Bass Direct

[mcnach]

Are they always semi-rude? 

 

I placed an order earlier today. A while later I get an email from Paypal with a refund. No explanation. No notes.

 

I email BD to ask why.

 

I got a curt reply that included "like I said, it was not in stock".

 

1) so their in-stock/out-of-stock notes on the website are not up to date... nice, why do you even bother indicating stock?

 

2) what's with the attitude? I heard of that before but it's kind of ridiculous: are they ran by grumpy teenagers?

 

There was a note, on my Paypal account, if I click on the transaction and scroll. Most definitely not on the email I received.

 

Petty, perhaps, but it's not like there aren't alternatives so guess who's crossing BD off the list of shops to buy from. 

Order now placed with another shop.

[ezbass]

Sadly, not the first (or even the second) time I’ve heard this.  

[gjones]

I though they were updating their website?

 

It looks just the same to me.

[Geddys nose]

They did this to me, no apology or explanation not the way to run a business.

[Bigguy2017]

14 minutes ago, gjones said:

I though they were updating their website?

 

It looks just the same to me.

It still doesn't load due to SSL certificate errors.

[yorks5stringer]

Always wise to follow up any transaction with a phone call. Yes, you would expect in this day and age not need to, but as others have said, this is a recurring theme at BD and it happened to me a couple of years ago.

[Osiris]

There's nothing up, it's how they operate, unfortunately. To put it politely their customer service is variable from excellent to downright obnoxious. 

 

My first visit there more than 10 years ago the owner said something offensive, I can't remember what now, to the guy I was with who was looking to spend 2 grand on a new bass. My mate walked out saying something along the lines of "I'm not giving that arrogant c**t a penny of my money" without buying anything even though something had caught his eye. But even so I bought a few things from them over the next few years including 2 or 3 basses, an amp plus smaller odds and sods without any issues. But around 5 years ago I had an issue with a commission sale through them that they made no effort to remedy nor offer an apology, their attitude was one of total apathy, an attitude that I have repaid in kind by not using them since. 

[Supernaut]

Everyone has transitioned to using Bass Bros and rightly so. 

[scalpy]

I bought a preamp pedal from them earlier in the year. (Warning- something of an idle boast coming up) This was because I had a session for a producer who had remarked I hadn’t bought any new kit in a while, and I needed an excuse to get it anyway. I placed the order with BD, who apart from sending the automatic invoice gave no indication of dispatch. I gave it a day or two then followed it up- curt and dismissive reply received saying basically it was in the post, no tracking number etc. So I had to sit it out. Package arrived 2 days before the session, just left by the postie on my doorstep in full view of all passers by. On opening I discovered the correct box and power supply, but no pedal, so I contacted them immediately via email at which point they were extremely helpful and responsive, saying they’d realised the mistake and were going to post it next day delivery asap- this was late afternoon so they’d missed the last postage for that day. This meant I was not going to have the pedal for the session.  I contacted the producer and said sorry, no new toys etc. He suggested getting it sent to the studio. So I rang BD this time to see if they could do that and their attitude was basically ‘yeah yeah just send the address, sorry about that whatever’ and they couldn’t put the phone down fast enough. Back on the emails I sent them the studio’s address- Studio 1, AIR, lyndhurst. Within seconds I got a reply, all nice as pie, asking who I was recording with, nicey nicey and interested again. So basically in one deal I experienced BD’s best, and poor customer service, literally changing by the second. 

[BlueMoon]

I’m currently going through my own sweet hell with BD. I won’t bore folks with the details, save to say that they have my money, I’m doing all the chasing, and I still don’t have my stuff. This is now six weeks since the PayPal transaction was accepted and the item was in stock. Go figure!
 

This is not a good sign, and maybe indicative of pending issues down the road. I hope they can sort it out, since we bass players are a small, specialised community and I’d like to support small independents, wherever possible.

 

I should say that I have purchased loads of stuff from them (all by mail order) over the years, and never once had a problem.

 

So, come on BD………..digitum tuum evellere, or something similar!

[mr4stringz]

1 hour ago, scalpy said:

I contacted the producer and said sorry, no new toys etc. He suggested getting it sent to the studio. So I rang BD this time to see if they could do that and their attitude was basically ‘yeah yeah just send the address, sorry about that whatever’ and they couldn’t put the phone down fast enough. Back on the emails I sent them the studio’s address- Studio 1, AIR, lyndhurst. Within seconds I got a reply, all nice as pie, asking who I was recording with, nicey nicey and interested again. So basically in one deal I experienced BD’s best, and poor customer service, literally changing by the second. 

The cynic in me wonders if the about turn had anything to do with the mention of the studio in question.

 

BD aren’t all that far from me, though I must admit I’ve never visited when in the vicinity, partly due to reading so many less than great accounts. These issues may be in the minority, but there does seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence. Enough to keep me away anyway. If I want attitude that results in me handing over a wedge of cash I’ll chat to my kids…

Edited August 24, 2022 by mr4stringz

[Lozz196]

I bought something from them a couple of weeks ago, stupidly ordered the wrong variant. One e-Mail to them and it was agreed to do a swap. Sadly by the time I returned my item the intended one had sold out so they offered instant refund or to wait until it was back in stock. Refund please, sorted straightaway. 
 

This might be slightly against the grain of this thread but I think it’s only fair to show that BD aren’t all doom & gloom.

[Frank Blank]

2 hours ago, mcnach said:

2) what's with the attitude? I heard of that before but it's kind of ridiculous: are they ran by grumpy teenagers?

 

The teenagers who work there are grumpy but understandably so, being teenagers and whatnot, but the bloke who owns it is just plain rude. I gave him the benefit of the doubt the first couple of times and then just stopped going in there if he was present. He has a great shop, one of the few places you can try out his superb stock, if I were him I'd be treating my customers like royalty, especially as many of them travel a significant distance. There always have been issues with the website but, by far, the big problem is his stinking attitude. Twice now I've walked in there with 1k in my pocket ready to buy something I knew was in stock, both times I've left with my money and simply ordered online. He needs to sit at home while someone with actual customer facing skills runs the shop for him.

[Beedster]

Have to say that of all the music stores I've used in the UK Bass Direct have been about the best. Doesn't help the OP of course, but just saying 👍

[obbm]

I ordered some Hipshot Tuners from them on Monday but have received no order acknowledgement, just the  Paypal receipt.  It'll be interesting to see just how long they take to arrive, if at all.

 

Over the years I've only had one minor problem when they sent the wrong strings.  I complained and they said send them back (at my expense) and we'll send the correct ones.  I decided to keep them and eventually ordered again.

[6feet7]

I've never had anything but great, friendly service from BD. That's all I can say.

[binky_bass]

Bass Direct are fine if there are no issues with the transaction as you don't need to interact with them. On multiple occasions I've experienced awful customer service from them and am currently in the process of yet another issue with them that has been going on for close to a year, it was only under the threat of legal action AND contacting the manufacturer of this particular item directly that they have agreed a replacement, which I still haven't got. 

 

I know there's not much in the way of bass specific alternatives out there, and this is my personal opinion (others may vary) but I'd personally avoid dealing with Bass Direct. When things go wrong (and they often do because the stock availability on their website is almost permanently incorrect) they are a nightmare to deal with and extremely rude and arrogant.

Edited August 24, 2022 by binky_bass

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

4 hours ago, Supernaut said:

Everyone has transitioned to using Bass Bros and rightly so. 

Have they? Bass Bros have a tiny percentage of stock that BD has, even taking into account the stuff that is in stock but actually isn’t 😂

Some are definitely turning to Bass Bros to move their basses/amps/effects on/part ex etc, but I’m convinced about all the other stuff.

[Cato]

As I understand it Bassbros and BD are only a few miles from each other, so it would be convenient for anyone visiting one to drop by the other. (Although I think Bass Bros is 'by appointment only).

Edited August 24, 2022 by Cato

[TorturedSaints]

I’ve only had one recent dealing with Bass Direct and I’m not a particularly happy customer.  Mrs TS (so technically she was the customer) ordered a set of d’Addario GHS Crossover strings as a present for my birthday in July as I needed new strings for my NS Wav EUB.  On re-stringing the EUB, the G string snapped round the tuning peg even before it was up to pitch.  I sent Bass Direct an email with the photos as evidence.  After a slightly snarky set of replies, BD said they would get in contact with the distributors and get them to send me a new string.  6 weeks later, nothing.  No contact, no new string. 
 

Edited to add:

 

No contact from BD after 2 months.  Mrs TS opened a PayPal case asking for a refund.  BD ignored the refund request and said there was no stock at the distributor, and sent me another string from stock.  String arrived and broke again on fitting at same pitch. (Not a bass problem, the original string, same diameter) has been on and off 3 times and a similar problem with G string reported on Talkbass).  Eventually escalated PayPal claim to return strings at our cost for refund. 

Edited October 10, 2022 by TorturedSaints
Resolution

[Machines]

19 minutes ago, Cato said:

As I understand it Bassbros and BD are only a few miles from each other, so it would be convenient for anyone visiting one to drop by the other. (Although I think Bass Bros is 'by appointment only).

 

 

3 miles. I'd definitely recommend trying to arrange a visit to both, but BB for me is more of a 'what do you specifically want to try out ?' type of place more than a browse to pass the time.

 

I am moderately acquainted with both shops* and know the owners, they are very different business models and both seem to work for them regardless of any customer reported issues. 

 

*Disclaimer, I worked on the BassDirect stand at Manchester 2008 and Liverpool 2022 shows.

 

Edited August 24, 2022 by Machines

[Cato]

1 minute ago, Machines said:

 

 

3 miles. I'd definitely recommend trying to arrange a visit to both, but BB for me is more of a 'what do you specifically want to try out ?' type of place more than a browse to pass the time.

 

I am moderately acquainted with both shops and know the owners, they are very different business models and both seem to work for them regardless of any customer reported issues. 

 

 

I live just down the road from them, although I've never been to either.

 

I'd feel a bit out of order these days turning up to try out high end gear that I've got no intention of buying, although I did just that at Musical Exchanges in Brum pretty much every weekend as a teenager.

 

Strange that Leamington Spa has become become one of the best towns for high end bass gear in the country!

[bassmayhem]

I have only good experience with Bass Direct. Always top notch, always good service.

[mcnach]

5 hours ago, yorks5stringer said:

Always wise to follow up any transaction with a phone call. Yes, you would expect in this day and age not need to, but as others have said, this is a recurring theme at BD and it happened to me a couple of years ago.

 

 

Well, it's not happening to me again, that's for sure. 

 

I don't mind so much the stock issues, it's a mild annoyance at best, but the attitude? That's a combo that doesn't make me want to give them my money. So I won't.

[mcnach]

3 hours ago, 6feet7 said:

I've never had anything but great, friendly service from BD. That's all I can say.

 

 

Yeah but you're 6 feet 7, I'm a short derrière so I guess he's not intimidated by me