uk_lefty Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Lozz196 said: Think my reply would have been to point at him and utter sh!tc!nt Yeah but you're a lot bigger and scarier looking than me!! 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 5 hours ago, bartelby said: Mark asked me what bass it was for, when I told him a Fender Steve Harris P he scoffingly told me I should buy a proper bass. Well, he was being ‘bass direct.’ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 6 hours ago, bartelby said: Oh he doubled down on it too when I said I had an old Warwick and an Aria SB Elite. "Yeah, Sell them all and get a proper one. My aim is to educate people with multiple basses, to sell them and get a premium bass that covers it all" It took me a few years to buy something from them again. That's a bit odd, his bass soon after he'd moved to the current premises and was using the garage in the field as a rehearsal room was a 5-string Warwick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 5 hours ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: Quite so. Same here. Not so funny the other way around either when I commented he still had that overpriced eyesore hanging in his shop - ‘Nice bass that’. It’s still there as far as I’m aware (depends whether the web site accurately reflects the 2nd hand stock 😂). The singlecut Ritter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 I can relate to the ire of the OP. I had my eye on a bass at a different shop (for absolute clarity, not BD) before xmas and noticed that it had been reduced in their winter sale and was now listed as warehouse rather than shop stock as it had been last time I looked. I rang up to check on the condition and was told that it was a brand new one which had never been out, and (when asked directly, given my suspicions) certainly was not the one from the shop which had just been moved back to the warehouse for easier shipping once the come-and-get-me price tag went on it. What arrived was dusty, had multiple dings on the edge of the body and one on the back of the neck, had a piece of veneer lifted and snapped off the body, had no plastic covers on the hardware and a hang-tag/case/manual/box that didn't match the serial on the headstock. It clearly wasn't as described, and wasn't a particularly nice example either so I can see why it might have been the one they just couldn't shift. They accepted that it wasn't right and processed a collection/refund, but because of the time of year and availability of couriers I had to spend the fortnight over xmas and new year negotiating a big box of disappointment at the bottom of the hall, which needn't ever have been there had my direct and unambiguous question been met with an accurate answer. Hell, even if they'd just said "you know what.. I have no idea and honestly I'm not going to put any effort whatsoever into finding out for you - either chance it or don't!", I would have been a bit taken aback but I could have worked with that. For the record, my own experience of BD has been overall positive and I've always got on fine with Mark. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 1 hour ago, tauzero said: The singlecut Ritter? Singlecut Ritter an overpriced eyesore? Wash your mouth out! 😂 No, not that bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 It all sounds to me like if he didn't have the gun tech working for him the whole operation would go tits up pretty quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Never had any issues with them tbh, have bought a bass from them and a number of string sets. I appreciate that others have had some issues, but I suspect that it’s far fewer than those who have had good experiences….but of course (and understandably) those with a bad experience are louder. Bo retailer is perfect, those that are perhaps more ‘consistent’ probably have the budget/resource to do so because they’re not a bass-specific retailer. Pros and cons huh Si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 11 hours ago, uk_lefty said: Yeah but you're a lot bigger and scarier looking than me!! 😂 Nah, I`m soppy & daft looking 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowf Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 17 hours ago, bartelby said: Oh he doubled down on it too when I said I had an old Warwick and an Aria SB Elite. "Yeah, Sell them all and get a proper one. My aim is to educate people with multiple basses, to sell them and get a premium bass that covers it all" It took me a few years to buy something from them again. This strikes me as a slightly flawed business model. Surely if it's your job to sell basses, you want to talk customers out of having a single bass and into multiple basses, not the other way round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb625 Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 18 hours ago, bartelby said: My first experience with them was back in 2010 when I went to buy a Mono Strap. Mark asked me what bass it was for, when I told him a Fender Steve Harris P he scoffingly told me I should buy a proper bass. What bass is it for? "One that needs a strap" 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 4 minutes ago, jimmyb625 said: What bass is it for? "One that needs a strap" Yeah, I think being as obtuse as possible is a way to go. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Personally I have had nothing but positive experiences with Bass Direct. Ploughed thousands into them over the years and always been happy. I don't rate some of his staff too much, but Mark is a great guy. Highly opinionated and blunt, but that's just who he is, and I'd rather have that than a salesman. None of the advice I've heard him give has been in the vein of trying to get you to spend more etc. If he's getting a new website, that would be a huge improvement for sure, as the current leaves a lot to be desired. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 47 minutes ago, Kev said: Highly opinionated and blunt, but that's just who he is, and I'd rather have that than a salesman. But that’s what I love about Martin at the Gallery; he’s none of those things. He’ll offer advice, but only as a means to getting to where you want to be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 20 hours ago, bartelby said: " My aim is to educate people with multiple basses, to sell them and get a premium bass that covers it all" I dream of being able to do that. And believe me, I have tried. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Kev said: Personally I have had nothing but positive experiences with Bass Direct. Ploughed thousands into them over the years and always been happy. I don't rate some of his staff too much, but Mark is a great guy. Highly opinionated and blunt, but that's just who he is, and I'd rather have that than a salesman. None of the advice I've heard him give has been in the vein of trying to get you to spend more etc. If he's getting a new website, that would be a huge improvement for sure, as the current leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve been in sales most of my working life in a very technical industry where product knowledge and customer support is vital. Not all salesman are terrible ( some are so I understand the comment ) however the world relies on good business folk and sales staff for all we buy in some way or another. Always found most music store staff very pleasant and helpful and some that were complete idiots too !! Great thing is we can vote with our feet as is often the case. Edited January 21, 2022 by BassAdder27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Generally good to great service over the years. Generally I find their correspondence direct and to the point, sometimes blunt, but never in a 'sales speak' where I feel pressured to proceed in a particular direction. I would certainly use them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 39 minutes ago, 4000 said: But that’s what I love about Martin at the Gallery; he’s none of those things. He’ll offer advice, but only as a means to getting to where you want to be. I've had little dealings with the gallery (I live 10 mins from Bass Direct so haven't had much reason to), other than any time I've emailed them, I've either had no response or a response days later. Bass Direct usually respond within the hour on a working day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 8 minutes ago, Kev said: I've had little dealings with the gallery (I live 10 mins from Bass Direct so haven't had much reason to), other than any time I've emailed them, I've either had no response or a response days later. Bass Direct usually respond within the hour on a working day. See my earlier statement about how busy they are, pretty much constantly. They’re the main bass place in London and an easy casual drop in, unlike BD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 I've bought a couple of things from Bass Direct (an AER combo and an 80s Yamaha bass) and I've had fantastic service both occasions. The one thing I've noticed is that they seem to do the terrible thing of not creating new listing pages, but simply deleting the content and replacing it. this is why there are often errors (and maybe upset people). I guess it saves time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 My one actual visit to the shop was let down by the attitude of one of the (I believe former) employees. Mark wasn't about that day, so is not a reflection on him. In spite of the less than positive shop experience, and a moderate issue with a second hand bass, I can't fault the email response times or speedy delivery of any of the items I've ordered. Commission sale of a couple of basses a few years back was very straightforward and efficiently dealt with, so I'm sorry to hear of the incident with a bass going missing - what a 'mare The Gallery is miles from me, but I made a couple of trips down to get some repair work done on a bass. I thought it was great, and the vibe was super friendly. The place had a laid back and somewhat homespun vibe that reminded me of my music shop days. I think we're lucky to have both. Let's be honest, you'd have to be very brave/ mad/ to open a specialist bass shop. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binky_bass Posted January 21, 2022 Author Share Posted January 21, 2022 The email response times from Bass Direct are very good - no fault there at all. I've not been there in person yet, I came close a few months back when @Bunionand I were due to meet there, but then someone decided to have a crash and the M25 got shut down. Luckily Bunion came to the rescue, went to BD, paid for my cab in full, then met me further down the road and we did our deal, so if this was a custom service review for Bunion, he'd get top marks! 😂 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 13 minutes ago, binky_bass said: Luckily Bunion came to the rescue, went to BD, paid for my cab in full, then met me further down the road and we did our deal, so if this was a custom service review for Bunion, he'd get top marks! 😂 You just wait and see how @Bunion reacts when you turn to him about your warranty claim! 😉 PS super great BC behaviour. Kudos to him. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 1 minute ago, BassTractor said: You just wait and see how @Bunion reacts when you turn to him about your warranty claim! Warranty is non transferable and as I picked it up it ended when I handed it over… Not my rules 🤣😂 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Kev said: I've had little dealings with the gallery (I live 10 mins from Bass Direct so haven't had much reason to), other than any time I've emailed them, I've either had no response or a response days later. Bass Direct usually respond within the hour on a working day. I am at about 50% on responses to emails now. Last time I mentioned it here I was told I should just phone, which is fine if I did that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts