OffsetGuitars.com

Is angela a good place to get stuff from?

I've only bought from them once on ebay...the shipping was RIDICULOUSLY expensive...like $30-odd dollars! 

(for an XII control plate!)

they didn't even send it via special mail...it took 10 days to get here.

I'll be buying one more item from them, as they are the only ones who have it in stock, and then never again. 

I had only one experience with them and it was very bad.. they do have incredible NOS stuff that you can't seem to find anywhere else but imo that's all they have going for them

I've never ordered from them but I've heard a lot of mixed "reviews" so to speak.  I'd call them if they were the only ones that had what I needed but I generally look elsewhere.  The biggest reason is that I can't simply place an order over their website.  There are so many relatively simple ways to set up an eCommerce site these days it seems a bit silly they still operate the way they do.

Steve is a character. If you ever saw one of his old paper catalogs you'd get a better sense of how disturbed and funny he is.  His minimum shipping is $10, but if you are buying say, everything you need for a Jaguar at ance, he's got it all.  I've ordered many times and always get what I ordered in a day.  He also has a great selection of tube amp parts - sockets, etc. for reasonable prices.  Just don't call him to ask a question.
-J

He has ordering guidelines on his site - if you follow those, he'll more than hold up his part of the bargain. He ships quick and by whichever means you request. His int'l shipping prices are fairly steep so I have them ordered to US addresses and then have someone forward them on (or bring them over). He's got the goods but he doesn't suffer fools gladly, so if you have questions, keep them brief, intelligent and too the point.

I saw someone on the FDP get indignant that Steve didn't want to answer a litany of questions about a $5 part. I mean this guy was completely stunned that he was basically told by a shop owner to stop pestering him and buy from someone else. Having had nothing but positive experiences with Steve (and an appreciation for this kind of personality) I enjoyed watching. 

so it's the buyers fault for his rudeness and extremely poor customer service? 

maybe you've had only positive experiences with him but it's a bit cavalier to assume anyone who hasn't is at fault or a fool.

daydreamdelay wrote: so it's the buyers fault for his rudeness and extremely poor customer service? 

C'mon - you know how geeky guitar part freaks can be. And I'm sure he's had his share of having a 10 minute discussion with someone who then takes the knowledge and buys from somewhere else. Considering the profit margins on some cheap parts, it really does come down to whether it's worth it or not. I like the idea that he can say "it's my store, it's my (limited) time, and I'll pass on the occasional $5 piece of business for more time to do what I want". After all, it's *his* business!

daydreamdelay wrote: maybe you've had only positive experiences with him but it's a bit cavalier to assume anyone who hasn't is at fault or a fool.

"Doesn't suffer fools gladly" is a phrase meaning that one doesn't like putting up with small talk (for whatever reason - arrogance is certainly one possible reason). I don't mean that anyone who doesn't like shopping there is a fool.

Four words some it up the best...

"No Soup for you!"

I do understand where he comes from, b/c every once in a while you will get someone that REALLY drag things out to an excruciating level, but I feel it is part of the game and you just suffer through it.  The thought does cross your mind from time to time to respond like that.... I just dont think it is appropriate. 

As for his markup minimal markup.... while I was on the phone w/ him ordering  a $7 pickup cover
I asked him if he gives a discount on large orders, he said No Way.
I said ok I will take 10 of them, he informed me that the price just went back up to his Ebay price of $19.

what a hoot!

zhivago wrote: I've only bought from them once on ebay...the shipping was RIDICULOUSLY expensive...like $30-odd dollars! 

It is expensive, but to Steve's credit, this policy is written on his "ordering information" page.

http://www.angela.com/catalog/ORDERING_INFO.html

OUR MINIMUM SHIPPING CHARGE IS $10.00 IN THE USA, $25.00 TO CANADA AND $35.00 FOR ALL ORDERS SHIPPED OUTSIDE OF THE USA/CANADA; NO EXCEPTIONS!  Merchandise Minimum for orders shipped outside of the USA is $50 goods.

Basically it comes down to a "take it or leave it" policy. Most stores bend over backwards to convince you not to leave. It seems that Angela's is willing to risk the occasional person "leaving it". If it doesn't hurt their bottom line, that likely won't change.

CurtisNovak wrote: Four words some it up the best...

"No Soup for you!"

I do understand where he comes from, b/c every once in a while you will get someone that REALLY drag things out to an excruciating level, but I feel it is part of the game and you just suffer through it.  The thought does cross your mind from time to time to respond like that.... I just dont think it is appropriate. 

In that analogy, people tolerated the strict ordering regime because the soup was fantastic (and he knew it). For better or for worse, the same applies here - looking for an Electric XII control plate? Who else are you going to call? I think Angela's bought up all of the old inventory from Smart Parts when the owner passed away. I had an Excel table with lots of parts listed for the selloff and by the time I got around to saying what I'd like it had already been snapped up. Goes to show how rare these parts can be.

I got a NOS control plate from them. i had a friend order it for me. no problems.

I do have to say i think Steve feels that since he is the only person who carrys alot of the stuff he does. that he feels that he is alot of peoples only option. and if people want it bad enough they will buy it, regardless of weather he answers your questions or not.

I'm sorry i don't like people who are not friendly and do what they can for you, We are paying his bills if we buy stuff from him. With that being said he needs to take a look at how Joe Naylor runs Reverend Guitars, now that is a man know how to treat his customers. Ask ANYONE who has had a question or bought a guitar from them.

I've been using Angela for 5-6 years or so (maybe longer), and never had a problem. And I've NEVER been treated any way but courteous, by Steve or by the woman who works the phones (whom I assume to be his wife).

Not trying to discount anyone's experience of rudeness or ineptness. Just trying to be 'fair and balanced'.

mjet260 wrote:

CurtisNovak wrote: Four words some it up the best...

"No Soup for you!"

I do understand where he comes from, b/c every once in a while you will get someone that REALLY drag things out to an excruciating level, but I feel it is part of the game and you just suffer through it.  The thought does cross your mind from time to time to respond like that.... I just dont think it is appropriate. 

In that analogy, people tolerated the strict ordering regime because the soup was fantastic (and he knew it). For better or for worse, the same applies here - looking for an Electric XII control plate? Who else are you going to call? I think Angela's bought up all of the old inventory from Smart Parts when the owner passed away. I had an Excel table with lots of parts listed for the selloff and by the time I got around to saying what I'd like it had already been snapped up. Goes to show how rare these parts can be.

Yep I meant it that way too!  I agree totally w/ that analogy as you expanded it.  I will gladly stand in line, quickly step up when it is my turn, simply place my order and quietly and in an orderly fashion step to the side and refrain from asking ANY stupid requests.    When he tripled the price as was placing my order, I politely said oh I am sorry I guess I not cant afford to buy any, AND went on w/ the rest of my order NEVER mentioning the matter again.
The soup is THAT GOOD!

I've never dealt with Angela, so I have no comment there, but this ..

Mr M wrote: look at how Joe Naylor runs Reverend Guitars, now that is a man know how to treat his customers.

.. is absolutely true.