Advice re. luthier sought

[t_hamill]

..........

[goof1073]

Man that's a tough situation no matter how you look at it! Do you know anyone local that could maybe talk to the builder face to face for you...since e-mails and voice-mail doesn't seem to be working?

Either way he should reply to you and give you some kind of feedback. I know that people go on vacations this time of year and he might have a very solid reason for not getting back to you...but after a certian period of time I would be questioning things as well.

Hang in there...if the builder is really worth his rep, he'll get back to you.

[vangit]

Totally sucks. Guess advice given will be all over the board on something like this. In my opinion, there is no expectable excuse. Sure, possible delays are livable, and they are going to happen. You have to have an acceptable degree of tolerance when dealing with a custom build But for the builder to hit you up for your balance in April and still not deliver, not acceptable to me; to me, dishonest. I ASSUME he used you money to buy something to finish someone else’s guitar.

Seems like a big giant catch 22 for you. I'm a business consultant and tell people all the time, "if the writing is on the wall, read it!". But you are in a pinch. Seems like you have paid $5500, you probably have e-mails telling you delivery dates etc. If you pursue action against this "business man", you may never see your guitar or your money. If you sit back and just want to be a patient nice guy, might be a very long time, if ever, before you see your guitar or money. From guys I know that have money tied up with a builder for a long time (it's been years), the wait isn't their primary frustration. Their frustration is being told something, then another, then another, then hit up for more money, then lack of communication.

I really feel bad for you guy. Having a custom guitar built can be such an exciting experience (it was for me). I totally understand not publicly tabling your experience and naming names, you have allot money tied up and want to see your guitar. But I hate when these guys aren't outed and unknown buyers keep ordering and experiencing the same thing. I know two guys going through the same thing with the same builder (no idea if it's the same builder as you). You have to do what you feel comfortable with. If I felt the guy was really honorable, I would just try other routes to contact him (snail mail, fax, etc). If felt someone was playing me, stealing from me, etc I would contact the better business bureau, local police department, state attorney general, etc. But that's just me. Since I consult small biz, I've seen tons of deceitful BS. Sorry for my cynical attitude. I just hate dishonest business practice (not syaing this is, don't know what guy you are talking about).

If you feel he is an honorable guy, send him certified mail with return receipt so you know he gets it. Tell him to contact you. At this point, I would suggest a drop dead date since his track record of keeping his word to you isn't very good.

Hope it all works out for you. And YES, you have a great wife :)

[Bryan]

At this point I'd contact his local authorities and see what you need to do to take him to small claims court to get a refund.

No honest person does business the way you described.

[Shadscbr]

Hey t_hamill,

i feel your pain. All of my custom guitars have been excellent experiences so far...except one. To make a long story short...i'm well over 5yrs (paid in full) into this mess, and i honestly have no idea when/if i will see it. i do have my once a year frustration email that i send. luckily, i do get a reply, but the guy is off doing other non guitar related things, so i guess i'm just collecting dust right now. To top it off, the dude is in another country, so it makes it just a little bit harder. i have resigned myself to the loss, and if i ever see it...good for me :)


i wish you the best, and if there is anything i can do to help, please let me know.

Shad

[vangit]

AAARRRGGGGHHHH. Ready to scream now. Took your advice Stu and sent a letter. Sent it registered post so know he got it this morning and it has clearly had an effect. Tried to phone a few more times this morning and instead of voicemail he cancelled my calls!! Tried again and phone turned off then more cancelled calls.

Oh the depression, I only want to know my money is safe, I'm not trying to put him under pressure for delivery or give him a rough time. Guess its a waiting game now, I'm going to keep calling and see what happens.

In the back of my mind I thought maybe he may have been ill or something and felt bad about being demanding but if I can't get anywhere by next week I'll be totally peeved off. Think if there's no contact by this day next week I'll send another letter giving 7 days for contact, failing that I'll take it as an inability or unwillingness to complete my order.


Oh well, glad I'm not a stressed out type of guy. Just feel bad, my wife keeps asking if I've got in touch, don't really want to say I'm worried your gift has gone down the pan. The worst thing is that even if it works out well, its left something of a bad taste on what should be a really cool and special gift.

Sorry to hear what you are going through. Again, I just gave my opinion. But as Bryan stated, just not an honorable guy you are dealing with. There can be viable reasons for a delay in the build, but to ask for your balance (now you are paid in full) and not delivering months later, not taking your calls, not repsonding to your snail mail............no excuse. Even if it is an illness or injury occures, if he can type, he can communicate with you.

[danno_eleven]

Hey t_hamill,

i feel your pain. All of my custom guitars have been excellent experiences so far...except one. To make a long story short...i'm well over 5yrs (paid in full) into this mess, and i honestly have no idea when/if i will see it. i do have my once a year frustration email that i send. luckily, i do get a reply, but the guy is off doing other non guitar related things, so i guess i'm just collecting dust right now. To top it off, the dude is in another country, so it makes it just a little bit harder. i have resigned myself to the loss, and if i ever see it...good for me :)


i wish you the best, and if there is anything i can do to help, please let me know.

Shad 5 yrs!!!! wow, that is crazy. I believe that might be worth flying over and breaking heads. ;) seriously though, sorry to hear stories like these, it's not right at all.