Zon basses - is everything OK ?

[Beej]

If they need current revenue to fund past orders, then they aren't charging enough to make the money they need to operate. That said, it's probably closest to the truth.

When I read that @Rumblefisher was being quoted an additional grand, the first thing that ran through my head was that the changes were not enough to add up to an additional thousand bucks (given the price points of Zons) and that it sounded a bit gratuitous. This left me with either saying an additional grand in order to either discourage the changes, or making the changes worth their while at this late point. In either case that's a bummer.

 

[kesslari]

@Rumblefisher please do post when you get the official word (or offer) from Joe.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Usually it's because they pay for past orders with current deposits. That will work as long as new orders keep coming in at a slightly increasing pace. When new orders eventually slow down, and they always do at some point, you're left with customers with orders on the books, that have paid deposits, the deposits have long since been spent and you can only cover the materials for a quarter of the orders. The people that have paid in full should be getting theirs first, but since there is no additional revenue to be had with them, they will focus on the newer orders where the customer has only paid half or a quarter as a deposit. That's where more money is to be found. Threads like these are great to warn people, but will almost certainly hammer the final nails in the coffin. No new orders, no revenue, old orders just get excuses.

A bit like a Ponzi scheme...

Deposits made in good faith that are paying for someone else's instrument

 

[Rumblefisher]

@Rumblefisher please do post when you get the official word (or offer) from Joe.

Will do. I'm pretty nervous about what he's gonna say. Silly, I know, but still. It's probably because I am pretty non confrontational and may be forced out of that comfort zone. Here's to hoping not!

 

[JuanB]

Will do. I'm pretty nervous about what he's gonna say. Silly, I know, but still. It's probably because I am pretty non confrontational and may be forced out of that comfort zone. Here's to hoping not!

It's been almost 2 weeks and they haven't responded on this?

 

[Rumblefisher]

It's been almost 2 weeks and they haven't responded on this?

10 days, you are right not quite 2 weeks but I like the enthusiasm

Not yet. Maybe it's good...maybe it means they are mulling it over and figuring out how to proceed with the 32 scale sans the extra cost?

 

[bigsnack]

10 days, you are right not quite 2 weeks but I like the enthusiasm

Not yet. Maybe it's good...maybe it means they are mulling it over and figuring out how to proceed with the 32 scale sans the extra cost?

Boy you really are an eternal optimist, lol.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Boy you really are an eternal optimist, lol.

 

[Rumblefisher]

Boy you really are an eternal optimist, lol.

Only deep down. On the surface I'm actually a bit of a cynic...sarcastic, downright snippy if you ask the wife

But I guess because I really love basses and playing bass I'm keeping the optimist outlook.

 

[JeroB666]

Only deep down. On the surface I'm actually a bit of a cynic...sarcastic, downright snippy if you ask the wife

But I guess because I really love basses and playing bass I'm keeping the optimist outlook.

Maybe don't tell your wife that LOL

 

[Rumblefisher]

Maybe don't tell your wife that LOL

Oh she knows...she knows

 

[kesslari]

10 days, you are right not quite 2 weeks but I like the enthusiasm

Not yet. Maybe it's good...maybe it means they are mulling it over and figuring out how to proceed with the 32 scale sans the extra cost?

If it were me, I'd make contact again. Sadly, Zon is pretty good at "letting things go" that are uncomfortable to deal with.

 

[joelns]

I had a custom bike build go south like this. Ended up having to buy a lot of parts a 2nd time and doing it myself. Lots about 4 1/2 thousand on it.

Don't let it sit. But maybe suggest that if they can't do it, you'll take some sort of partial refund and get out from under it with as little loss as possible. Otherwise, you're going to lose everything. Once a business starts down this road, there is no recover. Sad to say, but we're likely seeing the end of Zon.

 

[Rumblefisher]

I had a custom bike build go south like this. Ended up having to buy a lot of parts a 2nd time and doing it myself. Lots about 4 1/2 thousand on it.

Don't let it sit. But maybe suggest that if they can't do it, you'll take some sort of partial refund and get out from under it with as little loss as possible. Otherwise, you're going to lose everything. Once a business starts down this road, there is no recover. Sad to say, but we're likely seeing the end of Zon.

Thanks for the reply

I don't think refund is in the cards 4 years on...and if he's in a financial divot as is speculated, it'd be hard to get anything back at all. I didn't really put down a deposit, I took them at their word and paid in full...plunked it all down.

It's ok though. Hopefully Mr Zon gives me some credit for this fact and doesn't hold fast to needing additional payment.

 

[joelns]

Thanks for the reply

I don't think refund is in the cards 4 years on...and if he's in a financial divot as is speculated, it'd be hard to get anything back at all. I didn't really put down a deposit, I took them at their word and paid in full...plunked it all down.

It's ok though. Hopefully Mr Zon gives me some credit for this fact and doesn't hold fast to needing additional payment.

I wish I had your optimism. I really do hope he comes through, but I'm pessimistic. There generally seems to be 1 ending to this story, and it's never good for the customers.

 

[fourstringdrums]

Thanks for the reply

I don't think refund is in the cards 4 years on...and if he's in a financial divot as is speculated, it'd be hard to get anything back at all. I didn't really put down a deposit, I took them at their word and paid in full...plunked it all down.

It's ok though. Hopefully Mr Zon gives me some credit for this fact and doesn't hold fast to needing additional payment.

I don't understand the fear that they'd want more money. The way I see it, they should be afraid you. You've been far too patient to go from an 8 month wait to 4 years. I know I could never do it.

 

[Rumblefisher]

I don't understand the fear that they'd want more money. The way I see it, they should be afraid you. You've been far too patient to go from an 8 month wait to 4 years. I know I could never do it.

Not really a fear of giving more money. Honestly, I'm not going to do that. If Mr Zon wants to stick with the original order, that's fine, but I've made it clear in speaking with him that I'm just going to turn around and resell it, which is a real bummer...and leaves his customer unhappy. I know when I take care of a patient I can patch em up and send them on their way, but there's so much more joy in leaving someone happy and feeling like they mattered throughout the process. I have to imagine there's a similar feeling for a luthier - leaving a customer happy is far better than 'here's your instrument, goodbye.'

Really the only reason I even brought it up with him in the first place is after a conversation with the sales manager, who noted that the scale switch was 'definitely something they could do' as a thank you for being patient. That it means re-engineering the bass is something that should be considered before offering the option to me, not after.

It'd be nice, and IMO warranted given the timeframe. As time goes by, playing styles change, needs change. If the order is fulfilled within the estimated time (or closer to it) then it's on the buyer. Four years going by after being paid in full without an end product...I think it's fair to bring up what my needs are now, not what they were 4 years ago. Then again I'm biased.

 

[spade2you]

Very unfortunate. I was starting to get the itch for a bass with a graphite neck. I checked their site, which appears hasn't been updated for at least 15 years. Modulus prices seem to be about double what they were prior to their restructure.

 

[JuanB]

Very unfortunate. I was starting to get the itch for a bass with a graphite neck. I checked their site, which appears hasn't been updated for at least 15 years. Modulus prices seem to be about double what they were prior to their restructure.

Could look at Status Graphite.

 

[Angus]

If it were me, I'd make contact again. Sadly, Zon is pretty good at "letting things go" that are uncomfortable to deal with.

This.