1212, Lowbrow. I was getting my wallet to get my credit card when it disappeared from the clearance page. Sounds like you got the best deal of all.

[Bass Thunder]

Originally Posted by SBassman

Just to re-align the thread:

I didn't start it to encourage an MF blast fest.
Specifically, it was to broadcast about the shady
shipping tricks now in progress. And to maybe hear
if others have observed it yet.

You obviously haven't shipped anything yourself lately. UPS is getting expensive - in addition to 'fuel surcharges' and 'rural surcharges'. I'm sure it has something to do with fuel costs and criss-crossing the nation in trucks and planes with boxes everyday.

It seems that MF isn't jacking you on shipping, but trying to discount the shipping in the first place while still staying in business - passing on rising costs to the end consumer. MF isn't the first and certainly won't be the last.

Anyways, always pay attention to the shipping costs and how they offset sales tax costs to you. Be a smart consumer for sure.

[Weimhunter]

Thanks for the heads up.

[Eric Perry]

I've never had a problem with Musician's Friend. Just the opposite, really.

I've never dealt with 1-2-3 before though.

[thumpbass1]

What's crooked about it? MF has to pay the parcel delivery and LTL truckline shipping services they use. The shipping rates are based on both weight and size dimensions of the package being shipped, be it a $20 item or something costing $1,000 if both packages are the same weight and size. Price matters for determining insurance costs as most parcel companies will only cover the first 100 bucks of liability. LTL truck lines have their own unique systems of determining shipping costs, but they ain't cheap.

I used to run a shipping department and I know the in and outs of the biz. People always think it's a rip off to pay shipping charges but someone has to pay for it. I used to get screamed at by customers who thought about buying for example, a 50 dollar chair they wanted to ship cross country, but couldn't get past the 100 or so bucks in UPS oversize package rates that applied for that size and weight of package. Do you think my employer was gonna' eat that kind of cost and still be in buisness if repeated countless times a year? Sorry but the shipping industry is in it to make a profit. MF can't eat their shipping costs anymore than any other buisness; nor do they set the rates they have to pay. All they can do is negotiate a discount rate as a major client and pass that on to the customer and even that isn't a whole lot.