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the bebensee arrives today!!!!!!
- Thread starter tribal3140
- Start date
Incredible. Where the Hell is North San Juan, California? You do have California bretheren that may apply pressure at the local level.
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
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- May 3, 2002
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that was back before the computer renderings!
I even busted out the colored pencils!
Im a dufus.
I had drawn it as spalted maple but then he told me he wouldnt work with it
I even busted out the colored pencils!
Im a dufus.
I had drawn it as spalted maple but then he told me he wouldnt work with it
One of the first things you read when you go to his site is "The Possibilities are Endless".
I guess this is true. The possibility that you end up with something other than what was ordered seems quite likely.
The guy is a dick.
I guess this is true. The possibility that you end up with something other than what was ordered seems quite likely.
The guy is a dick.
tribal3140 said:
lol, I can only imagine how long it took to do a nice full scale drawing of spalt.
Best of luck selling it Todd
slowburnaz
Commercial User
Wow, man! WOW!
Ken Bebensee's behavior is the kind of behavior that gets baseball bats cracked over heads. He should count his lucky stars that you're a level-headed customer.
Ken Bebensee's behavior is the kind of behavior that gets baseball bats cracked over heads. He should count his lucky stars that you're a level-headed customer.
Small claims in CA goes up to $7500, of course that requires going to California at least once to go in front of an idiot lawyer pro tem who doesn't want to deal with you and will not look at your evidence. If you win the courts will not collect for you, you have to get the loser to pay or find assets and pay have them siezed. It's really a worthless system and the chances of collecting are slim.
I've met KB a few times at NAMM, the first was in front of the Bartolini booth were he often displayed his stuff. I was looking at one with a friend and we were just counting up the many many flaws when I turned around and read his badge. A socially uncomfortable moment for sure but but we talked and he agreed that he had many flaws in that instrument, he didn't seem to care. The joke around NAMM was you'll get your instrument when he runs out of pot. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this 4 years ago
I've met KB a few times at NAMM, the first was in front of the Bartolini booth were he often displayed his stuff. I was looking at one with a friend and we were just counting up the many many flaws when I turned around and read his badge. A socially uncomfortable moment for sure but but we talked and he agreed that he had many flaws in that instrument, he didn't seem to care. The joke around NAMM was you'll get your instrument when he runs out of pot. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this 4 years ago
Wow! What a "sweet" guy.:scowl:
You should have taken him to small claims court in CA. California small claims court goes to $7500.00.
You would have definitely won!
He would have forgotten the court date and you would have ended with the bass and the decision.
Thanks for sharing this sad, sad story...
SuperT
You should have taken him to small claims court in CA. California small claims court goes to $7500.00.
You would have definitely won!
He would have forgotten the court date and you would have ended with the bass and the decision.
Thanks for sharing this sad, sad story...
SuperT
Yes, but they have no authority, are not a government agency, are basically just a company that takes money for letting you display their logo. They will not even confirm a complaint against a company until they have a certain number of verified abuses. They're just an advertising tool for the most part.greg said:
and if you dont belong to the BBB
your complaint listing dosent accomplish anything really.
poopsicles.
your complaint listing dosent accomplish anything really.
poopsicles.
He sure doesn't strike me as professional. If he communicated with you about his issues, there would be no problem. Why the breakdown in communications?
His work got out of hand for sure... No time to build his own instruments... what?!? What does it have to do with his business and customers? Can't you work out simple priorities?
Even getting the basic specs wrong is just mind blowing. 4 years, for a $5000 instrument not even delivered with the basic specs...
His website looks good though... This is so weird... He sounds cooked and out of steam. Not a reason to screw you up like that.
His work got out of hand for sure... No time to build his own instruments... what?!? What does it have to do with his business and customers? Can't you work out simple priorities?
Even getting the basic specs wrong is just mind blowing. 4 years, for a $5000 instrument not even delivered with the basic specs...
His website looks good though... This is so weird... He sounds cooked and out of steam. Not a reason to screw you up like that.
Tribal, I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulties.
Though you say you don't want to go through the courts and would rather take a $1k loss, are you sure that you'll be able to get a good price for it with your documented faults. I don't doubt that your integrity will mean that you completely disclose to a potential buyer.
You are in a better position than most in Court as you're a specialty wood supplier and can come across with knowledge about the timbers and other aspects of woodwork that I couldn't for example.
Two words: Judge Judy.
This thread has so completely put me off ordering from a luthier overseas (except Status*, based upon my experience of exceptional customer service from them) that I must thank you from the bottom of my wallet. I just wish it hadn't cost you so much and that you get a result soon that gives you some ease.
* can't afford it at the moment.
Though you say you don't want to go through the courts and would rather take a $1k loss, are you sure that you'll be able to get a good price for it with your documented faults. I don't doubt that your integrity will mean that you completely disclose to a potential buyer.
You are in a better position than most in Court as you're a specialty wood supplier and can come across with knowledge about the timbers and other aspects of woodwork that I couldn't for example.
Two words: Judge Judy.
This thread has so completely put me off ordering from a luthier overseas (except Status*, based upon my experience of exceptional customer service from them) that I must thank you from the bottom of my wallet. I just wish it hadn't cost you so much and that you get a result soon that gives you some ease.
* can't afford it at the moment.
tribal3140 said:
Ugh.
You might ask Ken to supply you with names and the contact info of people he thinks might be interested in the bass, and you could sell it to one of them directly.
Maybe someone else who has been waiting for 4 years for a KB.
Dharmabass said:
It sounds like a great instrument, and most of the faults are just screw ups in not delivering what was ordered.
it is a what you see is what you get
back one page 1 I reviewed the bass.
its a smokin bass and theres really nothing to disclose
its just not what I ordered!
there are some fantastic luthiers out there with excellent service and warranty
Ritter, nordstrand, banavente-divinity-lEJ, and chris stambaugh, brubaker and drozd are among the many customs that have come across my hands that have very endearing qualities and professional attitudes (as well as making awesome instruments!
The KB can kiss my grits
and I have seriously weighted the legal route but in bieng in several small claims and large action suits its just not the way to go-
its obvoius he has nothing and has already blown the money I just sent.
back one page 1 I reviewed the bass.
its a smokin bass and theres really nothing to disclose
its just not what I ordered!
there are some fantastic luthiers out there with excellent service and warranty
Ritter, nordstrand, banavente-divinity-lEJ, and chris stambaugh, brubaker and drozd are among the many customs that have come across my hands that have very endearing qualities and professional attitudes (as well as making awesome instruments!
The KB can kiss my grits
and I have seriously weighted the legal route but in bieng in several small claims and large action suits its just not the way to go-
its obvoius he has nothing and has already blown the money I just sent.
Really sorry to read about this mess. It seems that if Bebensee holds his ground it will be a huge hassle to get a refund or any legal judgment on this deal. Being halfway across the country doesn't help, either.
My results with custom instruments have been mixed through the years, but nothing like this. It seems to me that you're living the nightmare anyone ordering a custom bass fears...4+ years, $5k, and a hack job by a guy that appears to be on his way out of the building business.
Your experience here has solidified my new policy: From now on, I won't buy an instrument that I don't play first, period. If I like an axe that someone is selling, I'll offer to buy THAT bass...not one like it that will be built and delivered 6 months (or 5 years) later, no matter what the builder's reputation.
And, since there are a gazillion basses out there, I figure that at least a million of them have those "special features" that I would require for my "custom" bass.
Thanks for sharing your story. Good luck in dealing with this guy, and in finding an axe you're really happy with.
Andy
My results with custom instruments have been mixed through the years, but nothing like this. It seems to me that you're living the nightmare anyone ordering a custom bass fears...4+ years, $5k, and a hack job by a guy that appears to be on his way out of the building business.
Your experience here has solidified my new policy: From now on, I won't buy an instrument that I don't play first, period. If I like an axe that someone is selling, I'll offer to buy THAT bass...not one like it that will be built and delivered 6 months (or 5 years) later, no matter what the builder's reputation.
And, since there are a gazillion basses out there, I figure that at least a million of them have those "special features" that I would require for my "custom" bass.
Thanks for sharing your story. Good luck in dealing with this guy, and in finding an axe you're really happy with.
Andy
