Sweetwater came to my house and helped me start my car. Then they sent me a lovely chocolate chip cheesecake!
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Done with Sweetwater
- Thread starter minddrain
- Start date
I cancelled Sweetwater after two of their "sales engineers" mailed a newbie engineer to me as a joke.
I did appreciate their 45 day return policy, however
I did appreciate their 45 day return policy, however
I've bought a lot of stuff from Sweetwater over the years (mainly basses and guitars). I've never had a problem with them. I do buy from other online retailers too. My favorites tend to be Sweetwater, Chicago Music Exchange, and Guitar Center. And once in awhile I hit a local shop as well.
The first time I bought something from Sweetwater (a bass), I did get a couple of follow-up calls, but if I don't recognize the number, I never answer (basically I hate phones). They left messages but I never called back. I guess my sales rep "got the message" and has never called me again. That was quite a number of years and many purchases ago. But I do email him personally when I want something and he's always prompt, attentive and polite. I guess he just knows I'm a "hands off" kind of customer. I will buy when I want to buy and nobody has ever talked me into buying anything. In fact, that type of "customer service" generally prompts me to NOT buy.
BUT this last purchase from Sweetwater REALLY p**sed me off!!!! The little bag of candy didn't have any damn Tootsie Rolls in it and had WAY too many peppermint candies. The nerve! I nearly returned the Mustang bass over that crap. (kidding)
The first time I bought something from Sweetwater (a bass), I did get a couple of follow-up calls, but if I don't recognize the number, I never answer (basically I hate phones). They left messages but I never called back. I guess my sales rep "got the message" and has never called me again. That was quite a number of years and many purchases ago. But I do email him personally when I want something and he's always prompt, attentive and polite. I guess he just knows I'm a "hands off" kind of customer. I will buy when I want to buy and nobody has ever talked me into buying anything. In fact, that type of "customer service" generally prompts me to NOT buy.
BUT this last purchase from Sweetwater REALLY p**sed me off!!!! The little bag of candy didn't have any damn Tootsie Rolls in it and had WAY too many peppermint candies. The nerve! I nearly returned the Mustang bass over that crap. (kidding)
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I've bought a bunch of stuff from Sweetwater and returned a few things as well. I always got great service. And their website, best in the business.
Only downside, they rarely have sales and when they do they create a vacuum.
Only downside, they rarely have sales and when they do they create a vacuum.
I deal with a guy named Evan Mulhill at Sweetwater, Always very helpful, call and ask for him
They are in league with the dentists. Just as leaf blower operators and car wash owners collude.
Yep. That's the one "frowny face" they get from me. Everything else has been great. Quick shipping. Gear set up relatively decent. Packed well. Not returns that are all beat to hell. Friendly service. Professional sales rep(s), not green teens. So on, so forth...
okcrum
in your chest
There are two kinds of retailers, good and bad.
There are also two kinds of customers.
There are also two kinds of customers.
As if we didn't know I was going to show up here.....
I no longer have anything bad to say about Sweetwater, but will forever (well, as long as I keep having the experiences I have with them) give a plug for Musiciansfriend.
They run 10 to 20% sales pretty much every week (you HAVE to call to take advantage of them though, they don't register with online orders), and they have a Backstage Pass program that gets an additional 8% back on all purchases. I've gotten 23 to 28% off of everything I ever purchased at Musiciansfriend with that, and I've purchased lots. Much more than most, even on Talkbass
The gear I get is the same as the gear anywhere else, and sorry but I have to say.... I DID get defective gear from Sweetwater once. Supposedly after their 50 point check, too. The bridge on my Fender Bass VI rattled and buzzed... I thought it was an easy fix (I was wrong) and waited too long to see if they'd exchange it, but yeah...
Anyhow, yes - I did have a few purchases that needed to be returned at MF too, but it was always completely hassle free. I called, they sent a UPS label, and I returned the gear. No questions asked. A few times I ordered a replacement they sent immediately, and then got my refund once they received the defective purchase.
I don't want or need anyone calling me or advising me on my bass purchases. If someone likes that treatment and feels the need for it, then by all means do what makes you happy. I am always shopping for best price, and Sweetwater would never match the price I paid at MF. For the same exact gear.
Last purchase for me was an American Performer Mustang.
It was right before the new tax laws.Price if I purchased at Sweetwater: $1199.99
Price paid at Musiciansfriend including 8% back: $924.00
Just curious if you asked for a discount on the Mustang. In my very limited experience they knock 10% off of the price shown on the site, or more.
I also had a problem with a defective bass that supposedly had been inspected. I discovered it fairly late - well past the normal 30-day return/exchange, but they took it back anyway. I exchanged down for a lower price bass, they exchanged the difference, no problems. I'm really happy with their service and prices so far (only a couple of transactions).
Not sure if they ever called me because I never answer my phone if I don't recognize the number.
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
It's amazing to me in this day and age where everyone has cell phones that people are still complaining about unsolicited phone calls. How about not answering unsolicited phone numbers? Or blocking unsolicited phone numbers? How hard is this? Am I missing something?
That has always worked great for me.
I have a friend who once asked, "How can you resist answering it and seeing who it is?" My reply was, "The same way I resist touching a hot stove."
At age 56 I'm with you, but I know quite a few people older than myself who feel somewhat compelled to answer a phone call. Not to suggest it is a negative and Pavlovian impulse; taking the call and "dealing with what's coming at you" is considered being dutiful by some, particularly older, people. This is I concluded after watching my old parents insist on indulging conniving cold-call salesmen.
Cave Puppy
"Humph Bo, he's wond!" - John Lennon
BUT this last purchase from Sweetwater REALLY p**sed me off!!!! The little bag of candy didn't have any damn Tootsie Rolls in it and had WAY too many peppermint candies. The nerve! I nearly returned the Mustang bass over that crap. (kidding)
I actually have a note in my file there that states chewy candy only! My dentist loves Sweetwater, too.
I contacted SW for the first time about 2 months ago. I sent a message with very specific questions about an open box Mesa WD-800 amp they had listed. Instead of answering my questions, the rep responded back with a bunch of friendly chatter about nothing. He wanted to call me and talk music, blah blah. Someone else snagged the amp while this guy is introducing himself and trying to be my bud. I politely complained to him that his chatty non-response helped me to miss the sale on the amp. He proceeded to chat more about how Mesa was opening up newer distribution with them etc. Nothing like let me knock x% off a new one for being a dunce. Ummm - nevermind. I bought a great used setup here on TB from two great members. SW isn't high on my goto list at this point.
