Done with Sweetwater

[GregC]

People here keep raving about how simple a return is at Sweetwater. With sales people calling and their desire to be helpful, I'm assuming (perhaps wrongly) that a return will be more of a discussion than a simple, "I need to return this." I mean, they're there to walk and talk you through everything...

20 minutes might have been an exaggeration, but maybe not, too.

At MF any time I ever had to return something the conversation went like this.

Me: There's an issue with the bass I bought and I want to return (or exchange) it.
MF. No problem. Give me your email address.
Me: [email protected]
MF. Got it. We'll send you a return label.



Not sure I understand the question, but Sweetwater supporters are making it seem as though you have to jump through a dozen hoops 6' off the ground in order to get a 15% discount. All ya gotta do is wait for one of their sales and call (you don't get the discount if you try to use a code online, BUT THEY PROMPT YOU TO CALL when it says the code does not work for that item). That makes some people sweat for some reason. The same people that ironically like when their sales people call THEM .

Hence - the "simple step," to get 15% discount. Too much hassle for some.

Same with the 8% refund on purchases. If you go to the MF website their backstage pass thing is the first thing that pops up. Its super freaking simple, yet some don't want to or can't do it.

And people continue to passive aggressively attack with their lols and other smug comments.

I'm not doing anything to anyone outside of trying to help them save crap loads of money. And yes, I want to keep MF open. If people quit poking at this bee hive, the bees will stop coming out .

Everybody is welcome to shop where they want.

You made it sound like calling Sweetwater for a return was a time-consuming task, yet characterized calling MF as a simple step. I was curious about the dichotomy.

Now I know the first part was merely an assumption. Honestly, if you're going to start doing that kind of thing, it's no longer "helping people" in any way, that's just engaging in tit-for-tat. Relaying one's own experiences, and explaining how people can save money, is of course fine. (Maybe there's no need to explain the discounts 10 times? ) But you seem to be going well beyond that, IMO.

 

[Joe Nerve]

You made it sound like calling Sweetwater for a return was a time-consuming task, yet characterized calling MF as a simple step. I was curious about the dichotomy.

Now I know the first part was merely an assumption. Honestly, if you're going to start doing that kind of thing, it's no longer "helping people" in any way, that's just engaging in tit-for-tat. Relaying one's own experiences, and explaining how people can save money, is of course fine. (Maybe there's no need to explain the discounts 10 times? ) But you seem to be going well beyond that, IMO.

Whelp Greg... I guess that one is on me. I'm an idiot for continually answering the same questions 10 times over for the people who either don't read my responses, or don't understand.

Pleaase read post 393.

 

[minddrain]

So, is Sweetwater a good place to shop or what?

Depends on what you want from the experience. If you’re looking for an item and want to get a good deal, yes. If you are looking for an experience and a personal Sales Engineer to provide said good experience. Then it can be spotty.

End of the day. I got a good deal on the Fender Player Jazz, because that was the only left handed bass they had in stock. Next item that I need will come from whomever. I still have a Sweetwater card, because it has a balance now. But, I don’t see it being used often.

 

[GregC]

Wow. I worded that question so diplomatically.

(Maybe there's no need to explain the discounts 10 times? )

And you respond like this? Yeah, no need to discuss any further.

Whelp Greg... I guess that one is on me. I'm an idiot for continually answering the same questions 10 times over for the people who either don't read my responses, or don't understand.

Read post 393.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Wow. I worded that question so diplomatically.

And you respond like this? Yeah, no need to discuss any further.

Same here.

And maybe I misunderstood your response. If so, my apologies.

What you wrote seemed unneccesary to me though, especially since I already addressed what you mentioned.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

If I need to do a SW return, I shoot an email to my guy, and usually a couple of email exchanges later to find out what i didn't like and can they fix it, I have the return label. Less than 5 min.

MF, I have no idea, other than the one time I tried to return something and it was so horrible i ended up keeping it. Hence why I do very little business with them.

A return to GC takes me 35 min to get there, then a 30 min wait for someone to help me, Then about 15 minutes while they dick around trying to figure out how to do it on their antiquated system, and another 5-10 for the manager to come and actually do it.

Wow. I think it may just be that Chattanooga has one of the great Guitar Centers, but when I returned a damaged Mitchell MS-400 it took literally five or ten minutes to execute the paperwork, about another five or ten to order and pay for a Gretsch I wanted instead, and maybe ten minutes waiting for a salesman - I didn't even have time to make it through all the used guitars to the new basses or used amps. Couldn't have been smoother. I always go to the store if I'm ordering from Guitar Center, and about the only time I don't is if it's a Musician's Friend SDOD or an open box deal. And I don't play in the deep end - $700 is the most I've ever spent on a guitar or bass, $250 on an amplifier - so it's not special treatment. (Although full disclosure, I did buy another guitar while waiting on the paperwork when I ordered the Gibson. ) It's just a great store. Mostly though I buy used and we've got several pretty good local music stores, but unfortunately like a lot of independents their new lines are mostly Davisons and Washburns and such.

I've only bought one instrument from Sweetwater and it was a great experience, got an open box Epi Hummingbird for $199. Gleaming black and not a scratch or scuff on it, all original packing plus tool and warranty card, perfectly set up (to the extent that I can tell anyway) . . . Not at all sure why it was an open box. Even the pickguard plastic film was still in place. Regardless, I never really clicked with them. I was impressed with the calls for the order (It's billed! It's being pulled! It's on the shipping dock! It's gone to UPS! It shows as delivered!) but I don't care for the cold calls to see if I need anything. Now though I can resist the urge to answer the phone unless it's a number I know and need to answer, so it's just the very occasional polite voice mail. Give them their due, they are absolutely tops in displaying medium to high end instruments though and for most people most of the time, they excel in customer service. I've never tried returning anything but I've not heard many negative Sweetwater stories.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

Are you suggesting that the world doesn't revolve around me?

If you are the most attractive woman you know and you have a loving husband and you play bass, then the world revolving around you is at least a reasonable working hypothesis. However, that clashes with my own standing hypothesis that the world revolves around Inara, who also owns THREE motorcycles. Being a hetero male I can't properly establish the value of a husband but judging solely by myself I'm pretty sure it doesn't rise to even one well-maintained Ducati. And I still maintain that strangers have the best candy, especially when they are musicians. Or at least, when they have windowless vans, can't recall seeing any, um, musical instruments . . .

 

[Matty Koff]

Wow. I think it may just be that Chattanooga has one of the great Guitar Centers, but when I returned a damaged Mitchell MS-400 it took literally five or ten minutes to execute the paperwork, about another five or ten to order and pay for a Gretsch I wanted instead, and maybe ten minutes waiting for a salesman - I didn't even have time to make it through all the used guitars to the new basses or used amps. Couldn't have been smoother. I always go to the store if I'm ordering from Guitar Center, and about the only time I don't is if it's a Musician's Friend SDOD or an open box deal. And I don't play in the deep end - $700 is the most I've ever spent on a guitar or bass, $250 on an amplifier - so it's not special treatment. (Although full disclosure, I did buy another guitar while waiting on the paperwork when I ordered the Gibson. ) It's just a great store. Mostly though I buy used and we've got several pretty good local music stores, but unfortunately like a lot of independents their new lines are mostly Davisons and Washburns and such.

I've only bought one instrument from Sweetwater and it was a great experience, got an open box Epi Hummingbird for $199. Gleaming black and not a scratch or scuff on it, all original packing plus tool and warranty card, perfectly set up (to the extent that I can tell anyway) . . . Not at all sure why it was an open box. Even the pickguard plastic film was still in place. Regardless, I never really clicked with them. I was impressed with the calls for the order (It's billed! It's being pulled! It's on the shipping dock! It's gone to UPS! It shows as delivered!) but I don't care for the cold calls to see if I need anything. Now though I can resist the urge to answer the phone unless it's a number I know and need to answer, so it's just the very occasional polite voice mail. Give them their due, they are absolutely tops in displaying medium to high end instruments though and for most people most of the time, they excel in customer service. I've never tried returning anything but I've not heard many negative Sweetwater stories.

Lol.. a fellow noogan. I'll give our GC props.. they handle returns promptly without giving you crap. But can't say I'm happy with the local in-stock selection. When i'm looking to save a buck on a pedal though, I order without hesitation from GC knowing I can just drive down to the store and return it if it's not to my liking.

I got my used Avatar b410 cab for dirt cheap this way.. thought I'd end up having to return it but the thing works well.

 

[Chad Michael]

- tb classifieds
- reverb
- craigslist
- ebay
- local brick and mortar

= good to go in my little world..

Of all the silly amounts of bass and pro audio gear I have bought in the last 35 years, 98% satisfied. Plus, I feel like my money goes to a human rather than a corporation...

I must admit I have not given GC, MF, SW, AMS etc. enough of my money to even begin to form an opinion.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

Lol.. a fellow noogan. I'll give our GC props.. they handle returns promptly without giving you crap. But can't say I'm happy with the local in-stock selection. When i'm looking to save a buck on a pedal though, I order without hesitation from GC knowing I can just drive down to the store and return it if it's not to my liking.

I got my used Avatar b410 cab for dirt cheap this way.. thought I'd end up having to return it but the thing works well.

It's pretty much the Walmart of music, but hey, I have Walmart tastes.

Their used gear varies wildly IME. I'm pretty much sure that "Good" actually means "Not actually on fire" and "Fair" means "Probably won't be on fire when you get it." Sometimes there are incredible bargains that pop up though - briefly, usually. But they have an incredible return policy and they have great people locally.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

- tb classifieds
- reverb
- craigslist
- ebay
- local brick and mortar

= good to go in my little world..

Of all the silly amounts of bass and pro audio gear I have bought in the last 35 years, 98% satisfied. Plus, I feel like my money goes to a human rather than a corporation...

I must admit I have not given GC, MF, SW, AMS etc. enough of my money to even begin to form an opinion.

Personally I think humans are vastly overrated but for what it's worth our local Guitar Center is chock full of the critters. Some good people too. As people go anyway.

 

[Bob E]

I'm not a big fan of Sweetwater's single sales rep and phone call philosophy, but I've never actually had a problem with it either. The calls go to voice mail, and my sales rep seems cool enough. Their shipping is always the quickest and I've never had a problem with anything they've sent me. Even when I buy open box or demo stuff I have a hard time figuring out why they sold it that way.
Every once in a while I get sucked into some MF/GC sale. Can't beat their discounts, but I swear they always send me some open box, b-stock, blemished, reject. I always end up wishing I would of just spent a little more somewhere else.

 

[Mike Whitfield]

I'm not a big fan of Sweetwater's single sales rep and phone call philosophy, but I've never actually had a problem with it either. The calls go to voice mail, and my sales rep seems cool enough. Their shipping is always the quickest and I've never had a problem with anything they've sent me. Even when I buy open box or demo stuff I have a hard time figuring out why they sold it that way.
Every once in a while I get sucked into some MF/GC sale. Can't beat their discounts, but I swear they always send me some open box, b-stock, blemished, reject. I always end up wishing I would of just spent a little more somewhere else.

Pretty sure the Mitchell SD-400 that Guitar Center sent me was a return. The box was pristine, but the actual guitar's knobs were all more or less non-functional as they are recessed into the maple cap and rubbed to the point of not turning. The store manager suspected it had been dropped, even though that beautiful flame maple cap was unscratched, but that weird thick plastic wrap was shredded and the warranty card, truss rod wrench, and whatever else Mitchell might include were all missing. One of those things might be coincidence, but all three surely indicate a returned product, maybe damaged and maybe a factory reject. But hey, it's Guitar Center, so it was no big deal to return it and I bought a nicer, more expensive Gretsch to replace it that otherwise I probably wouldn't have bought. They even insisted on giving me a 15% discount on the Gretsch, even though I was completely not disgruntled (would that be completely gruntled?) and asked for nothing. Musician's Friend I think I've only bought open box, a guitar and a bass, one great deal and one less-than-great deal worth the discounted price I paid, so I can't complain about getting what I paid for.

 

[xk49w]

My limited experience with Sweetwater has been okay.

TLDR: I bought an open-box pedal from them at a discount (Neo Ventilator II). It had a problem and they eventually replaced it with a new unit at no additional cost to me.

It took more than three months though. I started by emailing the pedal's designer and ended up sending him audio files. He confirmed and said it needed to be repaired so I contacted Sweetwater. I sent the pedal in and they sent it to Germany for repair. It was returned after eight weeks and still exhibited the same problem. Eventually I got a new pedal out of it but it did take some time and many emails. I was favorably impressed by the tech support though. The technician even took a new unit out of stock and tested it with my test procedure to verify that it did not have the problem. He then offered me either that unit or another new unit as a replacement. In all of this, Sweetwater paid all shipping costs and refused my offer of paying the difference between the open-box unit and the new unit which replaced it.

 

[CereBassum]

From whom do y’all purchase guitars?

Sellers on Reverb with very good reputations. CME is pretty good, so is Gear Nuts. A lot of the smaller mom and pop sellers with good reps are also excellent. You can usually work out a good deal on price too.

Not long ago I bought a bass from DeGorgio Bros on there - smaller shop in GA. Told them after 2 days I didn't like it but held it for 2 weeks and changed the strings before I returned it. Got back every penny and 5 star feedback to boot.

BUT: Reverb is changing - ain't what it used to be. Proceed with caution.

 

[scottsigler]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

I'm a lefty 5-string bass player. If I am lucky, one guitar store out of 10 will have a single lefty-5, and that's usually the same thing: a Schecter. Buying online is the only way for me to find new instruments.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I just finished an order I have been putting together with my guy @ Sweetwater last night and it shipped then, not today. They made a replacement on an item under their two year warranty program and applied a nice price match on an item no one locally carries right now in the D.C. area and made a discount I was not aware of while putting it on their current (thru Oct. 2) 48 month promotion on their Sweetwater Card.

I'm still going to make a used amp purchase from GC shortly and will be taken care of. However, as a regular course of business, there is no place like Sweetwater!!

 

[onda'bass]

My only complaint is the phone calls, but caller ID stops that

 

[Bob E]

So, recently I started getting sales emails from musician's friend every couple days. Tonight I finally took the initiative to open one and click the unsubscribe link, which is kind of irritating since I never subscribed in the first place. The link took me to a page on their site that said I could only unsubscribe by calling their customer service. Needless to say musician's friend is now on my blocked list, and that's all the incentive I needed to stop buying their junk.

 

[bdplaid]

I have to admit, MF recently came up with a great price on some Hipshot bridges I wanted. But then, GC had a great price on some other things. And Sweetwater had awesome prices on other stuff I bought. Customer service played into the Sweetwater and GC deals. Sweetwater was exemplary. GC was good, but can't give them 5 stars because their computers were down causing me to go back to the store 3 times before I could return something. But I got to meet the store's new manager and his positive attitude seems to have lifted the whole store. So pluses on that.

Maybe they're all stepping up their game.