- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Im gonna put this here, in hopes that it is helpful to someone along the way, ordering a custom bass. There's been a theme I've seen more and more recently about problems with delivery of custom orders, and they seem to follow a trend.
Essentially: Pay the deposit, no more, (and of course) no less. Typically this will be between 1/3 and 1/2 of the total price, due at the time of order to get your order solidified. The remainder due upon completion and imminent shipment of the bass. This total cost should hold, barring any changes in your order along the way. If the builder raises their prices sometime between your order and its delivery date, you should be able to expect that the cost at the time of your order is the cost you will pay. Price increases should only apply to orders placed after the time of the price increase.
Paying more than the deposit, either as an act of generosity/pseudophilanthropy, or an assumption that the builder will fast track, or put more effort into your bass out of appreciation is misplaced. You have an agreement: you pay the agreed upon amount at the set intervals, they make your bass to the specs you agreed on, in roughly the time they quoted it would be done.
Why do I say this? I have noticed about a half dozen cases of basses (from certain builders) that just dont ever seem to get done, for years and years beyond the quoted times. These builders seem to be delivering other basses during this time that were ordered after the orders in question, and the orders in question, by and large, are not super custom or requiring specialty parts that delay the build. In almost all of these situations Im referencing, the orders were paid in full upfront.
So what is happening? I would posit - and not to throw any builders under bus (notice im not naming names, and I think this should stay this way in this thread as its more a conceptual thing than an invitation to flame someone): the standard structure allows for builders to accept a non refundable deposit which protects them in case you ghost or cant pay when it comes time to deliver. the balance due upon completion ensures they get it done and prioritize fulfilling the agreement so they can be made whole on the project.
I do NOT mean to say that any of the builders in question are bad actors, or acting in bad faith in intention. What I think, is that life happens, money gets spent on overhead almost before it lands in their hands, and builders in survival mode force themselves or are forced into situations where they may be chasing "new money" as opposed to money they already have received. It's sucks, and I try to find ways to be empathetic, but I also feel for generous customers who feel like theyve gone above and beyond to support their builders, only to be strung along for years.
So yeah, I'm sure this raises big feelings from all sides. Maybe the info I've been getting is anecdotal and not reflective of the larger picture. Maybe you paid in full and got the bass of your dreams in record time. Thats fantastic. Im just trying to paint the picture that these systems and standards for these processes exist for a reason, and contain the correct checks and balances to make sure everyone is accountable to their agreements, when dozens of hours and thousands of dollars are on the line.
hope someone finds this helpful.
Essentially: Pay the deposit, no more, (and of course) no less. Typically this will be between 1/3 and 1/2 of the total price, due at the time of order to get your order solidified. The remainder due upon completion and imminent shipment of the bass. This total cost should hold, barring any changes in your order along the way. If the builder raises their prices sometime between your order and its delivery date, you should be able to expect that the cost at the time of your order is the cost you will pay. Price increases should only apply to orders placed after the time of the price increase.
Paying more than the deposit, either as an act of generosity/pseudophilanthropy, or an assumption that the builder will fast track, or put more effort into your bass out of appreciation is misplaced. You have an agreement: you pay the agreed upon amount at the set intervals, they make your bass to the specs you agreed on, in roughly the time they quoted it would be done.
Why do I say this? I have noticed about a half dozen cases of basses (from certain builders) that just dont ever seem to get done, for years and years beyond the quoted times. These builders seem to be delivering other basses during this time that were ordered after the orders in question, and the orders in question, by and large, are not super custom or requiring specialty parts that delay the build. In almost all of these situations Im referencing, the orders were paid in full upfront.
So what is happening? I would posit - and not to throw any builders under bus (notice im not naming names, and I think this should stay this way in this thread as its more a conceptual thing than an invitation to flame someone): the standard structure allows for builders to accept a non refundable deposit which protects them in case you ghost or cant pay when it comes time to deliver. the balance due upon completion ensures they get it done and prioritize fulfilling the agreement so they can be made whole on the project.
I do NOT mean to say that any of the builders in question are bad actors, or acting in bad faith in intention. What I think, is that life happens, money gets spent on overhead almost before it lands in their hands, and builders in survival mode force themselves or are forced into situations where they may be chasing "new money" as opposed to money they already have received. It's sucks, and I try to find ways to be empathetic, but I also feel for generous customers who feel like theyve gone above and beyond to support their builders, only to be strung along for years.
So yeah, I'm sure this raises big feelings from all sides. Maybe the info I've been getting is anecdotal and not reflective of the larger picture. Maybe you paid in full and got the bass of your dreams in record time. Thats fantastic. Im just trying to paint the picture that these systems and standards for these processes exist for a reason, and contain the correct checks and balances to make sure everyone is accountable to their agreements, when dozens of hours and thousands of dollars are on the line.
hope someone finds this helpful.
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