Recent dealing with Avantguard pickguards (BEWARE! Possible SCAM!)

[Larry Mal]

That said - just to test my theory I sent a new inquiry to Avantguard using a different email address last week. While it took a few days for him to respond - he did so enthusiastically and in detail, again trying to secure a new sale. Still crickets on trying to reach him from the account I already paid him over $300 from...

How is this excusable behavior at this point?

It's time to get your money back. There's nothing else to be done at this point, this person has had every opportunity to do right.

The world of guitar is lousy with people like this, I've lost all patience.

[Fiddy]

Chargeback now. Teach him a lesson. Use the email you sent from your second account as proof.

[JVG]

I had a similar experience recently, with a different (but equally flaky) provider.

Funnily enough, when I sent one last email saying “If I don’t hear from you by Wednesday, I will be taking action to get my money back” suddenly he discovered the ‘reply’ button and the situation was resolved.

[switchmodz]

I followed everyone's advice and sent one last message via instagram and email before proceeding with chargeback on Monday. I told him I'm still coming from a place of understanding and am not a vindictive person and that if my order is delayed I am willing to wait, if he would just touch base with me! I ended it recommending that he not let a few slip ups in communication completely tarnish the reputation of his brand and to do the right thing.

He immediately got back to me with a picture of my guard and that it is shipping out Monday. It's gorgeous - I never doubted that at all based on his previous work. He apologized profusely, admitted that he's been overwhelmed, and is looking to hire someone to handle the communications side of things to keep things running smoothly. I told him all would be forgiven from my end if he promised not to leave his paying clients hanging ever again like this and that it's incredibly anxiety inducing and causes trust issues for first time clients especially.

I am open to people learning and growing from their mistakes - I will report back when I receive the guard and hope that everything pans out as promised from here

[andy_tchp]

He replied to my enquiry within about 8 hours yesterday too...

[DeathJag]

Yay.







Until the next time...

[Unicorn Warrior]

Yay.







Until the next time...

Haha..

He does great work at least…

[Fiddy]

[andy_tchp]

The world of guitar is lousy with people like this, I've lost all patience.

+1.

Plenty of this in the automotive space too - seems to be a custom/bespoke/small production 'thing'.

[JamesSGBrown]

Let me know if he drills the mute plunger hole on yours. He didn’t on mine, which I was a bit annoyed with…

[GilmourD]

I am open to people learning and growing from their mistakes - I will report back when I receive the guard and hope that everything pans out as promised from here

I feel that this is a very important concept here that seems to be applied to some and not to others.

People mess up and they grow. Hell, I look back at the things I've said and done 15, 20, or even more years ago and I cringe.

If he messes up and improves himself, awesome. If he continues to do the same, eff him.

[andy_tchp]

I will report back when I receive the guard and hope that everything pans out as promised from here

Hopefully a guard has finally been received?

[switchmodz]

Just reporting back that guard was finally received! I hope this is the last experience of this kind that needs to be shared related to Avantguard bc Francois really does do killer work. I hope he can stay on top of fielding messages (especially from clients who have already paid just asking for a courtesy update) or get the help he needs to be able to handle that side of responsibly doing business. Most of us who are shelling out $300 for a tortoiseshell pickguard or bespoke custom goods in general know that these things take time - and that meeting the projected timelines given at the time of a sale may not be possible. Most of us are very patient and understanding. But under no circumstance should a client who's already paid you in full, need to feel like they might've been scammed because the business owner is "too busy" to answer multiple emails and DMs with over a month of radio silence. There's literally no excuse for that. I'm glad it worked out but truly hope this serves as a lesson learned to not make the same mistakes again

[JONFROMJERSEY]

300? I paid 180.

[armensguitars]

Glad to hear you received it and hopefully your message to him helps him understand the other side of the business better!