TrumpetShop.com

[pdqman]

I ordered a bottle of Van Cleave's new slide
lube from [http://TrumpetShop.com] on 5/19/06.
His new line of trumpets interested me, but I
had read several posts on this forum about
Mark Van Cleave (allegedly, to be fair)
cashing checks and not sending product
(or delivery times of months to over a year later).

TrumpetShop.com's web site is apparently based in Indiana,
as is Van Cleave Professional Trumpets, since they charge
sales tax on Indiana orders (I live in Indiana). No contact
name, address or phone number, however, is given (only
an e-mail address). I'm going out on a limb and assuming
the website is affiliated with, if not run by, Mark Van Cleave.

I decided to first invest a small amount of money to see if
Van Cleave had changed his business practices. Apparently not.
NO Slide lube received. NO response to e-mails in May and June.
What's really irksome is that the "fine print" on their web site
states that orders will be processed same or next business day.
I did receive a (probably automated) confirmation e-mail
immediately after ordering, stating that the order would be sent
ASAP.

As a former business owner myself, It's really irritating that a
business can be run in this matter (not to mention the legal
aspects of it). The only defense once given by a friend of Van Cleave
on this forum is that he tends to get involved in too many
projects and can't keep up with them - but he's "really a nice guy"
(I'm paraphrasing).

Just wanted give everyone a "HEADS UP".

CAVEAT EMPTOR.

Jeff Abbott
Carmel, IN
Yamaha YTR-6445S
'79 Bach Strad 37

[jpetrocelli]

Thanks for being on a the lookout. Good advice for all.
_________________
Joe Petrocelli

[srcronk]

I wish I had thought to look up "trumpetshop.com" before placing an order. I found a good price on the web site for Zaja Blue Valve oil, and ordered 2 bottles via PayPal on April 4. PayPal charged my credit card almost immediately, but the order is still listed, as always, as "processing." I've sent 2 e-mails; no reply. I called a phone number on the PayPal website; the answering machine says "Van Cleave Trumpets." Again, no reply. Tomorrow, I'm going to dispute the charge through PayPal, which I have NEVER had to do before.

It's pathetic that someone would pretend to run a business like this for almost 2 years. Again, everyone should avoid this site!

[etc-etc]

Thanks for the warning. I wonder how, with that attitude, does MVC manage to supply his private brand horns to well-known dealers. Or, are the dealers treated with a higher priority?