What would you do?

[Randall]

I buy two 5E3 kits to build for paying customers. (I'm not into bashing vendors, so let's not name names). There are a few glitches along the way, but they are very good at making things right. I finish one of them and I notice a couple of letter have gone missing from the face panel. I'm disappointed, but decide to live with it, because maybe it was my fault somehow.

After finishing the second one, I spray a slight mist of windex on a cotton cloth and wipe my smudgy prints off the front panels. It is not until they are clean that I realize multiple spots where lettering is either missing or moved around helter skelter. My heart sinks.

I email the vendor with pics. Nothing. Six days later I appeal for advice. Vendor says they are happy to exchange both chassis, they have had no other customers with this issue. And they think most people would wipe down with a cloth only, no chemicals.

I see, it's only me. I used 'chemicals'. I say defective lettering. Either way, what to do? Exchange chassis in finished builds. Try to get a refund and go elsewhere? Leave it? The thought of tearing out two builds is heart breaking.

What would you do?

[JazzGuitarGimp]

I'd buy two new chassis from a reputable vendor and seek a refund on the defective chassis from the original vendor.

[bal704]

The time you spend ripping out the guts to swap chassis will cost more than any new chassis. Can you give the 2 paying customers a discount, since this is a cosmetic defect?

Sounds like you identified a vendor you don't want to do business with again. I realize giving them a discount will hurt your bottom line, but if the amps work and sound great, there's no sense throwing more money at it.

[overtone]

This is an optical defect, not life threatening, but they often cause just as much hassle as a functional defect. The thing is to act decisively and keep the customer totally informed.

If I was in this situation I would tell the customer right now what happened and respectfully ask if they would be interested in "B" quality with a suitable price reduction.
If the customer cannot accept that, then you have to deliver a perfect product - in which case there will probably be a delay which you must make clear now too.

These things happen, good luck,
tony

[xtian]

Wow, major PITA.

Maybe your customers would be happy with custom faceplates placed on top of the chrome.

[M Fowler]

I would ask for some money back on those chassis and have faceplates made or perhaps the vendor of the chassis can provide the faceplates.

I've posted about companies products on TAG and got both emails and phone calls from the vendors offering ways to help me out. Some do stand behind their products.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Windex, what's the chemical? Ethyl alcohol. So the chassis lettering would disappear when somebody spills a beer on and wipes it off too.

I'd put the vendor's feet to the fire, IOW who is it so we can avoid the same problem.

BTW water is a chemical too.

I've done lettering with Letraset or similar with clear Krylon lacquer. Some pieces I did over 30 years ago, still in use, no problem.

[briane]

Can you give the 2 paying customers a discount, since this is a cosmetic defect?

about all you can do - too much work tearing down and rebuilding.

I'd make this clear to the supplier that their low quality cost me x thousand dollars. Then I make it clear that businesses that last do it through repeat customers. Then I ask what the will do to right this - else I will take all my future business else where.

ps - I think you should name names - if it is the truth it aint slander - its called informing the public - just keep it civil and to the point. I also make clear to the business if they do not fix this will be made public.

We dont want anyone here ordering for them - so I think its a bit of a diss on the members here not to name the supplier and try and protect some unlucky soul.

window cleaner aint a 'chemical' - they clearly have their heads up their a** so far they cant hear anymore.

Id tell them that too.

[vibratoking]

Think you should ask for a discount and pass that to the customer if they are willing.

I also think you should let us know the name of the company for many reasons. It's not bashing. It's the truth.

I have a Mojo chassis that lost parts of the lettering, but it happened several years after the build so I did not consider it a defect on their part. Maybe I was wrong.

[katopan]

Print to a chrome chassis should be and needs to be robust. And defect controls text and graphics can really devalue the look of an amp even though it's purely cosmetic. I like the suggestion of a thin overlay faceplate if you can get one in a chrome colouring.

[Kregg]

If cleaning instructions did not come with the kit, either they fix it, or, they compensate you.

[M Fowler]

BNPlazer has SATIN SILVER ALUMAMARK which is very thin durable material.

See my front panel below.

[ampmike]

Think you should ask for a discount and pass that to the customer if they are willing.

I also think you should let us know the name of the company for many reasons. It's not bashing. It's the truth.

I have a Mojo chassis that lost parts of the lettering, but it happened several years after the build so I did not consider it a defect on their part. Maybe I was wrong.

I agree with Vibro,very fair solution.I dont even look at the number pts on the pots with the 5 E3.Its more of a feel as you turn up.I did get a blem from Mojo,i will see if its is a lettering issue as well.Your whole problem sucks ,sorry to hear about it.If it were me I would be ok with some letters gone.
Good luck,Hope you work it out,Mikey

[NickC]

BNPlazer has SATIN SILVER ALUMAMARK which is very thin durable material.

See my front panel below.

That looks great! I like that a lot!

[Phil_S]

BNPlazer has SATIN SILVER ALUMAMARK which is very thin durable material.

Mark, what do they charge for a plate like that? It really looks fabulous.