Damned Guitar Techs . . .

[itbepopples]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Go to the store with some creativity. Buy a pick (so you have a right to be there) and then bring in a lawn chair and a sign that says Complaint Dept (three month discrepancy minimum). Sit there with your sign and demand to have your amp back. Talk to people in line and see what they think. If they try and pass the buck to the "off-site" guy just demand his contact information immediatly or threaten to report the item stolen since the store doesn't have it nor can they come up with it or the guy who has it. If it comes to that don't hesitate to involve the police as well as bad press (as someone already mentioned). Get your amp back or make sure they'll be hearing from someone who will.

 

[greco]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Hello GuitarStv:

There is a very good amp tech (Rich @ Amplifiers Plus works out of Sherwood Music - no website) in Kitchener.

Also, a well known boutique builder in Cambridge (Rob @ Classic Amps www.classicamps.com ) who does repairs on tube amps.

Were you living in Guelph before ? I think that I sent you a PM a while back.

Good luck with your amp repair.

Dave

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Thanks for all the support guys. . . I've been reading up on my legal rights all night . . . for anyone who lives in Ontario and ends up having the same problem that I'm having, go here: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/02c30_e.htm#BK2 it outlines what your rights are. One thing that I was worried about was that they might have done a lot of work on my amp that I didn't request (since I specifically said that I wanted the caps replaced, tubes rebiased, and tubes replaced) . . . turns out that if they don't call you and ask if it's OK to do extra work, you don't have to pay for it. That's a relief . . . there's still the matter of getting my amp back though which doesn't seem to be covered in this act. . . which looks slimmer and slimmer every day.

 

[greco]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Something to consider.

Have your/a lawyer call them if you are looking at taking the legal approach as a consumer. This usually gets action from any business that doesn't want potential litigation.
The lawyer will likely know of several distasteful legal obligations that he/she can throw at this business. I'm almost certain that this falls under the laws of a basic contractual agreement.

Any law students/lawyers reading this post? Can you suggest appropriate action(s)

Maybe this is not your way of dealing with things, but it appears that "push" should go to "SHOVE"

All the best on getting your amp. back soon....preferably repaired and with some discount in recognition of what they put you through. I know what you are thinking... dream on...but they owe it to you.

I wish I was a lawyer, I'd do it for you pro bono. I do have some friends in Toronto that are lawyers if you want me to ask them some questions. PM me if you decide.

Please let us know how this is finally resolved.

Dave

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Sorry that had to happen to you...

 

[Mephis]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Bring a cop with you and make sure to tell them that if they do not turn over addresses, names, and phone numbers of the so called "off site repairman" that you will take legal action.


I'm sure some cop who is bored on his lunch hour would be more than happy to do it.

 

[Imp]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

or tell them there's no way your paying extra for work not covered in the quote.. if they've damaged it to create a fix, they're screwed!

tom

 

[wildstar]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Dude, this is very bad. This is EXACTLY what happened to me. I don't know about Canada, but in New York City I was explicitly told by the cops at the local station that they couldn't/wouldn't do jack sh!t to help me - it technically wasn't theft. I had to go through the ordeal of filing court papers, waiting to see if the jerky responded to his summons, etc. etc., all to get MY BASS BACK!

You must know a lawyer, or have a lawyer? All it might take is someone who knows the jargon and the right things to say to make one phone call. It's amazing how fast people snap to attention when lawyers get involved.

If you do have a cop friend, try what another poster suggested - but keep in mind that if the cops have no authority to take action in this situation, the shop may call your bluff.

Less orthodox approach:

Do you have the name of the guy who supposedly has your amp?

Look him up. Drop by his place for a visit. Bring a friend. Don't say or do anything stupid. Just let him know that you know where he lives, you're wondering about the progress on your amp, and that you're very unhappy with the service you've received.

If you can't find the repiar guy, how about stopping by the shop owner's house on a Sunday morning? Just to let him you that you still haven't gotten your amp back. Be real friendly. RRRRReeeeeeeaaaaaaalllllllll friendly.

That should get things moving.

Good luck!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

My uncle is a police officer who usually works out of Vaughn . . . I think I'm going to ask him to come down with me to the music store. I called again today and managed to speak to a manager who happened to be there working (they're closed on Sundays) and explained that I had been waiting for more than 3 1/2 months, had asked them (last week) to stop any repairs that they're doing and give my amp back, and had been told (on seperate occasions) that the amp would be in the store last monday, friday, and yesterday. . . and still not amp. The I told her that I was pretty upset about this and that I will be contacting the police, better buisness bureau, and persuing legal action if I don't get my amp on Monday. She seemed to be listening . . . so we'll see what happens on Monday. It's taking all of my self control not to yell over the phone . . .

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

I hope all works out man..what a bummer.

 

[greco]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

I totally forgot about the BBB. Good thinking.

Please let us know the results of your recent call to the store.

Dave

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Well, after my little talk with the manager on Sunday, and driving down to the store on Monday and telling them (loudly) that I wasn't leaving the store untill I got my property back), and then suggesting (rather rudely) that they get the hell on the phone and bring their amp tech in . . . I have my amp back! Upside is that I sure wasn't going to give them a penny for my amp and didn't have to. The downside is that the amp tech didn't do any work on my amp . . . which sorta makes me wonder why he needed to keep it for nearly four months . . . apparently he couldn't find any of the capacitors or tubes needed to recap/retube my amp. I guess that I'll just keep it as is for a while. I'm done with music stores . . . maybe I'll figure out how to do the repairs myself. I am an engineer . . .

 

[wildstar]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Good news! I'm really happy for you that you got your amp back. Nicely handled.

I'm sure you could find a reliable person to do the work - didn't some forum members recommend techs in your area?

Anyways, good news.

:beerchug:

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Yeah, but I'd like to give it a try and see what I can do on my own . . . I've got a multimeter and soldering iron kicking around somewhere. It can't be that hard . . .

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Congratulations!! Nice Guy Wins!!
You are wrong about one thing however. The fact that no work was done on your amp is not a Down Side. It is perhaps the biggest Up Side to this whole unfortunate mess.
Sweet Relief

 

[greco]

Re: Damned Guitar Techs . . .

Great News, Way to go, man.

If you are an electronics engineer disregard the following.

If you decide to try the repairs yourself, be real careful.
(for your own personal safety and the problems you can create within the amp without realizing it) I'm not trying to preach here.....just concerned.

I'm hoping to build a tube amp and have been reading a lot on the subject in the past few months. I am also lucky to have a friend that is helping me and he has built several tube amps.

It is easy to get into problems with hum,hissing, buzzing, etc that could occur from many simple sources ( e.g., not twisting a pair of wires, not creating proper grounding). You will also need to know what volts/amps readings should exist at specific test points. You will also need to discharge the larger caps safely (after each time you turn the amp off) before working on it. Then there is checking the biasing of the tubes.

After all the reading I've done, I wouldn't have the guts to open the chassis of of even the smallest of tube amps to do troubleshooting. But that is just me.

Sorry if you think that I have stepped "over the line" here.

So pleased that dealing with this pain in the a** situation is finally over.

Cheers

Dave