Buyer Beware !!!

Cynder_31 · Newbie Alert Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 1

Buyer Beware!!!

Concerning the,

Drum Central Superstore
8236 E 71st St
Tulsa OK 74133
Phone: 918 294 3111

I have learned a valuable lesson these past few days that I hope will not create a complete lack of trust in all others, but I’m sure will keep me on guard from now on.
Over the past several months I have been inquiring of several different drum shops attempting to piece together a custom drum kit. It would require the purchase of two kits, regardless of where it would be purchased, simply because it was not offered in such a package deal. I narrowed my search between two shops, Mid-West Percussion, and Drum Central. The salesman from Drum Central, Jon, was the one person that assisted me with the most patience. My decision was based on his kindness and the basis that they were displaying a symbol of Christianity on their website. I even made comment to the fact that in this day and time it was nice to find someone willing to jeopardize sales to profess their belief. Needless to say an agreement was reached and the purchase made. I ordered the Yamaha Stage Custom standard kit and the other kit of the same brand called the fusion. This is where the mistake was made. The second kit was supposed to be what was called the hanger kit. For some reason I referred to the hanger kit as the fusion kit and it just stuck. I never caught the fact that these were two different kits. (I feel that a professional drum shop should have caught this though.) By making this mistake it gave me two individual drums of the wrong size. I realized this mistake the moment I opened the box. I felt fortunate that the two drums were packaged in the same box. I immediately called Jon at Drum Central and told him of my mistake, and asked what could be done? I was informed that I had got exactly what I had ordered and the sale was final, that there were no returns. I admitted that the mistake was mine completely and was willing to meet all the requirements of they’re return policy, and that the drums had not even been un-packed. After talking with Jon, I requested to speak to the manager, who only reminded me of the time it took for me to make a decision on the purchase, and the sale was final. I read him his own policy for return, He told me that it was only there in the event that they made a mistake in shipping. They later admitted that they were not going to honor the return due to the amount of time it took for me to make a purchase. Here is their policy copied directly from their own site:

Return Policy:
1) The merchandise MUST be in new condition with no marks or scratches.
2) You have 7 days from receipt of merchandise to return.
3) You pay a 20% restocking fee.
4) You pay the shipping cost to return the merchandise to us.
5) The merchandise must be shipped in the original boxes and packing.
6) You must get an RA# (return authorization number) from us.
7) The RA# must be on the outside of the box or boxes that are returned to us or they will not be accepted and will be returned to you.
Cool

No returns on special order items or items that are on special or bargain basement items

It makes no mention of a mistake solely on the part of the store. I have offered everything on my part to make this exchange. This kit cost me twenty years of waiting and, three thousand dollars, and now I can do nothing with it as I planned. I haven’t even set them up yet, fearing this will give them another reason to denigh my chance for an exchange. It seems that the only course will be a leagal one now, just knowing that you are all aware of this gives me a little peace knowing that others can have a chance to know about them before they make a large purchase. I would feel better knowing that no-one else is taking in by their proclaiming to be something that they are not, I believe if they were, they would be willing to come to an agreement, and be willing to help right a wrong, even if it was my fault. Of course they did offer to sell me the correct items. I would like to offer my own personal comment, I do not claim to be a Christian, but I do try to achieve it each day. I made every attempt to remain calm and reasonable in this. What truly bothers me is this is the very reason many people may hold a bad opinion the Christian belief, not because of those who live the faith but those who claim too, for the purpose of gaining trust of others.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sincerely
K. L. Helton
Nortonville, Ky.

Louis Zerr · Tadpole Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 17

I too made a mistake when I ordered an extra tom for my kit from Mid-West Percussion. The mistake was clearly mine and I let them know that I would pay restocking fees and such. The first response was that they do not take returns for Yamaha because the Yamaha distributor does not like to take returns from them (Everything is ordered from the Yamaha distributor nothing kept in inventory). I spoke to the manager that sounded a little miffed that I even challenged the fact that their website's information was misleading as to sizes in comparison to Yamaha's website. He asked that i return the item to them immediatly which I did. I called back a week later to see what they had come up with. They charged me a 15% restocking fee and sent me the correct tom within 3 days. Not the best customer service I have received, but they did what I asked. Oh, and btw, I am a helpdesk/call center manager so I know shoddy service (my folks give it all the time). I hope that you can resolve this issue. If not call Mid-West Percussion, perhaps they can put you in contact with their rep? Good luck to you, sorry to hear that something like this happened to you.

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5260 Location: Kansas

Jayremedy · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 11:06 am Post subject:

Totally out of order. The terms they put on these websites, I think are designed so you don't bother with returns by the time you pay postage and re-stocking fees your paying half the price you paid for the item at the start. I have a prediction of a huge second hand boom due to this. And as far as them not being used at all even if they were unpacked any store on the face of the planet would give them a quick wipe and post them off on to next punter. It's the nature of the business.
And what business of thiers is it how long you take to make a decision you were making a complicated and expensive purchase they could have expressed this while you were questioning them on specs and such. But from what you posted they got the cash first.
This is as far from a christian attitude you can go.
this kind of post is what's neede to bring the best out of these stores.
_________________
Breathing in I calm myself, breathing out I smile.
Can't remember just how long but it's been like this a while.

damnuk · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:31 pm Post subject:

This is the kind of thing that really miffs me. It's only a question of being reasonable. I have always dealt with Electromusic in Doncaster (UK) and they have a great attitude, consequently I've had no reason to go elswhere and have spent thousands with them. I just hope Drum Central's stone faced attitude is reflected in their sales figures.

btw.. I once had dealings with a "proud to be christian" guy who was all nice and caring on the surface but actually was the most poisonous back-stabbing little freak you could ever care to meet - so I've never put much faith in faith - so to speak - since then.

I hope you get it sorted out mate, we only want people to be reasonable don't we.
_________________
www.drumstudio.co.uk

jak · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:39 pm Post subject:

I had a simular problem with office depot, I had saved my money for like half a year to buy a sharp zaurus pda so finally once I get enough money I go to buy it and they only have one left and its on sale for like 50% off and I noticed the box had been opened so I asked the guy before I bought it if it was a return or floor model or anything of the like and he assured me it was brand new never been touched.
So anyways I get it home and I notice it looked like it had been dropped, the paint was chipped off on one corner and kinda chewed up looking so I was pretty mad about that but i figured I got it for half off so their was no use being to mad about it but then after less than a month of use the p.o.s. died on me so I packaged it all up and took it back to the store to get a refund and they gave me some crap about the receipt saying you only had 14 days to return it so I showed them the receipt where it clearly stated the 14 days was only for computers, printers, laptops etc. and nowhere did it say pda's they went around with me for a while but I got the manager over their and he finnaly agreed their reicept didnt say it but He said it included pda's even though it didnt list them.
So then the manager and one of workers go to the back for a while and then come back and say they didnt have enough cash to give me a refund and if I wanted cash I would have to be their the next day when the store opened or I could exchange it for something else so I just exchanged it for a different item.

sorry that was so long winded but its kinda hard to tell a story and keep it short.

Anyways Maybe if you keep pestering them they will let send it back oh and If they stilll dont do anything just tell them they will be hearing from your lawyer that usually gets em Very Happy

Good Luck.

AHAMAY081 · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 1:17 am Post subject:

just got an email yesterday from music123.com saying that they will finally have my tom arm on monday! and to think it only took them 2 months to get it in stock........ at least they finally agreed that they lied to me and are compensating with free shipping.

yakseller · Sea Monkey Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 10

Use Steve Weiss Music instead. They may sound kinda gruff on the phone, but they've bent over backwards to make me happy on more than one occasion. No problems with returns.