Musiciansfriend does it again...

[Killing Floor]

Good to know. There are so many ways to earn customers. That’s a pretty good outcome.

 

[dalahorse]

I don't even want to think about how much money I've spent at MF. That being said... I bought a big ol' Neil Peart sized set of drums, cymbals, and hardware from them back in 2009. I got one wrong cymbal and an extra cymbal stand. They sent me a return label for the cymbal in the box with the correct cymbal I ordered and had me keep the stand (probably about $150 USD value) for my troubles. The person on the phone laughed and figured I'd put it to use soon enough. And, of course, I did.

My wife bought me a one very small item (less than $30 USD) from SW and eventually had to get after the sales droid they assigned to her who kept calling and recommending other things for her to buy.

Night and day difference. I know MF doesn't get a lot of love on TB. But I can definitely say I've had only positive experiences with them over the years.

 

[Spidey2112]

Both these issues were AFTER their supposed 48 pt check (or however many points they claim).

I believe it's 55 for Sweetwater... give or take 70... usually, take.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Never had an issue with Musicians Friend. Sweetwater was "meh". Unless I want a Quad Cortex, I don't feel a compelling reason to use them.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Sweetwater has gone from bad to worse. If I want something from their stock that I can't get elsewhere, I go to Amazon or Reverb and buy from "Geartree." That gear comes from the same warehouse as Sweeteater, often with a Sweetwater label.

If needed, "Geartree" returns through Amazon or Reverb are far superior to Sweetwater, where customer service is now an oxymoron.

Like you, I've received far better deals and customer service through MF. I only look elsewhere when they don't stock what I seek.

I call them SlowWater!

 

[6Bass101]

I tried to return an 8” speaker to Amazon once. Ended up talking to customer service and they told me that they could not issue return labels for items that have large magnets in them (I think it was something about the carriers willingness/policies to accept that type of package from the retailer, but not from the customer). So they refunded my money and told me to dispose of the speaker according to my local policies.
So it may have been an item that’s on the no ship back list.

 

[alembicbones]

MF just did me a big solid.

Now I thought I was getting the flamed maple version but the walnut showed up. I was pleasantly surprised.

To top it off, MF had 48 month, 0% financing. This made it a deal that I couldn't pass up. Finally, I now have $480 in rewards with MF. I'm giving them big ups.

Bones

 

[Joe Nerve]

Just want to add for those who say MF sells returns as new...

I didn't see the Dano I sent back go back up on Sweetwater as a return or marked down item. Lots of stuff gets returned there too. Where do people think those instruments go? And one othe OTHER thing I don't like about that is this...

They open and claim to set up and check all their instruments. First, I don't believe for a second that they actually do that or I wouldn't have gotten 2 faulty instruments - but more importantly, for me, I LIKE BRAND NEW GEAR. I really like it when I'm the one who breaks the seal on a new bass (or anything for that matter). I know things can often be re-packed expertly, but I'm a bit over the top nuts about that. I think I can tell if something is brand new, and if I can't - then it doesn't really matter anyhow.

I don't like SW handling my gear before I do.

 

[Joe Nerve]

MF just did me a big solid.

View attachment 4910173

Now I thought I was getting the flamed maple version but the walnut showed up. I was pleasantly surprised.

To top it off, MF had 48 month, 0% financing. This made it a deal that I couldn't pass up. Finally, I now have $480 in rewards with MF. I'm giving them big ups.

Bones

Awesome. I didn't know they carried Foderas!

The $480 you got back was something I didn't elaborate on earlier. And why I start these threads. Yes, I have ulterior motives. I really want MF to stay alive.

I have always, EVERY TIME except when trying to get an ipad once - been able to get 15-20% off. Then on top of that, they add the 8% that earned you your $480 bucks.

When I bought my Rickenbacker I got it, BRAND NEW, at a price that was about $300 less than anywhere else at the time. I think I paid $1100. That got me $90 back plus on top of it. I had some bonus points from something else at the time and wound up getting one of these, for free... on top of the killer price I got on the Rick.

They even gave me 15% off of the TC. I know SW haggles with some people, but I've never been able to get them to budge.

 

[Medicine Man]

I've haggled with both sweetwater and MF. Have to call them on the old-fashioned phone machine thingy.

 

[Stevie Bandrum]

I’m a huge fan of MF. Anytime I call my rep they give me the 15% discount on whatever I’m ordering plus the 8% back in points means I can’t find anything cheaper and their service has been great for me

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I had a retailer do this recently but in a different way.
The items they shipped were only worth $36, & when I complained that their delivery date had passed several days ago, they just shipped me another of the same.

Gotta ask... Did the second one get there before the first?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I tried to return an 8” speaker to Amazon once. Ended up talking to customer service and they told me that they could not issue return labels for items that have large magnets in them (I think it was something about the carriers willingness/policies to accept that type of package from the retailer, but not from the customer). So they refunded my money and told me to dispose of the speaker according to my local policies.
So it may have been an item that’s on the no ship back list.

Uh, "local policies" being real local? As in the household I assume?

 

[6Bass101]

Uh, "local policies" being real local? As in the household I assume?

Well that the way I went with it. If I remember correctly, the mounting hole pattern was different from the item description, so it wouldn’t work for my intended purpose. Since I got a refund, I figured better used as “test speaker” than in a landfill (or wherever they put broken speakers). Eventually I ended up using it for another random project.

 

[VoodooJazz]

Just to weigh in here, I've had no issues with Sweetwater. I've had two returns in the past 2 years (one very late in the game), and each time it was smooth as silk. One was a replacement (featuring shipping labels), and one was a refund. Both times I used my "sales engineer". And I know people feel different ways about that, but my guy has done me many solids over the years. He's even talked me OUT of buying stuff that he thought was incompatible with my existing gear or wouldn't get me what I thought I was getting. He knows what I like, the he's told me what I won't like. He's provided good deals, and turned me on to equipment I wasn't aware of but is great stuff. It's like getting friendly advice from an experienced FOH tech. So, no problems here.
I'm not saying it's better than anywhere else, but people seem to tend to pile on with the negative stuff, so I thought I'd share my own experience. So far, so good. There are lots of deals to be had at any number of retailers. I just go to Sweetwater first these days. (I do buy from other outfits, too.)