Beware Turner Basses.

[SBassman]

I originaly ordered a Electroline Bass from Ric Turner.
This was custom bass, I paid for bass in full.
I did not receive the bass I ordered.
Last March,2005 Ric said he would make things right,and make me second bass.
It would be four months to complete...

Important question:

When you received a bass that was Not what you ordered, did you send it back?

 

[Joelc73]

Turner makes some very nice basses. Those guys are definitely a bit odd about returning messages in general though. Rick contacted us about carrying his basses seven or eight months back. After some good conversations with Barry we had agreed on some cool custom options for our shop like six string versions of their existing line.

After deciding it would be a good fit for us I tried a half dozen times to get things moving and, unfortunately, Barry ignored all of my inquiries. Very strange considering they had courted us in the first place...

At the end of the day we really didn't need their basses but we thought it might be a nice addition to our line-up. After being completely blown off the way we were I wouldn't even consider it at this point.

 

[buzzbass]

What to do. when manufacter does not stand behind product?
I write this letter out of frustration!

To make long story short.
I originaly ordered a Electroline Bass from Ric Turner.
This was custom bass, I paid for bass in full.
I did not receive the bass I ordered.
Last March,2005 Ric said he would make things right,and make me second bass.
It would be four months to complete.
In Aug, of 2005. After numerous, e-mail and phone calls, I could not again get my bass.
Ric said he changed his e-mail service. I belive this to be true.
But, Turner Guitars made no attempt to contact me.
They had my e-mail, phone, and home address.
Eight days ago, I was on Vintage Bass Trading Co. forums.
Ric Turner was online.
I again asked where my bass was?
Left my home e-mail, so he could contact me.
He said,on the forum, he would make thing right, again.
And left his e-mail adderss.
He never tried contacting me, at my address.
I've sent Ric, three or four e-mail.
None of my e-mails, have returned unsent to me.
I can only assume, he has got them.
I know Ric, is and inovator, in the bass field.
But this can't be customer service?????
It has been over a year.
What should I do????
I know Ric, makes a great product, but if he is not a man of his word. And does not stand behind his product, maybe us, the buying public should look else where???

Write a letter to the editor of bass Player Magazine. Once it gets printed, I bet you get results toot sweet.

 

[Tom Howland]

Update.
Thanks to a TB suggestion.
Since I could get no replie from Ric.
I've gone to customer service Rep. Barry Pearlman.
He said him and Ric, would talk things out, and get back to me.
Will keep everone informed of out come?

 

[Joelc73]

Update.
Thanks to a TB suggestion.
Since I could get no replie from Ric.
I've gone to customer service Rep. Barry Pearlman.
He said him and Ric, would talk things out, and get back to me.
Will keep everone informed of out come?

Read my post above regarding Barry's responsiveness - or lack thereof.

I wish you luck though!

 

[fretlessrock]

I feel for mojo-man and others who have had these issues with Rick. One thing I know, this is not something new. I know at least one major dealer who bailed on Turner Guitars because of customer service and dealer service issues. All of which is a shame because I count the Electroline I own and the Ren I used to own as some of the best instruments I have ever played. I shipped my Ren to him for a preamp upgrade and it was like my bass fell into a black hole. It took me a month to confirm that they had received it. Upside: The upgrade was virtually free, and the bass came back looking like new. He fixed stuff I hadn't even thought of. I have never had an issue with Rick's workmanship or his basses. But my feeling is that Rick is one of those guys who is in *another world*. When I have spoken with him he has been nothing short of a prince. But, and I might be on a limb here, he seems like a hippy at heart and time is not of the essence for the most part. I don't mean a drug user, I mean it in a very laid-back natural manner. Like you were asking him to build a tree! He plants the seed and eventually you get your tree.

Push comes to shove the guy is a genius and the majority of custom builers on the planet owe him a debt as a trailblazer in all aspects of lutherie. Whether you want to do business with him is another matter entirely.

FWIW, I'd order a bass from him knowing that it gets done when it gets done.

 

[SBassman]

Update.
I've gone to customer service Rep. Barry Pearlman.
He said him and Ric, would talk things out, and get back to me.
Will keep everone informed of out come?

Did he give you a day when he'd get back to you by?

 

[hippiesandwich]

But my feeling is that Rick is one of those guys who is in *another world*.

Santa Cruz is kinda like that.

 

[Tom Howland]

Did he give you a day when he'd get back to you by?

He told be he's get back to me in 1 day.

 

[Tom Howland]

I feel for mojo-man and others who have had these issues with Rick. One thing I know, this is not something new. I know at least one major dealer who bailed on Turner Guitars because of customer service and dealer service issues. All of which is a shame because I count the Electroline I own and the Ren I used to own as some of the best instruments I have ever played. I shipped my Ren to him for a preamp upgrade and it was like my bass fell into a black hole. It took me a month to confirm that they had received it. Upside: The upgrade was virtually free, and the bass came back looking like new. He fixed stuff I hadn't even thought of. I have never had an issue with Rick's workmanship or his basses. But my feeling is that Rick is one of those guys who is in *another world*. When I have spoken with him he has been nothing short of a prince. But, and I might be on a limb here, he seems like a hippy at heart and time is not of the essence for the most part. I don't mean a drug user, I mean it in a very laid-back natural manner. Like you were asking him to build a tree! He plants the seed and eventually you get your tree.


I agree with you.
The talks I've has with Ric, on the phone were great.
It seems, when he hangs up, he totaly forgets the conversation.
Still no excuse for bass customer service.

 

[Vic]

...Still no excuse for bass customer service.

Wow. That didn't come out right.

 

[jgsbass]

The BBB can close him down if he is taking money from customers and not providing services. They also tend to investigate everything about a business ( labor practices, taxes) when a complaint is made. If they were to investigate the case and found that he hadn't even started hacking a piece of wood with the customers name on it, but implied that the bass was " being built" it would constitute fraud. They fine businesses all the time for failing to live up to their responsibilities. A lawsuit would demand his presence in court and he can't make money when he's sitting as a defendant in court. He wouldn't even be able to make his schedule as the courts demand you show up or you're in contempt of court ( fines or jail time). Even a letter written by a lawyer friend on stationary with a law firms name on it will sometimes shock the system and maybe open up a clearer path to reality. Just start assembling your paper trail of dates, communications and responses.
I know of Rick Turners work for a Loooong time, both from the legend of what he did for the Dead ( this goes back to the 60's for me) and as a reader of his many columns in Bass Player magazine. I have never been so utterly disappointed as to here he's a business dip$hit, unable to give a clear response to a very real problem. Live and learn.
Oh yeah, write Bass Player, too. Let them share in this as they supported him by giving him a column whiuch probably was one of the reasons we know of his work in the first place. It sure ain't because he's Lindsay Buckinghams repair guy

 

[mikezimmerman]

As far as I'm aware--or can tell from the BBB website--the Better Business Bureau provides reports on problem businesses and offers dispute mediation. Where do you get your information that "the BBB can close him down", or even fine him, for that matter?

From the BB FAQ:

I filed a complaint with the BBB. The company has not responded. Why can't the BBB make a business satisfy my complaint?

When a BBB receives a complaint, we present the complaint to the business and request its assistance in working out the problem with the unhappy customer. Most companies are grateful for the opportunity to resolve problems with their customers since it often means their patronage will be preserved.

BBB members agree to respond to consumer complaints presented by the BBB, and lose their membership if they do not. Most other companies, regardless of whether they are BBB members, also cooperate with the BBB.

However, some companies do not want to work with the Bureau and/or their customers to resolve complaints.Because the BBB is not a government or law enforcement agency, the Bureau cannot force a reply from a company; nor can it administer sanctions. However, a company's unwillingness to respond to the BBB or a customer will be noted in the company's reliability report the BBB provides to the public. The customer is free to pursue other alternatives such as legal action.

Mike

 

[sethlow3]

I bought a Turner Electroline about 3 years ago from a California store without trying it first since I already had a fretless renaissance turner. My tech said the truss rod would not move and therefore the bass is unadjustable. This tech is a luthier I have trusted for many years.

I emailed Turner with no replies for days. I had to post on his dudepit forum to get a response. When I sent the bass back he said the bass is fine, my tech "hosed" me, and to keep the bass. This left such a sour taste in my mouth that I demanded a refund from the store and traded my Turner Ren immediately.

He may be a "great builder", but please folks, avoid those basses.

 

[PilbaraBass]

I'm sorry but this whole thread is UNBELIEVABLE!

The man (Turner) builds "custom basses", right?
And he doesn't communicate with his CUSTOMERS?????

I don't care if the man's products are solid gold...it doesn't do much good if you can't get what you paid for...

This whole thing about "we'll get back to you", that's just such a typical CROCK-O'-POO-POO!!!

There are plenty of awesome luthiers out there who are actually CONSCIENTOUS...

contact Barry again, tell him that after 1.5 years and NO BASS..you want a refund deposited in your bank account within 24 hours! PERIOD!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

When you received a bass that was Not what you ordered, did you send it back?

This question still hasn't been answered.

 

[guy n. cognito]

The BBB can close him down if he is taking money from customers and not providing services.

No, they can't.

 

[jive1]

Update.
Thanks to a TB suggestion.
Since I could get no replie from Ric.
I've gone to customer service Rep. Barry Pearlman.
He said him and Ric, would talk things out, and get back to me.
Will keep everone informed of out come?

Talking to Barry is the right thing to do. Even though Rick owns the company and makes the basses, Barry is the sales manager. Similar to the way Gard plans out production slots, takes orders, makes sure things get to the right folks, and does customer service for Roscoe, Barry does that for Turner. In some ways, Barry may be the better person to talk to since he's the guy who may ultimately schedule and ship your bass. Some guys make great luthiers, but not good businessmen. That's why they hire people to do that kind of thing.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Renaissance basses are their "production" basses. That means they are on a constant production schedule. The Model Ones aren't there yet but may be in the near future. The Electrolines are made in batches that they do once or twice a year. For that reason, the lead time on Model Ones and Electrolines take longer than for the Renaissance basses. And custom orders take longer since they may not fit with their production schedules.

Sorry to hear your anguish with this situation, but be persistent with Barry and hopefully things will work out.

Wishing you luck on a positive outcome.

 

[Iridescentone]

To me, this whole notion of having to pay the full price before work even begins is a recipe for disaster, and a glaring *Red Flag Alert* if ever there was one.

A substantial deposit should be enough to ensure an element of trust between both parties. To require all the money up front would tell me that (and I'm not inferring anything in this case) the vendor is perhaps woefully underfunded, or has reason to expect that his clients don't always like to pay upon completion of the job. Either way, not a good message.

 

[SBassman]

This question still hasn't been answered.

Yup, and I'm surprised no one is focusing on it.
It's an extremely important part of the story.