Have you hired a contractor for a custom house on those terms?
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Zon basses - is everything OK ?
- Thread starter Rumblefisher
- Start date
I work in Healthcare, and a lot of my work is with a budget presented before I start. I never ask for money upfront. Never did, in 18 years of practice.
But it's probably a different situation. More personal, in my case.
But it's probably a different situation. More personal, in my case.
Not a brand-new custom house, but certainly have for several major renovation projects over many years.
At the same time, I've known contractors who went out of business because they agreed to the job, didn't get any money up front, and then got stiffed by the client when they were done.
Seems to me that paying half up front and the rest on completion is the most fair for all concerned.
YMMV
Of course, for most contractors and whatever projects they were hired for.
We built up a relationship with one contractor that when we'd offer to cut him checks tells us he'll let us know when. On one very large project he refused anything from us until he was almost halfway done with it.
Trust goes a long way, which definitely is an issue regarding the main subject of this thread, unfortunately.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
im unaware of any bass builders who will build you a bass without a deposit, if that’s what you’re suggesting.
That's my philosophy. You do you with your money, and I hope you and your small custom builder never have any problems.
Can I trust that the myriad of issues beyond the control of a small builder, putting him out of commission or drastically redirecting his priorities, won't happen? I tend to trust people's intentions, but I'm not a psychic, nor a gambler.Yes, trust is key on both sides!
Again, just expressing my opinion, sparked by my feeling the frustration of some posters in this thread. The post above my first reactions was "My GOD!!!! this is depressing!!!!" and it kinda set me off, lol.
I'm not trying to start an argument, I shoulda just shuddap.
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- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
You’re definitely entitled to your opinion, but don’t conflate the well-established and without exception model that all custom builders, big and small utilize- which is charging a deposit upon order and the balance due upon receipt- with bad business or shady unreliability. Those are two different things.
if you know of any bass builders, small medium or large that will take a custom order from you without a deposit on the front end, build the entire thing and wait for it to be finished before you pay a dime, I would love to know who that is.
if you know of any bass builders, small medium or large that will take a custom order from you without a deposit on the front end, build the entire thing and wait for it to be finished before you pay a dime, I would love to know who that is.
Weekly check in. @bigsnack, @Rumblefisher anything ? Anyone out there heard from the shop ?
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,222
- 45,003
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
As someone who has a Zon bass that is about perfect for me, and had a great experience with the shop, this thread is more depressing than a Janice Ian song marathon...
Hi! I do have an update. Word from the shop is that Joe has been out of town dealing with a family issue back East. I’ve communicated to them that I plan to be in the Bay Area for a few days in early April, and the current agreement is that I will be able to pick up my bass in person during that trip. It sounds promising, but we shall see if it actually happens. I plan to follow up with them in a week to remind them of my plans, so if they respond at that point I may have a chance. We will see!
Thanks for the update and that is GREAT news. Pulling for you. There is light at the end of wait.
I called recently and got a call back in 15 minutes
Sorry all I've been super busy. Wife is scheduled for cesarian on Tuesday, so I've been running around coordinating things for the house...
I haven't shipped those pickups yet, so that's on me. Glad to hear about others' progress and increased communication from the shop.
I hope all is well with Mr Zon and his family.
I haven't shipped those pickups yet, so that's on me. Glad to hear about others' progress and increased communication from the shop.
I hope all is well with Mr Zon and his family.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,222
- 45,003
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
I hope the delivery goes well and we are congratulating you and wishing joy to your growing family soon! Hang in ther!
I think this is the correct view generally. And it's also true that no small builder will build a bass without a deposit. The conclusion being, don't buy from small builders. And I say this as someone who has had some good experiences with small builders. Mike Pedulla for one. Great guy and very trustworthy. But so many small builders who were thought to be great guys and very trustworthy have fallen from grace. Even long established ones like Zon. It can happen to anyone. They fall on hard times to where they literally cannot build. The problem is that when it's a small builder and something happens, there's no one else to build your bass. They might have the best intentions and be good people, but the fact is they have your money and you will not get a product. The whole transaction is at the mercy of one man's health, the health of his family, the weather where the shop is located, and God knows what else. It's too much risk imo. I wouldn't do it again.
Well said. BTW, I spent MANY MANY MANY nights of my youth at the Elvis Room. I'm guessing you did too?
