Have I Been Deceived? (Ordering Bongo Info)

[Bass Control]

So, I went into my local Mom and Pop music store today to talk to one of my good bass friends about ordering a Bongo 5 H/SC+P, what it would entail, and stuff like that. He told me a few things about the Bongo that I just wanted to confirm with you guys because I wasn't quite sure about the information he gave me.

1) He isn't sure that he can even order a Bongo for me and said that in their contract there are only certain models that they are allowed to order and carry. Is this true that their distribution contract limits the models, or am I being inadvertently talked into a Stingray 5?

2) He stated that the Bongo is manufactured oversees, yet I have seen many backs of Bongo headstocks that clearly say "Made in SLO" and that the quality of the Bongo is far less than the SR5. Again, is he pulling my chain a little?

I looked up these two questions on the board and didn't find them. Sorry BP if posting this is bad for you business (especially if someone takes it the wrong way), but I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't be lied to by a dealer just so he can make a little more on SR5s than Bongos (employees have told me that SR5s do sell for a little more than Bongos).

 

[mynan]

The Great Lakes are pretty big...they could be confused for Seas.

 

[Bass Control]

The Great Lakes are pretty big...they could be confused for Seas.

I'm from Niagara Falls, but I'm living in VA Beach while I'm in college... I should really fix my location, shouldn't I?

 

[Big Poppa]

This is a great post and the person should at least be dragged down the street naked behind
a dump truck and then rolled in salt. Ok maybe that is harsh but this guy needs to understand that all he needs to know is his product. As I have said many times before
WOuld you go to a Doctor that knew less than you? Why would you shop at a music store that knew less than you. This guy is bad because he is costing himself a sale and damaging us.

If he is a Music Man Dealer he can buy a BOngo.

Bongo's are made in America. As long as I am patrolling this school ground they will continue to be.

FInd a different dealer.

 

[RitchieDarling]

2) He stated that the Bongo is manufactured oversees, yet I have seen many backs of Bongo headstocks that clearly say "Made in SLO" and that the quality of the Bongo is far less than the SR5. Again, is he pulling my chain a little?

ARGH! This burns me up!

If I hear this from one more uninformed music store employee, they get a kick in the bean bag!

Ritchie

 

[Big Poppa]

WHile Im venting...This is the kind of dealer that when Long and McQ or GC moves in he will have a sob story about the giant crushing the hard working little guy.

 

[Beth]

Oh wow. Someone here is very misinformed. I'm sure glad you didn't walk into your Canadian mom-n-pop store!

I don't know about dealers being under contracts to carry only certain models, but I can assure you that the Bongos are *NOT* made overseas. They are made in the same factory alongside the StingRays, StingRay 5s and Sterlings of the bass world.

 

[mynan]

my good bass friends

I would rethink that.

 

[Bass Control]

Thanks Pops.

The only other dealer in this area is Guitar Center, and I've had horrible experiences with them. This dealer of whom we speak of has treated me extremely well in regards to other purchases (cables for a school I help at, my brother's guitar). I think it was just this one employee's own lack of knowledge if that be that case.

Thanks for the clarification Mr. Ball. I'm looking forward to ordering my Bongo in the future.

 

[ARES]

I stopped buying in generic music stores years ago because of situations like this. These days I shop specialty bass stores, used classifieds, or directly from the manufacturer. After doing all kinds of independent research first of course.

 

[kevin]

Hi Bass Control....Feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you have any specific questions: [email protected] I can also put you in touch with our Ontario based Music Man rep, he may be able to track down a Bongo in the surrounding Ontario area that will meet your needs.


Cheers....

 

[Beth]

Bass Control, this was a store in Virginia Beach that told you the untruths about the Bongo, correct?

 

[Bass Control]

Bass Control, this was a store in Virginia Beach that told you the untruths about the Bongo, correct?

Correct ma'am.

The only reason I want to continue to use them as my dealer is because of the service/repair plan that comes with all the instruments and other products that leave their stores (free setups and routine maintenance is free for the life of the instrument). I'm sure the salesman was misinformed or, perhaps, even misled himself because of his knowledge of the store's dealings with other manufacturers (as far as distribution contracts are concerned), but I just wanted to make sure that the information I was given was correct.

 

[PocketGroove82]

I bet that guy though you were talking about an S.U.B. or OLP, since he really seems to have no clue what a bongo is.

 

[PocketGroove82]

Also, you don't need free setups for life with an EBMM! Or routine maintenance!

The only routine maintenance I do on mine is change the strings.

 

[Bass Control]

I bet that guy though you were talking about an S.U.B. or OLP, since he really seems to have no clue what a bongo is.

That may seem so, but it rules that out because they don't sell OLP.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I bet that guy though you were talking about an S.U.B. or OLP, since he really seems to have no clue what a bongo is.

SUBs still weren't made overseas, though.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Also, you don't need free setups for life with an EBMM! Or routine maintenance!

The only routine maintenance I do on mine is change the strings.

+1

and, if you put flats on them, you don't even need to change strings

 

[Beth]

Correct ma'am.

The only reason I want to continue to use them as my dealer is because of the service/repair plan that comes with all the instruments and other products that leave their stores (free setups and routine maintenance is free for the life of the instrument). I'm sure the salesman was misinformed or, perhaps, even misled himself because of his knowledge of the store's dealings with other manufacturers (as far as distribution contracts are concerned), but I just wanted to make sure that the information I was given was correct.

I'm sure that the salesperson was just misinformed, like you said. I only wish that salespeople would just say "I don't know" when they are asked a question that they don't know how to answer or aren't sure about. If the salesperson there has any questions about Music Man or ordering procedures, please have them call (866) 823-2255 and ask for anyone in sales/customer service.

Thanks Bass Control! I hope you get the bass you want, and soon!
-Beth

 

[bovinehost]

I only wish that salespeople would just say "I don't know" when they are asked a question that they don't know how to answer or aren't sure about.

No kidding.

I tell you, sometimes even when I know the answer? I say, "I don't know" just to keep in shape for those times when I really don't know.