D.Mackrill

[andre]

Re the earlier post re D.Mackrill and all it faults is there a problem buying from this dealer ie instruments over priced .hard selling techniques etc.Im not wishing to get anyone sued so dont reply against your will

[gary]

And your purpose in asking is...?

[tophatsax]

I purchased a Berkeley case without any problems. Corresponded via email, paid online and received the case in the US in about three weeks. No problems.

[singlereed]

He's been in busienss 30 years or more, and although he and hsi team sometimes have a rather rude nature, they are not a load of fly by nights

[3saxes]

My only experience with Don was purchasing two Berkely cases. I had poor communication, lost order, shipped the wrong cases, then no communication. The only good news is that I was able to return the cases to a dealer in NY to save postage. I would not buy anything from them again.

[griff136]

Re Don mackrill.

I went to his shop and unfortnately he was out but his guitar man was in and he rang him up and I he arranged to return to the shop within 30 mins. The guy offered me a coffee and i waited. Don turned up and was apologetic, he was very very helpful, i bought a tenor, case and otto link metal mouthpiece - all very reasonably priced and i found the service to be both friendly and helpful. I have also bought stuff online and had no problems whatsoever.


ps i have no involvement with don or his shop other than being one well satisified customer!

[Thomas]

I just ordered a Berkeley case for curved soprano from DM on the telephone from the USA. The phone communication was fine and businesslike, I got all the information I needed which was different from the info I got through spotty email communication. I'm told it should be approximately 3 weeks till delivery, I will be contacted about any delays by telephone and/or email-my card will not be charged till the case is shipped at which time I will be provided with a tracking number for the shipment-price is dependent on the exchange rate on the day of shipment.I'll keep you all informed of the progress of this deal.

[3saxes]

Thomas, did you ever receive your Soprano Case?

[Thomas]

3saxes--no I haven't. Communication has taken place by email and phone calls initiated by me. My credit card was charged on 4/30-and I was told on 5/21 that the case was finally built and I would be contacted on 5/24 with shipping info which didn't happen. Funny thing is I was in London the first week in May and could've gone to the shop but figured the case was already in the mail so didn't bother. I sort of figured this would be a long process so I'm not pissed yet but I have just paid that credit card bill and between exchange rates, the conversion fees charged by the creditcard company, and 2 or 3 phone calls-it's getting to be a pretty expensive case for such a little horn-not to mention customs duties but as said-I'm not pissed.....yet
I have no doubt the case will arrive eventually--but I'm old and time marches on--maybe the old lady will get it in time to carry my ashes around in.
No big deal

[gary]

Thomas - I'd just stay on top of it a bit but I think it'll come out all right. I needed a case quickly and called Don up, wanting a Berklee. He didn't have any available at the moment and was expecting a shipment of about ten cases in.

I did have to be a little persistent, but he got me the cases before I had to travel and he had to do a little extra to make it happen. Additionally, althouth I was interested in one case, I got a really good deal from him on two (MY suggestion, he did not solicit it). He really did well by me so hopefully, you'll have the same experience.

[Thomas]

Gary-thanks for your words of encouragement.. I'm not really worried, he's a well established shop as you know and I'm sure the case will arrive . I don't let these sorts of delays bother me anymore but I will email and call again at the end of this week if I don't hear back from them.

[saxshooter]

I tried ordering a Berkeley curved soprano case from Don Mackrill's online last year, left my credit card number, color wanted, etc. Weeks went by and I never heard anything from them, no case was shipped.

Six months later my credit card was charged for the case. None was ever delivered. I had to contact Visa to get it resolved. It was.

When I was in London a few months later, I rang up Bill Lewington's (apparantly the distributor of Berkley cases) and took a train 45 minutes out of London and picked one up from them (it wasn't a showroom, but rather a corporate office/warehouse). The people couldn't be nicer.

So... the lesson I learned from this is avoid overseas/online ordering with Don Mackrill. A shame, since these are good cases and hard to get in the U.S. Fred Weiner, which is supposed to stock the curved soprano case, never seems to have them in stock.

[Thomas]

Saxshooter
thanks for posting your story-it seems to be the same runaround I'm getting so I guess it's time to call the credit card company
too bad I really did want the case

[Thomas]

Well guys and gals...as it turns out it seems that after many many emails with sparse response, and several overseas calls, that I will never receive a Berkeley case for Curved soprano from Don Mackrill. I ordered in March, my credit card was charged April 30th 2004. After apologies and promises still no case or sign of one coming so-today I contacted my credit card company and with no hassle they've credited back the $250.00. I really did want the case but I've divorced wives for lesser disrespect than I've been treated with by Don Mackrill's outfit. I suppose if you went right to the store and they had one you'd be allowed to buy it, I think, but online---forget it

[Dentarthurdent]

Saxshooter is right about Bill Lewingtons - very helpful and friendly and great to do business with. I suggest anyone after a Berkley case to contact them. I too have found DM unhelpful over the phone.

[Thomas]

I actually have contacted Bill Lewington's and you're right. Fast curtious response. They don't have any in stock but stated that they will contact me when one becomes available.