Fodera Club Part II

[spade2you]

But it's fun to assume Controversy and drama create conversation Whatever the other side of the story is, it doesn't look good for those that had orders.

Fun my arse! I don't even have any $ invested and I've cringed all day.

 

[Joelc73]

People may be getting caught up on the "deposit" comment and I think it may be a bit out of context.

No one is losing anything. These sales have simply been transferred from The Groove Shoppe to Fodera. The balance that customers owed to The Groove Shoppe, they will now owe to Fodera. Nothing more.

I hope that helps.

JC

 

[Just Thumpin']

Folks -- As per the post directly above, no one "lost" their deposit...credit for their value will be applied to each bass that will be built so that the final cost to the Customer will be identical to what they were quoted by the Groove Shoppe.

 

[jonno1707]

I knew this would be the case..It is too common for people to jump the gun around here...

 

[rb1]

Folks -- As per the post directly above, no one "lost" their deposit...credit for their value will be applied to each bass that will be built so that the final cost to the Customer will be identical to what they were quoted by the Groove Shoppe.

So, just to make this clear to those who think you've been ambiguous, or who want to wait for a separate statement from the Groove Shoppe, even though you posted a joint statement:

• Fodera has agreed to build the bases people think they ordered from the Groove Shoppe.
• Fodera has agreed to honor the original quoted price.
• The deposit money given to the Groove Shoppe was always non refundable.
• Fodera has either managed to get the Groove Shoppe to fork over the $13,000 they took in deposits, or else Fodera is going to lose $1000 on each one of these basses.
• However, since Fodera didn't know people had ordered these basses, they are not going to put these instruments in the schedule ahead of anyone else who is already waiting for a bass. (I seem to recall that Vinny made 1 custom bass, possibly delaying other backordered basses by 2 or 3 days, and a number of people went nuts about that... what would everyone do if these 13 basses were built before theirs?)

This sounds like the best possible outcome anyone should be able to expect. In fact, it looks like Fodera is going "above and beyond the call of duty" in this situation. Sure, those 13 people are going to be mad about the delay, but if the Groove Shoppe took the deposits and Fodera didn't know about the orders, this is the best deal they can possibly work out.

And a big "Thank You" is due to Just Thmpin' for keeping everyone posted.

 

[Garey]

Although I'm not one of those 13 with an order through the GS.....I spoke at length with Jason (Just Thumpin') yesterday about a variety of topics relating to Fodera. It feels like things are on the right track, and they truly want to make things right.

My Imperial is in for some work, and they are indeed going above and beyond the call of duty. Great communication and clarity. Major kudos to the entire NEW Fodera team!

Aloha, Garey

 

[harrybosch]

I think I may be missing something. If GS took depsoit money that never made it to Fodera, are we to assume that GS just gets to keep the deposit money essentially screwing Fodera? I realize that GS was probably going to make about $1000 profit from each Fodera sold and Fodera will still be making the same amount on each bass if not more but it still seems strange. With this line of thought, I guess everbody wins but the customers who will be waiting 5 or 6 years for their basses.

Still, well done on Fodera's part. You guys are doing the best you can with the burning bag of crap GS left on your door step.

 

[Just Thumpin']

Exactly. And a very big thank you for the kind words.

Jason

So, just to make this clear to those who think you've been ambiguous, or who want to wait for a separate statement from the Groove Shoppe, even though you posted a joint statement:

• Fodera has agreed to build the bases people think they ordered from the Groove Shoppe.
• Fodera has agreed to honor the original quoted price.
• The deposit money given to the Groove Shoppe was always non refundable.
• Fodera has either managed to get the Groove Shoppe to fork over the $13,000 they took in deposits, or else Fodera is going to lose $1000 on each one of these basses.
• However, since Fodera didn't know people had ordered these basses, they are not going to put these instruments in the schedule ahead of anyone else who is already waiting for a bass. (I seem to recall that Vinny made 1 custom bass, possibly delaying other backordered basses by 2 or 3 days, and a number of people went nuts about that... what would everyone do if these 13 basses were built before theirs?)

This sounds like the best possible outcome anyone should be able to expect. In fact, it looks like Fodera is going "above and beyond the call of duty" in this situation. Sure, those 13 people are going to be mad about the delay, but if the Groove Shoppe took the deposits and Fodera didn't know about the orders, this is the best deal they can possibly work out.

And a big "Thank You" is due to Just Thmpin' for keeping everyone posted.

 

[lamarjones]

I knew this would be the case..It is too common for people to jump the gun around here...

+1, I also thought the wording made sense.

I think I may be missing something. If GS took depsoit money that never made it to Fodera, are we to assume that GS just gets to keep the deposit money essentially screwing Fodera? I realize that GS was probably going to make about $1000 profit from each Fodera sold and Fodera will still be making the same amount on each bass if not more but it still seems strange. With this line of thought, I guess everbody wins but the customers who will be waiting 5 or 6 years for their basses.

Does that matter since they are honoring the original price?

 

[78Jazzlover]

I knew this would be the case..It is too common for people to jump the gun around here...

No, It needed to be clarified because it was not 100% clear from Just Thumpin's original post. Just as you would interject with questions and requests for clarifications if you were learning this info in person, these posts serve to do that in this format. The posting brought on the clarification that was needed.

 

[Tom7]

No, It needed to be clarified because it was not 100% clear from Just Thumpin's original post. Just as you would interject with questions and requests for clarifications if you were learning this info in person, these posts serve to do that in this format. The posting brought on the clarification that was needed.

+1.

I agree, Just Thumpin's original post left me wondering stuff too, stuff that wasn't EXPLICITLY sorted until the discussion that followed took place. Thanks, rb1, for laying it all out in one place with more clarity.

And count me as one who thinks Fodera is doing these GS guys a good turn. Good job, Fodera.

 

[harrybosch]

+1, I also thought the wording made sense.



Does that matter since they are honoring the original price?

It's just a discussion. It only matters to those who have deposits with GS.

 

[Angus]

I knew this would be the case..It is too common for people to jump the gun around here...

Nobody "jumped the gun"- they merely asked questions for clarification. I think they should expect that to happen, and it's a good thing that people feel comfortable enough to ask. Relax.

 

[cnltb]

Nobody "jumped the gun"- they merely asked questions for clarification. I think they should expect that to happen, and it's a good thing that people feel comfortable enough to ask. Relax.

+1
But I still don't understand what they were playing at, not forwarding orders.
I've never heard of something like that so far.
Putting the customer as well as the manufacturer out like this.
Or did I miss something?

 

[peterpalmieri]

People may be getting caught up on the "deposit" comment and I think it may be a bit out of context.

No one is losing anything. These sales have simply been transferred from The Groove Shoppe to Fodera. The balance that customers owed to The Groove Shoppe, they will now owe to Fodera. Nothing more.

I hope that helps.

JC

Nobody seems to want to be direct about this...

The GS accepted deposits on orders, but never actually had any plans to place those orders with Fodera. That is a big difference from just running out of money and filing for some sort of insolvency. If that's the case it's a criminal act plain and simple. It's nobel for you, Joel, to stand up and be up front as you can but I'm guessing you're not happy about it.

If I misread and am way off base I apologize in advance and will delete my post...

 

[Garey]

Nobody seems to want to be direct about this...

The GS accepted deposits on orders, but never actually had any plans to place those orders with Fodera. That is a big difference from just running out of money and filing for some sort of insolvency. If that's the case it's a criminal act plain and simple. It's nobel for you, Joel, to stand up and be up front as you can but I'm guessing you're not happy about it.

If I misread and am way off base I apologize in advance and will delete my post...

This would, indeed, change things, A LOT. One would wonder WHY the orders were not given to Fodera if they were taken and had deposits down. Especially if the person who ordered the bass had been told their order is in....since what, 2006? Scary....

Aloha, Garey

 

[Garey]

BTW, we are now seeing the benefits and drawbacks of the information age. These details would never be out in the public like this.....but maybe its what we need to keep the honesty and transparency. I commend this very public explanation of a situation nobody wants to be in.

Aloha, Garey

 

[Angus]

I would say that this is entirely the benefit of the information age, for better or worse. I think it's a credit that they've come forward with the situation, because its a good sign that despite a problem existing, they're acknowledging that it exists and explaining how it'll be fixed. It sucks, but its a good outcome, hopefully.

And of course, it should be said, I've talked to both Joel and David over email before, and they're both gracious and helpful people, so I can't imagine they're happy with the situation either.

But really none of this matters. The only thing that truly matters, in the end, is that the customers get their orders filled and end up happy, and it appears all parties are doing their best to ensure this.

FWIW, this method of business is completely normal for stores. GS wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. I don't know how Fodera works with its dealers specifically, but often in a custom order, your money will only reach the luthier once the order is filled. Any deposits, etc, are for the store, not the builder.

 

[Garey]

I would say that this is entirely the benefit of the information age, for better or worse. I think it's a credit that they've come forward with the situation, because its a good sign that despite a problem existing, they're acknowledging that it exists and explaining how it'll be fixed. It sucks, but its a good outcome, hopefully.

And of course, it should be said, I've talked to both Joel and David over email before, and they're both gracious and helpful people, so I can't imagine they're happy with the situation either.

But really none of this matters. The only thing that truly matters, in the end, is that the customers get their orders filled and end up happy, and it appears all parties are doing their best to ensure this.

FWIW, this method of business is completely normal for stores. GS wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. I don't know how Fodera works with its dealers specifically, but often in a custom order, your money will only reach the luthier once the order is filled. Any deposits, etc, are for the store, not the builder.

Yes, but IF those orders were not turned in to the builder.......then what? That changes things...

Aloha, Garey

 

[Garey]

I would say that this is entirely the benefit of the information age, for better or worse. I think it's a credit that they've come forward with the situation, because its a good sign that despite a problem existing, they're acknowledging that it exists and explaining how it'll be fixed. It sucks, but its a good outcome, hopefully.

And of course, it should be said, I've talked to both Joel and David over email before, and they're both gracious and helpful people, so I can't imagine they're happy with the situation either.

But really none of this matters. The only thing that truly matters, in the end, is that the customers get their orders filled and end up happy, and it appears all parties are doing their best to ensure this.

FWIW, this method of business is completely normal for stores. GS wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. I don't know how Fodera works with its dealers specifically, but often in a custom order, your money will only reach the luthier once the order is filled. Any deposits, etc, are for the store, not the builder.

And I qoute:

Folks -- just a heads up that after a long collaboration with the Groove Shoppe, we have been informed that the Company plans to discontinue its operations. Over the past several weeks, during our discussions with the Groove Shoppe folks about unwinding their relationship with Fodera, it has come to our attention that there are thirteen (13) orders for Fodera instruments that were placed through The Groove Shoppe that we did not know about.

This is the part that I am referring to.....

Aloha, Garey