 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Mary
Date: 1999-02-10 22:48
We ordered a box of Mitchel Laurie reeds November 24 from Frederic H. Weiner,Inc.. We have gotten the run around from this company ever since. As of 2799, we still haven't gotten the order. I finally asked for a refund after two and half months and 8 phone calls. We'll see if they are honest enough to refund my money. We got their name off this site. However, if this is an example of the way they do business, bypass them. Other companies are more reliable and just as reasonable in price.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-10 22:55
Mary wrote:
-------------------------------
We ordered a box of Mitchel Laurie reeds November 24 from Frederic H. Weiner,Inc.. We have gotten the run around from this company ever since. As of 2799, we still haven't gotten the order. I finally asked for a refund after two and half months and 8 phone calls. We'll see if they are honest enough to refund my money. We got their name off this site. However, if this is an example of the way they do business, bypass them. Other companies are more reliable and just as reasonable in price.
----
Gosh! When I order from Discount Reeds they're here in 3 days at most - and I've done some interesting "split" orders (some reeds come to my house, some get sent to other places).
Fred Weiner's had a good reputation. A few instances like don't help.
I just provide names & addresses of the companies as a service - there's no endorsement implied unless I <B>explicitly</B> make one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 1999-02-10 23:06
WELL,
I've never tried the company you did, but I like discount reed. Like you, I got it off this site. They've never let me down and I've ordered 5 times from them so far. They really try to get the reeds to you, and even though I'm on a different coast, they manage to get them to me in 5 or less days. You might want to try them.
Nicole Y.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: June Revelle
Date: 1999-02-10 23:58
Oops, I just ordered something from them this morning. They said it should be here in a week and a half. I will let you know how it turns out.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mary
Date: 1999-02-11 01:02
Mark,
I wasn't trying to complain about you or your site. The site and people involved on and with it are great. So I'm sorry if it was taken any other way.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-11 01:11
Mary wrote:
-------------------------------
Mark,
I wasn't trying to complain about you or your site. The site and people involved on and with it are great. So I'm sorry if it was taken any other way.
----
No, I didn't take it that way. I just wanted to make sure people knew that the list of vendors wasn't any sort of endorsement.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Susan
Date: 1999-02-11 03:43
I've ordered from Discount Reed and received my order in 2-3 days, which is very good for the rural area I live in.
I've also ordered reeds from Woodwind & Brass and received the order in 2-3 days.
I requested a catalog from Weiner's. It took about two months just to receive the catalog, but I have not ordered from them.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bill
Date: 1999-02-11 13:07
I have dealt with Fred Weiner for almost 20 years. Bought my R13 clarinet from him by mail order 18 years ago and have bought all my reeds (except contrabass) from him since then. I've never had occasion to complain about his service or products.
Bill
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 1999-02-11 16:15
For what it's worth, I've been ordering stuff from Frederic Wiener on and off for more than 10 years, and I've always found them to be honorable. I've also ordered from the other mail-order houses such as Woodwind & Brasswind, International Musical Suppliers, and Discount Reed. My experience has been that Weiner generally has the best prices and one of the best selections, although they do tend to have long back-orders on occasion. I like them a lot, however, and will continue to do business with them.
Dave Spiegelthal (bass and B-flat clarinets, tenor sax)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: George
Date: 1999-02-11 16:58
I also have had a bad experience with Weiner - halving the area of cork sheet with no warning and no change in price.
Yet - the company has had a good reputation. I have the impression that something has changed. Were they taken over by a big corporation? They are starting to act that way.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Christina
Date: 1999-02-11 23:57
I, too, have had problems with Weiner to the tune of about $80.00. I am no longer their customer. "And that's all I have to say about that!"
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Irwin
Date: 1999-02-12 00:16
I ordered an Eddie Daniels Rovner mouthpiece from Weiner. It was cheaper there than anywhere else. However, I also placed an order for reed holders by La Voz, and I waited months while they were on back order. I think the company is reputable, but they seemed to have problems keeping sufficient inventories. My complaint is that before accepting an order that is on back order, they should so inform the customer.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alec Thigpen
Date: 1999-02-12 00:39
I also have had problems with them, but to their credit, they had 5 Buffet 1183 and 1193 Bass Clarinets in stock, which is more than anyone else. The problem was they charged my credit card when they took the order, sent the two bass clarinets, 6 weeks later than they said they would, shipped it 9 day ground freight instead of the FedEx 2nd day air that I specified, and took another 6 weeks to credit my card back after they received the less desirable horn back. My accessory orders also took over a month to ship, with little explanation on why, and no apology. Joan and Mark are pleasant to deal with, but they obviously don't have the authority to make decisions in these matters. I was told Frederick W. is very watchful of all things there, and until he puts his "blessing" on an order, it sits and waits.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mickey
Date: 1999-02-12 20:10
Serves all of you right for not supporting your local stores... their prices may be higher... but you can speak with a real person... and if you have a complaint... voice it!!!! In person!!!! That must be worth more then the buck you save from mail order.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-02-12 21:04
What I'm going to say probably doesn't apply for this company or for this particular situation.
There are legal remedies available to US consumers for apparent fraudulent practices by companies. All US mail order companies should know that if they defraud a retail customer, they would be subject to US Federal mail fraud laws and consumer protection laws. See your local US Better Business Bureau office for details. Mail fraud is very common, much more common today with the advent of the Internet. Also, beware of scams where a company takes your money instantly from a credit card account, then drags its feet for months on end before sending you the requested product or offering a refund. This is also a form of fraud, using your money for free while you get charged interest from the credit card company.
The consumer's best defense is to avoid companies that show apparently fraudulent behavior. More bluntly put: If you think the company stinks, shop somewhere else. Always keep in mind the phrase "caveat emptor", Latin for "let the buyer beware".
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Merry
Date: 1999-02-12 23:19
Maybe you have no local music store due to living in a remote location and you have to use mail order. My "local" music store is a two hour drive away and they charge exhorbitant prices. I may feel more inclined to use them if I didn't feel like they were taking advantage of their monopoly.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Susan
Date: 1999-02-13 02:45
I'm in a situation like Merry. I'm in a very remote rural area. The closest Wal-Mart is over an hour away. I believe there is a music store about 2 hours away, but they mainly sell guitars. Mail order lets me shop at night after work, and gives me a much better variety to pick from.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 1999-02-13 23:37
What do you mean it serves us right? I don't go to my local store if I can help it. The only reeds they have are Rico's(I mean, PUH-LEASE!). Plus they don't know anything about the clarinet. Recently, they overhauled my wooden clarinet. I'm still having trouble with some of the pads. They said I'd have it by All-State auditions, but guess what I got to play on? My plastic Vito. Then, they postponed the date two times more. I hope they eat their hearts out 'cause I made 10th chair in Regionals even though their business hampered my efforts.
Contrary to some belief, most mail order companies are respectable businesses. I've never had trouble with discount reed company.
Nicole Y.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-02-14 17:36
Yes,one of big problems to purchase musical items is to find good 'local' shops.Reeds can be purchased through internet,but purchasing instruments without trial is out of 'the' question.Only after nearly 25 years, I found a local music shop here in Tokyo,Japan(local but not literally local) who sells woodwinds after stringently adjusting pads and spring force with 6 month free check.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
