Just got a (very low res) couch photo through from the dealer. Should be with me tomorrow.
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So, I was really hoping to be leaving an in-depth review of this soon, and would have gigged with it tonight (if covid hadn't struck my band), but unfortunately that isn't the case.
Got the call that it had arrived with my dealer (who I won't name at this point - got no inclination to shame anyone, just need to blow off some steam) on October 21st - as it was a Thursday, I arranged delivery to me on the Saturday, despite being offered Friday, because of my work schedule. Wasn't given the tracking info, so I just waited in.. didn't arrive. Frustrating, but these things do happen. Dealer refunded the additional Saturday delivery charge, rebooked for Tuesday and gave me the tracking number etc.
The parcel did arrive that day, Tuesday 26th, and the box had a few dings in it so I took photos as I unpacked it just in case. As I opened it, I was a bit mystified as to how the bass was so short.. upon opening the gig bag, it turns out they'd mistakenly sent a very nice headless 6 string Frog to me. I presume the dealers shipped out two custom basses that day and got the labels mixed up. Bass was in great condition, looked like a top quality build, but it was decidedly NOT my bass!
Rung the dealer, packed it up, courier collected it the next day, went back to the dealer to check over and send to the right customer. Just like what would happen to my bass, right?
Sadly, wrong, at least to this point. 10 days or so later, my bass hasn't been returned to the dealer - as far as I can tell it wasn't delivered to the wrong customer so it's been with the courier company the entire time. They don't seem in a hurry to deliver it, and they certainly don't seem to be replying to the dealer's questions and concerns. By the same measure, I'm not hearing anything from the dealer until I contact them (at least every other day at this point), mostly because they have nothing to tell me. At this point that instrument seems to be in the ether. I've requested escalation so hopefully will be told something at the start of the week, because it's getting absurd now.
Financially, I'm not worried. The dealer is a reliable name, I've bought a fair amount of accessories etc from them and never had an issue, they aren't ignoring me, and I'm sure whatever the outcome they'll make it right. Besides, I paid by credit card, so I'll be covered I'm sure. It's just really taken the shine off my first custom order, sadly.
The irony is, I didn't go direct to avoid Brexit/customs issue and to make life easier on my end. If I'd bought from Maruszczyk I'm sure it'd be in my hands now! C'est la vie.
Hopefully I'll be able to follow up with good news next week, but at this point, I'm fearing the worst - and the couriers complete inaction backs that up.