Before deposit e-mails....

[tjclem]

Anybody else notice that if the "i want you to build me a bass" e-mails go more than 5-7 back and forths that the build never happens?

Most of my builds are set up and the deposit is in with only about 5 e-mails. When you get more than 10 back and forth ones I know the build isn't going to happen. Is it just me or????

 

[Doodaddy]

You're probably right for the vast majority of consumers. It's always cooler to talk about jumping into the pool at the party than to actually do it. If that makes sense to you in this context.

Personally, I wouldn't commission a build off of that little communication. I like to know about what the instrument will be like, who the person is building it. I like to have some sort of relationship with the builder. I just think it's part of the experience. The email chain between me and the luthier from my most recent purchase went longer than a month before the deposit was sent. Now I have a great personal friend and a beautiful instrument to commemorate it with. I couldn't be happier.

But on the other side of the fence (builder's side), I can only imagine how annoying it must be to receive emails like that constantly for nothing to come of them.

 

[Big B.]

Tom, I've found the same thing. It usually doesn't take long to get a feel for whether someone is serious or not.