 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2008-08-21 14:04
just need to vent a little......
a few weeks ago i ordered a kooiman thumbrest, a neckstrap, a swab for my teacher and threw in a couple boxes of reeds since i was placing an order.
I waited and waited and when I didnt recv. the order i looked up the status where i found that the thumrest and neckstrap were back ordered, the reeds had been shipped and no mention of the swab. I called to enquire and was told the swab would be with the reeds. I asked are you sure because it doesnt show on the order status. she assured me it was with the reeds. so i asked her to cancel the backorders and credit my account.
about a week later I rcvd a package with 2 boxes of reeds and no swab (just as I had suspected). I waited thinking it would come in separately but it didnt.
Upon checking my bank account i was not credited for the cancelled items either.
so now I have 2 boxes of reeds that i really didnt need at the cost of $111.00.
Im sure it will get resolved but for the inconvenience I will be bringing my business elsewhere.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2008-08-21 14:09
They usually take a while to process account credits, but I'd definitely follow up. I've had similar experiences with other companies, but as it relates to returns. If something's backordered, they shouldn't charge your card.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: clarionman
Date: 2008-08-21 14:39
I am also very disappointed with the service at the wwbw. I also had a problem with my order just a couple of weeks ago. I am now doing business only with weinermusic, they also have better prices and less expensive shipping.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-08-21 15:17
I've had a love hate relationship with WWBW for years.
I mostly use Weiner Music now. Muncy is also very good.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2008-08-21 15:49
I only buy reeds from WWBW because they get here to Chicago in like a day or two at the most.
Everything else comes from Muncy or Weiner.
WWBW is simply out of stock all the time and has paltry customer service.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2008-08-21 15:49
There is at least one small vendor that will not be doing business with WW & BW anymore - the number of units WW & BW requested was high (the largest order this vendor ever had) but the paperwork was so onerous that they decided not to go through with the order. WW & BW is now a part of a very large corporation, and their rules for inventory (standard sized boxes & packaging, bar coding, inventory slips packed outside in a particular orientation, etc.) along with control paperwork is just too overwhelming for the smaller vendors and not worth the doubling (or more) of effort considering the markups.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-08-21 15:53
Before I do an online order from WW/BW I always call them first, speak to a rep and ask them to check if each item that I need is currently in stock. By looking at the most current inventory on their computer, they will tell you approximately how many of each they SHOULD have on hand. If they say they are only showing 1 or 2 available of a particular item , I order somewhere else...GBK
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Author: marshall
Date: 2008-08-21 16:15
I live about an hour away from wwbw, and if I ever want to get anything from there, I go to the store directly. It's nice when you're instrument or mouthpiece shopping...but for everything else it's a huge pain. Lately, their in-store service has been slipping too. I went down about a week ago now, expecting to try out some hand-crafted mouthpieces. I called ahead and gave them their inventory numbers for the mouthpieces I wanted to try...all of which were listed as 'in stock' on their website. When we (being my friend and I) talked to the guy at the counter, he said that they had four of the seven available. Upon arrival, we found that they only had two available. So we spent around $50 in gas to try out two mouthpieces.
I order almost everything from Weiner these days.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-08-21 16:31
Thanks for the update. The sad thing is that the parent corp. probably doesn't really care. They'll sell them off when they become marginally profitable.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-08-21 17:02
WWBW is a mess these days. I order from Muncy. 99% of the time they have what i need. my orders generally consist of reeds, rico reed vitalizer packs, and mouthpiece patches, but i've ordered barrels, other things, and tried mouthpieces from them. they have excellent service, and promt shipping from their store. In fact, if they are out of stock, you will be notified right away by email.
They seem to be out of stock in just about everything! I just got the catalouge the other day. Many items that i remember them having are missing.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: TonkaToy
Date: 2008-08-21 17:15
I've never been satisfied with orders I've made with WWBW.
The worst experience was ordering a gig bag for my son's french horn. I called, was told the case was in stock and ordered over the phone. A week later, the reeds I had ordered with the case came in the mail. No case.
I called and was told it was out of stock. I went round and round with the CSR about why I wasn't told that when I ordered. Nothing was ever resolved. I was told that the case would be in stock in less than a week. Okay.
This scene was played out three or four times and I finally told them to cancel my order. Over. Done. Complete. Never going to do business with them again.
ONE YEAR later what shows up at the front door?
You got it, a french horn gig bag.
Really now, is a soft french horn case from a reputable maker something that's on back order for a year?
I agree with a lot of people on this thread, it's Muncy for me. Phil and his wife are great to work with, they're knowledgeable about the needs of clarinetists and their service is top notch.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-08-21 17:40
small orders wwbw is sufficient at based on my experience and also a few of my other friends that have ordered through them. i suppose everyone has mixed feelings about the company, but they seemed ok by me.
again, ymmv
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2008-08-21 18:27
Not that my experience is at all typical, but the only time I've ordered from Muncy, somehow the credit cart # that I used there wound up being used to order a whole bunch of random weird stuff from various strange websites. Odd thing is, my actual address is where all the weird stuff that I didn't need got sent, and is also where I ordered my Muncy order to be sent. Fortunately, I didn't have to pay for any of the weird stuff...
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Author: skennedy
Date: 2008-08-22 05:35
I ordered a viola advertised as an upper level intermediate model at roughly half off of the list price. The same instrument was advertised in their next blurb as an entry level student instrument at less than the price I had paid for mine. It is a good value as a student instrument, but not for the price I paid. That was over a year ago, and the last time I'll ever do business with them.
I did complain, but got no response.
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Author: lj
Date: 2008-08-22 10:52
I wondered if it was just me. I ordered a cello in May (yes, I know WWBW isn't the best choice for cello in the first place, but it's for a 12 year old, and I wanted to get something playable that cost less than renting, and I've had good experiences with WWBW in the past). It was expected to ship within 1-2 weeks. When it didn't arrive, I e-mailed. They said it would be there in June. As that date approached, they said it was "on the water" and would be there soon. The next day, I got a backorder notice pushing the date back to late July. Then came the next backorder stating it would arrive in August. At this point, I called CS. They told me it was a manufacturer's problem and they didn't know when it would be here. They cancelled that and knocked $140 off the price of what they said was the next better model (which was much appreciated) and sent it. It arrived within days, but my daughter hasn't been able to practice all summer. I know some things are out of their control, but this thread makes it seem pretty standard. (Oh yeah, and I couldn't find info about the brand online because they renamed the standard brand to their own proprietary name in their catalog, even though the more common name is inside the cello). Live and learn...
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Author: Jkelly32562
Date: 2008-08-22 13:31
I order from WWBW almost weekly, not instruments of course, but accessories, and have NEVER had a problem, and shipment is always fast.
Jonathan Kelly
jkelly32562@troy.edu
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-08-22 13:43
All right everyone! Jonathan obviously has an "in" at the WWBW store. (Girlfriend, best friend, favorite uncle...who knows?!?) So if you need ANYTHING from WWBW please give Jonathan a call and he will HOOK YOU UP.
James
(I'm just kidding! I'm glad that you haven't had any issues Jonathan...I just couldn't resist! Please do not call Jonathan!)
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2008-08-22 13:43)
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Author: Adrianna
Date: 2008-08-25 00:52
So, if WWBW is not a great online retailer, where do most people order from?
Adrianna
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-08-25 01:59
"That's why I only use Muncy..."
"Muncy Winds."
"I am now doing business only with weinermusic..."
"I mostly use Weiner Music now. Muncy is also very good."
"Everything else comes from Muncy or Weiner."
"I order from Muncy. 99% of the time they have what i need."\
"... it's Muncy for me"
All of these quotes provided from comments above.
http://www.muncywinds.com/home.php
http://www7.mailordercentral.com/frederichweinerinc/
James
PS...actually reading the posts is useful!
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2008-08-25 01:59)
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-08-25 02:49
When I need to order at least from wwbw it only pays to order for 150-200$ since their shipping fee to Iceland is so high. But when things are not in stock and are not for 5-6 months then I will try another place although they might not have all that I need. I don't reccomend using Paybal as it costs to get the money to your credit card if you get refund on some backordered items. But holding on your payment for backordered item for 5-6 months is just out of this world. I don't get any interests and if they need a loan they should turn to a bank not to their customers. So you should never have to pay for a backorder item until it's in stock!!!!!!
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Author: Ryan Young
Date: 2008-08-25 04:40
I had the same experience as Katrina above with the credit card info being used of weird stuff...i got what i ordered and it was better than wwbw but i'm still leery of going back...
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-08-25 12:14
Katrina and Ryan,
Maybe the only thing Muncy is or was lacking is security for their client's information.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: eac
Date: 2008-08-25 14:09
When I could not get a response from Peterson Design to replace a height adjustment part for their stand (covered by warranty posted on the web site) despite 4 e-mails and one postal service mail delivery typed letter, the warranty guy at wwwbww intervened (using the same e-mail address) and I received a replacement part within a week. They have always been most accomodating when I've needed something resolved.
Liz Leckey
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-08-25 14:40
I find that they were always very helpful in resolving the mistakes that they consistently made in nearly 100% of my orders. Very cheerful CS folks, indeed!
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-08-25 14:53
Hello EAC,
I think that there is no question that WWBW once had exemplary service. The issue is that the level and quality have fallen off in recent years (especially since being bought out). When did WWBW help you out?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: eac
Date: 2008-08-25 18:42
Tom at wwwbww solved the problem this July.
Liz Leckey
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-08-25 21:06
I went to WWBW a number of years ago and always had very good service until this summer. This year, my daughter needed some extra Vandoren reeds before she was leaving for camp for a two-week session at Western Michigan University. I ordered the reeds from WWBW two weeks ahead of time, and they did not arrive during that time at all. It was five days after she had left for camp that the darned things finally got to my mailbox. Per the "helpful" lady at their service department, I learned that I would have had to wait at least another 5-10 days of the reeds not showing up before they would even attempt to track them for me or do anything else of value. That's probably the last order I will place there for a long time. I could have WALKED from the Detroit area to their store and come back faster than the reeds took to get to me via the postal system. It only takes a couple of hours to drive there, but that was ridiculous!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-08-26 01:47
I don't know about what people mean when they say the quality got bad only recently. I quit using them about 5 years ago unless I had to. The only good thing they ever had was price. I remember over 10 years ago when I (living in Hawaii st the time) ordered ONE (just one, not two or more, but ONE) music stand and got a crate of TEN music stands. Where was my ONE music stand? It was sent to some guy in Florida, and I had his crate of ten.
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Author: OldClarinetGuy
Date: 2008-08-28 01:53
I guess I have been lucky.
Over the past couple of years I have ordered reeds, accessories, mouthpieces..all kinds of stuff..and I never had a problem. Shipping was very fast and often free, anything that was back ordered they told me about immediately and gave me options for those items.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-08-28 03:12
i haven't been a wwbw fan the last 3 years or so.
however...
i ordered some back to school supplies (swabs, mouthpieces, ligatures, etc) last weekend, and they showed up yesterday.
this order: 'great service'.
i hope it continues.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: stebinus
Date: 2008-08-28 14:30
Several years ago I had some experiences with WWBW, almost all bad. Back orders, incorrect information, poorly stocked, bad attitudes. When you put price above everything else you have to cut corners somewhere.
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