TubeNet

My experiences with Woodwind/Brasswind are similar to Doc's. I was there last Friday after a conversation with Roger Lewis. I was gung ho to buy the Allora/Gard wheel around gig bag, but Roger was kind enough to point out that it was not the ideal fit for me. I also wanted to try out mouthpieces for a baritone that I had purchased locally a few months ago. Roger was pretty specific that one that I already owned sounded the best of the bunch. My wife was overjoyed that I left WW/BW without spending money but getting great service.

If you have been depending on the web site for order entry, you will probably experience problems. There is still a chance to have some problems in calling the store and going through the phone sales department, most of them specialize in other instruments than low brass.

Roger can be reached toll-free at (800) 348-5003 extension 2266. His email address is rlewis@wwbw.com. Try either one to see if you get better service.

As Doc has mentioned, there are other vendors listed in the Shops section of this list. I've had good service with Dillon's and with Baltimore Brass while others I know like Custom Music, but then again, I've used the Web for my research and then ordered via the phone (800 Numbers are a big plus in my book)

Randy Beschorner

I have had nothing but good experiences when ordering from WWBW; either online or through Roger. Nothing has arrived later than promised and many items have arrived earlier.

Mark wrote:I have had nothing but good experiences when ordering from WWBW; either online or through Roger. Nothing has arrived later than promised and many items have arrived earlier.

Same here -- prompt delivery, and Roger's always been helpful (and informative!).

My experience has been variable. Back when they were doing the new warehouse thing, the service was pitiful: shipping time could easily be more than two months -- if you chose to wait that long, but they would immediately charge your credit card -- and a call to "Customer Service" would usually mean sitting on hold for at least 20 minutes. Things have gotten better now; still not as good as Giardinelli. However, WWBW does carry a greater selection of products and has a real live staff of at least semi-knowledgable (usually) people on hand. WWBW's interest in the low brass community is vastly superior to Giardinelli.

Dillon seems OK usually, but the last time I called them -- which you must do NON-toll-free -- during normal business hours, I got dumped to an answering machine. I won't be doing that again for a while.

we are often the victims of our suppliers. With the absorption of Leblanc into Conn-Selmer, many items were not being built or shipped for an extended period of time, pushing back their delivery dates. Same thing happened as Besson was getting ready to go belly up. Promises were made to us that were not kept. We apologize for our own, self created issues. The new warehouse was a significant investment and it took longer to work the bugs out than was estimated by the people who built the system. There is enough blame to go around.

I know I've been hard to reach lately - I have 3 phone lines and e-mail and I simply cannot keep up with it all if I have to get some work done. If you have an issue with an order, call me, 1-800-348-5003, extension 2266. A number of you have my personal cell phone number (not reimbursed by the company) because I'll do whatever I can to let you know what's going on or to move your order through the system faster.

Out of chaos comes order. And, like a kidney stone, this too shall pass. Most of the people here are happy to help you out. Perhaps instead of calling Customer Service, call the Brass Specialists and have them help clear things up.

Okay, I'm done now.

I had poor service also.

Their customer service didn't answer my questions and they changed the ship date every month over a 6-month period, so I just gave up and resolved that their e-business standards were just not sufficient for their need or my need.

I thanked 'em for their "effort", cancelled my order, and now shop elsewhere.....

I suspect that going to their shop, in-person, and purchasing what they have in stock, on the floor, and after visual inspection would be a very different shopping experience.

I have purchases both instruments and accessories from WWBW and have generally received excellent service, especially when dealing with Roger directly. There were some blips last summer when the distribution center was moved, but even the delay amounted to about 7 days.

No place is perfect, but I will not hesitate to buy from WWBW in the future. I also try to buy from our smaller vendors, indluding TubeNet people because they deserve our support. Sometimes, their prices are as good or better than WWB's, despite the competetive disadvantage. They also generally have better personal service. Roger is tremendous and does all he can to help, but WWBW is a volume seller and he has deal with tons of folks, not just the peculiarities of us TubeNet types.

bloke wrote:bloke "who has run into a lot of folks who seem to think that fancy tubas and fancy tuba restorations are hanging on hooks in display isles over at WALMART"

They're not!? Then what'r all those...

bloke wrote:

windshieldbug wrote:They're not!? Then what'r all those...

I'm embarrassed to admit this: I'm not sure whether they are euphoniums or baritones.

We could split the difference and call 'em barphonitones ...

Kevin Hendrick wrote:barphonitones

eutoniums?

I have done major business with WWBW since the mid-90's, and have purchased four tubas, trombones, trumpets, woodwinds, violins, cases, mutes, etc. 90% of these transactions have been problem-free. When a problem arose, it was promptly and honestly handled by WWBW. My experiences with the company have been very favorable. Dealing with people like Charlie Krause, Mike Russo, and Roger Lewis has been a pleasure.

Even better, Baltimore Brass and David Fedderly are unreal in the fast and honest service they provide. Additionally, my one purchase from Lee Stoffer was handled (Atlanta to SF Bay area) with amazing speed.

My transactions with several other mail order houses have been mixed to terrible. I haven't yet done business with Dillon's or Mid-South, but I hear these people are very good.

I ordered a PT-48 and i revieced it in the mail like two days later. And everything else that i ordered from there has been recieved and shipped within a week and i have aquired it within two days after that week. Dunno. Oh well Best of luck in the future ordering online.

For you Southeasterners, All-Pro Sound in Pensacola, Fl. has a great electronic inventory, on site repair, knowledgable salesmen and will match "Musician's Friend" prices.

euphba wrote:

I'm not expecting too much for wanting a bottle of valve oil that is in stock within 4 months? A mouthpiece in 2 months after waiting for 4 months? An IN STOCK mouthpiece in 3?

My question is why did you wait for 4 months for the valve oil? Did you actually call someone during the 4 month period? I commend you for your patience in waiting for action and for waiting to act to resolve those matters. How much sooner would that mouthpiece arrive if you had called them earlier?

I guess all of these places have problems like this.

Giardinelli/Musiciansfriend is by far the most reliable I have dealt with. Their backorder tracking is excellent, and -- like most Internet vendors (other than wwbw) -- they do not charge you until they actually ship the item. However, they are just an Internet vendor with no real sales staff that I am aware of.

For sound equipment, guitars, electronics (i.e. non-band instrument stuff) my very limited experience with Sweetwater is been very positive. I've had no significant gripes with Sam Ash. I'm not too keen on American Musical. I'm not sure Interstate Music understands the Internet marketplace.

We, the euph section, ordered some Hetman's Light Piston oil last week. It's already arrived. Took only 8 days and ordered it online.

BTW, they have a sale on Hetmans. $3.99 a bottle AND they're the new designed bottle. No more eye dropper squeezy thing. Hurray!!

I'll have to add that I have had mixed experiences with WWBW. They used to be quite reliable a year or so ago; I could order stuff from the web and get it within a week or so. Then, they turned inefficient in the past year, and delivery times got very variable. Customer service was cheerful and polite (after a substantial wait on hold), but could not give me any help about the exact status of my orders. Clearly, their hearts are in the right place: eventually everything was shipped, and incorrect items were replaced.

My recent WWBW experiences have been contrast to other Internet businesses that can process orders efficiently, and inform the customer at every stage of fulfillment.

I wish WWBW well; we musicians need large retailers like them, as well as smaller more specialized sellers. I look forward to hearing that they have fixed whatever problems they have had, as I would like to give them my business. For the present time, I am going elsewhere.

Allen

I've had mixed results from WWBW. I ordered some sousa bits that were marked IN-STOCK and got them within 5 days. No issues.

I e-mailed about a new Miraphone 1291 and expected ship times and about an open box item they had listed on thier website, but NEVER got a reply (I even checked my junk mail everyday for a week). I eventually ordered(not the 1291) from Interstate Music in New Berlin, WI. www.interstatemusic.com I'm happy with where I went even if they don't specialize in tubas, they are very courteous and I have ordered expensive instruments from them before. They also have great prices (in comparison to other places) when you call them.


I would still order from WWBW if they had what I wanted listed and instock. I guess i'm loyal to a place until they really cross me. We won't even get me started on loyalties to grocery store chains...

I ordered some mouthpieces through them over the summer.

SM3M
SM4M
Kellyburg

I had originally selected a SM2M but they then realized that it doesn't exist and I ordered the SM3M.

Well, I paid my shipping and everything (USPS), then they UPS'ed it and UPS is harassing me for charges.

You know, it seemed like until a few years that WWBW was great at getting things to you in a timely manner. I used to order things, on the phone mind you, and would get it in a reasonable amount of time. Now, with online ordering consuming us, we order and expect it very quickly.

I have had mixed results with WWBW lately. When I order from them, I usually take the time to call and talk to someone. Nothing against the fine people there, but most of them are just staring at a computer screen and in their defense, they make the same amount whether you get gold plating or not. They will help you, but just as with any large business - don't expect lemmings to lead the pack.

It is great in our business that we have the WWBW - you can always refer the parents to them for supplies, and generally they have most things in stock.

Another great place that I have been using lately is buying from Steve Ferguson out in LA. He is a freelance player that has a small shop in the LA area that he set up as an outlet to sell the Shires brand trombone and Glenn Cronkhite cases on the west coast. Now, online ordering is not possible with these guys, but they are small enough that they only advertise what they have in stock and you can always talk with someone who knows about what they are selling you. And, they have a decent supply of everyday items as well as the Cronkhite cases which is a rededigned Reunion Blues that tends to not suck.

http://www.hornguys.com

End rant - WWBW = good, but don't expect too much lovin' out of the 500 lb. gorilla.

- Pat Stuckemeyer