I didn't diagnose anyone. I said "this sounds like the story of someone with a serious drug problem." Because that's what it sounds like.
We'll have to agree to disagree.
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WARNING: Jon Letts/Letts Basses
- Thread starter EddieG
- Start date
We'll have to agree to disagree.
Surely you can agree that you were much more forceful in your professional opinion than merely "sounds like "
Again, as a professional, I would hope you would know better, but we're going to have to agree to disagree on that.
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Absolutely! I don't understand anyone seeing two sides of this clear rip off. Your money was stolen plain and simple.Thank you.
From a personal perspective, it was made that much more difficult given my family situation and the fact of my father's sudden death in 2014, which literally took me years to even begin to process, by which time I was then beginning three and a half years as my mother's cancer treatment support partner only to lose her in 2021, and in the space of 8 months from mid-2020 I lost her, her brother and my grandmother. All three were the people who shaped who I am. I'm still strongly grieving them all.
During all of it, I was still having to chase Letts down to either get my money refunded, or get the bass I designed, that he expressly agreed to build exactly to that design.
And the very worst part is Letts knew about my home life. He knew how difficult times were, how hard being a carer for my son was from day to day, how difficult watching my mother die of breast cancer was. He knew what the bass was bought for, how spending that much money on a bespoke instrument was pushing things out at that point in time.
He chose, and continues to choose to do nothing to rectify matters.
I think that says it all.
That's the perfect summary of this entire ordeal.
I understand. I experienced the same joy when I bought a custom Pedulla. I'm happy yours was a success.
True, we don't know the reality of any substance abuse problems he may or may not be struggling with.
I'm inclined to lean more toward believing it's sociopathy.
This is exactly why I don't mess with custom/bespoke builds anymore. Most builders are taking payments to finish other peoples builds, none of them are ever done or delivered within the estimated timeframes either - all of which are wayyy outside claim/chargeback windows.
@EddieG - since you have a judgment in hand perhaps you could execute a lien or garnishment on his bank account(s) to get your $$$ back? Thanks for the heads up, hopefully this pans out
@EddieG - since you have a judgment in hand perhaps you could execute a lien or garnishment on his bank account(s) to get your $$$ back? Thanks for the heads up, hopefully this pans out
Admittedly Zon has a sticky. Some of us are still hoping they aren't "bad".
But similar to this thread, some folks have legitimate gripes, and others who aren't involved use the thread to let out their internet rage. Maybe this will take the heat off the Zon thread
It's not the same. Zon actually resolved his issues and took care of the problems.Admittedly Zon has a sticky. Some of us are still hoping they aren't "bad".
But similar to this thread, some folks have legitimate gripes, and others who aren't involved use the thread to let out their internet rage. Maybe this will take the heat off the Zon thread
If you guys think instrument building robs Peter to pay Paul (and specifically cover the past money that was received and spent) you should see the automotive performance industry. It is lined with vendors who take deposits for builds today so they can finish the builds of yesterday or last year or 3 years. Custom car builders…. Man they are bad.
I always feel badly for those taken by vendors who don’t deliver. We have all seen it. And I cringe when I hear about these stories.
I know there are always 3 sides to every story but the responsibility really is on the luthier/builder to not suck once they have our money!
I always feel badly for those taken by vendors who don’t deliver. We have all seen it. And I cringe when I hear about these stories.
I know there are always 3 sides to every story but the responsibility really is on the luthier/builder to not suck once they have our money!
If "good" builders are scared of TB because they might get "badmouthed"... Maybe they aren't that good after all.
Why would you be scared of backlash if you don't do anything to warrant backlash? Even the one off troll post would immediately get flagged as such by our discerning community if it were not deserving.
When I speak of forgiveness, I'm not espousing some manipulative christian moral virtue, nor am I referencing anything having to do with a 'sin'.
Finding 'the space to forgive' is about releasing yourself from the mental anguish of holding onto the offense... allowing the other person's wrongdoing to poison you. It is a hope for living with the ability to not be internally affected by the person who wronged you.
A person can pursue financial restitution from a place of forgiveness and peace. There is freedom in that kind of emotional intelligence and internal, mental maturity.
I was ripped of my a contractor once. I sued him in small claims court and won. Still yet to see a dime.
I used to be much angrier about it. I saw the contractor as a thief and villain. I’m a working class guy and $5000 is a lot to me.
As time has passed, my fury has softened to mostly pity. The guy is a deadbeat loser who bit off more than he could chew, and can’t get his act together enough to make it right. I still want my money back, but I also realize the fact that I lost it and it didn’t bankrupt me means I’m in better financial health than he will probably ever be.
Good luck to you, OP. Hope you get some of your money. But more importantly I hope you can find some peace at the end of this whole bitter affair.
I used to be much angrier about it. I saw the contractor as a thief and villain. I’m a working class guy and $5000 is a lot to me.
As time has passed, my fury has softened to mostly pity. The guy is a deadbeat loser who bit off more than he could chew, and can’t get his act together enough to make it right. I still want my money back, but I also realize the fact that I lost it and it didn’t bankrupt me means I’m in better financial health than he will probably ever be.
Good luck to you, OP. Hope you get some of your money. But more importantly I hope you can find some peace at the end of this whole bitter affair.
That’s what I was trying to say.
This thread is wild. Part of the reason I think that is because I recently purchased a used Letts bass off of Reverb. It’s a fretless 5 string scroll bass with a coated fingerboard. It’s an amazing bass and I’m really glad I took a chance on it.
I really hope the OP gets his money back and/or the bass he has paid for. I also hope Letts can get his stuff together and settle all of his unfinished business and make things right wherever needed.
I really hope the OP gets his money back and/or the bass he has paid for. I also hope Letts can get his stuff together and settle all of his unfinished business and make things right wherever needed.
