• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Zon basses - is everything OK ?

Probably won't be helpful to anyone right now, so I'm mentioning as an FYI: a friend and former TBer had a problem with excessive wait times for two Zons he'd ordered. He got one of them after 2 years, but it wasn't to spec so he sold that and decided to get a refund for the second one via his valuable personal property insurance policy. I don't know what's normal for this kind of policy, but his included coverage for valuable purchases not delivered in a timely manner. I don't remember all the details, but he got the refund from the insurer, after providing them with purchase info so they could pursue the matter thru his credit card (if they chose to; I assume some claims are just chalked up as losses).
 
  • Like
Reactions: RodRy and Gfkfloyd
It seems my curt email worked. Martin says Joe will Plek it and ship it to me at the end of next week.
As long as they keep to this, this time. I'm satisfied.

I really hope you all can get answers too
Speaking from personal experience, "ready next week" means nothing from Zon. It can be true, but you can also wait months... you will know when you'll have your bass back. Zon don't have a Plek machine.. where will the work be done ?
Plek Repairshops - Plek

Best of luck !
 
Speaking from personal experience, "ready next week" means nothing from Zon. It can be true, but you can also wait months... you will know when you'll have your bass back. Zon don't have a Plek machine.. where will the work be done ?
Plek Repairshops - Plek

Best of luck !
I've definitely had that thought cross my mind as well, I'm hoping for the best but expecting more of the same. They gave me my final bill with a nice break on the price so I'm going to give them another week, not like I have much of a choice haha. There's a shop with a PLEK machine near me with 1 week turn around time so I asked Zon if they could send it unpleked and I could have it done here but that was a no go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Slaymus
There's more people with outstanding orders than I thought. Yikes I may have bought the bait.

Also is strange they wouldn't ship my bass back to me as is. You'd think they'd be happy to get rid of it/me and still take my money

The BBB lists them as out of business too. Interesting
 
  • Like
Reactions: RodRy
There's more people with outstanding orders than I thought. Yikes I may have bought the bait.

Also is strange they wouldn't ship my bass back to me as is. You'd think they'd be happy to get rid of it/me and still take my money

The BBB lists them as out of business too. Interesting
Thus far, all but one of the basses that were originally on this list were delivered. Late as heck, but delivered. And that one changed the order late - which was reasonable, but also not totally surprising that it is taking longer.

Website is still up. People are getting responses.
Late sucks, but it's a different concern than "I'll never get my bass" a la Darren Huff.
 
Thus far, all but one of the basses that were originally on this list were delivered. Late as heck, but delivered. And that one changed the order late - which was reasonable, but also not totally surprising that it is taking longer.

Website is still up. People are getting responses.
Late sucks, but it's a different concern than "I'll never get my bass" a la Darren Huff.


This is really good to hear! Thanks for the info on the outstanding orders being slowly attended to. If that's the case, I'll give Martin/Joe the benefit of the doubt that they'll PLEK it and ship it next week.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RodRy and 31HZ
I've read this entire thread from post #1
What an appalling way to treat customers.
5 plus year blowout on completion dates????? what a joke.
After reading this thread I would avoid ever owning a Zon , new or otherwise!

I wouldn't let it keep you from playing a used one at least; there's a reason why people keep ordering new Zons and a reason I took the gamble on having mine overhauled at their HQ. I work in the same industry as Zon, or at least adjacent to it, and there's been a big trend since COVID for our customers, suppliers, venders, equipment specialist etc to have poor communication and be way behind deadlines.
It's becoming to new norm and it infuriates me at work and in bass-land but as one of the posters above me said, the basses do seen to arrive if you're willing to wait long enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobunit and RodRy
This thread is a downer (not the posters, the situation). I almost bought a ZON a while back (before all this, plus it was built & offered by a Dealer). I still regret not pulling the trigger on it, it was remarkable.

Pretty sure I talked with Joe Zon at a NAMM once, all was good in conversations.
I don't make excuses for any non delivery, I would be up-in-arms if it were me.
This, non-withstanding all extenuating circumstances inc. Covid, and the inherent issues of running a mfg. business.
I was quoted a year's wait from an incredible builder; it took closer to (2)-issues included his pick-up winding machine breaking down & needing repairs, and him having to literally fight off brush fires that threatened his property. Nonetheless, I was kept informed, and knew I was going to be happy with the bass, and boy was I.
I wish the same for every Zon-in waiting peeps out there.
 
Has the guy who has been waiting 13 years had his yet or was that 1st april joke? Cant remember when it was posted. Err play on words not planned. It obviously wasn't posted if he hasn't received it. Hope he is still alive and well enough to play it after 13 years. What a shambles.
 
there's been a big trend since COVID for our customers, suppliers, venders, equipment specialist etc to have poor communication and be way behind deadlines.

Communication isn't Zon's strong suit... not after the sale, anyway. I ordered a custom in 2017 and was given fewer updates along the way than I've received from other boutique manufacturers. Not a big concern for me -- given the delays I'd read about even in the pre-pandemic days I preferred Zon to focus more on building basses than taking photos and sending e-mail. As it turned out my order came in just one month over ETA, and I consider that 'on time'. But of course lack of comm will be especially frustrating for those waiting on a heavily delayed order.