Schiller / Jim Laabs
-
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:12 pm
- Location: USA
Schiller / Jim Laabs
Below is my write-up experience with Jim Laabs.
A couple weeks ago I bought a 2-trigger bass bone from Laabs on a certain website. The price was very attractive, and less than half what another seller sells it for.
Anyway, I did the "Best offer" action and they accepted it. I quickly paid for the package and they shipped it off. I then get a phone call from Laabs stating that the one I ordered (nickel finish) is not there but that the regular lacquered brass one was, and was the only one they had in stock. I said "OK" and was fine with it because that was only a cosmetic thing, and was mainly interested in that model of bass bone.
That packaged arrived whithin 3 days, and was perfectly packaged, no damage. Bass bone and case arrive perfect. It plays great, and even came with a few goodies like rotor and slide oil, and a mpc that works well with the horn. I gave VERY good/positive feedback (like usual) to the seller that night after playing a couple rehearsals (on tuba). After a few days playing the bass bone, I did discover a small leak by the main upper tuning slide ferrule. I just applied nail polish on it to seal it up. No biggie.
Fast forward 10 or so days. I noticed the seller still hasn't given me feedback, though he has given everyone else feedback - even transactions that happened after mine. I cannot for the life of me figure out why I was singled out. I have 100% positive feedback as a buyer. He accepted my best offer, I quickly paid for it, the phone call went well, he quickly shipped it off, and I gave great feedback soon after it arrived.
Now, I know it is more important for buyers to give good feedback than to receive, but it still rubbed me the wrong way. So I gave a nice little follow-up to my very-nice feedback to the seller
I wish that model of bass bone was offered (as well as other models of brass instruments) from other sellers for good prices
A couple weeks ago I bought a 2-trigger bass bone from Laabs on a certain website. The price was very attractive, and less than half what another seller sells it for.
Anyway, I did the "Best offer" action and they accepted it. I quickly paid for the package and they shipped it off. I then get a phone call from Laabs stating that the one I ordered (nickel finish) is not there but that the regular lacquered brass one was, and was the only one they had in stock. I said "OK" and was fine with it because that was only a cosmetic thing, and was mainly interested in that model of bass bone.
That packaged arrived whithin 3 days, and was perfectly packaged, no damage. Bass bone and case arrive perfect. It plays great, and even came with a few goodies like rotor and slide oil, and a mpc that works well with the horn. I gave VERY good/positive feedback (like usual) to the seller that night after playing a couple rehearsals (on tuba). After a few days playing the bass bone, I did discover a small leak by the main upper tuning slide ferrule. I just applied nail polish on it to seal it up. No biggie.
Fast forward 10 or so days. I noticed the seller still hasn't given me feedback, though he has given everyone else feedback - even transactions that happened after mine. I cannot for the life of me figure out why I was singled out. I have 100% positive feedback as a buyer. He accepted my best offer, I quickly paid for it, the phone call went well, he quickly shipped it off, and I gave great feedback soon after it arrived.
Now, I know it is more important for buyers to give good feedback than to receive, but it still rubbed me the wrong way. So I gave a nice little follow-up to my very-nice feedback to the seller
I wish that model of bass bone was offered (as well as other models of brass instruments) from other sellers for good prices
Last edited by toobagrowl on Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Ken Crawford
- 4 valves
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:45 am
- Location: Rexburg, ID
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
Really? Not getting feedback on ebay made it a "bittersweet" experience? You wouldn't recommend doing business with them because you didn't get ebay feedback? Really? Did you send them a note saying something like "hey there, I'd appreciate feedback, thanks" or anything?
I wouldn't recommend jimlaabs based on their lack of customer service. I didn't realize people got so stuck on ebay feedback...
I wouldn't recommend jimlaabs based on their lack of customer service. I didn't realize people got so stuck on ebay feedback...
-
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:12 pm
- Location: USA
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
Please carefully re-read my post. Not really in the mood for 'snippy' comments.
-
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:12 pm
- Location: USA
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
^...and yes, I did that, too.kmorgancraw wrote: Did you send them a note saying something like "hey there, I'd appreciate feedback, thanks" or anything?
-
- bugler
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 9:03 pm
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
As the others said, it's just eBay feedback. It doesn't really mean anything anymore. Just enjoy the horn and move on.
-
- FAQ Czar
- Posts: 2338
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 2:54 pm
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
eBay buyer feedback means nothing unless you are using a new account. I would be more worried about buying from Laabs when it doesn't work out so magically. Any potential customer of that company is wise to make sure they have something else you want, because if the thing you're buying doesn't work out you are not going to get a refund. Store credit only.
- Ken Crawford
- 4 valves
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:45 am
- Location: Rexburg, ID
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
Yes you are pissed because you didn't get your precious feedback. That is what your post says.toobagrowl wrote:Please carefully re-read my post. Not really in the mood for 'snippy' comments.
- bort
- 6 valves
- Posts: 11222
- Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:08 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
Slow day at the mill?
Does not receiving feedback really ding you from 100%? I thought that percentage just meant the percent of positive ratings, out of the total ratings received.
If not giving feedback screws things up, then I've screwed up a lot of people, since I don't really give a damn and almost never leave feedback, positive or negative.
Glad you like the trombone.
Does not receiving feedback really ding you from 100%? I thought that percentage just meant the percent of positive ratings, out of the total ratings received.
If not giving feedback screws things up, then I've screwed up a lot of people, since I don't really give a damn and almost never leave feedback, positive or negative.
Glad you like the trombone.
-
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1395
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:46 am
- Location: Berkeley, CA
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
I have purchased quite a few Schiller instruments from Laabs. Customer service has been very good. And, friendly. Ace
-
- 6 valves
- Posts: 4230
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:44 am
- Location: With my fellow Thought Criminals
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
That leaves me out!!toobagrowl wrote: Not really in the mood for 'snippy' comments.
I am committed to the advancement of civil rights, minus the Marxist intimidation and thuggery of BLM.
-
- bugler
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:35 pm
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
I've fallen victim to them before. They are notorious for bait-and-switch schemes. Looks like they pulled it on you as well.
Ryan Fisk
———
Meinl Weston 2250TL, 6460, 6450/2
———
Meinl Weston 2250TL, 6460, 6450/2
-
- bugler
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:32 am
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
Especially since the nickel finish is generally more expensive. You bid on a nickel finish, they "accepted" the bid but then told you it was lacquer? Would you have bid that much had you known it was lacquer?LowBrassNYC wrote:I've fallen victim to them before. They are notorious for bait-and-switch schemes. Looks like they pulled it on you as well.
They tried something similar on me years ago, except it was a totally different model/wrap. I canceled my order.
-
- bugler
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:32 am
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
You're right. I was basing my comment on comparing the one instrument I could find that Laabs offered in both finishes on ebay ("American Heritage Classic Trombone") and the nickel being more expensive. However, upon reading the actual item descriptions (assuming they are accurate) the nickel model is actually a different (larger bore) trombone, so that probably explains the cost. Of course this discrepancy really only makes the bait and switch worse, if the buyer agrees to accept a different finish and it turns out to be a different instrument altogetherbloke wrote:<sidebar>
</sidebar>
-
- 6 valves
- Posts: 4230
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:44 am
- Location: With my fellow Thought Criminals
Re: Schiller / Jim Laabs
And of course there is this...
"Yellow Brass that is Nickel Silver Plated will allow no breakup in the tone-no matter how hard you blow."
"Yellow Brass that is Nickel Silver Plated will allow no breakup in the tone-no matter how hard you blow."
I am committed to the advancement of civil rights, minus the Marxist intimidation and thuggery of BLM.