 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mary Beth
Date: 1999-11-03 03:14
One of the downpoints of my day:
A faithful customer for years, I have always respected Woodwind and Brasswind. Unfortunately, this all changed today. I ordered three mouthpieces from them a little over three weeks ago. Confused as to why they hadn't come in the promised 7-10 days, I decided to call WW and BW and find out where my order was. After talking to a rather rude woman, I was informed that the mouthpieces had been backordered and would not be in until the end of November. I understand that they were not in stock; I, however, was never informed of this. At the time of my order I was told ALL three were in stock. I was transferred to a customer service rep who did nothing- he really didn't care. Finally, I called Muncy Winds to see if they carried Borback mouthpieces. They didn't, but the friendly woman (Mrs. Muncy, it so happened) suggested that i call Mr. Borbeck himself and provided me with his number. I did, and spoke with Robert himself on the phone for about fifteen minutes. I ended up ordering the mouthpieces directly from him. I will not forget the trouble WW and BW caused me.
Morale of the Story: Muncy Winds is a great, friendly and reputable dealer; Woodwind and brasswind has poor customer service.
Any comments?
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Author: David C. Blumberg
Date: 1999-11-03 04:49
I'll go there - WW&BW has always given me great customer service. I've never dealt with anyone who was rude there. Each Mail Order place has it's fans, and it's enemys. I could give you many examples of both good and horror stories (and of both Muncy, and WW&BW). I use both for myself, and my students.
Again, I've heard, and seen first hand the good, and bad of Muncy, WW&BW, Weiner.
I can site examples of players who will never, ever order from all 3.
WW&BW just got a new line of Guitar, and last week was dealing with 800 boxes at once. Combine that with changing their computer system, and an order like yours was bound to slip by.
I'm not affiliated at all with any of those 3, except myself, and my students constantly ordering from each of them. John Boles (head of customer service at WW&BW) would I'm sure like to hear your tale of woe - he's a "make it right" kind of guy. His extension is 2281. Tell him I sent you.
David Blumberg
reedman@erols.com
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Author: Jim Carabetta
Date: 1999-11-03 11:09
Mary Beth:
I had the same experience. A simple order, one clarinet mouthpiece that was in stock, took forever. And there was a discrepancy in when my order was shipped and when I was informed the order was shipped. I'd dealt with them via e-mail, but got the same general impression -- they could care less. I finally got the mouthpiece weeks later. I'm in the mail-order biz, so I understand to a point, but not in this case.
I buy a lot of equipment for clarinet/saxophones, and this was my first dealing with WW&BW..it's also my last. The item (a C** m/pc) was available elsewhere cheaper, but they had an LASax I'd have been interested in, so I placed the order with them to test out their processing. Glad I was disappointed with a $70 order instread of a $2000 one. IMO, it's their loss.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-11-03 11:49
I have not dealt with WW & BW, but I have dealt with both Weiner & International Musical Suppliers. Both have given me acceptable service - polite, reasonably fast, and both split orders when something was on back order.
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Author: Karen
Date: 1999-11-03 15:34
I'm sorry about your experience, backordered items can be so annoying. But don't judge the entire company on just the one rep. I ordered a clarinet from them and the rep was great.
Karen
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Author: William
Date: 1999-11-03 16:02
I have ordered boxes of reeds from BW&WW and have always received my order in timely fashion--mine has been a good experience.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-11-03 16:35
What's Borbeck's direct phone number again? I think I'll order directly from him and skip the reseller/retailer mess.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-11-03 18:14
Mark C:
I did right after posting my message. Oops!
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Author: Bonnie
Date: 1999-11-03 19:07
I have had both good and frustrating experiences with WW & BW, including orders that kinda got lost in the shuffle. I have learned that you have better luck with them if you deal with a specific person, and if that person is busy or out, it's best to hang up and call again. I've dealt most recently with Dimitri, who was very helpful. His extension is 2296.
My experiences with Muncy have been really good. Mrs. Muncy, in particular, has been very helpful.
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Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-11-03 21:01
I'll say that I've had both good and bad experiences with WW&BW. The bad experience just happened to be right at the time of their recent move. Although I was extremely upset and didn't get my product until 4 weeks after the promised time (it was eventually drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer), I understand that a change of that magnitude does take some adjustment. My fear was that they had become "too big" for the little guy. However, I did end up ordering and recieving a new bari sax from them and I was happy with the service I got during that order. So, I would say my opinion of WW&BW is "mixed" but I still order from them. Other mail-order houses I have had good service from are International Music and Discount Reed. I can't comment on any others as I have only done business with these few.
Kevin Bowman
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 1999-11-04 01:56
I have had a similar problem trying to order Rigotti Gold reeds from WWandBW. Good response to initial enquiry, no response for some 2-3 weeks since placement of order to repeated e-mails requesting information as to status of the order. Am still waiting to a first response after 3 requests. Awful. Karel.
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Author: Kylene
Date: 1999-11-04 02:35
A friend of mine ordered a few Loree Oboes from there last spring. He had an awful time with them too - It took a month and a half for him to get oboes that he was told they had in stock for him. He said the people he talked to when he called were very rude about it too.
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Author: Drew
Date: 1999-11-04 16:22
First hand account: About 3 months ago I was calling around to find a Selmer (Paris) silver plated adjustable thumbrest, not an item normally shown in catalogs but it does show up on the Selmer web page. WW&BW told me if it wasn't in their catalog, it couldn't be purchased. Muncy said although it wasn't in their catalog, they would find one for me. Called me back in a day to let me know they had one, price, etc. Received the thumbrest in about a week.
Moral of the story/personal opinion: the big guys can get you the prices on standard items (volume!), the little guys are more nimble and customer oriented.
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Author: Kurt
Date: 1999-11-05 02:11
I stopped there once on my way by and was kind of dissapointed with the store. I thought they had too much electric guitar and drum stuff. Also, I tried to get a reed trimmer and after being told they had one in the warehouse (and waiting 20 minutes) only to be told that they didn't really have one in the warehouse that they could find. I ended up getting one at home from a small shop. He ordered it for me and had it in two days;same price.
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