Mom and Pop Employee Rant

Herrlster · #1 05-02-2008, 08:30 PM

This is a long rant. You can read the long version or skip to the bottom and read the short version. I want to know other people's opinions on this.

LONG VERSION
About a year ago or so I had a 5 string Ibanez bass, a discontinued model. I thought I needed the stacked pots replaced. So I went to my local store that deals with Ibanez, I told salesman A what kind of pots I need. I told him they were stacked, one was bass/treble and the other was mid/mid sweep. I gave him all the info needed, what kind they were, what model my bass was, etc. He said ok, problem, he'd order them and so I put a deposit down.

A few days later I brought my bass to a tech dude to check it out, he said I didn't need new pots. He said a wire was disconnected and the soldering job was poorly done. So he fixed up my bass for me.

I called up the local store that was going to order my pots. Salesman A wasn't in, so I asked salesman B if my pots were ordered yet, he said no. So I told him to cancel it and he said ok.

A month later I went into the store to buy some strings and salesman A tells me my pots are in. I told him I cancelled the order because I didn't need them. I told him that I spoke to salesman B and he said he'd cancel them. Salesman A gets all b*tchy with me and says I'm screwing him over. I just told him I cancelled the order and I didn't need the pots so I wasn't going to buy them and I left. I went back a few days later and salesman A says salesman B never spoke to me on the phone and that he was never told to cancel the order. Salesman B was just covering his ass. Anyways, he goes on about how I'm screwing him, how the pots are useless to him, blah blah. So I left again.

A month or so after that I felt bad, I didn't want any soul feelings between me and the store. So I went back and bought the pots anyways, figured I'd buy them just so I'd have them handy if my bass ever crapped out. So I checked out the pots and they didn't look like the right kind, nothing like the stacked pots on my bass. So I brought the pots to the tech dude and he said they weren't even stacked knobs, they were just basic tone knobs.

So I brought the pots back and told them they were the wrong kind and I couldn't use them on the bass. Salesman B was all friendly and said ok, sorry, and gave me a refund and I left.

This whole time, salesman A is holding a grudge against me. He won't talk to me, serve me, or even look at me.

I bought my Peavey 6 string from them a few months afterwards, salesman B sold it to me.

Now just today, which is probably quite a few months since the last time I went there I decided to take a look in there. Both salesman A and B were working. I asked salesman B if he had any blend pots for a p-bass (I wanted to get my bass wired up master volume, master blend and master tone.) He said no they don't have any and then salesman A got involved in the discussion. He went on about how I screwed him on the pots and how the store will never order another part or bass or anything for me again. He said it was all my fault and none his. He said my credit there was no good. So I argued back with him and told everything I just told you. I just laughed and asked how a friggin $20 pot was weighed more than a $600 bass. He said it didn't matter, the store wouldn't order anything for me. So I just laughed and left.

SHORT VERSION
A year ago I ordered some pots for my bass but I ended up getting my bass fixed. So I cancelled the order but they ordered them anyways. I didn't buy them at first, but ended up buying them anyways. Turned out they were the wrong pots for my bass so I returned them. The Salesman held and still holds a grudge against me, he said I screwed him and the store on $20 pots. I went in there today to order a pot (kinda funny and coicendental) and the salesman said they would never order anything for me again because my credit is no good because of the $20 pot incident. Which is stupid because after that incident I bought a $600 bass from them. So I'm boycotting the store now.

Screw that store, I'm done giving them my money.

So whose right and whose wrong in this matter? And also, does this guy have the right to do this? The store has 2 owners and 2 salesman. He is just a salesman.

tplyons · #2 05-02-2008, 08:44 PM

Ask to speak to the owner or manager. Perhaps they can straighten out Douchebag (I mean Salesman) A

MoD_Scotty · #3 05-02-2008, 10:18 PM

The customer is always right. The only reason to go to a small store is for the supposedly better customer service...because we all know it sure as hell isn't for the price.

Talk to the owner. Then don't shop there anymore.

Herrlster · #4 05-02-2008, 10:33 PM

I don't think talking to the owner will help. They're all old guys and pals, so he'll most likely side in with employee. I'm just gonna stop going there. Pretty ****** too, because they sell Peavey products and I'm a fan of Peavey.

tplyons · #5 05-02-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrlster

I don't think talking to the owner will help. They're all old guys and pals, so he'll most likely side in with employee. I'm just gonna stop going there. Pretty ****** too, because they sell Peavey products and I'm a fan of Peavey.

Doesn't hurt to try. Is it really worth losing a good shop because of one douchebag?

Herrlster · #6 05-02-2008, 10:56 PM

It isn't really a good shop. The prices are high and the service is poor (even with the other lying salesman.) The only good thing about the place is that they sell all the good brands.

Munjibunga · #7 05-02-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrlster

It isn't really a good shop. The prices are high and the service is poor (even with the other lying salesman.) The only good thing about the place is that they sell all the good brands.

And the salesman is a doodoo.

NJL · #8 05-03-2008, 12:07 AM

what kind of shop would get upset on a $20 item??? where do you live?? jeez "you're screwing my whole life up on this here tone pot"

around here, if they don't have a small item like that, they end up ordering you the part and a few extra to have around.

Herrlster · #9 05-03-2008, 12:29 AM

He said the pots are useless because they only work for the Ibanez bass I had. I had an Ibanez SR3005 and the pots he ordered are for SR505's. Big difference.

BillMason · #10 05-03-2008, 04:13 AM

Write the owner a letter, explaining the whole situation, including the lying salesman's comments and the gourdhead salesman's comments, and tell him that even though you bought a bass there after this took place, you will not darken their door ever again, nor will any other musicians you know, and that thanks to their small company "focus on service," you'll now be shopping elsewhere, such as L&M.

Stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime. Jeez, I hate it when business people do crap like that.

BillMason · #11 05-03-2008, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrlster

He said the pots are useless because they only work for the Ibanez bass I had. I had an Ibanez SR3005 and the pots he ordered are for SR505's. Big difference.

Sell the pots on eBay.

Bassic83 · #12 05-03-2008, 04:30 AM

Wow. So you're the douche for them ordering the wrong pots? Doesn't make sense. I can't believe the salesdouche's kid can't go to college now because YOU didn't buy that wrong part! The nerve of you! Think of the children!

I'd call 20/20 and have them run an expose...or have Congress investigate. Tell them you opened an ordered pot that was wrong, only to find steroids, a baseball, and Roger Clemens' autograph!

Herrlster · #13 05-03-2008, 08:49 AM

Hahaha, that was great.

Darkstrike · #14 05-03-2008, 09:02 AM

Wow that shop sucks, I'd send that letter to the owner, and let him know too, that he lost quiet a few future bass sales.

Herrlster · #15 05-03-2008, 09:42 AM

Should I write a letter? I don't want to make a fool out of myself.

BillMason · #16 05-03-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrlster

Should I write a letter? I don't want to make a fool out of myself.

Yes, you should, and make a fool out of Douchebag. So what if he's best pals with the owner, and so what if the owner never does anything about it, or even gets snotty with you. You owe it to your karma. Just keep it based on facts, not personal opinions. It's about his business, and the effect his douchebag friend's personality is having on it, not about how big a douchebag his friend is.

WashburnBasser · #17 05-03-2008, 11:53 AM

Sometimes I feel I'm the only person who has great mom-and-pop stores near them...

Seriously, talk to the owner.

Herrlster · #18 05-03-2008, 10:38 PM

I decided I am going to write a letter to the boss. It was friggin' embarassing the other day. Out of nowhere he interrupts me and bitches right in the store about how I screwed him over. I couldn't do anything but argue back, then I had to walk away with no pride in the matter because he's the employee and I'm just the small measly customer. Salesman B was just grinning and laughing throughout the whole thing too.

TrooperFarva · #19 05-03-2008, 10:52 PM

The pots cost $20?

Herrlster · #20 05-03-2008, 11:47 PM

Yeah, the two pots were around $22ish when I bought them.