Wayne Firefly Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I ordered a Zon Billy Gould signature BG4 last November. Was told it would take 6 months on the waiting list / build schedule. As I'd paid up front, I was told I'd be bumped up the build schedule. Its 3 weeks away from it being 12 months and no bass or even any emails to explian either why, any progress or updates. I drop a line every now and again (every 6 weeks or so) to ask whats happening to get a short reply. Just wondered if anyone else had any experience in this situation and is it normal ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I'm not sure how many here have ordered a Zon. You might get better info if you post this on Talkbass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 There was a thread a while back started by somebody waiting for a Hyperbass that took a lot longer than the time quoted. I always found Zon to be particularly bad at answering emails. To be fair it's pretty much a one man operation but it's still not good customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Firefly Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 Hmmmm, starting to worry to be fair.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the boy Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475751247' post='3148416'] Hmmmm, starting to worry to be fair.... [/quote] I find this a lot with these one man type set ups with a long waiting list. It's all "bud" and "mate" when you're making the order, once the money's paid you get the attitude and finally when it all comes good you get the "we got there in the end pal" nonsense. It's extremely frustrating but also very typical. Remind yourself why you chose a Zon in the first place and if it's worth the wait then be patient. That said don't be mugged off either. Let them (him) know your not happy and you think he's taking the piss. Which to be fair he is a bit at this stage. Edited October 6, 2016 by the boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I can't help but would love to hear about the bass when it finally arrives! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Firefly Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 Well to be fair, I am starting to feel a bit mugged off. If I'd known it would have turned out this way, I probably wouldnt have made the order in the first place. Due May 1st, as well as this year's gigs we had 8 festivals this summer, short run into Europe, album and E.P. sessions and a 2 week tour this November.... I was hoping to have had it for all this. Tough tittays I guess. Im going to leave it until November properly until I start the 'come on fellas, this is getting silly' routine. Exactly right with the friendly attitude at first too, Joe Zon rang me when I made the order (well, he said he was Joe Zon !!) which was pretty cool. One thing that does make me think, is considering it dosent have a fancy exotic set of woods in the build, you'd think it'd be a quicker to do right ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 [quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475762251' post='3148561'] Well to be fair, I am starting to feel a bit mugged off. If I'd known it would have turned out this way, I probably wouldnt have made the order in the first place. Due May 1st, as well as this year's gigs we had 8 festivals this summer, short run into Europe, album and E.P. sessions and a 2 week tour this November.... I was hoping to have had it for all this. Tough tittays I guess. Im going to leave it until November properly until I start the 'come on fellas, this is getting silly' routine. Exactly right with the friendly attitude at first too, Joe Zon rang me when I made the order (well, he said he was Joe Zon !!) which was pretty cool. One thing that does make me think, is considering it dosent have a fancy exotic set of woods in the build, you'd think it'd be a quicker to do right ?? [/quote] Annoying. Lord knows what I'd be like waiting for a custom build! If it is any comfort, I've never heard any negative reviews of Zon's work or customer service before so hopefully it's just a glitch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Firefly Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 I know, Im doing my best to stay cool about it and not be that PITA guy. Just hanging and hanging on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Is it not normal practice to incorporate some sort of penalty clause into such orders/contracts..? A 1% discount for every week overdue, or similar..? If not, why not..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Sounds like pretty standard custom builder behaviour to me - I've had a few things custom made to order in both the bass world & other industries; they are universally all unable to hit a deadline or communicate properly. You just have to remember you're paying all that money for their making stuff skills not their communication or business practice skills - it'll be worth it in the end so just hold on in there, though you should call every now & again to push them along a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Also remember - the more they are communicating, the less they are building! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Firefly Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 Yeah Im aware I may be a PITA every 6 to 8 weeks or so I drop a line to say hows it going, but its a guy called Martin who is the sales / product specialist and he says that Joe has a small team that works with him. (I left it 6 weeks after the due date to ask..May 1st to June 16th or so until 1st email I sent, which I felt was justified) Then I think I sent one early August and the last one was around Sept 20th. I dont think thats harrassing someone, I'd foolishly wanted a progress report. Two or three sentences is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjim Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I've got Overwater making a bass for me right now. Every few weeks or so, I get a call from Martin to let me know how its going and an update. There is no end of great feedback for them from other customers. They are a team with the resources required to do this thing properly. They have the skills, the man power, the finance and the experience all behind them. When I last delt with a one man band it was exactly as the OP describes. "it will be with you in six months, you are now bumped forward, ect ect". 18 months later......."its nearly there..." A few times it was kind of worth the wait as in end as the results were in fact stunning. Shame was they were not ready when I really needed them so I ended up selling them. And a few times I ended up with turkeys that the builder insisted were not turkeys and they were perfectly fine. Apparently it was due to my abilities or lack of and not the basses. Lesson learnt there. Hope it works out ok for you and the bass is great because if its not what can you actually do about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I think you've left it perfectly long enough to not be called a PITA. Calling is usually the better option though, emails are too easily ignored or bluffed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Firefly Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) Well, Im having twinges of worry, and thats starting to make the whole thing start to taste a bit bitter and all that. I try to not think about it. Edited October 6, 2016 by Wayne Firefly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) I think 'Molan' Basschatter might be worth speaking to as Bassgear used to stock Zon Basses. Edited October 6, 2016 by yorks5stringer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I wouldn't worry about it too much, maybe easiily said though I guess. Zon are an established company with a good reputation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I don't think you're being unreasonable by asking for an estimated time of completion or an update as to where they are at the moment. As you say you're only asking for 3 or 4 lines. Good customer service is really important to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Have they got a Facebook page ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Change your name to Michael Manring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBass Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 [quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475764921' post='3148589'] I know, Im doing my best to stay cool about it and not be that PITA guy. Just hanging and hanging on. [/quote] I think you've got every right to be that guy, especially as you've paid in full up front. A couple of weeks either way is understandable, five months really is a PITA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475764921' post='3148589'] I know, Im doing my best to stay cool about it and not be that PITA guy. Just hanging and hanging on. [/quote] The reality of many businesses is that its a case of "he who shouts loudest ...". You wont get any thanks for not complaining - they will just assume your not that bothered and prioritise someone who is kicking up a fuss. Be firm but fair, tell them you've been reasonable up to now but now need to agree a deadline after which you will pursue them for the money. Edited October 7, 2016 by bassman7755 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 Being realistic custom made basses usually involve an extended wait time. WAL is 2 years and some and apparently with Carl Thompson you get it when you get it. I understand the irritation, but to be honest, no matter what you were told at the start, 12 months doesn't seem like a long wait for a hand made bass from a very small outfit. Hassling the guys will probably turn out to be counter productive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 Any reports about 'em on Talkbass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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