Pickup repair

[nopicknick]

I just bought a new Hot Chicken tele bridge pickup. One of the little copper wires leading from the coil to the solder point is broken. Unfortunately, even though the pickup is new, the online dealer does not accept returns or exchanges.

I don’t made paying for the pickup to be repaired by SD. My question is who might I speak with at SD to find out if I could go that route? I appreciate any advice!

 

[ehdwuld]

Is it the short wire from the inside of the coil
or the longer one wrapped around the outside?

The shorter one requires the pickup be rewound

The longer one can be un wound one or two wraps and resoldered

 

[Mincer]

Contact Customer Service, and they will help you out:

• Phone: +1(805) 964 - 9610
• Hours: M- F 8am - 5pm PST

​

 

[Zerberus]

Is it the short wire from the inside of the coil
or the longer one wrapped around the outside?

The shorter one requires the pickup be rewound

The longer one can be un wound one or two wraps and resoldered

While correct, it will be a very cold day in hell when I start repairing manufacturing defects on NIB products during their warranty peroid.... I ordered and paid for a functioning product, after all, if I wanted to wind it myself I would have from the start and saved 50 bucks.

And on that note, I would never use that retailer again after this experience, it is entirely their responsibilty as a dealer to go through the RMA process for you if you so desire and if they can´t even do that, then I don´t even want to think about how else they might be scamming me and others to make /save a cheap buck. TBH, I don´t know how exactly warranty legalities work in teh USA, but but in Europe this would be an instant complaint to the "Verbraucherschutz" (roughly = Better Business Bureau I think), as well as an unsatisfied with the experience side comment during the warranty... sometimes all it takes is 1 complaint to get a bad apple like this permanently removed from someone's "allowed to resell our products" list :beerchug:

Because in teh end, they´re not the ones with the extra hassle and potential reputation damage due to your expereince, SD is.... :beers:

 

[Mincer]

Yes, I would absolutely let Customer Service know what the retailer told you (and confirm if they are an authorized dealer or not). The retailer and manufacturer are a partnership that takes care of the customer. You were not taken care of. Leave a review for the retailer, too.

 

[AdrianSD]

Yeah sounds like you bought a product not fit for purpose. Surely there are legal avenues to have this sorted quickly. Any chance you can name that dealer so we know who to avoid from now on?

 

[nopicknick]

Thanks to all for their help. I’m waiting for a response back from the dealer to be sure I understand their return policy correctly. I’ll update once I hear from them.

 

[ehdwuld]

online dealers

 

[nopicknick]

Well lesson learned on my part. I called SD and found out the online site is not a SD dealer. They apparently sell refurbished pickups with no return policy. I jumped too quickly when the pice for the pickup was listed for $20 cheaper.

Site is Franklin Guitar Works. Not wanting to bash them because I should have read their policy before buying. I did email FGW, but have not heard back yet. Could be due to the holiday week. I appreciate everyone’s input.

 

[Mincer]

Well lesson learned on my part. I called SD and found out the online site is not a SD dealer. They apparently sell refurbished pickups with no return policy. I jumped too quickly when the pice for the pickup was listed for $20 cheaper.

Site is Franklin Guitar Works. Not wanting to bash them because I should have read their policy before buying. I did email FGW, but have not heard back yet. Could be due to the holiday week. I appreciate everyone’s input.

Oh man...sorry about that. If their pickups are 'refurbished', then they forgot to refurbish that one. If they did refurbish it, maybe they will stand by their work. Did SD say they could fix it for a price?

 

[nopicknick]

Oh man...sorry about that. If their pickups are 'refurbished', then they forgot to refurbish that one. If they did refurbish it, maybe they will stand by their work. Did SD say they could fix it for a price?

Yes they would, but wouldn’t be that much difference from buying a new one. Oh well, worse things have happened.

 

[AdrianSD]

They sold you something broken. As in, defective, not working, effed up, right? How can they defend that? Give them the benefit of the doubt and insist that they fix it. If they don't wanna do it, change tack because they're scammers.

 

[dotsdad]

If you used paypal or a credit card you should file a dispute. They might not refund you willingly, but The bank will make them.

 

[jeremy]

sounds shady, that stinks. since its broken and you cant swap it, it might be worth trying to fix?

 

[nopicknick]

I’ll see if they reply after Thanksgiving. I wish I would have known before buying, but it isn’t the end of the world. Will probably sell my antiquity bridge pickup to fund another purchase unfortunately.

 

[jeremy]

hope things work out! sucks to get ripped off like that. not surprised a rewind is almost the same as a new pup, its probably more work than making a new one

 

[ehdwuld]

Well like I said
if its the end that wraps around the outside
Which is usually the one that gets damaged in handling

It's easy to fix

If its the other side
Its a total rewind

 

[nopicknick]

Here is a picture. The online seller never did respond to my email btw.

 

[Mincer]

Do they have a phone number? Call them up. Make sure to do an online review, too.

 

[nopicknick]

Update….

I received an email from FGW offering an apology, and to return the pickup for an exchange. I appreciate them reaching out and wanting to correct the situation. My email to them just slipped through somehow. Things happen I get it. I only sent one email, so if I had been more persistent, I’m sure this would have been resolved earlier. I just wanted to update to let everyone know FGW did contact me.