waiting my turn: is there a deadline for changing an order...

[jongitarz]

Bodies, necks etc are not built until a work order has been completed. When an order is rec'd, the work order is generated. Again, and I mean no disrespect at all, but you don't know how things are done. I never said it was impossible to change an order, I am just trying to say it's a pain in the butt for all involved. It would be much nicer if when you order an instrument, you know what you want. Build times are long enough as they are.

 

[nicolasd]

i can fully appreciate the fact that EBMM would rather spend their time and effort making great instruments than re-doing paperwork and hi-jacking workflow for customer whims.

some of us remember stories of soviet russia where people would wait in line, not knowing what they were waiting for.

the lines were so long, it was worth claiming your space. even if it was something you didn't need, you'd be able to trade with someone on some other ridiculously long line.

my motive is different than the soviet's. this is not a critique of the EBMM system. i have no idea how best to run a company. but when a wait for a custom order is 6 months, i want to know how made up my mind needs to be before beginning the process with an order... a deposit, etc.

i think we're all on the same page here, really.


just an edit here to underscore the fact that i know full well that a pitfall of a company like EBMM being so transparent to its customers, is that we know lots of details... but not ENOUGH details.

a customer can then be tempted to "game the system" which just creates a nasty feedback loop of complications, canceled orders, delays... and longer waits.

in a very few days, this company has earned my respect and i want that respect to be reciprocated. ergo i don't want to step on toes and eff things up before i even own my first EBMM

 

[bovinehost]

i have no idea how best to run a company. but when a wait for a custom order is 6 months, i want to know how made up my mind needs to be before beginning the process with an order... a deposit, etc.

i think we're all on the same page here, really.

I think we are, too, especially since I can look down and see the page number.

FWIW, I don't think it's a good idea (I repeat myself when under stress) to order a bass if you haven't decided that this is the bass you really want.

I sure said a lot of words when all I really wanted to say was that.

Jack

 

[Freddels]

Bodies, necks etc are not built until a work order has been completed. When an order is rec'd, the work order is generated. Again, and I mean no disrespect at all, but you don't know how things are done. I never said it was impossible to change an order, I am just trying to say it's a pain in the butt for all involved. It would be much nicer if when you order an instrument, you know what you want. Build times are long enough as they are.

I'm sure it is a PITA. I was just making a point that it's not impossible and I'm sure it comes up more than you'd like. And you are correct, I do not know the inner workings of your company and probably never will.

But again, let's look at the original post in this thread, and the author has already decided to re-think his approach.

Exactly. I think the original poster wanted to get into the line with an order and then see what's coming out in 6 months and be able to make a change then without losing his place in line. That's way more than changing one's mind on a color or pickguard.

 

[Big Poppa]

Freddels
Im sorry but you are wrong. When we forecast purchases in raw material it is based on what is on order, contrary to your belief that it doesnt matter until it is loaded on the CNC machine.

We are in a catch 22. WE can be backordered three months if we dont make 20th 20th le and such but the public wants these. Are we better of making more choices and having a longer lead time or cutting our product offering so the wait is shorter?

 

[4metta]

Bongos showed at NAMM in January of 2003 and didn't hit the shelves until November of that year. Long wait.

Um....does that mean a bass that hasn't even been designed yet (like a Sterling5) is at least a year away?

Oh hell noes!!! I'm a patient woman but not that patient. Ima gettin' a Bongo 5.

 

[syciprider]

Good idea! Then you can get the Ster5 when it comes out next year.

 

[bovinehost]

Um....does that mean a bass that hasn't even been designed yet (like a Sterling5) is at least a year away?

Oh hell noes!!! I'm a patient woman but not that patient. Ima gettin' a Bongo 5.

I got no info, secret or otherwise, about the legendary Sterling 5. Really. None.

So all I can do is tell you what I KNOW to be correct, and yes, there was almost a year between the NAMM Bongo Unveiling and the actual basses being shipped.

So that's anecdotal and could prove to have no relationship with anything that happens (or doesn't) in the future, but.....

...I wouldn't be waiting around in July of 2006 for a bass that may or may not be introduced in January of 2007 with a shipping date of who the hell knows.

Jack

 

[nicolasd]

Freddels
Im sorry but you are wrong. When we forecast purchases in raw material it is based on what is on order, contrary to your belief that it doesnt matter until it is loaded on the CNC machine.

We are in a catch 22. WE can be backordered three months if we dont make 20th 20th le and such but the public wants these. Are we better of making more choices and having a longer lead time or cutting our product offering so the wait is shorter?

thanks for chiming in BP. i'd way rather have more choices and longer leads. it makes each instrument that much more special.

and i also appreciate that no one's sent fire and brimstone down my collar for bringing this all up.

 

[jongitarz]

BP has so much more insight as to what goes on than I do, but having been involved in prodution, y'all have no idea how much work there is in taking something from autocad to instrument.

 

[SR5EasyPiezos]

Different Strokes ...

i want to know how made up my mind needs to be before beginning the process with an order... a deposit, etc.

a customer can then be tempted to "game the system" which just creates a nasty feedback loop of complications, canceled orders, delays... and longer waits.

i don't want to step on toes and eff things up before i even own my first EBMM

IMO think this is really all about communications with your dealer; the factory runs a complex operation. Most US customers have many more dealer choices than some of us outside the US.

One larger dealer I used to buy from before new management came along would place a special order for me with a small refundable or transferrable deposit as long as the order wasn't "too weird"; we had a mutual trust; if for any reason I needed to cancel, the special order unit would go into stock on arrival.

For anything "weird", I would need a larger deposit, and I would risk losing my deposit or reputation as a good customer if I stuck him with some 'hard to sell' piece; that never happened; it was nearly impossible to change an order with them once the ink was dry on their factory purchase order.

I know of a smaller dealer who would special order pretty much anything with a serious, non-refundable deposit; he'd keep your deposit and blow you away if anything went wrong; on the other hand, he would really look after you, but knowing your deposit meant business and no fooling around, you really needed to have things together before placing an order with him.

SR5EP

 

[SR5EasyPiezos]

Old Age & Hopefully Wisdom Tells Me

I got no info, secret or otherwise, about the legendary Sterling 5. Really. None. ...

...I wouldn't be waiting around in July of 2006 for a bass that may or may not be introduced in January of 2007 with a shipping date of who the hell knows.

Jack

DD BONGO5s in the hands are worth (pick a #) invisible Sterling5s in the invisible bush.

SR5EP

 

[bovinehost]

Good posts, SR5EP. (You really need an easier name.)

Steve and I have had some changes recently (shocking, I know, that people would actually want to bail on their original order and get one of those ugly green things) and in some cases, we're going to have to sell a bass that we already sold once.

Hey, so what? I value you guys who buy from us and it's no big thing. Plus, let's face it. We don't have a normal dealer-customer relationship. I actually like you guys.

Jack

 

[shamus63]

Good posts, SR5EP. (You really need an easier name.)

Steve and I have had some changes recently (shocking, I know, that people would actually want to bail on their original order and get one of those ugly green things) and in some cases, we're going to have to sell a bass that we already sold once.

Hey, so what? I value you guys who buy from us and it's no big thing. Plus, let's face it. We don't have a normal dealer-customer relationship. I actually like you guys.

Jack

Sometimes to the same customer.

 

[syciprider]

I only get to order this next bass once.

Limited release as it is so I am carefully weighing my choices (MOG SR4H/maple/MHS or MOG Bongo 4H). Each has it's own virtues and strengths so it's really a tough decision. I wish I could buy both but big ticket purchases like these always have to be a bilateral agreement in my household and I'm afraid I won't get a caucus.

 

[Freddels]

Freddels
Im sorry but you are wrong. When we forecast purchases in raw material it is based on what is on order, contrary to your belief that it doesnt matter until it is loaded on the CNC machine.

We are in a catch 22. WE can be backordered three months if we dont make 20th 20th le and such but the public wants these. Are we better of making more choices and having a longer lead time or cutting our product offering so the wait is shorter?

BP,

I'm sorry for simplifying the production process but I just can't imagine the company shutting down and needing to wake you in the middle of the night b/c somebody called in for a color change before the instrument was actually produced.

I also never suggested that you shouldn't offer more choices and cut the wait time.

I imagine you have raw materials ordered WAY into the future (especially with wood) and I'm in no position to argue with you about YOUR business.

Heck, I don't even know how I got in this deep.

And for the record, I haven't changed any order

 

[Road Pop]

I'm guilty as all. I tied up Bovine quite a few times for a special order MM. He was, and has been, the nicest person I've ever dealt with. We didn't get a deal done cause I got laid off of work again. My bad for not telling him. I was so impressed with the whole company, I traded a beloved bass for a near mint Stingray! Even up trade! I want a Sterling so bad, I got this Stingray to try out.

I talked to Bovine about the order process. He could have not said it better. "put your money down on exactly what you want". I got laid off since then, but got a GREAT Stingray on trade. Possibly the best trade ever. I got the color I wanted two years ago with a matching h/stock. Great build quality!

Bovinehost.... You do a great job here! I feel bad for not completing our deal. I will, in the future (hopefully near), buy a bass from you.

Here is the moral of the story....You want a bass? Buy a Bass! If you order in advance and realize you chose the wrong color. Deal with it. This company backs it's products better than anyone. I'm a new owner of a used EBMM Ray and couldn't be more happy about the quality. I'm a future "new" buyer!

Realize what you want ahead of time!


P.S. Can anyone send me the control patterns for a 3-band Ray. I had a great sound Saturday night and messed with the knobs and it got a little bright. I started up with the last 2 knobs at the detents. Is that cut and boost?

Thanks, DeWayne

 

[adouglas]

well that's exactly what i don't know.

i haven't on the forums long enough to see what kinds of things appear at shows like NAMM. new colors, redesigned pickups, different hardware, new options etc.

Perhaps I can help shed some light on this one. I've only been part of the mob here since late last summer, but if what I've seen thus far holds true, I think you can expect to see the next limited edition color announced in January. In all likelihood, hardware won't change, pickups won't change, options won't change. As a rule, EBMM doesn't screw around too much with things once they're released (though evolutionary changes do take place from time to time, of course).

Next year is also the 20th anniversary of the SR5, so it's a pretty safe bet that we'll see a special anniversary edition of that bass at some point IMHO. However, I wouldn't bet on January, because the next Ltd. Ed. should pop up then.