ampwares

[qwixzh]

hi all!

anybody tried ordering parts from Ampwares? How's the service? I did ordered some parts but havent received any shipping info. I tried emailing them but they didnt respond.

this is the email add that i have been contacting:

customer_service@ampwares.com

anyone who knows how to contact these guys other than the email add above? I'm from the Philippines so calling them thru phone is an expensive way so i would like it to be my last resort.

thanks in advance!

qwixzh

edited: just realized that i posted on the wrong forum, anyway hope to see some replies.

[Sir Cuitous]

You will probably not get any response from that email. A quick search of the internet will tell you that they are VERY poor on customer service. Also, some persons report that they are very slow to ship or that the shipment does not come at all. I did place a small order once from them and was lucky to get my parts in about three weeks. By then I had already received the necessary parts from another supplier. Your phone calls will not be returned and you probably will get an answering machine message that reports that the message box is full. The best you can do right now is wait and see. I hope you get your items.

[qwixzh]

whoa! i spent USD103 on those. I failed to check their customer service before ordering. i hope i do get my items even if takes longer than expected. Its been two weeks now.

thanks for the info!

[Alex R]

I once put in an order. It took two months. Got here in the end though.

[Jag]

I have exactly ZERO GOOD to say about them. They not only completely screwed my order, they lied to me for over eight months before I finally gave up. I lost A LOT more than you might.

BTW, VISA was no help in resolving the money end of it.

[qwixzh]

yikes!!! very bad experience. Hope I wont be added to those who never got their items.

[drewl]

Since they are nearby I ordered some tubes from them which were out of stock at my usual retailer.
I got my order after the place I usually order from got their stuff in, so I was led to believe they probably get their stuff from the same place I do.
Alot of people have complained about the poor service, I guess they just order from other suppliers and resell, but I can't imagine why they would do it.

[Sir Cuitous]

qwixzh, just hold in there. I too did not like their "complete" lack of customer service, but my stuff eventually came. In the mean time, can anyone please share your preferred online suppliers for future reference?

[qwixzh]

thanks Sir Cutious!

[GlennW]

Try Mojomusicalsupply - fast, friendly, accurate, and well worth the couple of extra dollars to avoid the aggravation.

http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/

[Jag]

Antique Electronic Supply http://www.tubesandmore.com.

The Tube Store http://thetubestore.com/. These guys are in Canada so I get quick shipping and don't have to pay UPS's cross boarder blood money.

[CoolBlueGlow]

re: Ampwares -

I've ordered from them a couple of times. I'm sorry to have to say that I'm not going to be able to do that again.

Reasons?

1. Nonexistent communication - numerous emails, telephone calls, messages - NEVER even got a call back or email reply.

First order - took two months
Second order - after a month, it was partially fulfilled - no explanation or back order delivery date. now almost two months and nothing...

2. Billing practices; Ampwares billed my CC three days after the order was placed online - then didn't complete the order, didn't offer backorder status or explanation, and did not deliver the goods within 30 days of billing - (see item 1. :-) Ampwares' decision to bill a credit card is, in legalspeak, a "tacit binding contractual behavior"...e.g. By making that decision, we both agree to behave in certain ways, (some of which are regulated by state and Federal interstate commerce laws and regulations...like delivery times.) I'm not pushing anything with Ampwares, but what Mark did was, technically speaking, illegal (both times).

I'm really sad about this. Mark's FFG site contains some very useful information, but I have to agree with other posts here - He should communicate, he should tell folks if he's not going to do that as policy, and he should not charge credit cards and then not ship. Absent such a disclaimer for slow shipping on his website, a backorder status statement his forms, etc, and after 30 days, such behaviors are more than an "inconvenience". They are a violation of Federal laws regulating interstate commerce.

The whole situation is sad. Again, the FFG has been very useful, and Mark's passion for the topic is obvious. Unfortunately, his passion for Fender amps is not matched by his business savvy. Reluctantly, I'd have to say to folks - my experience is "don't order from Ampwares".

CoolBlueGlow

[qwixzh]

its been a month now and still havent got any response from ampwares. I've been emailing them almost every day.

[Sir Cuitous]

qwixzh, I'm sorry it's been so long. I did get my small order from them in about three weeks. This was about two months ago. I believe I was "lucky". They are not going to respond. They did not respond to me when my order was late. As far as I can tell they do not respond to anyone. Here is a thread from another forum with very unhappy customers:

http://f24.parsimony.net/forum54398/messages/1584.htm

I hate to say it, but you probably should just wait it out. They should have been under investigation by now, but sadly they are not. If you Google "Ampwares" some bad press comes up but also some referrals (unbelieveable). However, the thread I posted comes up as #4 on Google and this thread comes up under Google as #8 so maybe people will read this and not buy from them. This discussion is probably the best we can do right now to warn others about Ampwares. The current posts and links to other complaints will help to keep others from making this mistake. Thanks to all for the good referrals to reputable dealers.

[qwixzh]

Sir Cuitous,

thanks for the link! i did post there . Yes, I agree with you, hopefully this catches the attention of others.

qwi

[JJGross]

I ordered once from them, never again. Took almost 3 months to get to me. I suspect they ordered my stuff from Futurlec and shipped it out again once they get it. Futurlec is extremely cheap, but very slow in shipping to most of the US. At least Futurlec will answer emails in about 2 or 3 days. Ampwares just takes your money, orders stuff from overseas and forgets about you until your parts come in from Asia all the while ignoring any messages you send them asking for updates.

Good luck in your dealings with them, but I doubt they care about you at all once they get payment.

[Normybaby]

I too never receive my order; I deleted from my Favorites list and will never deal with them again. Go with Mojo, Tubesandmore or Triod electronics; Hoffman is pretty good as well. Mojo probably has the fastest shipping around.
Normybaby. Who needs Ampwares!

[Jammin'John]

They are the worst of all the vendors in the world.
I ordered a tweed cab and he said 6-8 weeks.
I waited 2 months.
NO communication.
NEVER got it.

JJ

[Lizard King]

I just placed a small ($20) order last week via paypal. Should I start processing a claim through Paypal or wait it out? It's not a big dollar amount but I'm not going to wait 2 months to complete my project.

[JJGross]

Last week isn't enough to make any kind of a claim against a merchant, 30 days with no merchandise is more common. I'd be surprised if you see an email from them in 30 days much less anything you can hold in your hands.

I hate to say it but unless you bought through ebay AND paid with Paypal, PP won't do anything to refund your money whether you ever get anything or not. I bought a guitar once through a drop-shipper and paid with Paypal and never got the guitar. I filed a complaint for fraud after 3 months and PP just said "they closed their account and since there are no available funds to refund your money there's nothing we can do". PP said they'd investigate further, but in less than 10 days PP closed the complaint and now considers the matter closed. I repeatedly asked for reasons why paying with PP is not covered under their fraud policy and was told that they only offer that for ebay purchase.

You can ask for a refund, but I bet your 'ass is grass' on this one. Sorry. At least you didn't buy a guitar or a lot of parts. Live & learn I guess. How they stay out of jail is beyond me. Ampwares knows if you pay with PP, you have next to no recourse against them if they just don't feel like delivering anything to you. Like I said in an earlier post, I did get my order from them, but it took 3 months and it was stuff anyplace selling amp & pedal parts should have on the shelf. I'm sure they just buy from Futurlec and wait 6+ weeks for stuff to come from Thailand before sending it along your way - if ever.

Good luck,
- JJ

[Normybaby]

My sentiments exactly. Good luck.
Normybaby

[qwixzh]

I still dont have my items.

lesson: NEVER BUY FROM THEM!!!

[deluxe reverb92]

ive ordered from ampwares a few times......nothing bad to say.......they even helped me out over the phone when i had a question about the parts, and im sure they don't just order and resell, because the guy i spoke to actually pulled a part off the shelf to test it for me.

anyway..... www.tonecraftamprepair.com ....give jon a call when you need parts......he gave me priceless advice on a few amps, and tests ALL his parts before they go out, in short, he's the man! :-)

[Lizard King]

I received my order with NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. They weren't the fastest shippers but not the slowest either.

[jlonigro]

Same problem here at most everyone. Ordered on 1/4/08. Money taken out of account no merchandise, no communication. I can't believe this place exists. Give me break give it up man. Stop screwing people over. Get out of business even if you can call it that. I'm calling VISA today to raise as much hell as possible. The man should be arrested. Seriously!

[eurekaiv]

Off topic but in regards to the situation below, never pay with paypal through your bank account for this very reason. A credit card company will protect you in the case where paypal refuses to take action (most of the time). I use my bank account occasionally for small purchases but if there's any significant amount of money trading hands and I don't personally know the seller it's CC all the way.

Originally Posted by JJGross

Last week isn't enough to make any kind of a claim against a merchant, 30 days with no merchandise is more common. I'd be surprised if you see an email from them in 30 days much less anything you can hold in your hands.

I hate to say it but unless you bought through ebay AND paid with Paypal, PP won't do anything to refund your money whether you ever get anything or not. I bought a guitar once through a drop-shipper and paid with Paypal and never got the guitar. I filed a complaint for fraud after 3 months and PP just said "they closed their account and since there are no available funds to refund your money there's nothing we can do". PP said they'd investigate further, but in less than 10 days PP closed the complaint and now considers the matter closed. I repeatedly asked for reasons why paying with PP is not covered under their fraud policy and was told that they only offer that for ebay purchase.

You can ask for a refund, but I bet your 'ass is grass' on this one. Sorry. At least you didn't buy a guitar or a lot of parts. Live & learn I guess. How they stay out of jail is beyond me. Ampwares knows if you pay with PP, you have next to no recourse against them if they just don't feel like delivering anything to you. Like I said in an earlier post, I did get my order from them, but it took 3 months and it was stuff anyplace selling amp & pedal parts should have on the shelf. I'm sure they just buy from Futurlec and wait 6+ weeks for stuff to come from Thailand before sending it along your way - if ever.

Good luck,
- JJ

[qwixzh]

Originally Posted by deluxe reverb92

ive ordered from ampwares a few times......nothing bad to say.......they even helped me out over the phone when i had a question about the parts, and im sure they don't just order and resell, because the guy i spoke to actually pulled a part off the shelf to test it for me.

anyway..... www.tonecraftamprepair.com ....give jon a call when you need parts......he gave me priceless advice on a few amps, and tests ALL his parts before they go out, in short, he's the man! :-)

Good for you!

I still havent receive my items (yes, i mean mine because i already paid for them).

No communications, no answer to emails. Ampwares is a big scam!

[ricach]

It took me 3 weeks to get my parts - but at least I got them. But not before finding the critical ones elsewhere and rebuying them. Now I got spares.

[jlonigro]

Well just as many have reported my items showed up today. Three weeks from the order date. Zero communication from the vendor. I also repurchased the items with anticipation that I will not receive the items now I have an extra set of 80uF 450V and 25uF 50V Sprague Atom caps. Funny how I received the merchandise shortly after my last email was about reporting them to VISA. Spread the word they are a horrible vendor. I almost wish the hadn't sent the order so I could continue the claim with VISA.

[etinsley]

I ordered from Ampwares on 01/14 and they billed my credit card on 01/23. I've left one voicemail message and several emails with no reply. I just tried to call again and I got a "voice mailbox full" message. I looked up his phone number and it came back as a Verizon Wireless cell phone. I wish I'd researched him sooner.

-Eric

[Jammin'John]

Mailbox Full.......... isn't THAT precious !
They are VERY bad businessmen with a nice fender website.

JJ

[Normybaby]

I hope the word is getting out there about these guys; please The spread the word to other forums; we need to put these guys out of business

[etinsley]

Originally Posted by etinsley

I ordered from Ampwares on 01/14 and they billed my credit card on 01/23. I've left one voicemail message and several emails with no reply. I just tried to call again and I got a "voice mailbox full" message. I looked up his phone number and it came back as a Verizon Wireless cell phone. I wish I'd researched him sooner.

-Eric

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find my parts sitting in my mailbox when I got home tonight. Everything was there - nothing missing. I guess if you wait patiently your merchandise will arrive eventually.

[qwixzh]

Originally Posted by etinsley

Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find my parts sitting in my mailbox when I got home tonight. Everything was there - nothing missing. I guess if you wait patiently your merchandise will arrive eventually.

Good for you!

well, i've been waiting for 4 cruel months now... mind you i chose the fastest shipping method he is offering.

[Alex R]

Originally Posted by qwixzh

Good for you!

well, i've been waiting for 4 cruel months now... mind you i chose the fastest shipping method he is offering.

That was your mistake. You offended him by assuming he might be slow in sending stuff out. Now he's sulking.