Historic Makeovers: Has the deposit always been non-refundable?

[RCCola]

Hi,

I could of sworn the site did not say "non-refundable" for the deposit last year.

Anyone remember if this has always been non-refundable?

[FennRx]

its been that way on their website since i've been on this forum

[Fixxxer]

At the end of the day, If anything happened and you need your cash back I am sure if oyu pushed hard enough you can get your cash back.

[CzarIvan]

as long as i've known, it's been non-refundable....
but if you don't want it, i'll take your spot

[dwagar]

there's a thought. I question why anyone would put down that large a deposit if they weren't sure they were going to follow through, but circumstances do change.
First I'd suggest you ask for a refund. If they won't refund it, I suppose you would have the right to sell that 'deposit' to someone else to give them your place in the queue.
Interesting idea.

[Mike60]

Originally Posted by dwagar

there's a thought. I question why anyone would put down that large a deposit if they weren't sure they were going to follow through, but circumstances do change.
First I'd suggest you ask for a refund. If they won't refund it, I suppose you would have the right to sell that 'deposit' to someone else to give them your place in the queue.
Interesting idea.

...check the members classifieds.

[b-squared]

I would expect any custom work by any vendor--be it luthier work, pickups, refinishing, etc. to be non-refundable.

If the vendor allows you to sell your "spot"...awesome. If you cancel your order, don't expect to get any money back--the vendor will have put their time and materials into motion, and your decision to back out of the deal will be a serious inconvenience.

That's the world of "Custom" work. It works the same way in other industries as well.

BB

[RCCola]

Originally Posted by dwagar

there's a thought. I question why anyone would put down that large a deposit if they weren't sure they were going to follow through, but circumstances do change.
First I'd suggest you ask for a refund. If they won't refund it, I suppose you would have the right to sell that 'deposit' to someone else to give them your place in the queue.
Interesting idea.

There was never mention of 'non-refundable', that's why I put down the deposit.

I actually found a tool called WayBackMachine online, and it archives old pages.

This is from February 2008.

Historic Makeovers

Anyways, worst comes to worst, I'll have to send my guitar. I just don't want to be w/o my guitar for months and am a little apprehensive to do business with them now...I was told they don't have $500 to refund me.

[RCCola]

Originally Posted by b-squared

I would expect any custom work by any vendor--be it luthier work, pickups, refinishing, etc. to be non-refundable.

If the vendor allows you to sell your "spot"...awesome. If you cancel your order, don't expect to get any money back--the vendor will have put their time and materials into motion, and your decision to back out of the deal will be a serious inconvenience.

That's the world of "Custom" work. It works the same way in other industries as well.

BB

This is not custom work. There are packages. If I had specified something particular that couldn't be used for somebody else, I would totally agree with you. But, there's a long list of people trying to do the exact same thing I'm going to do.

Again, not a big deal. I'm a fan of their work and won't be heartbroken to send my guitar there.

Changing the terms of the deal after they have my deposit is a bit disagreeable though.

[SKATTERBRANE]

That is the whole idea of a deposit, isn't it? A commitment. If they were refundable, then there would be no real reason for them.

[SKATTERBRANE]

It is custom work! Just because it can be put in a package, does not mean the work is not custom. The ORDER may not be custom, but the work is.

[b-squared]

Originally Posted by Norbe

It is custom work! Just because it can be put in a package, does not mean the work is not custom. The ORDER may not be custom, but the work is.

+1

Sorry RCCola, but your analysis is incorrect, sir.

BB

[RCCola]

Originally Posted by Norbe

That is the whole idea of a deposit, isn't it? A commitment. If they were refundable, then there would be no real reason for them.

You've never in your life encountered a refundable deposit?

[Mike60]

Originally Posted by RCCola

You've never in your life encountered a refundable deposit?

deposits on anything are normally non-refundable...you should have asked prior to plunking down your shekels..

[SKATTERBRANE]

Originally Posted by RCCola

You've never in your life encountered a refundable deposit?

No, not unless the person who had the deposit is unable to fulfill the contract. That would be the only instance I have ever encountered.

[SKATTERBRANE]

A deposit refunded is not a deposit at all. It is merely allowing someone to hold your money for a while.

[RCCola]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...you should have asked prior to plunking down your shekels..

I'm pretty sure I did, but I don't record my phone calls...

[RCCola]

Originally Posted by Norbe

A deposit refunded is not a deposit at all. It is merely allowing someone to hold your money for a while.

So, you're saying if I search on google for a refundable deposit, I won't find any?

refundable deposit -non - Google Search

Anyways, I'm not going to continue with this argument - point is, there was no mention of "non-refundable" when I put my deposit, but it's not that big a deal.

[dwagar]

Originally Posted by RCCola

Anyways, worst comes to worst, I'll have to send my guitar. I just don't want to be w/o my guitar for months and am a little apprehensive to do business with them now...I was told they don't have $500 to refund me.

who on earth said anything to make you apprehensive? I can't imagine anyone I'd feel more secure sending my guitar to. Well, as a matter of fact, I did send my guitar to them.

[CzarIvan]

no worries with Kim and Dave. There are few people i'd trust with my gutiars and they're on the list. My HM was out for a while with them and at no point was I ever in fear of it. In fact, the only time i was afraid was in the less than 24 hours that UPS was in possession of her.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by RCCola

....Anyways, I'm not going to continue with this argument - point is, there was no mention of "non-refundable" when I put my deposit....

When I put down a 'deposit', I assume it is 'non-refundable', just as I insist that a 'deposit' someone pays me will be 'non-refundable'. If I take a deposit on an item I am selling on eBay, for example, it is NON-REFUNDABLE!!!!!
That is the nature of a 'deposit'!
P.S. A guitar is just a 'thing'. If a 'thing' is so dear, then it should never leave your possession. I own nothing that I would be 'heartbroken' over losing.....perhaps a bit peeved, or miffed, or irritated, or downright mad, but I'd get over it.

[SKATTERBRANE]

Originally Posted by RCCola

So, you're saying if I search on google for a refundable deposit, I won't find any?

refundable deposit -non - Google Search

Anyways, I'm not going to continue with this argument - point is, there was no mention of "non-refundable" when I put my deposit, but it's not that big a deal.

Nope, I would not say that, but what I WOULD say, a REFUNDABLE deposit is a misnomer.

[pfrischmann]

Kim and Dave are the best.
From what I've seen. HM guitars hold their value better than straight historics.

That said,
HM seems to have more business than they can handle.
If the work has not started and they have no material expenses in preparation for your order, I don't understand why a refund would be a big deal.

If they are not living up to their side of the agreement, That's a different story.
If you gave a deposit under the understanding that it would take X and it is now taking twice as long etc...they should refund your money without question.


I guess you can ask. Dave is as talented as they come and Kim is an exceptional business man and a pretty cool guy.

FWIW.

[BOBBO]

Originally Posted by RCCola

Hi,

I could of sworn the site did not say "non-refundable" for the deposit last year.

Anyone remember if this has always been non-refundable?

What would be the sense in making a deposit refundable ??? Kind of contradicts the whole premise of placing a deposit on goods or services ! No ? ...... I run a business myself and maybe I'm just looking at it from my perspective

[SKATTERBRANE]

Businessman know SOME people cannot be trusted to pay on time, deposits give an incentive to complete your purchase. This trait of some customers is well demonstrated by those who want their deposits back.

[monroe]

Many times the deposit covers the cost of doing the work, and the balance covers the profits. That way, the business never has to go upside down on a job. If no work was ever done, keeping the deposit is purely punitave. Both parties, however, should adhere to whatever terms were agreed upon.

[SKATTERBRANE]

Punitive? Not really, it is called budgeting. Deposits allow for cash flow to buy supplies, pay overhead etc.

[monroe]

When I keep a deposit, it's punative.

[dwagar]

it really doesn't matter now, as I see in the Classifieds that RCCola transferred his spot in the queue to someone else, and got his deposit back from that person.

[SKATTERBRANE]

Yes, that was a smart move on both their parts. It is not easy getting in line there.