22 January 2006
The S90ES finally arrived
Guitar Center never again!
On December 15, 2005, after much saving and research, I went into GC to purchase the Yamaha S90ES 88-key synth, a great addition for the studio and for me as a composition and performance tool. Not surprisingly, the particular store location I went to was out of stock of the particular item I wanted; however, I was OK with it for then. While they offered the floor model, I emphasized that I wanted to pay for the synth today, and I wanted it absolutely brand new (GC is horrible about this “detail”). Other stores in my area had it, but not new, so the sales person told me that he could have a new one delivered and it would reach my apartment within a week! And for a great price I was able to bring it down. “Great!” I thought, right in time for Christmas. My only last request was a tracking number, the salesman told me he’d call me the next day with one.
The next day came and no call. I let one more day go and I called the store. The salesman told me he’d call me right back with the tracking number. Hours passed, no call. I called back, still didn’t have the tracking number. The 24th passed, and I was irritated. I went to the store and asked for an update. After a while, the salesman told me that the order had not even shipped and that he would have it out next thing next day. I again asked for the tracking number. On the day it supposedly shipped, I called and asked for a tracking number. Nothing. This cycle began to repeat itself.
Before long, I called Guitar Center again, this time I asked for a manager. This manager saw the error and forwarded me to the “keyboard” manager. The keyboard manager credited me $100 in store credit and assured me it would be sent out next day; I again asked for the tracking number… he would call me back. Next day, the manager did NOT call me back. I called him, and he told me that it “for sure” shipped, but b/c it was a store transfer, there was no tracking number. Hard for me to believe since almost every parcel carrier (except USPS) has a tracking number on everything by default. I waited a few more days for the package to arrive, called the manager for an update. He had no news for me, and no synth for me either. Almost 1 month had passed, and I had no synth and zero returned phone calls from GC regarding a synth I had already paid for.
Finally, I got the first call back explaining that the synth had been located and that there was a lot of confusion between the two store locations and it was promised to me next day. I was offered a piano bench for compensation. I waited all the next day at my apartment for the synth… nothing. It was not until the next day that the pleasant knocking of UPS arrived with my synth, but it was 31 days later, January 16th. Unbelievable!!! I was very happy to have the synth, but very upset with GC, and never will I ever buy anything from that store again if 1) it is not in the current store I’m inside & 2) not completely brand new… just a few tips from my experience. From now on, www.zzounds.com.
Although the wait was horrible, the synth is here, it is brand new, and I went that same day to claim my free stuff. In a fury, I put more on the counter than the value of credit I was promised (high end balanced Mogami cables + bench). The sales people didn’t dare tell me anything.
Regardless now, beyond the frustration, the SYNTH is here, and I’m excited to play, perform, and record with it.
