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Done with Sweetwater

#121
I've been dealing with Sweetwater for 6-7 years, and have stayed with the same rep after about six months of dealing with them. My guys calls maybe every 3-6 months, but usually to follow-up on something. The handful of unsolicited calls are, I figure, something that the bosses require of them. I get pretty good prices, delicious candy (which my better half is completely unaware of!), almost always next-day delivery, and when I let him know I am interested in something, I usually get a call as soon as he knows when it will arrive, and I have gotten a couple of items a day or two sooner than they were supposed to be available. I stopped by in July on my way to Ohio, and while there, asked if I could meet my rep. He came out, took me on a great tour of the facility (which is pretty impressive), and went far beyond what I would have expected for a no-name customer. Sweetwater isn't my only store, but it is a main source for me, and I have never been disappointed with anything. I think so much depends on your rep, and the relationship that you build with him/her. No one is an expert on everything, but if Tyler doesn't know something, he'll find out and call me back. Responds no later than next day to emails, unless he's on vacation. That can happen. I have 6-8 main places I deal, and Sweetwater is always in the main circle.
 
#122
Govner22 said:
having trouble finding the weight for an SR500
Click to expand...

It only lists weight for items in stock.
I'd be surprised if a SR500E was heavier than 8 lbs.

There's a SR505E at the local Ibanez dealer that feels about the same as my SR1800E, which is just under 8 lbs..
E is the new designation, where they started putting BH2 pickups in them & a passive/active switch.
The older models have no E in the model#, no passive/active switch, & MK1 pickups.
 
#123
It's pretty funny - after reading through this thread, I'm even more pissed at Sweetwater than ever. After all the money I've spent with them, and all the chances to make things right I've offered them, I find that some people report that they've received significant discounts from them. They have never given me any kind of a discount. And I ask every time I've ordered from them.

I bought an Ovation mandolin from them pretty recently. They were the only major on-line retailer that had any. Granted, they're discontinued, and they only had returns, but I got a pretty nice one at a good price. For me, I'd rather buy an instrument from a reputable retailer than from some person on eBay, even if it's for a little bit more. But now, I don't think I'll ever buy anything from them ever again. I'll take my chances with the guy on eBay.
 
#125
Killed_by_Death said:
It only lists weight for items in stock.
I'd be surprised if a SR500E was heavier than 8 lbs.

There's a SR505E at the local Ibanez dealer that feels about the same as my SR1800E, which is just under 8 lbs..
E is the new designation, where they started putting BH2 pickups in them & a passive/active switch.
The older models have no E in the model#, no passive/active switch, & MK1 pickups.
Click to expand...
Got it, thanks! (I played an SR500EZW at GC that was awesomely light so it could happen for me.)
 
#126
I've not had any issues with Sweetwater; only received about 2-3 calls from them years ago, have traded out one extension cab because the cardboard box was totally toasted and wet (FedEx) without question, and switched one instrument because of an abnormal hum. Bad apples in every bunch, oh well, life.
Sweetwater and Barefaced customer service should be emulated.
Canceling a credit card? Wow. No matter where one purchases on-line, if PayPal is used there will be a slight delay in receiving bank/account crediting.
 
#127
Gorn said:
I've heard of their stellar customer service for years. Then I learned for myself that that means a lot of people are apparently impressed by monthly solicitation calls and a "personal" sales rep. They're no better or worse at customer service than any of the big online retailers. Buy from any reputable website with a phone number and a return policy. None of them are special.
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I've bought thousands in gear from SW over the past few years. No issues at all and they've reached out to make sure I was happy at least once.

OPs situation sounds like an anomaly.
 
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#130
Son of Wobble said:
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.
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Sometimes calls come in with a caller ID I don't recognize or the name of my state as the source of the call, and turn out to be important calls. Sometimes, very important calls. Just saying.

More often than not there's a delay on robo calls that tips you off to what kind of call it is. I just hang up. If the call is a junk call, they get one or two words out of their mouth, like, "Hi, how are...", and click. I'm gone.

Haven't tried the do not call list. Gotta do that.
 
#132
minddrain said:
After many bad customer service experiences, my last item was defective. They have been unresponsive and just difficult. I just canceled an order for a guitar and they were like, okay see ya. Now I have to wait 1-2 weeks for them to process the return of the item so that I can cancel my credit card.

From whom do y’all purchase guitars?
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I've been saying this for years; I like how when you are BUYING something online - the money is taken out of your account at light speed. But if a situation arises where you REQUIRE A REFUND - now all of a sudden it can take 10 - 30 days for that to happen.

I know they could return the money at light speed too if they wanted. When someone pays me via PayPal - I have the option to dump that money into my checking account & you get two options; do you want it dumped in the next day (at no charge) or do you want it dumped into your acct instantly (for a 1% fee)? I always do instantly and in a blink of an eye it's back into my checking acct. All these companies could do it like that if they want but they jerk us around.
 
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#133
Sorry to hear about your issues with Sweetwater.
I always had the best experiences with them and my main source of gear. Some equipment had some issues after I called my rep, or tech support and got the RMA# I returned the faulty unit and they straight sent the other one with two days delivery. I am very satisfied with them. Just call them and talk I am sure they will fix the issues.
 

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