Shady guitar tech...gah.

[Strat Avenger]

I figure that if you wanted them to do the set-up (as opposed to doing it yourself), you maybe should have given them the new strings that you wanted put on, and then they would be responsible for the set-up. If you put heavier gauge strings on the guitar first, and then taken it to the shop for the set-up, I can see how that would not be "covered" under the warranty when the guitar came from the factory set up with a different string gauge. I'm not defending the Tech at the guitar store, I'm just saying that it might have been better to say "hey, I'd like my guitar set-up (per the original purchase agreement/warranty) with these strings.".

Once you tamper with something, they can use that to get out of the deal.

 

[Dan025]

i think that the fact they cared about the stings is ridiculous. yeah you can split hairs over the warranty or whatever but if i was the tech i'd say sure thing. as long as they fill out some paper work the factory is paying right? that's how warranties work. i mean the shop isnt supposed to give out free repairs on behalf of the company. they get reimbursed. anyhow calling a warmoth an elcheapo model should have been the first clue that you shouldn't ever go there, i know you just wanted a free setup but if you know there douches and you can do your own setup then i dont see the point in complaining about it. 

 

[Jusatele]

I think, changing string gauge would be a reason to deny setup, that guitar is factory set for strings of X guage. They do not need to set it up any other way. I know the open tuning is a reason to deny service for free also, I run my Strat up to open E tuning on stage and play lap steel on songs, and then drop it back down, Open E is hell on necks, When I take it in for service you can rest assured it is tuned to concert 440 pitch.
Plus, 1 year past buying it seems a little long.
Now voiding a warranty? Look for a new shop.

 

[-CB-]

I think, changing string gauge would be a reason to deny setup, that guitar is factory set for strings of X guage.

Oh I gotta add my 2c worth here.

First off - not all strings of X gauge pull the same.  You can easily determine this by critically measuring the core diameter of various string sets of the same gauge, and also looking at the published "string pull" charts from various makers - such as d'Addario.

Second - even if the same brand and model of strings are used, necks go all over the place with setups, depending on environmental conditions.  I got an Ovation/Adamas carbon fibre top guitar, and it raised in pitch quite a bit when new.... huh?  The neck was straightening in our March weather, where the AC is not run, and the fretboard was "helping" the truss rod do its job.

Third - making a simple truss rod adjustment was all that was needed.  No saddle work, no fret work, no nut work.  Just a small and simple truss rod adjust.  The shop was... I dunno.... but probably correct in charging, but handled the situation totally wrong.

On the other hand, what implies that the "setup" is included as part of the warranty?

Original Purchaser's Limited Warranty
The Godin Guitar Co. warrants this instrument with regards to materials and workmanship for a period of ONE year from the date of original purchase to the original purchaser. The instrument shall be purchased only from an Authorized Godin dealer. Should the product require service, The Godin Guitar Co. will repair or replace the product free of charge during the warranty period. This warranty shall include all parts and labour.If service is required, contact your Authorized Godin dealer at which point it will be determined whether the guitar can be serviced locally, or should be returned to the factory. All return freight and insurance charges will be
paid by the customer. The following are not covered by the Godin warranty:
Any instrument upon which the Serial number has been altered in any
way.
Any instrument that has been damaged due to misuse, neglect, or accident.
Normal wear and tear including machine heads, worn frets, saddles and
nuts.
Strings and batteries.
Any instrument that has been subjected to extreme changes in temperature
or humidity.
Cracking or discoloration to the finish.
The Godin Guitar Co. assumes no liability for any loss of income, dissatisfaction,
or damages arising from the loss of use of this product due to
defects or availability of the product during service.

 

[erogenousjones17]

The setup was included on the purchase invoce, not the warranty from the manufacturer, as I've come to realize. I think the guys at the store were mistakenly using the term "under warranty". 

Third - making a simple truss rod adjustment was all that was needed.  No saddle work, no fret work, no nut work.  Just a small and simple truss rod adjust.  The shop was... I dunno.... but probably correct in charging, but handled the situation totally wrong.

I think I agree with CB here; I can see their point, which is why I didn't put up a fight (besides, it's not like I was going to convince them otherwise), but it's in putting it into practice that it comes across as shady, especially given the crummy service I've gotten there in the past.

 

[Jusatele]

When I buy a guitar I buy local, I do not buy online as I find that I want to actually play the axe I will be purchasing. Each guitar is different from the next one off the line.
I expect a few things when I buy,
A new set of strings, my choice
the guitar action to be set up as I want it
Intonation set
A smile on everyone's face
If a shop cannot do this before I walk out I do not buy. Why I have never bought a Axe from G.C. is they want you to pick it up in a few days.
It takes about 10 minutes to set up a guitar that was set correctly before putting on the floor.
I bring it Home, put the strings on and pull out my tuner and if I need to set the intonation I am all over it but rarely have I had to unless it was a non locking trem.

I think that the tech in the OP used bad choice in words when talking
He also used bad business sense, The local store I go to would have popped that puppy on the table and given it a once over, They know me I am in there all the time to buy strings, supplies, music, books, etc.
One of the biggest benefits I find to doing all my business at one shop is they respect that. And If I had wanted a Godin they would have ordered me one. Any atore can get what they want, the business is to competitive not to.
Selling guitars, basses and drums may seem like it is what drives a store to you, but they make a major part of their money elsewhere. Band Instrument rentals to students is a service that most stores could not survive without. And service work is a thing they really really want as if you trust their work you are normally not going stray far to look at a new guitar.

That said

I cannot figure out why the guy would not set up a guitar that e had sold. Unless it was bought elsewhere.

 

[-CB-]

No better way to show dis-satisfaction than with some $$$$ cha-ching!

Next time you shop for a new axe.  Go in and rouse 'em, get ready for "the sale", then "remember" the incident, remind them of it, put your cash in your pocket and walk the short route out the door.

 

[Jusatele]

That's my point

 

[supermallard]

Reminds me of a local shop I used to go to before it changed ownership. After several bad experiences with the new owner I stopped going there. I must not have been the only one who took my business elsewhere, the shop closed a year or so later.

 

[rapfohl09]

No better way to show dis-satisfaction than with some $$$$ cha-ching!

Next time you shop for a new axe.  Go in and rouse 'em, get ready for "the sale", then "remember" the incident, remind them of it, put your cash in your pocket and walk the short route out the door.

+1 this is how I do it. This one shop I went to basically blew me off when I was looking for my first really nice electric guitar because duh I was a 15 year old kid I couldn't possibly afford anything nice. So now I always go in there and try stuff out and play it extensively and multiple times I've really liked stuff and told them that, then got up and was like, "Well I can get a better deal online". Maybe I'm being immature, but I think if you are a business you need to respect your customers, no matter what age, no matter what playing level, no matter how aggravating and stupid their questions are.

 

[Jusatele]

I agree with most of that. The only part I do not agree with us going in time after time and not buying, I would let them know Why I was not buying instead of a comment like I could buy it cheaper online. Once they understood that, maybe they will treat you better next time, right now you are just a pest mouthing off to them.
I will not buy an axe online, I want to play the axe I am buying. Plus I want to support the local music store. Now, my local store does not carry many professional level guitars, 90% of the stock is beginner stuff with about 4 or 5 nice axes. But then they are a development of what has happened to the mom and pop store, Between the internet and the stores like Guitar center underpricing the m&ps till they could no longer afford to be Fender or Gibson dealers as they were required to buy to many Guitars and the margins they had to sell them at was to low for the profit they need to keep the doors open.
I really enjoy walking into a store I have done business with for years and years and getting respect that I will buy stuff (music, picks, strings, guitar work, accessories, pedals etc.) Last Fender I bought I showed them what I wanted and a week later they had it in the store, even if they were not a Fender dealer. It pays off to do business with a store.

 

[texicus]

+1.  Customers need respect, but employees need respect too.  If you come in saying everything's cheaper online, don't expect a red carpet treatment...respect's a two way street.

 

[rapfohl09]

+1.  Customers need respect, but employees need respect too.  If you come in saying everything's cheaper online, don't expect a red carpet treatment...respect's a two way street.

Well the guy is just a total ****sucker. I was there a long time beforehand and tried to earn their respect, and was constantly crapped on. So its just a case of none given, none received. I have since just not gone back, so it's not like I'm pestering them per say. But yeah, I get your point.

 

[jay4321]

Local guy said before buying anything online call him up and give him a shot to beat it and he rarely does. He's got to sweat 7% sales tax on top of everything too. Tough sell. Almost everything is cheaper online.

 

[Cletus]

No better way to show dis-satisfaction than with some $$$$ cha-ching!

Next time you shop for a new axe.  Go in and rouse 'em, get ready for "the sale", then "remember" the incident, remind them of it, put your cash in your pocket and walk the short route out the door.

This is a winner. Good call! Make it hurt.

 

[pabloman]

I will not buy an axe online, I want to play the axe I am buying. I really enjoy walking into a store I have done business with for years and years and getting respect that I will buy stuff (music, picks, strings, guitar work, accessories, pedals etc.) Last Fender I bought I showed them what I wanted and a week later they had it in the store, even if they were not a Fender dealer. It pays off to do business with a store.

So instead of ordering the guitar yourself you had a store do it. This sounds like a great story but it raises a couple of questions. Since you purchased it I am guessing the guitar was acceptable to you.  What would have happened if it was not? Most special orders are non refundable. Where did they get the guitar from?  Good luck with any warranty issues with an instrument purchased from someone that is not an authorized dealer. :icon_scratch:

 

[Jusatele]

if it was not acceptable to me I would not buy it. if they can get a model, they can return it.
It is like Wal Mart coming to town and putting the smaller stores out of business
It would suck to have to drive 60 miles to buy picks, or to have to buy them online all the time, but in reality, when you pass up supporting your local music store for a online dealer, that is what you are asking to have happen. Mom And Pops are having a real problem competing with the likes of GC. much less stores with no brick and mortar. The Business has xhanged so much in the last 20 years it hurts, I remember not long ago when a Mom and Pop style store could afford to handle Gibson and Fender side by side, but with the buying power of stores Like GC, and the low profit lines places like MF need to have, plus quotas by manufacturers because of the ordering of the mega stores, many Mom and Pops now longer can afford to stock those items. And business suffers. What the future holds is to be seen, but we already have had 2 music stores close in the last 10 years around here claiming they could no longer compete. I do not want to have to call some online vendor next time I want to finger a axe or buy a set of strings. Call me old fashioned but waiting 4 days for a pick to arrive is inconvenient.

 

[Strat Avenger]

What, you don't have enough picks to last 4 days until your mail order arrives?  Sheesh!  I buy ALL my picks online, and usually strings (unless I just happen to be near a GC). If you buy 50 picks, it's not like you're gonna run out anytime soon and be pick-less while you're waiting for a mail order to arrive. I have never in my life run out of picks (or strings).

Personally, I think the whole "support your local music store" mentality is B.S.  They should be supporting their local musician as far as I'm concerned. They charge ridiculous prices most of the time, their staff is usually a bunch of young, ignorant punks, and they usually don't have what I want in stock. Screw 'em.

While I agree that it is BEST to play a guitar before buying it, most other musical products can be purchased by mail order with very satisfactory results.

 

[rapfohl09]

This thread has become a big slugfest :laughing7:

 

[Jusatele]

Street. be careful what you wish for, you just might get it
that is all I can say to you.