WWBW Closing???

19578 Views 55 Replies 33 Participants Last post by Bari Sax Guy, Jul 21, 2015

jmathesonjr

Discussion Starter · Jul 3, 2007

I heard from a competitor of WWBW that it is in the process of closing completely. This would explain why the WWBW is not really getting any new product. I also heard it was laying off or had laid off the majority of its staff. Has anyone else heard this or is it just wishful thinking on the competitor's part?

1 - 20 of 56 Posts

rs1sensen

· #2 · Jul 3, 2007

I had heard roomers that they weren't pulling in much new inventory in light of the bankruptsy, although I don't know if that was being forced on them or if it was by choice. I hadn't heard about them closing, but who knows.

Steinway did place a bid to purchase them, but later terminated the proposal. I also believe Guitar Center placed a bid.

HUTMO

· #3 · Jul 3, 2007

Wwbw

I was there about two weeks ago and the stock looked thin to me. They were having a huge scratch and dent sale in their warehouse area and even the other part of the warehouse did not look too stocked up.

I was disappointed to tell you the truth. Only a few saxes on display and quite a few blank spots on the mouthpiece rack.

HUTMO

Jonathan C.

· #4 · Jul 3, 2007

Shame,
You have to wonder what happened to them.

Selmer's_glu

· #5 · Jul 3, 2007

What happened has all been well-documented here, "Carbs",
just use the search function at the top of the page.

jmathesonjr

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 3, 2007

They do act like they are done. I called about getting something from them by a certain date and was told it takes 24 to 48 hours to pull stock from their own warehouse and another 24 hours to ship. I went somewhere else. The place I went to had to order the item. I will get it tomorrow Thursday really with the holiday). I ordered it Friday. WWBWs time frame would have put shipping Thursday.

Bamber had a great thing going and really messed the whole thing up. It is too bad. I would not be surprised to see a going out of business sale happening soon. I no longer recommend the place to my students. Too many orders and lack of customer service have pretty much taken them off the radar for me.

Pinnman

· #7 · Jul 3, 2007

There are huge numbers of itemson special offer. Closing or not, there are some savings to be made. No good for me, though, as I have reached my GAS limit.

Grumps

· #8 · Jul 4, 2007

They won't be the only ones. Could be another company of interest might follow. Ah, litigation.

Stay tuned.

jmathesonjr

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 4, 2007

That competitor I mentioned earlier actually got the item I wanted from the manufacturer to me in three business days. It left California on Friday, arrived at their store on Monday, and my house before 5:00 PM on Tuesday. WWBW would still be ignoring theirown paperwork.

Few companies offer substantial savings over any other company. Service is where one will shine over another. WWBW and Music 123 just does not have customer service that makes me want to do any business with them. It is like Prowinds in Indiana. I cannot get them to return a phone call or answer an email for anything. With WWBW, I know people work there. At Prowinds, I have yet to prove that fact.

I will stick with my guys in Madison, WI. They really proved their worth with the transactions I have completed this last week.

rs1sensen

· #10 · Jul 5, 2007

jmathesonjr said:
I will stick with my guys in Madison, WI. They really proved their worth with the transactions I have completed this last week.

Madison is a great city for music! I managed a restaurant in a suburb there for a while, and not only did I discover a lot of local performances, I also found my favorite instrument tech/seller. (Kim Slava, http://www.doctorsax.biz). I haven't gotten a chance to check out any other music stores, though.

nrick

· #11 · Jul 5, 2007

I've always had great, prompt service from WWBW. I'll be sorry to see them go.

Scott Kurtzweil

· #12 · Jul 5, 2007 (Edited)

WWBW NOT Going Out Of Business

There has been much talk recently on this board with regard to The Woodwind & Brasswind going out of business. I can assure you all that the case could not be more the opposite!

The sales pricing currently found on our website is a result of our need to balance our inventory and move out our overstocked items.

I agree with many of you that our customer service needs to improve and it is at the top of our priority list going forward. Our sales agents our currently undergoing extensive training from both myself and our vendors.

Should any of you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime. My contact information is below.

Best -

Scott Kurtzweil
Woodwind Manager
MFI / Woodwind & Brasswind
800 - 348 - 5003 x2209
[email protected]

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Dr G

· #13 · Jul 5, 2007

Hey Scott, welcome.

FWIW, I put in a website e-order just before this thread started and was happy to receive the WWBW e-response that my order was processed and shipped (no back orders!) the next day.

I'm glad to hear that you are staying around. Competition is a good thing - at least for the consumers!

jmathesonjr

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 6, 2007

Scott,

I gotta say the guy I talked to almost put me off of your place permanently. He was definite he could not do anything to help me with my little predictament. (I would say more but it is a bit of a surprise and some of the people involved may be reading.)

The guys in Madison jumped through hoops not because I asked but because they could and wanted to help. I stopped in the place today. I arrived 15 minutes before the doors were to open. I had just driven about 75 miles and was looking forward to just sitting and stretching a bit before the place opened. The next thing I knew there was an employee motioning me to come in. They opened early when they saw me sitting there in my car.

I have students still waiting on Rico reed orders from October and November of last year at WWBW. I hear almost weekly about some problem getting answers to product or order questions.

I hope WWBW can get things going again like it was back when I bought my sax. Right now, I can get reeds and accessories for close to or better than the prices offered at WWBW. The service is the thing. If it ain't good, I ain't buying.

I will definitely pass your information on to my students. Again, good luck in getting things turned around. WWBW was at the top of the game. Right now, there is no one at the top.

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Pannonia

· #15 · Jul 10, 2007

The selection of immediately available products on the WWBW website is meager. Most items are pretty much "On Order" for weeks if not months now.

bandmommy

· #16 · Jul 10, 2007

I personally have been waiting for a double clarinet case that I ordered in January. After several unanswered emails and a couple of phone calls saying that it was expected to arrive in thier wearhouse the following month,,,,,, Needless to say I'm still waiting with little hope of ever recieving the case. I hope the refund policy is still good.

rispoli

· #17 · Jul 10, 2007 (Edited)

Scott Kurtzweil said:
There has been much talk recently on this board with regard to The Woodwind & Brasswind going out of business. I can assure you all that the case could not be more the opposite!

Great news these, Scott!
Wish you best of luck for the restructuring you are going through.
As it has been said, we need and welcome more competition and also clarity to promptly discard misinformation.

Dr G

· #18 · Jul 10, 2007

Followup

Dr G said:
FWIW, I put in a website e-order just before this thread started and was happy to receive the WWBW e-response that my order was processed and shipped (no back orders!) the next day.

My stuff (mouthpiece, reeds, lig) was in my mailbox last night. It's working for me.

BobbyC

· #19 · Jul 10, 2007

I want to thank Scott for dropping by with this information.
I was starting to wonder about WWBW and he's put my concerns to rest.

Thanks again !!

Mope

· #20 · Jul 11, 2007

Dr G said:
Hey Scott, welcome.

FWIW, I put in a website e-order just before this thread started and was happy to receive the WWBW e-response that my order was processed and shipped (no back orders!) the next day....

Same here. Best deal around: Bamber Mpc Clearance.

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