guitar servicing?
- Thread starter musicroamer
- Start date
Guitar Connection provides a good service but they gave me the impression that there're salesman more than luthiers.
I have a few bad experiences there when I was quoted a large servicing fee for problems that were brought up that was not to my knowledge.
I do like the results I get from GC, but perhaps lutherie should be more of a passion, an artform and not become solely a money-driven, cashflow motivated business as that might jeopardize customer service.
I have a few bad experiences there when I was quoted a large servicing fee for problems that were brought up that was not to my knowledge.
I do like the results I get from GC, but perhaps lutherie should be more of a passion, an artform and not become solely a money-driven, cashflow motivated business as that might jeopardize customer service.
Necro said:
You got a point there, but your viewpoint is pretty narrow. You are painting a picture of a perfect world. But we are not living in a perfect world, there are bills to pay, mortages to settle, risk to take and things to maintain.
We are easily critical of what we can see, but blinded on what goes on behind the curtain. If you work, you earn money to for your personal needs. People who open shops, not only have to earn money for themselves, they also have to pay the rent, utilities & tools of trade maintainence, and risk cash on the stocks they take in.
I just have this to say. Unless you yourself are in their shoes, I don't think that the view above is a fair one.
Just my 2 cents. Cause I operate my own business and I can see some things transparent to consumers. Have to stand up for fellow tradesmen. No ill intent.
Peace.
8)
stillwater
New member
On the other hand, i think its redundant to keep emphasizing, and spelling out details on the amount of burden one is carrying to run a business. What's the point, gain sympathy? End of the day, everyone goes for the most valuable deal to him/herself, who cares about how much rental and utilities bills you have to pay to decide on whether to choose your service, or not?
You are right, it's a dog eat dog world. Survival of the fittest. That's reality.
But, if the customer choose to be blind to what is fair and reasonable, wants to pay $5 for a $10 job. Then that's what he will get a $5 job in the end, cause that's what he pays.
The fair priced and good service shops will go outta of business and in it's place, shoddy and unscrupolus dealers will be left to 'con' the consumers. In the end the customers still suffers.
Look at it this way, what goes around comes around. Bad customers will lead to more bad shops, as the good ones cannot survive. Is that a possible senario???
Which comes first the chicken or the egg?? bad customer or bad shops??
But, if the customer choose to be blind to what is fair and reasonable, wants to pay $5 for a $10 job. Then that's what he will get a $5 job in the end, cause that's what he pays.
The fair priced and good service shops will go outta of business and in it's place, shoddy and unscrupolus dealers will be left to 'con' the consumers. In the end the customers still suffers.
Look at it this way, what goes around comes around. Bad customers will lead to more bad shops, as the good ones cannot survive. Is that a possible senario???
Which comes first the chicken or the egg?? bad customer or bad shops??
It's like saying: "That's not my problem. As long as I can download mp3 from peer to peer. I don't care if the musician makes peanuts. Not likely I'll get caught anyway"
This is precisely the attitude the reflects on what goes on around the world, like the latest hurricane disaster, dog eats dog.
If you yourself are not willing to make the effort to make a difference for the better. So say your stand on humanity.
One day when it become your turn to face the brunt, you will think back. You could be thinking, is what gone around finally coming back at me??
This is precisely the attitude the reflects on what goes on around the world, like the latest hurricane disaster, dog eats dog.
If you yourself are not willing to make the effort to make a difference for the better. So say your stand on humanity.
One day when it become your turn to face the brunt, you will think back. You could be thinking, is what gone around finally coming back at me??
stillwater
New member
ahhh... looks like someone doesn't carry any form of pirated stuff... hmm... time for a raid soon :lol:
Sounds like you are going way off topic here.... and I don't find that funny at all.... :x
Yeah..... This is also OT. But, all people reading this, please go to the stores and buy RONIN new album, show your support by making a purchase. They put in a lot of effort and own cash to make the music, and it's good 'O' fashion rock & roll music. I know cuz I bought my and I'm enjoying it. :supz:
Yeah..... This is also OT. But, all people reading this, please go to the stores and buy RONIN new album, show your support by making a purchase. They put in a lot of effort and own cash to make the music, and it's good 'O' fashion rock & roll music. I know cuz I bought my and I'm enjoying it. :supz:
Relevant points there Mikemann. I agree, its a dog eat dog world and both the customers and the business owners and protecting their own interests. Problems always occur when either party steps over the line of balance and impose his own interests on another.
Most consumers (esp Singaporeans, not being racist!) expect minimum input and maximum output. One who only expects to pay say $10 for a $30 dollar job is being foolish indeed! That would be stepping over the line of balance and unfair for the business owner.
My point is : In what situations can we consider a business owner imposing his interests and being unfair to the customer?
In a monopoly when the business owner knows his services are in great demand, does he right to command a very high price? Absolutely! Its economics. But I also digress, the same goes for the consumer.
Just my 2 cents of rant!
Most consumers (esp Singaporeans, not being racist!) expect minimum input and maximum output. One who only expects to pay say $10 for a $30 dollar job is being foolish indeed! That would be stepping over the line of balance and unfair for the business owner.
My point is : In what situations can we consider a business owner imposing his interests and being unfair to the customer?
In a monopoly when the business owner knows his services are in great demand, does he right to command a very high price? Absolutely! Its economics. But I also digress, the same goes for the consumer.
Just my 2 cents of rant!
Necro said:
Dear Necro,
Thank you for your thoughtful and honest appraisal. I am driven by money just as I am driven by passion. What's the point if a big name star uses my services but I'm living in poverty?
Sometimes, during a repair, we only realise a problem when we look deeper into it. Skeptics might say that is inexperience but I'd think not. There was once when I was repairing a Jem Jr which had its wood at the bridge area cracked badly. After fixing it and stringing up, there were plenty of dead spots on the upper frets so I called the guy to inform him. Thing is, when I called him, he said that it was an inherent problem.
Therefore, sometimes the player has to highlight to us the problems as well. Similarly, when you consult a doctor, the doctor will ask you what symptoms you have. The doctor can't be possibly be giving full body examinations for every patient. That's only possible if he gets less than 10 patients a week.
With regards to our repair service as I prefer to call it, reaching out to more people is integral to our business and I think we are priced in such a way to do that. We could easily increase our pricing and still be affordable. But could this mean a young kid who cannot afford it giving up the instrument because his/her guitar doesn't play well? Possibly. If that happens, it goes against the very reasons of why I chose to become a tech.
Everyone justifies their service fees in different ways but for us, we prefer to look it as giving more people the opportunity to experience a better playing instrument. Elitism would be unthinkable for us. That's not to say everyone can afford our service, but sometimes, even students can save up. Its just like saving up for that PRS or Les paul(Gibson or otherwise). Unfortunately, tech services are usually taken for granted.
Necro, I'm not writing this as a rebuttal and I'm glad that you can appreciate what we do. I could have easily choosen NOT to be a tech if I wanted to. If money was what I wanted, I would be absolutely mad to achieve that means via being a tech. In any case, I may not be the friendliest guy on some occassions but if you drop by the shop, come and say hi. We are approachable people. Most of the time *ahem* 8)
Thanks for reading,
KC
Guitar Connection
SpaTanS
Member
Hey KC,
rem me ?
i got my black strat pup replace by u ... recommended by Ken :lol:
i wud say ... maybe he doesnt show it but KC is a friendly guy ... i wanted to change my pup, check my fretboard and rewiring ... i was thinking changing to dimazio or SD but the price will b high. KC is kind enuff to recommend me a 2nd hand dimazio, if not ... 2 new Star brand pups that's still within my budgets. it's not as good for current rocks with high output ... but reasonably for old 60s RnR. GC has a price tag for repairs and services ... maybe u guys going there sud say u r from SOFT ? :lol:
price wise is competible ... just like if u goes davis for a change of pup ... they'll charge u an amount which u think is reasonable cos u thot u r only paying for the pup and service is free ??? nah ... it's all bout business ...
give all these tech guys a round of applause man ... cos if without them, anything goes wrong with out axe ... it's bye bye guitar ...
rem me ?
i got my black strat pup replace by u ... recommended by Ken :lol:
i wud say ... maybe he doesnt show it but KC is a friendly guy ... i wanted to change my pup, check my fretboard and rewiring ... i was thinking changing to dimazio or SD but the price will b high. KC is kind enuff to recommend me a 2nd hand dimazio, if not ... 2 new Star brand pups that's still within my budgets. it's not as good for current rocks with high output ... but reasonably for old 60s RnR. GC has a price tag for repairs and services ... maybe u guys going there sud say u r from SOFT ? :lol:
price wise is competible ... just like if u goes davis for a change of pup ... they'll charge u an amount which u think is reasonable cos u thot u r only paying for the pup and service is free ??? nah ... it's all bout business ...
give all these tech guys a round of applause man ... cos if without them, anything goes wrong with out axe ... it's bye bye guitar ...
Kaye said:
I have a children's story to tell, read this when I was a kid:
There was this very rich lady, who has everything but was unhappy. Because she thinks that she is not beautiful.
Her face is fierce looking and she snaps angrily at any small discontent with her servants and all those around her. She looks just like a sour plum in a jar.
So she went to see a "Beauty" doctor. Upon consulting with the doctor, the doctor prescribe to her a hand mirror. The doctor told her that the mirror has magic powers and to smile at her image at the mirror everyday, when she wakes and before she sleeps. In 3 months she will look beautiful.
The lady did as the doctor prescribed, and smile at the mirror everyday. True enough she started looking more radiant and beautiful by the day. Those around her also noticed the change and sing praise of her new found beauty. She started losing her angry disposition, even smiling at the servants who waits on her. Now even the servants who fear her before can chat happily with her, singing praise on her beauty too.
So the rich lady was a changed woman, from a sour plum to a radiant beautiful person. She decided to reward the doctor for the magic mirror and went to him.
The doctor said: "The mirror is just an ordinary mirror. You had the beauty in you all the time, you just did not know how to bring it out. This mirror just simply persuaded you to become that beautiful person you are."
With that, the lady realised that happiness & beauty was within herself all the while. She just have to dig down inside to bring it out.
***** End of Story *****
Do interpret the moral of this story yourself. I found it to be profoundly meaningful. :wink:
petrina_123
New member
i got my floyd rose guitar fixed and restringed at swee lee for free! They also set it up for free yesterday... swee lee staff are actually very helpful i dunnoe why ppl say otherwise
petrina_123
New member
i posted abt my problem with the guitar at the kopitiam ...lol^thanks for ur advise but they did not ask for the recipt...they just helped me for FREE! 
stillwater
New member
hello ppl
our fren mikemann telling grandfather bedtime stories how come nobody listening?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
our fren mikemann telling grandfather bedtime stories how come nobody listening?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
yeah ... we all read ~
mikeman all ur post, like they say, are really full of substance ..~!
like kena stunn ... duno how to reply to dat post ...
but .. yeah ... gotta look into the mirror more often ~ hahaha ~!
Mikeman,... sorry la ...
but ... ur catching chicken emoticon .... just reminds me of Diana Ser in Geylang .. hahahah ~!
mikeman all ur post, like they say, are really full of substance ..~!
like kena stunn ... duno how to reply to dat post ...
but .. yeah ... gotta look into the mirror more often ~ hahaha ~!
Mikeman,... sorry la ...
but ... ur catching chicken emoticon .... just reminds me of Diana Ser in Geylang .. hahahah ~!
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