Is Avantguard a SCAM?

[Mr.Fingers]

100% correct. I don’t expect at this point to receive what I paid for, which is theft

Luckily I’m from Belgium, so it’s very easy for me to file a formal complaint in France.

 

[Mr.Fingers]

Filed a formal complaint with the French police.

 

[D Bopp]

It's not a good look. At least it's a pickguard and not a custom bass, still sucks to get ripped off regardless. If you don't mind me asking, what was he charging for these pickguards?

I think I paid like $350 USD all in. It is a nice pickguard and looks legit. But I wouldn't go through all that again.

 

[Mr.Fingers]

For those who also want to file a claim, and I commend you to do it, here is the link.

https://demarches.service-public.gouv.fr/mademarche/arnaqueInternet/demarche?execution=e5s1

 

[InstantEctobass]

Ah, here we go again...
François isn't a scammer, just A TERRIBLE person at doing business and communication. His product is legit and he doesn't disappear with money. He's just late and in a bad situation.
Tried to help him with another customer, as his product is great, he could be doing better in terms of business, but he won't listen.
He lies about the delay and the readiness of the product, but he's not a thieft. Just again... very bad at running the business.

 

[WWilliam]

He told me it was in stock ,then came up with the line it was damaged then he never answered any of my emails. I think he is full of Sh**

 

[Mr.Fingers]

Still nothing for my order (15 months and counting), without any communication since July. That’s a bit extreme to talk about “not that great at communicating and planning”, if products kept being sold on the website “direct-buy” shop, and (prepaid) orders are not being fulfilled.

 

[arn]

I ordered a pick guard on December the 20th 2024 from The Netherlands. At first, Francois replied very quickly. The last time Francois replied my email was April the 19th 2025:

Hi Arn,
We've made good progress on your guard. The tortoiseshell will be curing next week while I'm off to London for a few days.
I'll be cutting it when I return, it should be a very nice Pbass guard that will greatly complement your Pbass.
Thank you for your patience, I will update with pictures soon.
Best,

I did email him countless times since then. Some people think Francois is a terrible business man. I am afraid he is a fraud after all. I think I am not the only one who paid € 270,- and did not receive the pick guard..... What a shame! (those pick guards looked really promising!)

 

[InstantEctobass]

I ordered a pick guard on December the 20th 2024 from The Netherlands. At first, Francois replied very quickly. The last time Francois replied my email was April the 19th 2025:

Hi Arn,
We've made good progress on your guard. The tortoiseshell will be curing next week while I'm off to London for a few days.
I'll be cutting it when I return, it should be a very nice Pbass guard that will greatly complement your Pbass.
Thank you for your patience, I will update with pictures soon.
Best,

I did email him countless times since then. Some people think Francois is a terrible business man. I am afraid he is a fraud after all. I think I am not the only one who paid € 270,- and did not receive the pick guard..... What a shame! (those pick guards looked really promising!)

Did you pay with PayPal? If you did, try reaching them, even after the due 6 months delay to file a complaint. They helped me. Then François sent a pickguard. Then I was disappointed with it... But artisanal products aren't covered by PayPal guarantee, so if you are unhappy once you have it. It's on you to either sell it or deal with it.

 

[murphy]

Did you pay with PayPal? If you did, try reaching them, even after the due 6 months delay to file a complaint. They helped me. Then François sent a pickguard. Then I was disappointed with it... But artisanal products aren't covered by PayPal guarantee, so if you are unhappy once you have it. It's on you to either sell it or deal with it.

Do you have the one you received?

 

[InstantEctobass]

Do you have the one you received?

I sold it back as soon as I got it because it wasnot the colour I hoped for

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Did the police investigate? In the US they would just say that it is a contract dispute and refer you to small claims court which is more hassle than it’s worth.

 

[InstantEctobass]

Did the police investigate? In the US they would just say that it is a contract dispute and refer you to small claims court which is more hassle than it’s worth.

The thing is Avantguard isn't a registered compagny in the country. On this side of things, he is fradulent. I couldn't find any company in his name.

 

[WWilliam]

Im calling my credit card company, hope they refund me?

 

[anightintunisia]

I ordered a pick guard on December the 20th 2024 from The Netherlands. At first, Francois replied very quickly. The last time Francois replied my email was April the 19th 2025:

Hi Arn,
We've made good progress on your guard. The tortoiseshell will be curing next week while I'm off to London for a few days.
I'll be cutting it when I return, it should be a very nice Pbass guard that will greatly complement your Pbass.
Thank you for your patience, I will update with pictures soon.
Best,

I did email him countless times since then. Some people think Francois is a terrible business man. I am afraid he is a fraud after all. I think I am not the only one who paid € 270,- and did not receive the pick guard..... What a shame! (those pick guards looked really promising!)

I received almost the exact email well over a year ago. I’m approaching two years of payment with nothing to show for it. He’s a thief!

 

[facetsquared]

I received almost the exact email well over a year ago. I’m approaching two years of payment with nothing to show for it. He’s a thief!

I only received a message from him after he got a message from the credit card firm about my chargeback. He asked me to cancel the chargeback, which I declined. Weeks later, he told me the guard was ready.

He is not organised at all. I advise anyone to avoid.

 

[dmk]

I only received a message from him after he got a message from the credit card firm about my chargeback. He asked me to cancel the chargeback, which I declined. Weeks later, he told me the guard was ready.

He is not organised at all. I advise anyone to avoid.

That's exactly my experience. I disputed the charge on my credit card. My pickguard arrived two weeks later.

 

[Bassburg]

Anyone here need a Lefty-P-Guard?

 

[anightintunisia]

Still no pick guard and no replies to emails!

 

[Jed of Hearts]

Hello,

I contacted Francois from Avantguard® | Handmade Tortoiseshell Pickguards in February regarding custom pickguard, we agreed on conditions, he pointed out that current lead time was 4 months. I sent payment, he confirmed reception of payment and that was pretty much last reasonable communication from him:
View attachment 7336572
There was no further communication from him till May when I asked how things are going and I learned that "We're making good progress on your guard, although there's some important steps ahead that we can't rush. I'm going to the laser cutting booth next week, while the material is resting.".

Then there was no further communication from him till July when I had to ask twice (29th June and then 4th July) to get response. I got response "I'm approaching completion on your guard. Here's the template straight out of the laser booth. I'm transferring it to the material on monday, will send an update." together with picture of laser-cut template.

There was no further communication so I asked for status again on 4th August. No response. So I asked again on 2nd September. And again on 9th September. And a gain on 18th September:
View attachment 7336574
I got response on 18th September: "this one should be complete over the weekend, and shipping on monday with this week's batch! Sorry about the wait":
View attachment 7336575

There was again no further communication, so I asked again on 2nd October and got no response.

So at this point I'm getting on terms that I was scammed, hence I am posting it here as a warning for anyone considering doing business with Avantguard.

I'd also like your feedback: did you receive any pickguard from Avantguard recently? If yes, could you share details? When ordered, when delivered? Maybe it was legit business that turned into scam recently?

Thx!

I've been waiting a year and 8 months for my Avantguard pickguard. I even sent him my guard for an exact fit. He stopped communicating with me. Luckily, I found a good alternative called Montreux. They arn't as unique but look spot on in pictures. As for Avantguard, I think that I was scammed.