 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: juchytil
Date: 2023-11-25 20:18
Back in August, I contacted Paulus & Schuler for a custom Zoom Barrel for my Eb clarinet. They were very responsive, asked for specifics, and told me the wait would be 8 weeks. They never asked about payment, just told me the cost and I said that was fine (I assumed that I would be sent an invoice or I'd pay after it was made). After 8 weeks had come and gone, I tried to reach out by email to ask for an order update but did not get a response. I waited 2 weeks and tried again, but nothing. Last week I emailed the company again through the website, and still no reply.
I have never ordered a piece directly from an overseas company, so I am not sure if this is commonplace, or if I should expect that my barrel is not going to be made at this rate. Does anyone have any stories or guidance?
Jess.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-11-26 05:25
Their website right now says 12 weeks delivery time.
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Author: juchytil
Date: 2023-11-26 18:08
I noticed that, and that mark has passed by over 2 weeks which is why I'm growing a little concerned.
Jess.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-11-26 21:45
Since it looks like you never paid or even gave them a deposit, I would not be surprised if they forgot about speaking to you.
Is it possible to order from a US- based shop?
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Author: juchytil
Date: 2023-11-27 05:07
I have not been able to find an Eb barrel from them anywhere, which I why I chose to go to the manufacturer. It's just odd to me that they were so responsive, and they have not replied to my repeated attempts to reach out.
I've never ordered from an overseas company before, but I have heard things about them taking breaks at times, and other practices that can make waits longer, but knowing someone else had a similar experience or any experience they could tell me about would be helpful.
Jess.
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Author: smokindok
Date: 2023-11-27 08:50
Hello Jess,
A few years ago I ordered a barrel directly from an overseas maker. After the initial exchange of emails regarding what I needed and what the cost of the barrel would be, I received an email with the exact total, including shipping and insurance. This message also included payment options. The order was considered placed only after payment was made.
As m1964 suggested, I suspect that since no payment has been made, P&S does not have any record of an order from you. Of course, this doesn’t really explain the lack of response to your follow up messages. However, if your messages referenced an “order” that never really existed, I could see where there might be some confusion.
Assuming you still have confidence in their ability to deliver what you need, perhaps contacting them, asking for specific instructions on making payment and placing the order, would get things moving.
Hope you can get it worked out.
John
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2023-11-27 14:11
>> A few years ago I ordered a barrel directly from an overseas maker. <<
Being "overseas" could mean shipping is longer and maybe has a somewhat higher chance of being lost, etc. (having more stops... sometimes) but it means nothing to the service from any company. A lot of local places are overseas to someone else.
Just like you can have completely different service from two local places that are right next to each other.
"Overseas" companies don't have more or less access to email... at least not because they are "overseas".
FWIW I pretty regularly order from about ten different companies from five different countries for many years, and less regularly from quite a few other companies from the same or other countries.
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2023-11-27 15:19
Hi Jess,
Speaking from Europe, I have to say that here we also expect to pay up front when placing an order. There is no cultural, friendly, " we'll sort that out later."thing.
What there sometimes is however, is a " Don't say yes... but don't say no" thing, which naturally leaves one wondering if anything has been established. No doubt they want your business.... but are evading commitment because they are snowed under.
That at least would tend to be my interpretation, although I would hasten to add that this it is not regarded as being an acceptably business practice here in Europe.
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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