Bass Direct

[mattbass6]

9 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

I wasn’t ridiculing anyone. It was humour - probably not worthy of stand-up though 🤷‍♂️.

I really can’t see the benefit of two separate threads given it’s on exactly the same subject. The 100’s of posters in that previous thread will now had notifications of further comments where they may have missed the new thread. I honestly thought it was beneficial for everyone. The Mods seemed to agree.

Apologies if my suggestion caused any upset.

My thread was merely a “thank you” to BD, and to just acknowledge my gratitude for the years of help they had shown me. It was never intended as a review thread. I was merely being appreciative of a company, and of the people who worked there. 
 

We’ll leave it there. I love this place, but if I want sarcasm, I’ll stick with the socials. No harm done, and thanks for taking the time to reply. Respect. 

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, mcnach said:

 

Typing it as we 'speak'...

 

can't you hear that noise? It's the sound I make while furiously pressing keys on my keyboard.

Are you sure its not a typewriter 

[Muzz]

When there used to be a few music shops in Manchester, one was part of the group owned by a bloke called Eric (no second name given, but some people will know him) who used to visit the further-flung stores in his empire. He wasn't the most pleasant chap to customers, and insisted on 'helping out' when he was there. 

 

He was known among the staff as the Sales Prevention Officer...

Edited August 26, 2022 by Muzz

[EBS_freak]

Anyway... back on topic. Bass Direct.

 

[FinnDave]

I've been to Bass Direct a few times, my only complaint is that there is too much temptation there and they make it very easy to spend money!

[Ed_S]

I've had overall positive dealings with BD and I like having a chat with Mark, even when we have differing views on something. I admit I've felt a little less connection with some of his staff over the years, but rather than rude I've actually tended to think of them as maybe just a little socially awkward. Of course I have no idea whether that's true or not, but my rules of engagement are that I don't stress politeness principles, ask concisely and plainly for what I want, don't assume anything is implicitly understood or a given, and if an issue arises explain exactly how I want it resolved. If I'm wrong and they are, in fact, just rude... then they're getting the benefit of the doubt and I'm still getting what I want without any requirement to feel annoyed.

[mcnach]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Are you sure its not a typewriter 

 

The shop told me it was a computer... is that why it's taking so long to upload???

 

Right, I'm calling them right now

 

 

 

[Beedster]

4 minutes ago, Ed_S said:

I've had overall positive dealings with BD and I like having a chat with Mark, even when we have differing views on something. I admit I've felt a little less connection with some of his staff over the years, but rather than rude I've actually tended to think of them as maybe just a little socially awkward. Of course I have no idea whether that's true or not, but my rules of engagement are that I don't stress politeness principles, ask concisely and plainly for what I want, don't assume anything is implicitly understood or a given, and if an issue arises explain exactly how I want it resolved. If I'm wrong and they are, in fact, just rude... then they're getting the benefit of the doubt and I'm still getting what I want without any requirement to feel annoyed.

 

A mate of mine runs a shop and, following a 'stinky poo customer service' rant from me about a music shop a while back, he told me in no uncertain terms how difficult it can be to hire, motivate and keep staff. In his case he sometimes has to employ a very poor candidate who he knows to be a very poor candidate or be forced to shut up shop until he finds a good candidate. But on the subject what makes a good candidate in contemporary retail, he was pretty clear with me; entitlement culture is a big part of his problem, everyone expects to be treated as if they're buying a Ferrari when they'r actually buying a coffee, and they expect a kid on relatively low salary to be able to deliver that level of service 24/7. I was suitably humbled having often been the customer in question too often. 

[Woodinblack]

3 minutes ago, Beedster said:

everyone expects to be treated as if they're buying a Ferrari when they'r actually buying a coffee, and they expect a kid on relatively low salary to be able to deliver that level of service 24/7. I was suitably humbled having often been the customer in question too often. 

 

My wife runs an online shop where she does a lot of support and also we have done shows. I have not seen that. 95% of people are fine and then here are people who are just basically a**holes, and that is what they probably are in all walks of life, but what I have seen is people just expected to be acknowledged they are there.

Personally never cared if the person was buying a ferarri or a coffee, just the fact they are there I am happy to treat them the same.

 

And when it comes to employees, some are good, some are less so, its not their age or salary that effects that, except the good ones tend to be hung onto so it is easier to find the poor ones!

[Ed_S]

2 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

A mate of mine runs a shop and, following a 'stinky poo customer service' rant from me about a music shop a while back, he told me in no uncertain terms how difficult it can be to hire, motivate and keep staff. In his case he sometimes has to employ a very poor candidate who he knows to be a very poor candidate or be forced to shut up shop until he finds a good candidate. But on the subject what makes a good candidate in contemporary retail, he was pretty clear with me; entitlement culture is a big part of his problem, everyone expects to be treated as if they're buying a Ferrari when they'r actually buying a coffee, and they expect a kid on relatively low salary to be able to deliver that level of service 24/7. I was suitably humbled having often been the customer in question too often. 

 

For clarity, when I say that I ask for exactly what I want, and say how I want problems to be resolved, I really hope I don't do it in an entitled way. I've worked my entire life being the IT guy who gets ignored when things work and kicked when things don't, so I know all about cutting people a little slack. I just mean that rather than saying "this is wrong..." and then waiting for the gush of apologies and offers of reparations, and then being annoyed when instead I get "ok.. so what do you want me to do about it?", I get in there first and say "this is wrong so please can you sent a courier to collect it in the next two days and process a refund? I've sent you an email that says the same.", to which I'm probably going to get "ok", which is all I really wanted.

[Rich]

6 hours ago, mcnach said:

 

Typing it as we 'speak'...

 

can't you hear that noise? It's the sound I make while furiously pressing keys on my keyboard.

 

[Lfalex v1.1]

I'm heading to BD next year. 

I guess I'll find out whether I picked the right shop on the right day.

If not, there's always Bass Bros, Andertons and the classifieds on here.

Not all in the same "category" of bass selling, but the end result will hopefully be the same.  NBD.

 

 

(Or it won't. NNBD)

Edited August 27, 2022 by Lfalex v1.1
I used to frequent the Wapping BC. Never had any issues there. Got on fine with Grant, Nick, Alex and Chris. See, I still remember them!

[Skin Lewis]

I visited a year ago, looking for a decent Precision. Owner wasn't there, the young assistant was happy for me to play lots of them, and I walked out with a nice Nash. I had taken an Aerodyne with me for possible px, but the assistant ended up buying it for himself. No issues at all. Since then I've bought a couple of sets of strings online, again no issues. I appreciate that not everyone has the same experience there, and it sounds like I may have dodged a bullet with the owner not being there.

[Stub Mandrel]

I've had great and awful customer service from the same shops/chains.

 

My experience of B D was positive,  but it was very much a 'guided' purchase. Usually that won't work on me but in this case the suggestion was right for me.

 

I especially appreciated being allowed to test the kit with a bass close to my own, at realistic volume and left alone so no embarrassment (ok I may have frightened them off...) Plus, ey understood and readily accepted my insistence on using an amp seg to be as transparent as possible.

[mrtcat]

On 24/08/2022 at 22:07, mcnach said:

 

 

So whoever is there doesn't even sign with their own name? 

 

Marcus was working there when I visited 3 weeks ago so was almost certainly him that emailed you.

[spacecowboy]

I only have positive things to say, the first time I traveled to the shop was to buy a Dingwall Combustion bass, instead of a taxi Marks wife came and picked me up from the train station in her car AND she dropped me back off after buying the bass. While in store Mark let me take a tort pick guard off one Combustion bass and put it on the one I was buying, no fuss, just did it, let me play on what I wanted while I was there, all ace.

 

I have also sold a Dingwall Afterburner II bass through Bassdirect, again, Mark was good on email, told me once the bass had arrived with him, gave me a heads up when it was online, told me when it was bought and sent me my money with no delay. 

 

My most recent transaction I wanted to buy a second hand bass from him, I cheekily asked for a bit of money off, he agreed, sent the bass out and I received it the next day. 

 

It's upsetting that people have had opposite experiences to me but I understand not every transaction / day is the same.

Edited August 30, 2022 by spacecowboy
My grammar is terrible

[Mike]

3 hours ago, spacecowboy said:

I only have positive things to say, the first time I traveled to the shop was to buy a Dingwall Combustion bass, instead of a taxi Marks wife came and picked me up from the train station in her car AND she dropped me back off after buying the bass. While in store Mark let me take a tort pick guard off one Combustion bass and put it on the one I was buying, no fuss, just did it, let me play on what I wanted while I was there, all ace.

 

I have also sold a Dingwall Afterburner II bass through Bassdirect, again, Mark was good on email, told me once the bass had arrived with him, gave me a heads up when it was online, told me when it was bought and sent me my money with no delay. 

 

My most recent transaction I wanted to buy a second hand bass from him, I cheekily asked for a bit of money off, he agreed, sent the bass out and I received it the next day. 

 

It's upsetting that people have had opposite experiences to me but I understand not every transaction / day is the same.

Exceptional service! Nice one.

[Guest]

On 26/07/2022 at 21:40, Ricky Rioli said:

760 fx / fl / fs / fm - £40

 

On 27/07/2022 at 06:45, Sibob said:

Get on the FL’s for that price! Best flats in all the land!
 

Si

 

Went through their LaBella 760 flats page and weeded out the Out Of Stock items

 

LONG SCALE 

 

FX (39/56/77/96) - £40
FS (45/65/85/105) - £40
FM (49/69/89/109) - £40

 

FX Throughbody (39/56/77/96) - £40
FM Throughbody (49/69/89/109) - £40

 

FSB (45/65/85/105/128) - £52
FMB (49/69/89/109/128) - £52
FMCB (29/49/69/89/109/128) - £60

SHORT SCALE 

 

FL S (43/60/82/104) - £40
FS S (45/65/85/105) - £40

 

FLB S (45/65/85/105/128) - £52

MEDIUM SCALE 

 

FX M (39/56/77/96) - £40
FS M (45/65/85/105) - £40

FS Throughbody (45/65/85/105) - £42

EXTRA LONG SCALE 

 

FL XL (43/60/82/104) - £40
FS XL (45/65/85/105) - £40
FM XL (49/69/89/109) - £40 

 

FLB XL (43/60/82/104/128) - £52
FSB XL (45/65/85/105/128) - £52
FMB XL (49/69/89/109/128) - £52

 

FSCB SL (29/45/65/85/105/128) - £62
FMCB XL (29/49/69/89/109/128) - £62 

[Alfie Noakes]

I’ve shopped with Mark / Bass Direct a fair bit over the years, and have always found him to be very helpful and accommodating. If you ask for his opinion, he’s happy to give it, and it’s always been sound advice offered, and based on experience.

 

 

[Gypsyfolk]

Great shop, know their stuff 

[Guest]

I've dropped the best part of £4,000 in there over the last few years. Never been in, live too far away. 

 

Love the products, excellent range of gear and at good prices usually. Email exchanges in my experience have been "curt and to the point." The website is a bit Windows-XP but it's mostly functional. 

 

Bought a used MM Stingray a while back. Arrived fine, albeit the case just had a bit of cardboard randomly sellotaped around it. Luckily the MM cases are decent.

 

Bought a Spector short-scale brand new. The bass had been chucked into the gig bag, not zipped up all the way. You may know that the short scale Spectors come with a full size gig bag...my bass was literally hanging from the opening of the gig bag by a single machinehead where the case hadn't been zipped up...or if it had, it had been zipped up around the headstock. Bass was rattling around inside the bag, inside the box. Luckily no ill effects but it could have been much worse.

 

Had to chase up a free gift where one had been offered but not delivered.

 

The less said about my most recent purchase there, the better.

 

Maybe I'd have different experience if I went in person to the shop. I usually know what I want and where to buy it. I don't need to be sold an exotic alternative, been round the block far too many times for that. It's nice to have a specialist available to us in this country, but I could do without the "specialist" approach to customer service. I bought a cheap 'n' cheerful Yamaha from Peach Guitars a while back and the service was exemplary. Clean, set up by hand, personalised note in the box, photos and weight of the exact guitar I was getting, shipping updates, follow-up emails. That's the kind of wrap-around customer service I like to see, just a shame their product range isn't wider.

 

I'll usually support the independents rather than the box-shifters, but I've had better service from GAK, Andertons, Music Street, even PMT (and that's a low bar!)

 

I'm a sensitive little chap and poor service sticks in my throat.

[yorks5stringer]

Just an update re their website from Sunday's emailing:

 

'We have a brand new website coming and we are working hard to get it live in the next few weeks and it is getting all the stock on that is slowing us down.'

[Clarky]

A nice black/maple '74 RI Jazz went up for sale on their website this morning. I clicked the payment link and paid. I noticed that even though I had "bought" the bass the payment link remained on the website, so someone else could also in theory buy it. I emailed BD to ask them to remove the link. Shortly afterwards Marcus emailed me back to say the bass had already sold earlier this morning in the shop and that he had refunded me.

 

The payment link is still there on their website (on which subject Marcus said that only Mark has access to the website so he [Marcus] could not take down the ad).

 

Wonder how many times that bass will "sell" today? Sigh

Edited September 24, 2022 by Clarky

[Reggaebass]

7 minutes ago, Clarky said:

A nice black/maple '74 RI Jazz went up for sale on their website this morning. I clicked the payment link and paid. I noticed that even though I had "bought" the bass the payment link remained on the website, so someone else could also in theory buy it. I emailed BD to ask them to remove the link. Shortly afterwards Marcus emailed me back to say the bass had already sold earlier this morning in the shop and that he had refunded me.

 

The payment link is still there on their website (on which subject Marcus said that only Mark has access to the website so he [Marcus] could not take down the ad).

 

Wonder how many times that bass will "sell" today? Sigh

That’s really annoying when they don’t update a website, there’s a 74 jazz on Bassbros, not sure if you’ve seen it mr C 

[Clarky]

Still there on website, harumph