SGD Lutherie - Customer experience poll

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I think some people just want to be able to communicate freely, and they don't always feel they get that.

You were more than prompt with me, going back and fourth on a weekend night until my tiny issue was resolved.

I'm not trying to sound annoyed, and I realize that's what it sometimes sounds like when reading things on line.

But my point was his order is not really late, so I wasn't sure why he was posting here to ask. He's on the list with other orders and as I go down the list it will get done. So the only answer I can give, and I do give, is that it's in the cue. If someone sends me several emails before the order has shipped, then I sound like a broken record.

I'm making good progress getting through these orders, so things should be getting caught up soon.

[Timmah]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Well then you are still within the lead time I have posted on the website. So I'm not sure why you are asking.

I'll be getting to your order in the next batch.

I was simply asking because I was, as bassgod said, a little concerned with the lack of communication. Thanks for the reply, and I'm glad to hear they're in the next batch!
I didn't mean to come off as combative or anything, just concerned. Thanks!

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Timmah

I was simply asking because I was, as bassgod said, a little concerned with the lack of communication. Thanks for the reply, and I'm glad to hear they're in the next batch!
I didn't mean to come off as combative or anything, just concerned. Thanks!

Yes, I understand. I've just been inundated with emails the last week or so, and I have been meaning to answer everyone back.

[DJJazzV]

David just rewound a set of 1976 Fender Jazz pickups to original specs for me. Outstanding work! They sound great, and David answered whatever questions I had about them.
Pleasure to do business with, and I will certainly go back to him for any other pickup or preamp work.
Thank you David!

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by DJJazzV

David just rewound a set of 1976 Fender Jazz pickups to original specs for me. Outstanding work! They sound great, and David answered whatever questions I had about them.
Pleasure to do business with, and I will certainly go back to him for any other pickup or preamp work.
Thank you David!

Oh, you installed them? Glad you are happy with the outcome!

It's always cool getting to examine some old pickups. I was graduating high school when those were made!

[tylerwylie]

I am going to have to vote bad on this poll.

I have never done business with anyone that has lied so often to me and has failed to maintain any semblance of decent customer service. A label has even been created to possibly ease my mind as to whether or not I will receive my order and I was told the pickups were going to ship Monday.

Yet there is no evidence on the USPS web site that they have received the package as well. I was even considering ordering yet another set of pickups for my 6 string fretless back in October and November when he was responding to my emails stating they should go out 'this week' or 'next week' however this dealing has left such a disgusting taste in my mouth I will be exploring other options.

It is really saddening because the pickups are so well put together and great sounding but the repeated lying and absence of honesty in regards to order fulfillment means I cannot recommend SGD to anyone looking into aftermarket pickups for their instrument.

Many of you have seen my posts in the other SGD threads, however I feel compelled to post my experience in this thread that is dedicated to the topic.

I placed my order in mid-June and still do not have any idea as to when they will arrive.

[SGD Lutherie]

Tyler, you placed your order when the shop was still not set up after the move.

Because I have slipped behind on shipping something does not imply I'm lying, and I resent that allegation. As I'm working on orders I'm estimating when I'll be done. You asked, so I said this week, which was my projected shipping date. Clearly I missed my projected date.

As I get orders ready I print up the shipping labels and other paperwork for that order. I have a stack of those right now getting ready to be packed up.

Your pickups are currently on the bench while the epoxy cures. I'm clearly behind a few days, but I wouldn't pay for postage just to entertain anyone, and your order is not the only one that was expected to go this week that is running late.

[tylerwylie]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Tyler, you placed your order when the shop was still not set up after the move.

Because I have slipped behind on shipping something does not imply I'm lying, and I resent that allegation. As I'm working on orders I'm estimating when I'll be done. You asked, so I said this week, which was my projected shipping date. Clearly I missed my projected date.

This is going by just email history and not forum communication

1. June 14th regarding a P/J set 2 days prior to my order you stated: "I could have a set together in about two weeks. I'm starting to get caught
   up on back orders because of the move."
   
2. July 2nd I emailed asking about an anticipated ship date, your response: "Soon!"
   
3. July 18th I inquire yet again, your response: "Hi Tyler,
   Yes, you order should be done soon."
   
4. July 31st through August 15th I send a few emails, no response.
   
5. September 29th I ask for another ETA, your response, "Hi,
   Should be the week." (I believe you meant this week)
   
6. November 6th after the bad storm you stated " I'd say next week is doable."

The first item in the list is regarding a hypothetical order that never happened, however it does set the stage for the rest of the misleading communication regarding ETA's I have been getting from you. There have also been a couple forum posts in which you have given incorrect ETA's including the one that stated my order should've shipped Monday.

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

As I get orders ready I print up the shipping labels and other paperwork for that order. I have a stack of those right now getting ready to be packed up.

Your pickups are currently on the bench while the epoxy cures. I'm clearly behind a few days, but I wouldn't pay for postage just to entertain anyone, and your order is not the only one that was expected to go this week that is running late.

So the ship date on the label is predicted to be accurate for the actual day you plan to ship while still having no ETA?

You may not consider it lying, I will say it is anything but honest and I still cannot recommend you to anyone in the market for pickups.

[SGD Lutherie]

Those answers were based on what was going on, and how long I thought it was going to take.

But stuff happens. When you are a one man shop, and keep in mind that I'm doing other things than working on your particular order, one little issue concerning something totally unrelated to pickups can thrown a monkey wrench into the works.

For example, today, my entire day was spent taking my daughter from one doctor to another doctor and then the ER because of an infection in her finger. All because her doctor's office was closed, and my ex changed her insurance policy at work. I got absolutely no work done. Now it's 10 PM and I'm assembling pickups from coils I wound last week. I had expected this to all be done already.

So I'm doing my best to try and get these orders filled. I might be totally wrong in my estimates, but none of it is done out of dishonesty. Often it's being optimistic. Guess I'm just bad at estimating time.

[tylerwylie]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Those answers were based on what was going on, and how long I thought it was going to take.

But stuff happens. When you are a one man shop, and keep in mind that I'm doing other things than working on your particular order, one little issue concerning something totally unrelated to pickups can thrown a monkey wrench into the works.

For example, today, my entire day was spent taking my daughter from one doctor to another doctor and then the ER because of an infection in her finger. All because her doctor's office was closed, and my ex changed her insurance policy at work. I got absolutely no work done. Now it's 10 PM and I'm assembling pickups from coils I wound last week. I had expected this to all be done already.

So I'm doing my best to try and get these orders filled. I might be totally wrong in my estimates, but none of it is done out of dishonesty. Often it's being optimistic. Guess I'm just bad at estimating time.

And in period of time in which there are tons of great products on the market and different options and companies available to provide those products, customer service is what sets everyone apart and why I have voted the way I did and why I feel obliged to publish my experiences on this thread for others to see.

[sandmangeck]

Smokey......you either have my money or my pickups....lol.

[sandmangeck]

....

[Bassman8416]

Any word on the kawai bass and electronics David? This is going to be like a new bass.

[sandmangeck]

Originally Posted by Bassman8416

Any word on the kawai bass and electronics David? This is going to be like a new bass.

I've got a Kawai bass that I'm putting wal-ish pickups in. Should be done first week on january.

[Toptube]

Although I had to wait a long time for my order (longer than many of the more vocal/upset posters) my overall feelings about SGD are quite good. I already put some mildly negative comments and some suggestions for the future, in a previous post. I'm not interested in digging a hole here, so you can look back a page or two to see what I wrote. On to the postive...

I have never had any trouble communicating with SGD. Even before I ordered, I of course had questions about his products and some general questions about pickups and wiring. He answered all of my questions and I always felt like he was happy to do it. Its easy/common to see him posting in the forums, giving all sorts of knowledge and experience. Similar personalized comments were given as responses to my questions. Communication continued even amongst the trials in his personal life.

Due to communicating with him and knowing of those personal events, I wasn't overly aggressive with ETA inquiries. I asked directly, at about 8 weeks and I think one other time, when I told him that I had moved. Patience....and now I have new pickups in my hands! The past few days I have exchanged several messages with him, yet again, during the time it took my pickups to ship.

SGD has other products that interest me. So if what I ordered pleases my ears, I will likely be a repeat customer.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by Radguitars

God has a way of leveling these things out and people like this just don't last too long.

Maybe next time you should just order your pickups directly from God.

[mcnach]

Originally Posted by bass12

Maybe next time you should just order your pickups directly from God.

:lol:

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by bass12

Maybe next time you should just order your pickups directly from God.

I tried, but Sterling Ball refuses to sell his pickups by themselves.

[Bassman8416]

I have all the faith in the world that I will get my order from David and I will be a very happy customer. I figure its a 6-month wait for custom work and I am coming up on that as of January 7th. So its all good.

[PartyArty]

Its a Hard knock life....for ALL of us!!!! Including the customers.