Bulk Pack Tuning Machines from Stew Mac

[Allen]

Here's a heads up about a problem with some tuners that I received from Stew Mac.

I've ordered several sets of Gotoh 510's from Stew Mac over the last year and all have come in Gotoh boxes in their little cardboard rack. However the last set came in a Stew Mac heat sealed plastic bag.

I opened up the bag on Sunday to check them out and found that there were 4 left hand and 2 right hand tuners. I contacted Stew Mac. and they are sending our a replacement tuner today, so another thumbs up for their great service.

Thankfully, I'm not in a panic for them, but if you do get a set that has come in a heat sealed bag, it'd be worth inspecting them when they arrive, so you're not left in a lurch.

[kiwigeo]

Some one cant count...easy enough to check if the tuners are in a plastic pack. Stewmac and LMI are generally pretty good at remedying such situations...unlike some local suppliers

[Richard]

All 510s I've ordered from Stewmac have come in plastic bags. In fact all Gotoh parts I've ordered from them have come this way. Never had an issue but I guess it's luck of the draw when they're manually sorting/packaging like this, and of course you can always trust Stewmac to make good.

Several years back I got a set of Schaller tuners where a one had a faulty gear mechanism. To remedy it Stewmac immediately sent out a single replacement tuner sent express DHL... must have set them back a good $20 or $30 in shipping. I felt guilty they went to so much trouble, but then again it's service like this that has seen me fork out more over the years than I'd care to add up.

[Taffy Evans]

I had a diamond fret file that did not go the distance, I contacted stumac after many months, and they replaced it no question and no need to return faulty item. Good prompt service too.

[Kim]

No doubt Stewmac are first rate for customer service but I must also say the same for LMI. A few years back when I was warming up a Jap neck through for a mate, I ordered a set of Schaller machines and an adjustable bridge by the same manufacturer from LMI, I had a problem with both items.

I could not hang about waiting for replacements to ship from USA so I just put up with local gouging to get the job finished. I explained this situation to Chris and he did not hesitate to put things right as best he could. First he offered free express of replacements if needed to restock what I had used, I told him I just don't have the turn around to warrant stocking one offs, he responded by telling me to keep the faulty parts, (in the case of the tuners, only one had a problem of binding and he understood this) he then credited my card for that transaction complete with shipping.

I tell people this story whenever I can and do so not only to support Chris Herrod and LMI, but to make people here aware that dollars aside, we as consumers in this country are being ripped off by many businesses in the area of service. Broadly speaking, as I do not want to give the impression that I include all Aussie business in this, it would seem the norm that if you encounter a problem in AU, it is assumed by many proprietors to be exactly that, 'your problem' until such time that 'you' can prove beyond a benefit of a doubt otherwise. In the USA however, it would appear from past responses received from companies like LMI and Stewmac when the shit does hit the fan, that any problem remains 'their issue' until 'they' have proven otherwise.

That point now made, if we are to consider service and backup to be an important part in the value of a transaction, then it is worth mentioning that the list of approved vendors here at the ANZLF is a very important tool, especially for those new to the craft who may be nervous or unsure about who they can trust when getting started in this wonderful pursuit.

For anyone wondering, the people who decide who receives an invited to join the approved vendor list, and who will not, do so without fear or favour. No money changes hands, no free wood is exchanged, no expectation of future privilege is assumed or given. The decision is based solely upon a vendors service and backup history with members of the moderators group who, over an extended period, most of which took place well before the ANZLF ever existed, found them to have consistently provided quality products, fully backed service, and good value for money.

Our host Bob Connor could have very easily cashed in on the exposure generated by traffic to the ANZLF, however he most graciously insisted from the start that selection of approved vendors be based only upon merit to ensure that this privilege remained something earned rather than bought and paid for. Selection in this way affords security and great service to 'all' ANZLF members equally and provides an environment in which those new to the craft can get a start feeling confident they are not being taken advantage of by some unscrupulous wood hock who considers anything wide enough to cut a guitar set from is tonewood.

Thanks Bob and thanks also to the ANZLF preferred vendors who continue to show how good business 'should' be done.

Cheers

Kim

[ozziebluesman]

Well my experience with LMI and my purchase of a bending iron was not so good.

I bought a bending iron from LMI and the element burnt out is less than a hours use. LMI sent a new element which was the 120volt element. The wrong one!!! Very pissed off!!! Unfortunately this all happened over Christmas so by the time I got the right element I had lost valuable holiday time experimenting with the bending iron. It took almost two months to get an iron that worked!

To top things off I had to get an electrician to fit the final replacement element as the wiring had fused together as it had got real hot. This did not cost me as I did a bit of bartering and did a set-up on the electricians acoustic guitar while he wired up the iron. Still, in my opinion time is money!

I contacted LMI and they where not all that interested in my inconveinence and as far as they where concerned, the issue had been resolved with the correct element in the end. Maybe they where satisfied but I was very dissapointed in their attitude.

Alan