Sweetwater Scam

[Relayer71]

OP, you have every right to be upset in this situation and I hope you get your full return!

That being said, I think using the term "SCAM" is irresponsible. A scam is an intended scheme to defraud and cheat. This also means the whole store (from management to "engineers") is in on it.

Charging the customer for damage on a new instrument return is probably their policy (probably in most places). It might be the person who handled your return is just being an a**hole. I would just call them and talk to a manager and explain you received what appeared to be a used instrument and you didn't cause the damage.

My point is these things happen: you have people saying they've used Sweetwater for years with no issues, and you have some who have had issues.

Just like in most businesses, you might end up dealing with someone who is unreasonable, or a jerk, or having a bad day and gives you a hard time. But calling it a "scam" kind of paints the whole business in a real negative light.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Let me get this right, you live in NYC and you didn't go to Sadowsky and deal with them directly?
Instead you dealt with a 3rd party distributor in Indiana?

Personally I think the results are all on you. You could have also dropped it off and gotten the best possible service on your issues right at the mothership. Sadowsky Guitars - Timeless & Cutting Edge

Shipping anything these days is a huge risk even with the best of packaging.

I'm sorry this happened to you, I'd still contact Sadowsky directly and see if they might be willing to help.

 

[80jazz]

I am probably the few active poster who has not bought anything from them directly. A pedal via Amazon once and it had cosmetic issues . I did get some old candy

They had me with the sales engineer thing. In my company we have TMEs - Technical Marketing Engineer and they help Sales and Marketing folks but do not close deals.

I have never made a purchase from Sweetwater. You aren't alone in that.

 

[NitroBobby]

this is lousy for you OP. my personal experiences with Sweetwater have been mostly positive though I've never bought an instrument from them.

that being said, every time i've ordered from them a sales manager or account manager of some sort always reaches out to me and asks for feedback. take a look at your emails and see who yours is and let them know what's up.

best of luck to you
kgb

 

[Ellery]

Have you tried disputing the charge on your credit card? In all likelihood, your card company/bank will side with you, and you'll get your money back.

If all else fails, you can file in small claims court, and include additional damages for the aggravation. That'll generally inspire a retailer to be less dismissive of your customer service issue.

Dispute yes, the bank will probably side with you and give you 100% back.
Small claims court, probably not even worth it.

 

[coy garcia]

I'm a fan of sweetwater for all my accessory needs including cheapy basses for students... I've never bought any high end instruments for that I either buy used or have it made by a TB luthier. I think you will win this battle with them..it was obviously a mistake and pre owned

 

[Dr McBalders]

I just bought a G&L Tribute L-2000 from them that had a dead pickup coil. They agreed to pay for $80 of the repair, but it remains to be seen if they will credit me back for the pickup as well. Best of luck going forward. Sweetwater has been pretty good in my experience, so I hope it works out for you.

 

[slowjam98]

I’m sorry, but what Sadowsky had adjustable pole pieces?

This was my exact thought.

 

[DaveParker39]

I would run it up to the next level of customer service... customer service and their liberal return policy is their schtick and this is a bad look for them.

 

[Geddaric]

Pictures on arrival, pix before sending out, pix all the time. My credo whenever ordering or shipping anything. It may not be the definitive answer, but it may help you in an arbitration.

 

[Brother Goose]

OP, you have every right to be upset in this situation and I hope you get your full return!

That being said, I think using the term "SCAM" is irresponsible. A scam is an intended scheme to defraud and cheat. This also means the whole store (from management to "engineers") is in on it.

Charging the customer for damage on a new instrument return is probably their policy (probably in most places). It might be the person who handled your return is just being an a**hole. I would just call them and talk to a manager and explain you received what appeared to be a used instrument and you didn't cause the damage.

My point is these things happen: you have people saying they've used Sweetwater for years with no issues, and you have some who have had issues.

Just like in most businesses, you might end up dealing with someone who is unreasonable, or a jerk, or having a bad day and gives you a hard time. But calling it a "scam" kind of paints the whole business in a real negative light.

100%

Sweetwater's entire business model is built on customer service and relationship selling - they aren't going to compromise that position by 'scamming' anyone.

Follow the proper channels to address this error and I'm sure you will come out on top!

 

[Bass Viking]

Let me get this right, you live in NYC and you didn't go to Sadowsky and deal with them directly?
Instead you dealt with a 3rd party distributor in Indiana?

Personally I think the results are all on you. You could have also dropped it off and gotten the best possible service on your issues right at the mothership. Sadowsky Guitars - Timeless & Cutting Edge

Shipping anything these days is a huge risk even with the best of packaging.

I'm sorry this happened to you, I'd still contact Sadowsky directly and see if they might be willing to help.

I'm assuming the OP bought a German-made Sadowsky. Will the Sadowsky shop work on it?

 

[CryingBass]

While I have bought a million bucks of stuff from SW, I have bought a "new" bass or 2 that was obviously a return or demo. They are probably 100 times better than GC about this, but man, you pay full price for a new item and get something with a ding? Or residue of a sticker removed? Or, after a 51-point handrub, er, "inspection", it shows up with action that would kill a horse? I agree that I would not buy another high-end bass from SW. Sorry, I love those guys, but enough is enough. And today, it's post Chuck time if you know what I mean...

 

[Chrisk-K]

I bought a brand new synth from SW in 1996. About a week later, I found a burn mark on the lower left side panel. The synth never left my home and no one smoked in my home. SW refused to allow me to exchange for a real brand new one. I have never bought anything from SW since then.

 

[IPA]

I am probably the few active poster who has not bought anything from them directly. A pedal via Amazon once and it had cosmetic issues . I did get some old candy

They had me with the sales engineer thing. In my company we have TMEs - Technical Marketing Engineer and they help Sales and Marketing folks but do not close deals.

I tried twice to buy something big from them and told them I do not want to be called or emailed, just send me the item. They wouldn't, so I cancelled the order. I can't answer the phone to talk to Chip about my bass purchase in the middle of the work day. I won't consider them for any more purchases.

 

[RColie]

It's sad to hear some of these stories, but I can relate. I've purchased a number of items from Sweetwater over the past 15 years or so. For the first 10 years I had one sales rep who was great and I never had a problem. For reasons unknown to me he left the company. The past five years I have had a number of issues (with two different sales reps) to the point where I no longer do business with them. They shipped me basses on two separate occasions where the bass was over 1/2 pound heavier than the advertised weight. They did accept the returns with no cost to me. They once processed an order for the wrong bass and had to clean up that mess. And agreed, their 55-point inspection was absent from my purchases. I hope they address their issues and I wish them the best going forward.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I've had good luck with Sweetwater over the years.... purchased 3 new basses since 2020. G&L Tribute J, G&L Tribute P (LB-100) and Ibanez Soundgear (multi-scale) SRMS805.

 

[40Hz]

I don't think there is 55 things you could actually do to a bass.

There are actually 60. But 48 of them are either illegal or immoral .

 

[Nev375]

Sweetwater gave me the diabeetus.

 

[Bonafide]

This was my exact thought.

I thought it was evident that the OP was referring to the bridge adjustment screws. Not everyone uses proper nomenclature, but it wasn't much of a leap.