Lonesome Harpman
172 posts
Dec 17, 2014
4:35 PM
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What's the longest you've waited for custom harps? I am coming up on two years and I beginning to wonder if I'll ever see them. I think my B-Rad took some time but that wasn't customized from some off the shelf Hohner. I have stayed in touch with the vendor but it's always some excuse or another. These were paid in full, the vendor even said a year was a long time to wait! At this point I just want my money back and I'll go elsewhere.
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nacoran
8160 posts
Dec 17, 2014
5:55 PM
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It's not so much how long you wait as how long you wait compared to the promised delivery time. If they tell you upfront it will be 2 years, then 2 years is fine. If they told you 3 months, well, then you are way overdue.
Things come up, but if you paid in full in advance the vendor should have figured out how to get it to you or to get you a refund.
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Nate
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First Post- May 8, 2009
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harpwrench
944 posts
Dec 17, 2014
6:52 PM
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I think it's reasonable without question but wouldn't hold your breath. If his initials are JF, I'd wait it out, otherwise not.
Last Edited by harpwrench on Dec 17, 2014 7:43 PM
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CarlA
639 posts
Dec 17, 2014
7:01 PM
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Civilizations have been built and established in less time. I don't think ANYBODY is that busy/in demand that it would take 2 years to complete a custom harp!
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indigo
24 posts
Dec 17, 2014
7:31 PM
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Is this guy a 'known' customiser? If so you could threaten to out him.(and so protect the rest of us)
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zackattack
6 posts
Dec 17, 2014
8:04 PM
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I've been waiting for a custom harp case for 10 months, although promised delivery was 8 - 10 weeks. The vendor finally told me he is not building me a case. And, he is apparently not refunding the full payment made in advance either.
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GMaj7
570 posts
Dec 17, 2014
8:32 PM
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I guess I don't understand the advanced payment practice.
My personal business model has always been to invoice when I ship, not when the order is placed.
It just seems that with only a few exceptions, advanced payment in the harp world always leads to these type issues.
I sure hope it works out and I hope the vendor comes through, but It sure doesn't seem like it is headed that way.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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PropMan
27 posts
Dec 17, 2014
8:40 PM
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I was told six months for customs and it took six months and five days. And they were worth the wait. And I had only 50% down. (thanks, Joe!)
I too ordered a custom harp case from an overseas vendor and paid in full in advance about 7 months ago. He hasn't told me directly that I'm not getting a case but the last email pretty much stated he is not building any cases at this time and perhaps one day he will be able to build the case and that if that day comes I'll be happy with it.
I know I'll never get the $240 back so there's no point it asking for it. His website is still up- I just hope he's not taking any more prepaid orders. It's one thing to go belly up but something else entirely to be trolling for new suckers. That's grifting at its worst.
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walterharp
1567 posts
Dec 17, 2014
8:46 PM
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joe's policy seems good.. given the tension between paying and receiving...
half up front and half on receiving.. with a reasonable estimate of when the job is completed. and only with customizers with a good track record, or at a price which is too go to be true, which it usually is!
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Kaining
70 posts
Dec 17, 2014
10:54 PM
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About 4 or 5 weeks, as advertised, for an handmade one. Comb and covers and then shipped to a customiser (the player that gave the model it's name actually) for a full customisation on all holes, for all bends and overbends.
Best harp i had so far and it's not as expensive as those i can see on some american customiser shop where you only get the overbends set up. Not the hand made harp.
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KC69
414 posts
Dec 18, 2014
5:21 AM
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I waited for almost 2 years. Paid in advance! Got many excuses why it was taking so long.Never offered a refund. When I finally received, the 2 hole draw was extremely "airy." I have had many out of the box harps that played better on the 2 hole draw. I believe the work was rushed at the last minute, even though it took almost two years, through a lot of complaining. And I'm not sure the apprentice didn't do most the work. And Yes Ted, You know who did my custom work. Needless to say I won't buy another!!!----------Oh Yea'll---Good Luck on that refund!!!
And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Dec 18, 2014 5:22 AM
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Lonesome Harpman
174 posts
Dec 18, 2014
6:54 AM
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I asked the vendor for my money back and was told my harps are on the bench and I could expect them Monday or Tuesday of next week.
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KC69
415 posts
Dec 18, 2014
7:54 AM
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I don't mind that it takes some time for quality workmanship. What I don't like is the idea it takes two years and the work is just rushed at the end and the product doesn't live up to the expectation the vendor promoted! I have received an optimized harp from Harvey Harp, paid upon completion and I am extremely happy in both quality and price. Exactly what I expected. Wish I could overblow!! It ain't the harps, its me!----------
And I Thank You !!
KCz
Backwoodz
Bluz
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chromaticblues
1639 posts
Dec 18, 2014
8:53 AM
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Yeah there is no reason for that.
2 years is crazy!
6 months is the most I've had harps and I don't accept to many orders at a time anymore because I don't like getting behind like that and keeping people waiting.
After 2 or 3 months it's human nature to begin to wonder what the hell is going on.
Now if someone tells you it's a 6 month wait up front.
Then that's the deal.
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Jim Rumbaugh
1066 posts
Dec 18, 2014
10:13 AM
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I waited about 2 years for a customized harp. So it's not unheard of.
But
I would not repeat the order.
I would recommend not paying in advance like I did, unless you have a third party verify it to be as you expected.
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
Last Edited by Jim Rumbaugh on Dec 18, 2014 10:24 AM
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arzajac
1531 posts
Dec 18, 2014
10:15 AM
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That's not good business practice. He's setting himself up for failure.
After all that runaround, there's a low chance you are going to like the harp (even if it turns out to be a good harp) and there's zero chance you will order again.
Edit to add: If someone wants to be paid in advance for a harp they will only deliver two years later, they are taking themselves way to seriously! Unless their last name starts with an "F" and ends with "ilisko".
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Dec 18, 2014 10:17 AM
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barbequebob
2796 posts
Dec 18, 2014
10:22 AM
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Just before he stopped taking on any new customers, I know the last time Joe Filisko's waiting time was up to some 18 months, but his customer base was largely bigger name pros, but if you're dealing with a truly TOP SHELF customizer like him or Joe Spiers AKA harpwrench, 6-7 months is clearly not unreasonable at all.
If it was someone who says they can get it to you in less than 2 months, I doubt that you'd be getting them from a truly top shelf customizer and I'd have huge suspicions about the quality of the work being done and I know for a fact that the work differs quite a bit from customizer to customizer.
Far too many players new to custom harps should really do their homework about whoever the customizer happens to be and make damned sure you vet their reputation VERY CAREFULLY. Guys like the Filisko guild and Joe Spiers, I know I'm gonna get quality product and the waiting time won't bother me one bit.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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poitouharpin
12 posts
Dec 18, 2014
11:26 AM
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Nacoran is quite right. If a supplier states 2 years for delivery and it arrives before this time, then great, that's a bonus. If your in a good mood a couple of weeks past the delivery date is acceptable. However if you paid by PayPal and think you need to put in a claim do so at 44 days if only to protect your rights. After 45 days PayPal don't accept ANY claims.
For those whose complaint originates with a UK trader try the following link to the Citizens Advise Service online complaint form and request it to be forwarded to Trading Standards.
https://ssl.datamotion.com/form.aspx?co=3438&frm=citacomplainform&to=flare.fromforms
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boris_plotnikov
1029 posts
Dec 18, 2014
2:12 PM
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I make custom harmonicas when I have no enough gigs and students (sometimes that occurs by unknown reasons), so I alway get strictly 50% pre-pay and other 50% before sending. That don't make me lazy as I want to get money and that protect me against canceled order. Usually I promise to make harmonica it month or two depending on my gig schedule, but sometimes it goes longer.
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Excuse my bad English.
My videos.
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HarveyHarp
619 posts
Dec 18, 2014
9:55 PM
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@KC. Thanks for the nice words.
@BBQB. Though often true, just because a customizer can deliver a harp in two months does not mean that harp is not good, nor that the customizer is not good. It just means that he is not busy.
As for bad customizers, perhaps it is against the forum rules, but telling everyone about your experiences without telling who did it to you, might confuse the buying public. Everyone knows Joe and Joe and Richard and Jimmy and Greg and Andrew, and hopefully me, but I am sure that there are other quality Harp Techs out there that are Fine, Honest Fellows or Ladies.
Ask your prospective harp tech some questions if he is not well known, and ask for references if you wish.
Thats all folks
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HarveyHarp
Last Edited by HarveyHarp on Dec 19, 2014 7:47 AM
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Lonesome Harpman
175 posts
Dec 19, 2014
1:57 PM
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@HarveyHarp
It may be confusing to the buying public however outing a vendor based solely on my personal experience should be against forum rules. Sometimes you are surprised by the behavior of someone who you thought of us a friend. If the vendor does not either refund my money or deliver the harps, I will notify him that I intend to post his name and my experience on this an other forums. It is unnecessary to Trash a business publicly if I can just resolve our differences. My immediate goal here is to prove that it was implied that reasonable is six months, and two years is unreasonable. In the future,I will ask for a specific time of delivery, and not pay in full. I will also have in writing our agreement for getting a refund if all parties aren't satisfied. I support your idea of getting a current reference. Even if the tech is well known means nothing.
BTW, your service to me has always been top notch, as well as the service provided to me by Joe Spiers, and Richard Sleigh.
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RippinRonny
3 posts
Dec 19, 2014
3:09 PM
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On the topic of custom products I was wondering if anyone here has ordered from Slim's custom cases. He makes cases with the optional mic stand display which interests me. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone that has purchased from this vendor for quality and time line. Also would like any other suggestions from other custom case builders that anyone has had a positive experience with and would recommend.
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Lonesome Harpman
176 posts
Dec 19, 2014
3:17 PM
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@RippinRonny
Please create a new thread for that topic? Or give an email address to contact you?
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CarlA
641 posts
Dec 19, 2014
3:17 PM
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I still can't understand how someone would pay 100% money down and wait 2 plus years to receive said product. What other industry follows this model?
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HarveyHarp
620 posts
Dec 19, 2014
10:44 PM
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Thanks Ted.
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HarveyHarp
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Adam Pritchard
43 posts
Dec 20, 2014
1:05 AM
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Rather than order from Slim's Custom cases, why not take a couple of hundred pounds and set light to it. At least you'll be left feeling warm for a few moments. That guy hasn't delivered after 6 months (originally quoted 60 days), has now stated he won't be building my case unless he gets more orders in and is refusing to refund. The fact that he still appears to be taking orders from his website makes him nothing short of a fraudster. Sorry if this breaks forum rules but people here should know not to spend their hard earned money with this trader.
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poitouharpin
13 posts
Dec 20, 2014
5:21 AM
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In the UK taking orders to support previous clients/orders is an illegal practice and known as "trading whilst insolvent". If the trader is subsequently made bankrupt either by a voluntary agreement or by the courts enforcing an application from a third party then the penalties are likely to be greater in these circumstances. If you have a complaint against a UK based trader then make your complaint to the Trading Standards Authority via the Citizens Advise Bureau. Herewith the link to their online complaint form.
https://ssl.datamotion.com/form.aspx?co=3438&frm=citacomplainform&to=flare.fromforms
If you are waiting for a case from Slims Custom Cases you will see from his web site that he is now pushing his guitar case products. Best of luck in receiving your harmonica case. As Adam P says above this may break forum rules for this I apologise. I have been fighting for a refund for a year. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH!
Tim
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