Bass Direct

[ambient]

I bought a used bass from them recently. I'm a fussy devil, and wasn't perfectly happy with it. So I emailed them explaining this. I had a reply almost immediately, apologising, and offering to get it collected by courier and refund me. I was going to be in the area anyway, so dropped it back. I was refunded back to my bank account within the hour. The refund included the original shipping charge too. You really can't beat that for service, in my opinion anyway.

I also had a problem with a gig bag a couple of months ago. Not their fault at all I hasten to add, it was a manufacturing problem. They took it back and gave me a really good deal on a different model, the one I'd bought was their last in stock.

They're human though I guess, so not everyone's impression of them will be the same. I've used them since they started and can offer only praise.

[bartelby]

Don't get me wrong, I do like the place. But it seems I can never time my needs with the right level of customer service.

The last few times I've been in there I've known exactly what I wanted, just wanted to go in, buy it and leave again with no chatting/opinions. Had today been that kind of time I'd have been delighted.

But today I was actually hoping to draw on Mark's knowledge, experience and opinions.

[ricksterphil]

I bought a bass of them recently - a good deal on a nice guitar but their sales skills are zero (this wasn't Mark but his assistant)

I was shelling out nearly £900.....I wanted to be 'stroked' (not physically but you get my meaning) and made to feel welcomed and a valued customer and instead felt like I'd just been to Aldi to buy a bag of peanuts.

Mark...if you're reading this, looks like you need to send your lads down to Wunjo for the day to see how it should be done. No need to be Arthur Daly / Delboy, just be nice to people and ask if customers want anything else (strings, straps, bags...whatever), which will generate extra sales for you!

Rant over

[bartelby]

I'm kind of glad I wasn't in the shop for very long mind. The sycamore faced Wal was bloody gorgeous and this sparkly Roscoe was calling me, despite my not really needing, or even wanting, a 5 string:


The photo really does not do it justice.

Edited October 26, 2016 by bartelby

[EBS_freak]

Good job it's the wrong pickup configuration for me

[bartelby]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1477501590' post='3162650']
Good job it's the wrong pickup configuration for me
[/quote]

I'm sure you could adapt. The photos are way too blue as its a surf green in real life...

[EBS_freak]

Not listening.

[ezbass]

[quote name='ricksterphil' timestamp='1477494766' post='3162594']
I bought a bass of them recently - a good deal on a nice guitar but their sales skills are zero (this wasn't Mark but his assistant)

I was shelling out nearly £900.....I wanted to be 'stroked' (not physically but you get my meaning) and made to feel welcomed and a valued customer and instead felt like I'd just been to Aldi to buy a bag of peanuts.

Mark...if you're reading this, looks like you need to send your lads down to Wunjo for the day to see how it should be done. No need to be Arthur Daly / Delboy, just be nice to people and ask if customers want anything else (strings, straps, bags...whatever), which will generate extra sales for you!

Rant over
[/quote]Not the first time I've heard this exact complaint about BD. It appears that some folks forget who the customer is and who ultimately pay their wages. Sad.

[Chiliwailer]

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1477497213' post='3162612']
I'm kind of glad I wasn't in the shop for very long mind. The sycamore faced Wal was bloody gorgeous and this sparkly Roscoe was calling me, despite my not really needing, or even wanting, a 5 string:


The photo really does not do it justice.
[/quote]

I couldn't agree more, that's far from my kind of bass yet in the shop it really is breathtaking, looks stunning.

And whilst I'm here, I've had two visits there in the past 3 weeks and have enjoyed both of them very much. First visit, I was there for nearly 2 hours I think, but ended up not buying the bass. Their response was very understanding, professional and welcoming.

Yesterday I went to check out a different bass, which I bought (that makes 3 happy purchases from them now).

I was mostly helped out by Marcus both times, who it was a pleasure to deal with. Ashley and Mark were also great to chat too. I like straight talking no nonsense shops, if I wanted people crawling up my backside and faking pleasantries I'd go to my local car dealership

No complaints and I'd go back again without hesitation.

[LZD56]

I'm going there this evening to see Jeff Berlin doing a bass clinic. No charge as usual.

[bassbiscuits]

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1477502881' post='3162668']
I couldn't agree more, that's far from my kind of bass yet in the shop it really is breathtaking, looks stunning.

And whilst I'm here, I've had two visits there in the past 3 weeks and have enjoyed both of them very much. First visit, I was there for nearly 2 hours I think, but ended up not buying the bass. Their response was very understanding, professional and welcoming.

Yesterday I went to check out a different bass, which I bought (that makes 3 happy purchases from them now).

I was mostly helped out by Marcus both times, who it was a pleasure to deal with. Ashley and Mark were also great to chat too. I like straight talking no nonsense shops, if I wanted people crawling up my backside and faking pleasantries I'd go to my local car dealership

No complaints and I'd go back again without hesitation.
[/quote]

This is like my experience there too - i spent a good two hours there a week or so ago, trying out a secondhand bass and comparing it against my existing one.

They were cool to let me get on with it, and even though i didn't end up buying it, it was time well spent. Marcus was helpful and happy to let me noodle away.

[DBerriff]

I too have found Marcus helpful, and Mark has always friendly although clearly very busy at times. It difficult balancing all the factors needed to run a business and impossible to get everything "perfect". I have not really had any discussions with the other young lad in the shop, although he has always been polite.

My personal feeling is that I would rather deal with people who know their subject, even if they are not natural salesmen.

[EBS_freak]

Mark has always been a legend with me. Mind you, I tend to go in and go, "I want this". "Cool. Here you are". Job done.

[Billy Apple]

I've found the other staff fine. Just young lads to me. I've been pretty much left to my own devices which I like. If I want help I ask. About the only thing they are funny about is getting the basses down and putting them back, and if that saves me dinging them, then fair enough.

I quite like the fact the Marcus has daft hair and silly shoes. Shows he's human and into things that lads of that age should be into. Mind you, I'm 50 next birthday and still try with the hair and shoes.

Edited October 28, 2016 by Billy Apple

[Chiliwailer]

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1477647354' post='3163514']


This is like my experience there too - i spent a good two hours there a week or so ago, trying out a secondhand bass and comparing it against my existing one.

[/quote]

Lull addiction?

[Quilly]

Beware when buying on-line, some of the photographic techniques used in their photography make the basses look a lot 'fresher' than in real life. I bought a couple of fenders from him that were rather tired and needed some work. In hindsight I didn't get what I should have got for a stingray that I traded in. My fault I guess. He's not the cheapest either.

[Skinnyman]

My two penn'orth

I've bought a few things from Bass Direct over the years and I like the place.

A lot of shops you go into, there seems to be an immediate assessment of whether you're going to buy or just "waste time". I've never felt like that in BD. they just let you get on with stuff. If you want to know something, you have to ask. If you're happy on your own, they won't hassle you.

As to prices, well they're not GAK. But then again, they specialise in pretty esoteric instruments at the top end of the market. Given the massive investment they've got in the stock they hold, and given the comparatively small target market they're selling to, I don't mind if they hold firm on their prices and if they're a few quid more expensive on some things than the big internet discounters.

And I agree that his pictures paint the guitars in their best light - but i don't think that's too unreasonable given that he is running a commercial enterprise and his job is to present his stock in the most attractive and appealing way that he can. So yes, you absolutely should go and see them in the flesh.

They're aren't many places where I can go and sit for an hour playing some unusual and exotic bases without being hassled to make a sale. Sure, I'd like to have Mark's full attention when I want it, but he's a busy man, running a small shop in a very difficult trading environment so I'm prepared to cut him some slack.

And at a time when every high street is becoming homogenised, when independent traders are disappearing as the chains and the high-volume internet discounters push them out of business, when exchange rates and business rates are on the up and margins are getting squeezed, I'm very glad that shops like Bass Direct are still trading.

Just my opinion. Your mileage, as they say, may vary.

Edited October 29, 2016 by Skinnyman

[mikel]

Never been but It is very much on my list. Why do you have to check opening hours? The web site has shop hours, are they just a guide. I only ask cos I will probably just be browsing and feel making an appointment will give them a false sense of a big sale. Also, it sounds, rightly or wrongly, that they are only interested in experienced bassists and big sales. I am not high maintenance and like to be left alone with what I am trying, I always find I can ask if I want any help or advice.

[Mike]

[quote name='Skinnyman' timestamp='1477749595' post='3164267']
My two penn'orth

A lot of shops you go into, there seems to be an immediate assessment of whether you're going to buy or just "waste time". I've never felt like that in BD. they just let you get on with stuff. If you want to know something, you have to ask. If you're happy on your own, they won't hassle you.

[/quote]

Glad you've had positive experiences. I went in making it clear I was looking to spend almost a grand on gear that they had in stock - yet the salesperson (not Mark) was very disinterested - bordering on rude at one point.

I was looking for a vintage Precision recently - and I decided not to use Bass Direct so that one experience has potentially led to them missing out on £2k of sales. I had some excellent service at the Gallery - Charlie was friendly, helpful, let me play anything I wanted (including a 50s P I said I couldn't afford!) and Martin came out and was also very helpful.

[Quilly]

In fairness they have basses and gear that I had never heard of before. It opened my mind to the possibility of playing excellent alternatives to the usual big brands of gear.

[DBerriff]

I think some of you are confusing personality type with [i]disinterested[/i]. The staff are very interested in bass-related issues. Perhaps people skills are not as great as they could be, but then neither are mine. You need to deal with what is in front of you and make it work to suit your requirements. I'm still surprised we have Bass Direct at all, given the huge cost and risk of setting up such a business.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1477750440' post='3164275']
Never been but It is very much on my list. Why do you have to check opening hours? The web site has shop hours, are they just a guide. I only ask cos I will probably just be browsing and feel making an appointment will give them a false sense of a big sale. Also, it sounds, rightly or wrongly, that they are only interested in experienced bassists and big sales. I am not high maintenance and like to be left alone with what I am trying, I always find I can ask if I want any help or advice.
[/quote]

It's only a small shop, it's not like a branch of PMT, if you are wanting to try a specific amp with a range of specific cabs and you ring before going then they will have all the bits you want set up ready to try and let you know what they do and don't have in stock etc. They aren't only for experienced players but I wouldn't suggest them as the place to buy a typical Christmas bass and amp package.

[mikel]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1477837255' post='3164734']
It's only a small shop, it's not like a branch of PMT, if you are wanting to try a specific amp with a range of specific cabs and you ring before going then they will have all the bits you want set up ready to try and let you know what they do and don't have in stock etc.[b] They aren't only for experienced players but I wouldn't suggest them as the place to buy a typical Christmas bass and amp package.[/b]
[/quote]

Yea, I thought not. Thanks for the info, I was not aware it was a really small shop. Thats the problem with web adverts, you assume that what is on the web page is readily available. Glad its not like PMT, I get lost in the Birmingham store.

[ambient]

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1477845011' post='3164783']


Yea, I thought not. Thanks for the info, I was not aware it was a really small shop. Thats the problem with web adverts, you assume that what is on the web page is readily available. Glad its not like PMT, I get lost in the Birmingham store.
[/quote]

What they advertise is in stock.

[mikel]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1477845392' post='3164786']
What they advertise is in stock.
[/quote]

Thats not what "Stingray" said.