Has Bass Strings Online fallen off?

[phishaholik]

I've been buying all my strings through these guys since they started, but the past 3 orders I've placed have been back ordered. They show the strings as in-stock and then I get the back ordered email a few days later. I waited about a month before cancelling my order the first two times and I just ordered a set of DR Sunbeams and have been about a week. It's not like Sunbeams are a rare set of strings or anything. If I have to wait for even the most common strings there's no reason for me to order through them. I can get those through Amazon and even get them the same day for $6 more.

Has this company just fallen off and I need to take my business elsewhere? Anyone else having problems with long back order times?

Edit: I made a mistake with my timeline. I cancelled my first order after a week and no delivery time scheduled. I waited between 3 weeks and a month to cancel my second order. I placed my third order on 4/08 and they are on order now.

Michael

 

[KickingBass]

Have you emailed them about it? I had a similar problem, I emailed them about it and they made it right. Kept me as a future customer.

 

[michael_t]

Has this company just fallen off and I need to take my business elsewhere? Anyone else having problems with long back order times?

Have you emailed them about it?

Whenever you have an issue such as this with BSO, I would definitely suggest you try to get in touch with them directly first instead of starting up a whole new thread about it. You can either email them or even PM Jason (SLaPiNFuNK).

I sent them an inquiry about something just yesterday and Jason responded in 4 minutes flat!

 

[bholder]

I don't think it's BSO, I think it was specifically DR - they went through a product naming / packaging cutover recently, and there was quite a lull in shipping during the changeover, from what I infer. (Marcus Miller dropping the Fat Beam sponsorship was only one aspect.)

 

[phishaholik]

I've called and talked to them multiple times and the lady on the phone has always been very nice and kind. I just want to know if this is now typical of the company. I've placed 3 orders in the past few months and every one of them has been labeled as in-stock and instead I get the back order email several days later. A month for a set of strings that I can order anywhere is a long wait.

Edit: The last two sets before the DRs were Labellas and Fodera strings.
Michael

 

[Gorn]

The only thing I want from BSO that they don't provide is accurate and current inventory information. If something's in stock I want it to say it and if it's not I'd want to know before ordering.

It's barely a complaint because Jason will tell you what's in and what's not, but it would be nice if it was all there on the website.

 

[Lethgar]

Agreed with above. Ordered a set of GHS pressures that were listed as in stock over two weeks ago, with a shipping upgrade as well. Have yet to see them. No real complaint, just wish the website was current. Amazing company, and certainly not a deal breaker yet.

 

[Timmah]

I had a similar "issue"- strings were listed as in stock, but weren't, and I got the backorder email a day or two later. It took a week or two, but they made their way to me. Definitely not a big issue for me, but an inconvenience.

 

[felixxx]

Same thing happened to me. Ordered a set of white nylon tape La Bella strings, and after a day got an email that they are not available. I decided to wait, but not so sure after hearing all of this.

 

[Gorn]

Same thing happened to me. Ordered a set of white nylon tape La Bella strings, and after a day got an email that they are not available. I decided to wait, but not so sure after hearing all of this.

If you ask him about it I'm sure you'll get an answer.

The price, selection, product knowledge and customer service are still better than anyone else. My only complaint is the mystery of what's in stock and what's not.

 

[loveandbass]

seems like this is a recurring theme with OP

:vibes:

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Please send me a PM or eMail with any questions regarding orders.

In the beginning of March we implemented real time inventory on the website. Items now list "In Stock" or have a "shipping time window" listed. Unfortunately there seems to be some confusion with it and I am working on addressing it. Items will state "In Stock" but once you select a specific set, it will switch to that specific sets stock status and many users do not notice that change I'm afraid.

We work very closely with DR. We receive multiple shipments from them every week. Unfortunately about a month ago they had a new shipping person that was making a lot of errors leaving out product / shipping incorrect product etc. They replaced the shipping person but during this time many orders got backed up. We are getting caught up with them again however.

Before making this post I sent off a purchase order to DR for more Sunbeams as yes it does look like my stock needs to be increased on some of the sets. So hopefully this will not be a problem going forward.

I do apologize for any delays when they do occur but we are always trying to keep customers updated with specific information about their orders.

I am always available via eMail, PM, or Text so please feel free to ask anything anytime.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Agreed with above. Ordered a set of GHS pressures that were listed as in stock over two weeks ago, with a shipping upgrade as well. Have yet to see them. No real complaint, just wish the website was current. Amazing company, and certainly not a deal breaker yet.

GHS recently made a big change with how they fulfill orders for us. We have made changes with how we purchase from them but it is not a change that happens overnight I'm afraid.

Same thing happened to me. Ordered a set of white nylon tape La Bella strings, and after a day got an email that they are not available. I decided to wait, but not so sure after hearing all of this.

What set of La Bella's specifically? The La Bella inventory is pretty accurate but I am afraid that it might have listed as "in stock" but when the specific gauge or scale length you needed was selected it said "please call or email for availability". We are expecting a large La Bella shipment in Today and Friday I would be happy to let you know if your set is in this shipment.

 

[Klonk]

Did LaBella have some production/stock issues, by any chance? I know you didn't have the 760FS in stock when I asked a month back, Jason, and I see on sadowsky.com that they are out of stock on their Black label flats too, for at least 3 weeks now..

 

[phishaholik]

GHS recently made a big change with how they fulfill orders for us. We have made changes with how we purchase from them but it is not a change that happens overnight I'm afraid.



What set of La Bella's specifically? The La Bella inventory is pretty accurate but I am afraid that it might have listed as "in stock" but when the specific gauge or scale length you needed was selected it said "please call or email for availability". We are expecting a large La Bella shipment in Today and Friday I would be happy to let you know if your set is in this shipment.

I actually already cancelled my order for those. I called about a week after I placed my order and I was told that y'all didn't know when they're coming in and that they had been on back order for a long time. I placed an order for a set of Fodera strings, waited close to a month and then tried to switch the order to a different set of strings. There was a mistake made and I was refunded instead. Once the refund cleared my paypal I used the same money to order the DRs.

As I stated earlier, I've used y'all for all of my strings since the business started. I always had good customer service and fast ship times in the past. It's just a little frustrating having to wait for 3 orders in a row. I like supporting a fellow TBer, but I can order strings anywhere and there's a lot of competition.


Michael

 

[strictlybass_ic]

I had the same thing happen with BSO over some Sadowsky strings. I called them up and was able to work through it. Apparently the issue was on Sadowsky's end. It was frustrating to wait so long and nearly interfered with a gig, but thankfully I was able to work through it with BSO's help. I will admit though that I need to order some more strings and I've been hesitating over it dreading it will be problematic like last time. :/

 

[Gorn]

I don't know the logistics of getting this done, but a real-time "in stock/out of stock" indicator, (not just for sets in general but for specific gauge sets and singles) would solve every complaint in this thread.

 

[Lethgar]

I don't know the logistics of getting this done, but a real-time "in stock/out of stock" indicator, (not just for sets in general but for specific gauge sets and singles) would solve every complaint in this thread.

This, but I run a point of sale system for our shop and I know implementing it for us would be a major pain.

How many other online retailers actually come into threads and answer specific questions so frequently?? Time and time again BSO proves they have my business for good.

 

[Gorn]

This, but I run a point of sale system for our shop and I know implementing it for us would be a major pain.

How many other online retailers actually come into threads and answer specific questions so frequently?? Time and time again BSO proves they have my business for good.

Exactly. I don't run a business so I have no idea how much of a pain it would be to implement something like that, but it would be nice.

I said it already and I'll say it again: price, selection, product knowledge and customer service are top notch at BSO. The inventory thing would make it perfect, instead of great.

 

[Lethgar]

I'll say it again: price, selection, product knowledge and customer service are top notch at BSO. The inventory thing would make it perfect, instead of great.

BSO literally changed the way I play the instrument. Never imagined the way a custom gauge set of Hi Beams that fit my tunings perfectly would improve my tone and playing.