• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Do Manufactures' give ETA of instrument arrival?

#21
jmone said:
I get it - delays happen. I'm completely sympathetic to that. I would just like to be notified either a) it's coming on week x and we have confirmation that it's been shipped or b) they tried and they have no clue, it'll arrive when it arrives. I'd just like to be in the loop - that's all.
Click to expand...

I've been in the position of a distributor and as a retailer in this. Sometimes there just isn't a solid answer because there isn't one person with all the facts during the duration of an imported item's journey. Many distributors and retailers prefer to be silent than admit "We don't know, it'll get here when it gets here", which does suck.
 
#22
You ordered an import item with custom options. There is no way to tell if Lakland even had a bass with your specs on order with their manufacturer in Asia. If they didn't it's likely no one at Lakland can give an ETA because the company making it hasn't responded to them yet.

Also, we're in the midst of the lunar new year which is a long holiday in many Asian areas. I don't know specifically about Indonesia where the Skylines are built, but Vietnam essentially shuts down.

Of course the OP seems more concerned about the lack if response than what the ETA might be. And that's on his salesperson and the store management. Even to say "we don't have an answer but here are the contacts we've made and we're following up on it each day" would assuage his concern.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SaxBass, mikewalker, JACink and 1 other person
#24
Having had to order from overseas, I know it can take a long time and be difficult to get answers. That said, there's no reason that the store can't at least call you back and say "We've called all of our contacts, and can't get a solid ETA at this time.." etc. In that case, I'd be tempted to cut out the middle man.
 
#25
So I will tell you my story. I ordered a Bass. No big customizations just I wanted a 4 string versus a 5 string (they currently had) an another color. They told me it would be there in 2 weeks. Then I got a call that they got confused and there was no Bass in stock in that color in the manufacture. So I needed to wait for 6 months. We looked for an alternative and after going back and forth I said I would wait. About a month before the supposed arrival date, I called and they checked again and told me that I would get it in another month, but they could not guarantee it. I got pissed and cancelled the order and got my refund. With some good advice from some TB'ers I bought a used Warwick for $700 less. I am as happy as I can be.

I can't understand why they can't provide an ETA. Custom manufacturing is not new and plenty of other industries manufacture in different parts of the world. Not providing an ETA or not giving you your product within a specified window should not be acceptable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone
#26
Skaswan said:
So I will tell you my story. I ordered a Bass. No big customizations just I wanted a 4 string versus a 5 string (they currently had) an another color. They told me it would be there in 2 weeks. Then I got a call that they got confused and there was no Bass in stock in that color in the manufacture. So I needed to wait for 6 months. We looked for an alternative and after going back and forth I said I would wait. About a month before the supposed arrival date, I called and they checked again and told me that I would get it in another month, but they could not guarantee it. I got pissed and cancelled the order and got my refund. With some good advice from some TB'ers I bought a used Warwick for $700 less. I am as happy as I can be.

I can't understand why they can't provide an ETA. Custom manufacturing is not new and plenty of other industries manufacture in different parts of the world. Not providing an ETA or not giving you your product within a specified window should not be acceptable.
Click to expand...

I agree with you to provide a purchaser a tracking number but in your case I'd imagine you screwed the store, not the manufacture. I don't believe it was the store's fault in your case but I believe it is in my case.
 
#27
A lot has perhaps changed since my brief stint in MI sales in the early early-mid 00s, but back then, when I special ordered an instrument for a customer, it was a BLACK HOLE OF INFORMATION AND ALWAYS TOOK WAY LONGER THAN YOU'D EXPECT.

While I appreciated it (100% commission job...which I sucked at) I never understood why anyone would order from me when they could call MF or AMS (nearly the only national names in the game back then) and have the exact same thing way sooner, because they already had the thing in stock.
 
#29
So you were originally told that the bass would arrive in February, claim you're not in a hurry, but call the store on the second day of the month. Hmmmm.

Technically, they have until February 28th to deliver the bass. No reason to not get a response though. The truth is that they might not know for sure. Is the retailer a large chain of stores? If so, they have a purchasing department that is dealing with the Lakland and in my experience it is almost impossible for store employees to get information. If the retailer is a small mom and pop, they should be able to call Lakland and get an ETA.

Keep in mind an ETA is just an estimated delivery date. It could be sooner or later.
 
Last edited:
#32
What custom options did you request? My understanding was that the Skylines are extremely limited in terms of customization, due to the standardization of the models and overseas manufacturing in general.

When I got my fretless (below), I lucked out finding the exact body color I wanted in stock, and had the bass shipped directly from the seller to Lakland HQ in Chicago to have the fretless neck fitted. They then shipped it to me directly, where I received it the very first time. The other changes with mine I did myself.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back