waynepunkdude

[quote name='pantherairsoft' post='1265692' date='Jun 12 2011, 02:49 AM']Ken, Thanks for signing up and setting the record straight on a few things. I think whats important here is that we identify the fact that Kan has done nothing wrong. He runs his business in a way that he believes to be fair, reasonable & honest. His prices are based on demand and manufacturing costs whilst making adequate profit to sustain the business - This is no different any other successful company in the world. Now before anyone yells at me disagreeing with this statement, I think its also fair to say that as the business has sold over 6000 basses and is still going strong, Ken should have little reason to beleive that anything is 'going wrong'. Indeed I'm sure if you read every post on Basschat referencing Ken Smith basses you would find 100 'Ken Smith Basses are amazing/gorgeous/stunning/the best in the world' for ever 1 post complaining about customer service. I would suggest that Kens customer service is based on 6000 odd happy customers whom we don't hear from, as opposed to the few that we do. I have never visited the Ken Smith forums but I would be happy to put money on it being full of people like us who think Ken's customer service is stunning. From this hopefully we can learn, that like every human, and every company, sometimes you can get things wrong. Maybe Ken shouldn't of quoted the huge UPS price UNTIL he had the USPS price as well, maybe he should of chosen better words when dealing with customers at times etc etc… I'm sure Ken will go away from this now with some negative feedback to stack up against the thousands of happy customers and hopefully use it to his advantage to highlight the areas that a small percentage of people feels he gets wrong. Ken, would you say this is true/fair? At the same time, basschat is a community and news travels fast. We do see positive feedback voiced here, but lets be honest, its the negatives that we see and remember. Its apparent that a couple of posters here including the OP felt the customer service was a real let down. Ken has explained his actions to date and also tried to rectify and explain each case post by post. Hopefully as a community we can attempt to 'wipe the slate clean' and take a view on Mr Smiths customer service from this point forwards. Ken has already declared that he now handles all emails and communication and takes the comments here seriously, so that paired with our feedback should mean a renewed level of customer service to match the absolutely stunning instruments! I for one would like to see Mr Smith welcomed on basschat after any 'bad air' has settled as I KNOW he has a huge wealth of information to bring to the table. There was some discussion over Dingwall's a while back, after Sheldon joined us and cleared up a few misconceptions. His posts were informative and he answered questions in a way you'd hope an expert would. Ken, I for one would like you to prove us wrong going forwards and pop back from time to time (when business permits) as I'm sure many would find your input to discussions here very welcome. Shep P.S. Its 2.49am, I've been gigging and my eyes are so tired I can hardly keep them open - as such please let me off any shocking typos and grammatical errors! [/quote] Well I've seen nothing in his attitude that would change my mind about buying anything from him, I have found him both rude and arrogant. I wouldn't buy anything from Dingwall due to taste but from Sheldon's posts, if I did like his basses I'm sure it'd be a pleasure doing business with him.

The LB212 Main Features Include: 2x12" Drivers Impedance: 4 Ohms Power Handling: 300watts Dimensions HxWxD (mm): 730 x 470 x 335 Weight: 14kg

[quote name='Ken Smith' post='1265634' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:59 AM']Gee, Electronic Shielding Paint. Please read carefully. I have been on this now for 4 hours. Where can I send the Bill! Lacquer is a has-mat material as well. Anything with solvents. If something breaks or spills and you didn't do it right, expect some type of Government visit at the least.[/quote] Before I go you first posted at 10 this was posted at 1 that's 3 hours.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1265667' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:29 AM']Hairdresser's silver-blue. I looked like a twat. Got a comprehensive shag out of it though. Right about the time I handed over the money [/quote] So that's why you walk like that..... Anyway I've wasted 2 hours on this and I haven't been paid so I'm going to bed.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1265663' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:22 AM']Had mine 6 months. Cost me £15k to buy using the redundo. £4k in bills. Sold it for £12k, with the lowest offer at £8k. Lovely, but a money pit.[/quote] Was it silver?

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1265644' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:10 AM']I know but for golf on a Sunday morning with a bit of Otis Redding on the stereo I can't think of much better. I do 50K miles in a eurobox every year so a nice change.[/quote] Just realised how punk I am

[quote name='paul h' post='1265649' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:13 AM']Apparently Larry Hartke is always up for a friendly chat.[/quote] I've heard this as well as the boys at Ashdown, shame they make wooly amps

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1265650' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:13 AM']Well let me know if you're interested Though I have to let you know they've been a mechanics dream over the years, lots of time in the shop.[/quote] Haha not at this point in my life, I have a bass addiction to fund.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1265646' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:11 AM']That's nothing. Give it time, you'll be spending 6 or 7 hours a day like the rest of us. [/quote] And then sending an invoice.

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1265645' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:10 AM']It would be easier to replace the whole preamp [/quote] John East all the way, there's a man who knows about customer service.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1265642' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:07 AM']Wouldn't know, Wayne, don't need to and don't care. I hate boutique basses. Fenders all the way. Ooops, sorry, Ken Money pit, mate. Pagoda roofs are lovely (though mine wasn't a pagoda roof) while there's a certain seedy charm about the 70's fatties. Whichever, you're looking at a 30-40-ish yr old car, limited expensive parts, 15 to the gallon and a garage hoist to lift the hardtop off. Often clocked and wallow like pigs, too.[/quote] I know but for golf on a Sunday morning with a bit of Otis Redding on the stereo I can't think of much better. I do 50K miles in a eurobox every year so a nice change.

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1265638' date='Jun 12 2011, 01:03 AM']I have a friend selling a 560 and a 580. I wonder what shipping would be from California?[/quote] Used to ship VWs from there when the exchange rate was good, the answer is about $1200 and if it over 25 years 5% duty.

[quote name='Ken Smith' post='1265634' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:59 AM']I have been on this now for 4 hours. Where can I send the Bill![/quote] Hmmm this seems to be your only motivation from what I can see.

Either way wouldn't it be easier to source it locally?

[quote name='Ken Smith' post='1265628' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:54 AM']This is a used 2nd or 3rd hand bass well over 10 years old that was broken physically (maybe changing the battery or dropped) and not a new bass, a bass we sold or something that broke under normal use. What companies can you list that would replace this under these circumstances. Do you drive a Car? I would love to have you argue my warranty repairs on a 15 year old car or if it ran out of gas.. lol We have a 1 year warranty on circuits under normal use. If YOU break it, you pay for it. If you buy something used that is broken, WHO, WHAT company would fix a part like that for the lifetime of the bass? Not us, sorry.[/quote] Funnily enough I have a 7 year old Vauxhall, they fixed a broken boot catch for me the other day FOC

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1265627' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:52 AM']To be fair, the OP's bass is 10+ years old and bought s'hand with the fault existing. I once tried to get a part for an old Merc 280SL. "Sure" they said, "We still make parts for [i]every [/i]post-war Merc we made. But we only mfr this part once a year. And that was last month and they're all gone. Come back in ten months." Don't know why I mentioned that. Life goes on.[/quote] 10 years or not have you seen the price of these basses? I did hear that about the Mercs, wouldn't mind an old SL.

I have a 3 one, I think it's a Warwick one.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1265614' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:41 AM']I already have [/quote]

[quote name='Ken Smith' post='1265613' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:40 AM']We did quote the Postal rate a few days later but initially only UPS rate and SAID postal is half or less and needed the exact address to check the cost but I was either out the next day or it was the weekend. Patience.. That helps. I lost count how many Emails we sent back and forth but if I earned half of minimum wage on this possible sale, we would loose a lot on my time at that rate. I gave him no less attention than someone spending $4k for a Bass. Also, I have in the past shipped products to friends or relatives within the states that would bring or send it overseas cheaper. I have to ship legally and professionally to be fully responsible in my dealings. I will not ship anything of value for the cheapest way. If the part has value or importance, make sure it gets there and in one piece. He could have had the part there and fixed by now instead of waging war on at least 3 forums so far. Did things change? Costs change? No. Just the time he spent on line with still no part that repairs that bass back to original condition.[/quote] But you could just send the part safely for $3 instead of insisting on sending it UPS then you would have had no problems. You seem to be overlooking the obvious. FWIW I have had loads of vinyl sent via USPS never had a problem. To the OP is there no way you could source the part locally and just send an invoice to Ken?

It's a placebo, it does nothing.

[quote name='Ken Smith' post='1265603' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:31 AM']A few 1000s can make the different over time plus its not just the diameter but the tip shape as well.[/quote] Try telling that to my missus.

[quote name='Ken Smith' post='1265596' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:26 AM']So, all you Smith bass lovers. Did we get a single thanks for US paying thru the nose to maintain the quality for YOUR Bass? Noooooooooooo... But crack one Egg.. oooooooooooooooooooooooo[/quote] I'm sorry mate but with the cost of your basses I think that's the least I'd expect as well as if a pot broke I'd expect it to be fixed rather than being told I was being charged ridiculous amounts to have the part sent as well as me having to install it myself.

[quote name='Ken Smith' post='1265581' date='Jun 12 2011, 12:08 AM']Yes, I think so but I did and always do my best to explain things. UPS, trackable and fully insured, fastest and best serves and does brokerage as well if needed. USPS/Postal, Cheaper, NOT trackable, on basses, max insurance is $1000 so parts ok for insurance, tracked at pickup and depeviry only, no exact time or guarantee, prey you get it. I give both options and all the information I have at hand. What more can we do, work for Free?[/quote] Well maybe you could just pop it into the post office next time you're in town 2 mins and you get a happy customer instead of quoting ridiculous postage to hope the problem goes away.

USPS First-Class Mail® International Package** Maximum Value for Contents: $400.00 Other than rolls: Max. length 24", max length, height and depth (thickness) combined 36" Rolls: Max. length 36". Max length and twice the diameter combined 42" $2.59

I hope it wasn't aimed at me.