I played a gig I had a couple of weeks ago with a group as a sort of audition, and I'M HIRED!!
So I needed to update my gear, but on a budget. So I hit up the used gear section on the Guitar Center website and found a Hartke HA3500 350W amp for (drum roll please) only $140. I paid for it and got a confirmation. A touring bassist bought my old rig. And I waited for the Hartke to ship.
And I waited...
And I waited...
On the third day I called. After 15 minutes on hold with customer service, I finally got through to the manager at the store that was to ship the amp. He said, "My name is Xxxxxxxx. I understand you have a question about your order cancellation?"
"Um... No. I didn't receive a cancellation, only a confirmation. What's going on?" As we talked the cancellation notice came through. I brought this to his attention. He was embarrassed. But apparently they tested the amp which was inoperable. But since I sold my old rig and have upcoming gigs, he wanted to make it right. He found another at a GC in North Carolina, and would sell and ship it to me at no additional cost. Cool! That'd work.
Except...
North Carolina called. They tested their amp and it's inoperable. Sigh. Did I mention that I teach Customer Service classes to hundreds of students every month and am always looking for service failure/recovery stories for my classroom? Well...
This manager also wanted to make this situation right. He said he has, and tested, a refurbished Hartke LH500 500W amp that he'll sell me and ship at no additional cost. Um... sure. That'd work, right?!
Came in yesterday. O! M! G! it is sooooo loud. And the tone controls are amazing! And just to recap... $140! I am so geeking out! Now I need to find a Hartke cabinet to match it with because I am sure to blow the cheap 2x12 generic cabinet I'm using now.
In summary: Hartke LH500 for $140! Thank you, Guitar Center. You rocked!
So I needed to update my gear, but on a budget. So I hit up the used gear section on the Guitar Center website and found a Hartke HA3500 350W amp for (drum roll please) only $140. I paid for it and got a confirmation. A touring bassist bought my old rig. And I waited for the Hartke to ship.
And I waited...
And I waited...
On the third day I called. After 15 minutes on hold with customer service, I finally got through to the manager at the store that was to ship the amp. He said, "My name is Xxxxxxxx. I understand you have a question about your order cancellation?"
"Um... No. I didn't receive a cancellation, only a confirmation. What's going on?" As we talked the cancellation notice came through. I brought this to his attention. He was embarrassed. But apparently they tested the amp which was inoperable. But since I sold my old rig and have upcoming gigs, he wanted to make it right. He found another at a GC in North Carolina, and would sell and ship it to me at no additional cost. Cool! That'd work.
Except...
North Carolina called. They tested their amp and it's inoperable. Sigh. Did I mention that I teach Customer Service classes to hundreds of students every month and am always looking for service failure/recovery stories for my classroom? Well...
This manager also wanted to make this situation right. He said he has, and tested, a refurbished Hartke LH500 500W amp that he'll sell me and ship at no additional cost. Um... sure. That'd work, right?!
Came in yesterday. O! M! G! it is sooooo loud. And the tone controls are amazing! And just to recap... $140! I am so geeking out! Now I need to find a Hartke cabinet to match it with because I am sure to blow the cheap 2x12 generic cabinet I'm using now.
In summary: Hartke LH500 for $140! Thank you, Guitar Center. You rocked!
