Greg Boyd House of Music

[Mark Levesque]

Never mind, I finally got ahold of them.
It does seem they could be more careful with my $2,000.

[Ranger]

yow 2k!
my transaction wasn't that much (o.k. just $8 and change...)
but i was surprised at their lack of communication. it was a 'net order, and i wasn't sure if they recieved it or not. was about to contact them when my package arrived in the mail. hope you have no further problems, good luck.
Ranger

[recklessmando]

I've dealt with them a good half dozen times and have never had reason to complain. They ship promptly, for me anyway, and twice didn't charge shipping on items that were backordered. Seems that must be the company policy. I have had trouble submitting online orders but I just call them up. They're great to chat with so I consider the phone call a plus. Sorry you haven't had the same experience. Time for the usual disclaimer; I have no vested interest in their biz and don't stand to gain anything by sucking up to them (but hey, if they're in the market for a spokesmodel and want to work a trade that Sullivan A they have for sale is an awfully sweet looking instrument. Are you listening, Fred?).

[Ken Berner]

Did anyone on this site purchase the '96 Gibson F5-X from Greg Boyd recently? I'd really like to get their impression of that particular mandolin.

[ronlane3]

I ordered a calton case from them about a month ago, they were prompt with emails and with returning my phone calls. They gave me the tracking number and I've been extremely happy with my case.

[MikeB]

Man, a thread that started like this one sure can create the impression of something wrong. #But, Mark, it is impossible to tell what your beef was with Greg Boyd. #It sounds like you got what you want. # Ranger, likewise. #

I'm not saying you folks don't have a legimate gripe, but to take it public without an explanation AND with the problem resolved hardly seems fair to Greg Boyd--or any business for that matter.

I have no financial interest here, etc. #I am just a VERY satisfied frequent customer of Greg Boyd's and feel compelled to pipe in with my experience, which has been ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY. #

I feel confident that he will make a good faith attempt to resolve ANY problem ANY time. #His products are top-of-the-line, service is friendly, prompt, and thorough.

Hope this offsets the bad press....

[Mandobar]

i can never get them to call me back. i wanted to buy a calton case and they took 3 or 4 days to get back to me.
the second time i contacted them i sent an e-mail and called twice (left messages). never heard from them.

[Dan Cole]

You know he travels alot to shows etc. Not making excuses for him, but I have always had great service from him. I was actually in his shop last fall and played the above mentioned F5x. I liked it and would liked to have bought it. He'll let you play everything in his shop, answers questions and was a nice guy to chat with. Man did he have some awesome inventory when I was in there.

[Scotti Adams]

..I too have had great sevice from them...with my last order I gave him the wrong credit card # and he contacted me via email telling me of the problem and gave me his cell phone # to correct the problem because he was traveling to and from Wintergrass...I also think this topic is off topic....its wrong....ya know people are human and mistakes do happen....things usually work out for the better. I have never dealt with any questionable advertisers on this forum..they are all top notch-top shelf....be happy http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/unclesam.gif

[greg boyd]

Greg Boyd here...

The posting from Mark Levesque is in regards to a refund for a Collings MT mandolin that he recently bought from us.
At the time(last days of Feb), we were at WinterGrass Festival in Tacoma, Washington as a main instrument vendor.

In the first few hours of the first day of the show, Scott Tichenor stopped by and saw our Collings MT mandolin. He checked it out, said it was great, then said he knew someone who had been looking for one. We produced a LapTop and Scott send Mark Levesque an e-mail about the mandolin.

Mark Contacted us at our booth via cell phone and arranged to buy the mandolin. All other customers throughout the busy 4 days were told this mandolin was now sold.
"Usually" we only run credit cards as a "security" when shipping instruments. Then, after approval, the funds are charged as "sale". On this mandolin, we assumed that the customer was trusting Scott Tichenor to be his eyes and ears, and that it was indeed a sale.

Several days later, as we were driving the black ice of North Dakota on our way to Minneapolis, we heard from Mark that the tonality of the Collings was wrong for him. We were surprised, but arranged for the mandolin to be returned for refund.

Usually all shipments arrive here via UPS or FedEx, but Mark requested US Post because he works for Post Office.
The mandolin arrived while some store personnel were set up in Minneapolis at a show, and the other employees were busy with complete store remodel(new hardwood floor, slatwall, paint, etc).

I returned from Minnesota, inspected the mandolin, found it to be in fine shape, and quickly barked an order to release/refund his credit card except for freight. Unfortunately I was barking the order indiscriminately to several overworked employees who were busy unpacking from a show and/or hammering in a new hardwood floor.

We didn't give it another thought until Mark called us yesterday to report that the credit had not showed up. We promptly double-checked and found he was right. We immediately issued the credit. A total of 8 business days elapsed from time that I inspected his returned mandolin until credit was issued.
----------------------------------------------------------- # #
As far as Ranger's complaint about receiving goods before he could complain about not being notified about our receiving his order... I really don't know what to say... Our shipping crew is very fast. Most orders ship out SAME DAY.
#
If you place a web order and enter your e-mail, you do receive a reply that tells you that we have received your order, but we are still working on scripting the shopping cart to also e-mail out an invoice upon shipping.

Thanks to all our loyal customers who called about these postings to give us verbal support...

We simply can't pick up the phone to catch every call... but we answer EVERY phone message. Every now and then there are e-mails that are "vague" that we do not reply to - simply because it is not clear that it NEEDS a reply...
Sometimes we are just so overworked that we let one slip by...

Sincerely,
Greg Boyd
"House of Fine Instruments"
www.gregboyd.com
406/327-9925 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[dave waite]

I have had several dealings with Greg Boyd personally & have not had any problems whatsoever. Very knowlegeable & totally trustworthy. A real pleasure to talk to & always delvivered in a reasonable time.
We as individuals really need to discourage the flippant use of this forum for complaints directed at people who rely on reputation for their living. I have no problem with legitimate complaints, but to launch a thread like this so quickly, is irresponsible. No joke!
Dave

[mandolooter]

I didn't get it from the beginning...did the refund come between typing the topic title and the actual message? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[goose 2]

Through the years, I have bought a few mandolins from Greg Boyd and have nothing but good things to say about him and his service. I bought a rather expensive mandolin years ago and he allowed that I play it a bit longer before deciding whether or not to keep it . I ended up sending it back and he returned my money immediately with no questions asked.
Greg is FOR SURE a straight shooter, knowledgable, good guy. I would not hesitate for one nanosecond to deal with him in the future.


James Hayhurst

[Mike Bunting]

So, a year ago I drove down to Missoula from Canada and spent the best part of a business day hanging around Greg's store and drinking coffee and playing mandos and talking mandos and drinking coffee and... I don't recall Greg actually trying to sell me anything! But, I ended up trading my Givens for the Collings F. All my dealings with him have relaxed and painless. Must be one slick saleman!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Spruce]

Greg's one of the good guys in this biz...

[G. Fisher]

I have dealt with Greg several times and never had a problem. He does everything he can to make sure the customer gets what they are looking for. Not what Greg wants to sell them.

I don't understand why the topic starter didn't give a full description of the situation. He made a very small problem seem very large.

Greg Fisher

[MikeB]

Now we're talking about the Greg Boyd *I* know. #I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my new Collings MF (which somehow got shipped to Lewistown--90 miles east of here). #

If I decide not to keep the Collings, I'll probably drive it back to Missoula, which will wind up costing me maybe 6 hours (not counting driving) talking to Greg, playing his fantastic assortment of instruments, looking at his new showroom, ogling the many fine accessories he stocks, and bringing back God-only-knows-what.

Today, we talked about trading my CAR for a mandolin. #When I asked how I would get home, he says, "oh that's the easy part...." # I love this guy.

A trip to Greg Boyd's for me is like a trip to Disneyland for a kid.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I guess one more endorsement for Greg Boyd won't hurt. I have been a customer and friend of Greg's for years, and in the last two years I've purchased three Collings instruments from him. Always knowledgable and honest, Greg even sent my new Collings guitar with one of his staff to deliver it to me at a jam session a hundred miles from his store! I know that it's a bit scary to buy expensive stuff from someone you don't know, clear across the country, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Greg Boyd's House of Fine Insrument to anyone.

[Pete Martin]

I have purchased a few instruments and lots of accesories from Greg and find him to be 100% professional and upfront in his business dealings. I will be happily dealing with him in the future with NO reservations. As Bruce said, one of the good guys in this business!!!!!

[Ranger]

Hey Greg B!
somehow my posting must have sounded like a complaint. honestly that was not my intention. i am very happy with my product and the prompt service to get it to me. the comment about the communication part was valid, more of a passing comment than a complaint. my other half has mentioned that she has not been recieving e-mails on her account, and that may be happening to mine possibly.
anyway, thanks for your post here, thank you for your service on my order. i will probably be ordering from you again. no worries here.
Ranger

[John Rosett]

first off- mikeb- let me know if you're not gonna buy that collings, 'cause it is one fine mando. to my ear better sounding than either of the fancier collings f's at greg's shop.
secondly, i don't really need to come to greg's defense, as so many others here have already done so, BUT...
i've been doing business with greg for quite a while now, and i've bought five or six very nice instruments from him. it doesn't hurt that i live in the same town, but i also get a kind of "behind the scenes" look at how business is conducted at greg's shop. i think that if greg and his staff bent over any more backwards for their customers, they would break their backs. they truly put up with alot from us obsessed customers, and actually seem to enjoy it. maybe it's because they're all musicians too.
anyways, my $.02 on the subject
john

[Russ(String-Alley)]

I have bought a Weber from them, Very helpful and took care of my order in the most professional manner. Follow up was made promptly and took care of my special request. Really Great folks who care about the customers. They have good ears and can really help you out when "talking tone" and making evaluations.
"My hats off to them fellers"
Russ

[mandoJeremy]

I do enjoy looking at the mandos on Greg's website. He always has a nice inventory but I always seem to be out of money.

[G. Fisher]

Mark,

I don't understand why you continue to be hostile about a small mix up with a credit charge. You could have just said that there was a miscomunication and the problem was resolved.

But, you decided to take a shots at Greg and wrote "I'm sorry that Scott's name came up in this thread (a real class act, this Mr Boyd) after he was kind enough to try to help me find a nice mandolin." Exactly what is that suppose to mean? How is Scotts' name harmed by this thread? It's a fact that Scott saw the mandolin and contacted you about it . You also questioned how Greg runs his business and bookeeping. #He must be doing it right when you consider he is one the most highly respected dealers in the country.

I again do not understand why you made such a small problem seem so large. #

Greg Fisher

[Givensman]

Greg runs a fine operation.

[Mark Levesque]

Sorry folks, there was a miscommunication and the problem was resolved.

[greg boyd]

Ok...

Situation has been resolved. Mark has the refund. We are happy(although still a little embarassed that we dropped the ball on immediately refunding Mark's charges)...

Time now to shift gears back to the actual topic of......
MANDOLINS...

- greg boyd

[Scotti Adams]

..cased closed....amen brother!!

[Ken Berner]

Hey Tke878, please e-mail me, Flatiron93@msn.com, concerning your impression of the '96 Gibson F5-X you played at Greg Boyd's shop. I would be interested in how the tone compares with Gibson F5 mandolins with tone bars. Thanks, Ken

[Wesley]

Well I've got a complaint ! Late last year Greg sold me a Weber Fern. And now the banjo player for our group gripes and tells me that my mandolin is too loud and to play more softly.

Thanks Greg.

[Pete Martin]

Tell your banjo player he needs to buy a louder banjo from Greg.