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Fault or not Fault? Thomann`s customer service


zvirus
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Another thing: look at the imprint the bridge ground cable left in the finish.
There are TWO marks. To me, that suggests that after being set one way, someone removed the bridge and fitted it again (the cable was not laying in the same position as originally, so it left a second imprint). We can only guess why.

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[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1481911534' post='3196258']
they were not offering to fix the issue, they were offering to [u]take money[/u] to fix the issue ;)

But it does look like they did not really understand the issue in the first place, or they thought it was caused by the OP.
[/quote]

In his first post he said he told them he didnt want to send it back in his first contact with Thomanns.

He also suggested a different bridge was needed, and they were offering to supply one but at his cost. Sounds reasonable to me considering he didnt want to send it back for replacement.

Edited by dave_bass5
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[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1481912853' post='3196275']
In his first post he said he told them he didnt want to send it back in his first contact with Thomanns.

He also suggested a different bridge was needed, and they were offering to supply one but at his cost. Sounds reasonable to me considering he didnt want to send it back for replacement.
[/quote]


erm, yes... like I said: they offered to charge for a fix.
The OP said to Thomann that he liked the bass and did not want to send it back [b]because[/b] it's a fixable issue, and therefore just wanted a fix. Only not paid by him, which is not unreasonable if he didn't cause it.

Thomann's response smells of them not understanding what the OP meant.

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If the bass is faulty, and it seems like it is if it won't tune up then it needs to go back.

He told them he wanted a new, different bridge. Why on earth would a shop do that for free? Does this mean if you buy a cheap bass that's neck heavy you can ask for a set of Hipshot ultralites to fix this ;-)

Edited by dave_bass5
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[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1481915674' post='3196311']
If the bass is faulty, and it seems like it is if it won't tune up then it needs to go back.

He told them he wanted a new, different bridge. Why on earth would a shop do that for free? Does this mean if you buy a cheap bass that's neck heavy you can ask for a set of Hipshot ultralites to fix this ;-)
[/quote]

[b]Because I cant set up intonation on it with badly mounted bridge???[/b] And If I move it will expose the holes???
Please read first post before making that type of comments Sir. Thx

[u]It could be and easy and cheap fix done by me[/u] but they refused to cooperate so it goes back - who is not making money here?

I`m a foreign man but I think my English could be understood somehow...

.... case is closed and please do not say I want something for free...

Edited by zvirus
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[quote name='zvirus' timestamp='1481964822' post='3196545']
[b]Because I cant set up intonation on it with badly mounted bridge???[/b] And If I move it will expose the holes???
Please read first post before making that type of comments Sir. Thx

[u]It could be and easy and cheap fix done by me[/u] but they refused to cooperate so it goes back - who is not making money here?

I`m a foreign man but I think my English could be understood somehow...

.... case is closed and please do not say I want something for free...
[/quote]

I only endorse Thomann born of experience. They are a big company and if something isn't right they have a straightforward return procedure that that advertise broadly.

By allowing someone who comes at them asking for funds to fix this and that they open themselves up to endless abuse and work, receipts, investigations and time. If you can fix it yourself cheaply and you want to keep it then fix it and don't blame the sales company.

I bought a Vintage Tony Butler P that I loved except for the fretwork that was very poor. I sorted it and didn't blame the supplier as it hadn't been out of it's box.

Peter

Edited by GreeneKing
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The profit margins are so small that sending a bridge for free that may or may not fix the issue to someone they have no knowledge of regarding their ability to fix the bass would be pointless for them, put it back in the box send it back, they send it back to their contact with Fender and send you a new one, they make the same amount of money and you get a good bass that works.

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There is no need for that, I can see what you are thinking and I can see where Thomann have got confused, are you responding in English to them? Your English is excellent but you may be finding by doing that both you and Thomann are translating to an extent, depending on your first language you might find it easier to correspond in that one, they might even have an employee that speaks the same language. Like I said that is not a dig at your English as someone trying to learn another language at the moment yours is brilliant. :)

Alternatively many of us here would be happy to read your email in a private message for you no doubt, myself included, just to make sure you have not left yourself open for any more confusion with them :)

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[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1481915674' post='3196311']
If the bass is faulty, and it seems like it is if it won't tune up then it needs to go back.

He told them he wanted a new, different bridge. Why on earth would a shop do that for free? Does this mean if you buy a cheap bass that's neck heavy you can ask for a set of Hipshot ultralites to fix this ;-)
[/quote]

I can't say it clearer than I have, so... "ok"

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I have experience in selling to large resellers. I know how they work.

From Thomanns POV they sell instruments. They accept returns. If an instrument is returned they have a system for this and they don't lose money as they will have agreements with their suppliers.

With a large seller, as soon as you want to do something outside of their system you are on your own. Their system can't handle it. The people yout talk to in customer services aren't allowed to make decisions about what might make sense.

So you HAVE to work with them in ways they can operate.

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1481975910' post='3196691']
I have experience in selling to large resellers. I know how they work.

From Thomanns POV they sell instruments. They accept returns. If an instrument is returned they have a system for this and they don't lose money as they will have agreements with their suppliers.

With a large seller, as soon as you want to do something outside of their system you are on your own. Their system can't handle it. The people yout talk to in customer services aren't allowed to make decisions about what might make sense.

So you HAVE to work with them in ways they can operate.
[/quote]

This is what I think too, hence my early post regarding the person receiving the emails possibly not playing an instrument at all never mind the complexities of intonating a fretless jazz bass. This week they are selling instruments,next week it could be food or fire engines or houses!

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1481975910' post='3196691']
I have experience in selling to large resellers. I know how they work.

From Thomanns POV they sell instruments. They accept returns. If an instrument is returned they have a system for this and they don't lose money as they will have agreements with their suppliers.

With a large seller, as soon as you want to do something outside of their system you are on your own. Their system can't handle it. The people yout talk to in customer services aren't allowed to make decisions about what might make sense.

So you HAVE to work with them in ways they can operate.
[/quote]

Interesting, would these large retailers 'scan' the internet for negative comments by customers?

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If they now don't take it back. Which hopefully they will.
Then move the bridge to the best position and see if a nice chrome bridge cover will cover up the rear holes.

It looks just like a weird factory mistake.

I had a bass that had a very slightly misaligned bridge that I bought from thomann it must of only been a millimeter out but I wasn't happy so I got a replacement from them within 3 days. They were really good about it. I was overly polite in my request.

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1481975910' post='3196691']
I have experience in selling to large resellers. I know how they work.

From Thomanns POV they sell instruments. They accept returns. If an instrument is returned they have a system for this and they don't lose money as they will have agreements with their suppliers.

With a large seller, as soon as you want to do something outside of their system you are on your own. Their system can't handle it. The people yout talk to in customer services aren't allowed to make decisions about what might make sense.

So you HAVE to work with them in ways they can operate.
[/quote]

From the couple of times I've returned items to Thomann, that seems a fair assessment. I got a satisfactory response from them, but I took care to be clear about what the issue was and what I was asking from them, and it does take a little time for the wheels to turn compared to smaller more specialised retailers. They can feel kind of impersonal and procedure-bound compared to a small retailer, but that personal touch you get from smaller businesses can sometimes be as much a curse as a blessing if the guy you're dealing with has an attitude problem!

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[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1482004374' post='3196962']
From the couple of times I've returned items to Thomann, that seems a fair assessment. I got a satisfactory response from them, but I took care to be clear about what the issue was and what I was asking from them, and it does take a little time for the wheels to turn compared to smaller more specialised retailers. They can feel kind of impersonal and procedure-bound compared to a small retailer, but that personal touch you get from smaller businesses can sometimes be as much a curse as a blessing if the guy you're dealing with has an attitude problem!
[/quote]
I found Thomann to be very quick and efficient in agreeing to and organising a return - within a matter of minutes I had a prepaid post label.
I returned one of these: https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_westerngitcase_12.htm
after following the advice in the description of this:
https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_t_bucket_300ce_bass.htm
that it fit

it didn't- the span of the tuning heads is too wide for the case

I see they still have the advice in the description despite my pointing out their error

but the return was agreed and organised in a matter of minutes

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They're quick and smooth for simple returns, it's just that issues with any more complex resolution can take a couple of days while they refer it to the relevant people within Thomann and then go back and forth with the manufacturer. It's a large organisation where everyone has a defined role, and sometimes that can show. I've been quite happy dealing with them, so it's more an observation than a complaint.

Edited by Beer of the Bass
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