poitouharpin
1 post
Sep 13, 2014
12:16 PM
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Hi I'm new to this site but I hope the following may help someone and prevent them from having the same experience that I have had. The main body of the text has also been posted elsewhere and everything in it can be backed up by court issued documents.
What to say about Slims Custom Cases? Owned and run by Christian Adam Jackson. In quite simple terms “DO NOT USE THIS TRADER” His glossy slick website carries many claims including promises that cases will be delivered in two weeks, he is able to meet customer requirements with regard to specifications and any number of glowing reviews posted by “Slim” himself as there is no way for the customer to post his own review. Obviously to stop bad reviews being heard!
So what is my personal experience with this Trader? In October 2013 I ordered a case and paid for it in full via the PayPal system.. The case was to include slots for various harps and accessories with all dimensions being given at this time. After several e.mails over the next two months, the case finally arrived just before Christmas 2013, some 8 weeks later. The item received was of such poor quality that I immediately contacted the trader. The case was nothing more than a “butchered” alloy toolbox and the colour scheme of the foam insert was not as ordered. The slots for diatonic harps were too small for the harps and a specific slot for an accessory was a good inch too short. The cut outs and slots looked like they had been chewed out by a rabid baboon on acid.
Slims response was to hide behind his terms and conditions which have no legal standing in either the UK or in France. In fact, the trading standards laws in France are stricter than the UK as in the event of a product not being fit for purpose or not conforming to the original order, it is in fact the customer who has the right to choose between a refund, repair or replacement. Any return costs being met by the trader. Even after the intervention of the European Trading Standards Commission Slim refused to refund any monies and Paypal were of no use to me to obtain a reimbursement due to their 45 day cut off ruling. This left me with no alternative but to take the case to the European Small Claims Court. The court ruled in my favour ordering Slim to refund the cost of the case plus my court costs and issuing a County Court Judgement (CCJ see below) against him until it is paid. However, to date, even after being visited by the court bailiffs he still refuses to pay a penny claiming now that he is living with his mummy & daddy and has no assets of his own. I somehow think that this is not the case.
So in conclusion if you want a harmonica case that does not meet your needs and is not fit for purpose, that costs over the odds for a recycled toolbox then it is my opinion that SLIM’S YOUR MAN! Alternatively if you want a professional job and have something you can actually use, GO ELSEWHERE!
Verification of the CCJ can be seen at http://www.trustonline.uk – search for Christian Adam Jackson in the county of Lincolnshire. Please be aware there is a charge for this facility.
If after reading this you still want to go ahead and order from this trader and after 40 days you are still waiting and having paid via Paypal I suggest you start a Paypay dispute as after 45 days paypay will be of no use to you. At least by starting a dispute you stand a chance of getting your money back.
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GMaj7
528 posts
Sep 13, 2014
12:30 PM
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Very unfortunate that you had this situation.
I ordered 3 cases from Slim. I paid for them in advance and he discounted the amount originally estimated. He aslo overestimated shipping and that saved me even more money. He completed the order ahead of schedule.
I received a notice with tracking information showing the package had shipped and expected delivery date for 3 days later. I got home from work and it was on the doorstep.
Hate to hear of bad stories and I hope this gets worked out for you.
In my situation, he was a great vendor who far exceeded expectations. I eventually sold 2 of the 3 cases for more than I paid for them.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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poitouharpin
2 posts
Sep 13, 2014
1:22 PM
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Glad to hear you were one of the fortunate ones. Sadly I now know that I am not alone in my situation and dispite having a CCJ against him todate he still refuses to reimbourse me.
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ej
59 posts
Sep 13, 2014
2:34 PM
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Too bad about your experiences with Slim's cases. I had nothing but great experiences each time I dealt with him. No problems whatsoever. But that was a while back.
Last Edited by ej on Sep 13, 2014 2:40 PM
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Oisin
1092 posts
Sep 13, 2014
2:51 PM
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I had a similar experience with Slim about this time last year. Not go into too much details but I paid him extra to have my case prioritised and recieved it weeks after he promised. Although he said he refunded me I never recived any money back. I just gave up in the end and put it down to experience. When I open my case all my harps fall out. I paid a lot of money for that case and I've had to modify it myself in order to get the harps to stay in. Maybe if I was american I would have had better service.
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Oisin
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jbone
1757 posts
Sep 13, 2014
9:59 PM
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Maybe a bit late but why not just make a case? Repurpose a briefcase, train case, or other case with some foam or install dividers made from tongue depressors and crushed velvet.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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poitouharpin
3 posts
Sep 14, 2014
2:34 AM
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I think we must both be on the same wavelength as I have already started to sort this, having purchased a top quality alloy and carbon fibre case plus closed cell foam of my original chosen colour combination. I have also a hot wire cutter which will seal the foam working edges and prevent crumbling giving an overall professional finish.
Slim's lash-up has been packed away to return to him should he ever see sense and reimburse me.
In reply to Oisin, it is my opinion that it doesn't matter what nationality you are, but if you are not UK resident it seems you can expect problems. It is also my opinion that Slim pays no regard to the Trading Standard Laws operating in your country of residence as he thinks this will give him immunity.
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Oisin
1093 posts
Sep 14, 2014
3:28 AM
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You know even though I was pissed off at the time I never at any time thought that Slim was trying to rip me off. I got the impression he was having some problems which distracted him. I still love the case...it gets lots of comments. I stopped hassling him as I thought best not kick a man when he may be already down. But that's just my opinion.
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Oisin
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Dog Face
273 posts
Sep 14, 2014
8:54 AM
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Welcome to the forum? Hate that you had such an experience...
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Brad
Last Edited by Dog Face on Sep 14, 2014 8:54 AM
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poitouharpin
4 posts
Sep 14, 2014
12:07 PM
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Thanks for every ones comments and good wishes. I'm only trying to save others from the same fate. It would seem that if Slim was having problems they have continued for some time, as research has shown that he has dealt with them in the same manner for some time. Unfortunately not all of us can afford to stand the loss.
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Adam Pritchard
36 posts
Sep 14, 2014
11:40 PM
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That's a bit worrying. I ordered a case from Slim back in June on the strength of reviews I'd seen from other harp players including Jason Ricci. As yet I still haven't received it. I've made contact a couple of times and he has at least responded. The first time was after the quoted 60 day build time. Slim told me my case was one of a batch he was about to start building and it would be another 30 days. That 30 days has now passed and now I'm told he's been busy dealing with new orders. Thus far I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt as I know it can be tough as a one man band when your business starts to grow and you struggle to fulfil all the orders. He at least needs to get better at keeping his customers informed. It's beginning to feel like Harrison Harmonicas all over again. I continue to wait for my case and will reserve further judgement until then.
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DonBeadle999
1 post
Sep 15, 2014
12:04 AM
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I ordered a case on January 26 2014.
My case took four and a half months to arrive after much messaging, emailing and arguing with the seller.
When the case arrived it was poorly finished and the top did not close properly, I had to bend the hinge bracket myself to stop it hitting the top of the harp.
Whenever I contacted Christian Adam Jackson, I got a different excuse every time.
Four and a half months turnaround time is unacceptable even for a small one man business.
No receipt or paperwork of any kind came with the case.
I would never recommend this seller, and I know other dissatisfied customers in my area. Avoid.
His website looks great but doesn't match the product.
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poitouharpin
5 posts
Sep 15, 2014
3:38 AM
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This is getting more common place than even I could have imagined. Firstly Adam put in a dispute with paypal if this was your method of payment. It may already be too late but worth a try. You may be able to get a refund through them.
It seems there are more dissatisfied customers than happy ones and I have my suspicions that some of the happy ones may have personal connections to Slim. I feel it is time to stop this rogue trader and shut him down. If there is anyone out there who has had similar dealings please make it known and if you are in agreement I will forward your comments to the European Trading Standards Commission whom I have been in contact with for some time.
Could I also ask If anyone has another contact address to the one stated on his web site.
Just as an aside I had an e.mail from Slim on Saturday stating that HE had not spoken to the bailiff. However I have now spoken directly to the bailiff who has informed me that he has always spoken to Slim's mother. This is the type of person we are dealing with someone who leaves his mother to cover his tracks.
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SuperBee
2200 posts
Sep 15, 2014
5:47 AM
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I've been watching this story unfold in Australia also. I'm amazed; I've seen these cases advertised for years it seems, and thought of them as the 'gold standard' of cases.
It must have been a good business at some point. I'm sorry for those who have lost money or received a poor product, but I hear oisin's POV also. It's a small community.
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CarlA
592 posts
Sep 15, 2014
8:00 AM
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There is no excuse IMO to be spending this kind of money on a "harmonica" case from these individuals. You can make your own that's equally as good if not better for under $15 dollars.
All you need is something to protect/store your harps. Some harmonica players act like they are storing the Crown Jewels.
They are just harps!
Last Edited by CarlA on Sep 15, 2014 8:01 AM
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Epworthslim
141 posts
Sep 15, 2014
9:00 AM
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Poitouharpin or Timothy Woolams seems to have forgotten to mention or lied about the fact that he did launch a paypal dispute and we won, not because of a 45 day rule but because of the lies he told and his lack of proof and our abundance of proof.
He said he ordered a handmade custom case, he did not, he ordered a pre made aluminum case with a custom insert. He gave me the wrong model of harmonica so i got the insert size wrong, I did get the colour wrong and mistakes do happen.
I said I was happy to redo the case for him. It was not a butchered tool box, but after he decided to pull the lining out that was firmly glued in to give the appearence of a very different product to that which i had sent, it could be easy for people to be duped.
Even after we won the paypal dispute he did contact the European Trading Standards and we replied, he said he would forget the whole thing if we sent him metres and metres of plastzaote. I said this wasnt reasonable and i would send him a redone insert or redone case. He wouldnt have it and instead decided to lie more and more. He did go to the european claims court but he sued the wrong adress! We had no knowledge of this until we found out by email that they had ruled in his favour because we had not responded. Of course we had not responded! It was sent to the wrong address and we had no clue.I have been informed that I have a very good case, particularly since i have all paper work, abusive emails, the won paypal dispute and the little evidence he has provided and I am going through the process of disputing it or i may not.
I have no intention of paying someone who has been unreasonable from day one, threatening with ruining my business, threatening to post lies everywhere, telling me he wont stop till i am finished.
The reviews on my website are all real. I have even included their contact details and facebook pages so you can contact them. I really dont have that many friends.
We have had problems recently. My girlfriend had been very very very sick, which i dont feel the need tot alk about on a public forum, my last homes roof caved in and was deemed unfit after finding black mould and damp. We had to be evacuated immediatley. The new premises are not what i am used to and it has been a struggle and expensive! That doesnt give me an excuse for shoddy work but i have always offfered to rebulid cases if the customer was not happy and i have had far more happy then not, i am disapointed there are not more sticking up for me but there you go. Being one guy there is a waiting list whcih can change dramatically. I hold my hands up that sometimes i am not the best at replying straight away but when you have you are outside sawing, hammering its not easy to go to and fro to messages and I can be slow, but I would rather be slow then rush things. I take care over every single case I make.
Its easy for people to say if you have too many orders you should stop taking orders, when you have bills to pay etc etc.
And for the people who think that I have spent the last 4 years of my life, starting with £50 in my pocket, building a good reputation and reviews just for money and to con people then you obviously dont know me at all. I have hardly made any money and do it more for the love then anything else.
If I had a problem with a business I would talk to them reasonably, knowing they are a real life person. I would not threaten them, I would not carry out threats. I would not graffitti on their shop window 'dont buy from this man' as is whats going on here. I especially would not lie, its not good for the soul.
There has been no bailiffs around here as far as I am aware.
So at the end of the day, this customer was embarrassed that he had ordered the wrong case, he also gave me the wrong model of harmonica for the insert, which is why the insert did not fit, instead of understanding this, he decided to take it out on me. Even when I said I would be happy to replace the case and insert he made threats, was agressive. I dont want to do business with people like this. I may carry on with the dispute or I might just let it go, but this man is not getting any of my money. I am not letting him think acting like an inhumane bullying neanderthall lets you win in life, at all.
There has been a thread started on facebook, without my knowledge, defending my company. Here people say that although it can be a long wait, the end product is worth it. See below.
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Slim's-Custom-Harmonica-Cases-Website
Last Edited by Epworthslim on Sep 18, 2014 7:35 AM
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kudzurunner
4961 posts
Sep 15, 2014
10:20 AM
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I contacted Slim by email after poituharpin showed up on this forum and, since he's a member here, encouraged him to respond in this thread. At this point, now that he's done that, I'm locking the thread. I will let it stand for a few days, as it slowly descends on p. 1 and migrates to p. 2, and then I'm going to kill it.
Among other things, since both poitu and Slim are members of this forum, this thread now places both of them in breach of the forum creed, which prohibits personal attacks on fellow forum members.
I don't generally allow people to show up here and begin attacking the professional reputations of other forum members, but I made an exception in this case. This forum will NOT, as long as I'm in charge, become a place where disgruntled customers and aggrieved merchants exchange insults and recriminations.
I've allowed this thread to be what it is in order to provide a basic service: accountability. That service has now been performed.
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kudzurunner
4969 posts
Sep 18, 2014
4:36 AM
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Michael Zack wrote to tell me the following--which struck me as compelling enough that I've reopened the thread in order to post it:
Had I seen this thread earlier I would have also posted to it. Here, in brief, is my timeline:
Before you decide to purchase a custom case from Slim’s Custom Cases for your harmonicas, guitar or what have you, be aware of my experience:
Feb. 6th, 2014 - order placed and paid in full, $335.36, including shipping
May 5th - Slim says, “Not quite finished yet.”
May 30th - Slim says, “I still have your case to build. I started working on it and will be finishing it up this week.
July 7th - Slim says, “Your case is still in construction and I hope to have some images for you soon.”
August 20th - “Your case is getting tolexed tomorrow and will kind of look like that finish.”
August 27th - “Your case is on my work table and due to be worked on over the next few days. I will keep you updated on the progress.”
Sept. 15th - Seven (7) months later. Still no case.
It is pretty easy, from this timeline, to see that all I, and others, are getting from Mr. Jackson is B.S.
I have no expectation of ever getting my money back, or getting a case. But, I would like to warn other musicians of this before they throw their hard-earned money away.
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