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Problem with Kalium strings?

#21
If you are looking for common sets of strings, say 145 and under, you can actually purchase packs of strings direct from Ernie Ball. You can buy custom sets of strings from LaBella and String Joy directly. You can get custom DR strings through a local and willing retailer.

A company like Kalium is best for oversized strings, if you can handle the wait. I got my first set of strings from Octave 4 Plus. These are custom hand made strings by a guy working out of his workshop. It took 10 weeks. But, I could contact and get a response from them within a day. Plus, I could get a true custom set of .280, .210, .160, .120, .090, .065, .050. I'm having them put on my Conklin GT7. Ill have something to show and say once they are set up.
 
#22
I had a problem a few years ago with kalium/circle K due to very poor customer service that left me never willing to allow them my money again. Here we go again several years later I try to give them another shot and its been three weeks since they accepted my money without shipping anything or sending an update about anything, as well as no response to non-emotional email inquiries.
 
#23
HEY guess what! Just realized today that I ordered from them on January 30th and still nothing apart from the original confirmation email.

I emailed them tonight to ask what the hell is going on. Let's see what / if I hear back.

...anybody know how if there's a time limit on filing a fraud claim through Visa?
 
#25
I was going to give em another shot until this thread popped back up just now.

Placing my order w/ Newtons now who promises 14 days to make the strings, who knows how long to get them to me though, especially since they are u.k. but so far the price is even better. I'll keep y'all updated on that one.

Kalium always takes a while. A friend told me that your best bet is to call Skip immediately after placing the order in order to confirm the order and let him know you need them ASAP. Buddy says it gets him his strings in a matter of a couple weeks every time.
 
#26
Lenny JG said:
I was going to give em another shot until this thread popped back up just now.

Placing my order w/ Newtons now who promises 14 days to make the strings, who knows how long to get them to me though, especially since they are u.k. but so far the price is even better. I'll keep y'all updated on that one.

Kalium always takes a while. A friend told me that your best bet is to call Skip immediately after placing the order in order to confirm the order and let him know you need them ASAP. Buddy says it gets him his strings in a matter of a couple weeks every time.
Click to expand...

Payson will get you stings within a week. :thumbsup:
 
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#27
RoketRdr said:
Payson will get you stings within a week. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Yeah but they don't have specifically what I want. Believe me I looked.

Here's my order for Newtone. I'll keep you guys updated. $71.67...
Screenshot_20210323-213513__01.jpg
 
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#32
As far as i know Skip is still doing what he does, customers are still getting their strings eventually if they do not (understandably) decide to cancel the order, and Kalium are not currently 'going out of business'. I realise what was written was exaggeration and prediction, but just to avoid confusion.
I am not defending the customer service.
I doubt Nolly gets preferential treatment as was implied. If he is having as much trouble as anyone else that suggests no preferential treatment =)
 
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#35
Oh Boy

January 4 I placed an order online, and got an email confirmation.
January 5 my card was charged.

February 5 I looked up threads like this in TB and thought, crap, what have I gotten myself into. I sent an email asking what's up. No reply.

March 12 I got an email saying the order is complete, and giving a tracking number.
Thirteen days later now, the tracking still only says "pre-shipment, shipping label created."


What's my next step here? Does this guy answer the phone, and does it have any effect if he does?
 
#36
pilotjones said:
Oh Boy

January 4 I placed an order online, and got an email confirmation.
January 5 my card was charged.

February 5 I looked up threads like this in TB and thought, crap, what have I gotten myself into. I sent an email asking what's up. No reply.

March 12 I got an email saying the order is complete, and giving a tracking number.
Thirteen days later now, the tracking still only says "pre-shipment, shipping label created."


What's my next step here? Does this guy answer the phone, and does it have any effect if he does?
Click to expand...
It seems like the best results Ive ever heard or gotten is by calling him which still takes a couple trys usually, but if you talk to skip on the phone, things seem to go smoother.
 
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#37
Update

I called today, got Skip. He said that myself and one other customer are having this happen, with the shipment seeming to sit at the post office and no scans having been done anywhere. He said he was going to the PO, and if it was OK with me he would try to straighten it out there, otherwise on Thursday to speak with him again and he would re-fulfill the order.
 
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#38
I called Kalium, the guy Skip was very nice and helpful. So, I placed my order online, they charged my card, over a week later nothing. I called back and they hadn't even processed the order and if I hadn't called it would still be sitting there. I love their strings but they have to step up their game, at those prices and shipping, I can't afford to "stock up" on sets. Skip made it sound like that Kalium is a one man show, he's making them and shipping them too. They are pissing away the chance to be a player in the string business and it's sad. Their balanced tension approach transformed the way I play and alleviated some tendonitis issues I was having. Since I started using them, I haven't had any problems and they've made playing a lot more comfortable on extended gigs.
 
#39
I ordered a set of strings on February 11. I have not received any further emails, updates, etc. since then, and the order is still listed as "Processing" on the website. I sent an email asking for an update or to cancel the order and have not yet received a response. I suppose I will try calling and see if it makes any difference.
 
#40
MCS4 said:
I ordered a set of strings on February 11. I have not received any further emails, updates, etc. since then, and the order is still listed as "Processing" on the website. I sent an email asking for an update or to cancel the order and have not yet received a response. I suppose I will try calling and see if it makes any difference.
Click to expand...
That's unacceptable, I'd call them 206-784-5104 - Skip Fantry is who I talked to. I think the poor guy is just overwhelmed but that's no excuse. I do know from people in the business that Covid has created a huge problem getting wire and raw materials for making strings. But, they should be up front if that's an issue. Good Luck! Let us know how it goes.
 
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