RyanMortos
367 posts
Oct 14, 2009
10:00 AM
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Online Harmonica Lessons - Heed My Warning
I only post this because I like you guys & would hate for you to become star struck & make a mistake despite your better education.
Even if Little Walter is resurrected from the dead & offering harmonica lessons transforming all your friends into the superstar harp master you want to be & everyone suggests that is the way to go... Even if you talk to Little Walter's resurrected corpse & he says he'll give you the best lessons & has availability that matches yours... No matter how trustworthy Little Walter's smile may be...
I warn that you do not prepay for multiple lessons from the zombification of Little Walter. At least not without plenty of experience with working with & knowing him. And if Z-Walter only will teach if you prepay for [X] number of lessons... find someone else because he may just decompose, or something.
Even though I tried to be humorous & vague this is a serious matter. That is all.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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jaymcc28
166 posts
Oct 14, 2009
10:20 AM
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OK Ryan, maybe I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but who ripped you off?
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RyanMortos
368 posts
Oct 14, 2009
10:29 AM
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Haha, well I wont tell and hopefully those that may have a clue wont either.
That being said, whats the deal with the business practices of those few who offer products & services nearly no one else can? Sure there's little to no competition but wouldnt better ethics bring better reviews & more customers & therefore greater income?
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Kingley
423 posts
Oct 14, 2009
10:42 AM
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Sorry Ryan, but I think that your post is ridiculous and pointless.
If someone has indeed ripped you off. Then you should say who it is.
Not only to protect others from getting stung, but also to allow the person in question to put their side of the story if they so wish.
By not doing so, you are basically using a similar style of shoddy business practice that you are accusing this person of.
So tell me why should we believe anything you say to us on the forum, when you seem unprepared to back up what you have said.
To me this is a case of blatant disregard for the members of our small community.
I say this because it appears that you couldn't care less if anyone else gets stung by the same person.
Please prove me wrong and name the offender.
Then like I say, we will all be aware of it and this person will have the chance to defend themselves accordingly.
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jaymcc28
168 posts
Oct 14, 2009
10:44 AM
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Well, you would think but musicians aren't necessarily well versed in business. Some do a much better job than others.
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RyanMortos
369 posts
Oct 14, 2009
11:00 AM
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Kingly, Im sorry. It sounds the point of my post may be misunderstood. The whole point being *be warry*. Be sure to be on guard *no matter who* it is offering the product or service that you're willing to weather the worst. Im not asking anyone to believe or disbelieve anything.
I made assumptions & trusted I shouldnt have.
I dont want to name names & be thrown from the forum. Im already afraid Ill probably be thrown for this vague post.
I was not ripped off so much as in the process of being ripped off with shoddy services. I dont know what to do about it but I hope things turn around. And maybe they will.
Now that I better know how said invidual engages in their practices I wish I hadnt taken part in my half of the contract for fear of what may happen next. That is why I say dont pay for multiple anything without being more familiar.
I know there's guys that are pay as you go & my only option going forward after this experience Im locked into guessing game hell when there's hard cash on the line.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Kingley
424 posts
Oct 14, 2009
11:13 AM
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Ryan,
I agree entirely that people should always be on their guard when dealing with cash. Especially in these days of internet businesses. I also understand your reservations about naming the person.
Although I do still think you should name them for the reasons I stated in my previous post.
Obviously I respect you're right not to do that.
But please feel free to contact me off forum and give me the name of the person if you so wish.
You can contact me via my email: kingley"at"mac.com just swap "at" for @.
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ness
70 posts
Oct 14, 2009
11:15 AM
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Ryan,
When you make an assertion as vague as this, you taint all the others. It'd probably be best to exhaust all avenues with the offender, including letting them know you intend to warn others, before posting something like this.
The fact that you said you're in the process of being ripped off implies you haven't really reached that point. In these instances it's often just a lack of communication. Have you exhausted all means available to you including asking for a refund?
Be the squeaky wheel.
John
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RyanMortos
370 posts
Oct 14, 2009
11:28 AM
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This is past the point of lack of communication. One does not accept payment for said services, schedule an appointment, and then no call no show. And then after waiting a few days to finally hear from them reschedule & when that appointment comes, no call no show. This individual will not give me his/her phone number but has mine & my email. Any lack of communication is not on my part.
If I no called no showed at my job twice Id be out a job.
I will do this: when everything is said & done barring Im not thrown from the forums for this post I will post a review of said person's services both good & bad.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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ZackPomerleau
383 posts
Oct 14, 2009
11:35 AM
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I have an idea...hmmm..
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ness
71 posts
Oct 14, 2009
12:15 PM
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This is hindsight I know, but it probably would have been a fair trade to get a phone number, address or e-mail in return for the money you sent. How did you pay? There are ways to un-pay, depending.
No doubt your frustration is justified.
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Buddha
1061 posts
Oct 14, 2009
12:25 PM
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well, I'm not like that. I'm expensive but nobody teaches like I do and we go until both parties are satisfied.
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~Buddha
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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RyanMortos
372 posts
Oct 14, 2009
12:28 PM
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Im really hoping everything goes fine this day forward. Im hoping if they continue in this way that said person offers a refund & apology due to disinterest or whatever.
Worst comes to worst Ill handle like an ebay transaction gone bad.
I probably should have waited & posted a review when everything was said & done. I cant help but feel compelled to scream & shout.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Bluzdude46
232 posts
Oct 14, 2009
2:02 PM
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For the record it ain't Me!!!!!!
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Bluzdude46
233 posts
Oct 14, 2009
2:07 PM
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Yo lil Brother, Make plans for a Saturday soon. I got a good place for you to learn and interact. Online and Youtube lessons are great but sooner or later you have to get out in the world with your harps and survive in a non sterile application
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eharp
324 posts
Oct 14, 2009
2:31 PM
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sounds like me except i dont teach.
but on the other hand...do i really need to teach??
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Kyzer Sosa
47 posts
Oct 14, 2009
4:02 PM
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now everyone who DOES teach feels like they have to defend themselves here.... way to stir up the hornets nest dude. I personally didnt need anyone to tell me how not to be stupid with my money. Pre-paid for several lessons and they arent within arms reach? psssssht...
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Buddha
1065 posts
Oct 14, 2009
4:16 PM
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Ryan, I think I know who it is, if a recent email from you is any indication.
There are reason why what is going on is going on...
I do have numbers for several people that will rattle that person's cage. Contact me later as a last resort and I'll get it settled for you.
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~Buddha
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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RyanMortos
374 posts
Oct 14, 2009
5:15 PM
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Well, I apologize to anyone who feels I should not have made this post. I feel my own personal issues may have caused me to act inappropriately. We all know I can't make this thread go away. (Like any other thread on these forums if you don't want to see it anymore don't add more posts to it, it'll fade towards the bottom of the stack.)
That being said I wasn't ripped off by anyone. I made a mistake following advise given in these here forums and thought others would like to know that I would recommend not doing the same. That mistake being prepaying for multiple something from someone whom I'm not familiar. I usually don't make business transactions like this and this is why.
Kyzer is right, I should be smacked with a Duh-stick. Who would prepay for multiple anything from someone they don't know? It's best to build a working relationship over time and then if everyone is comfy womfy consider prepaying for a load of stuff.
I do understand that there's a reason this is going on and that other people are experiencing it as well. The problem is that this was not a match for me. I don't believe it's his fault or my fault it's just bad timing for everything considered.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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kudzurunner
742 posts
Oct 14, 2009
8:10 PM
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Kingly, I'm going to disagree with you here, albeit in a measured way that respects what you're saying. Ryan is speaking from deep within the blues tradition. He's signifying rather than saying it plain. "You can't judge a book by lookin' at the cover," etc. "Don't start me talking, I'll tell everything I know." I'm impressed by how deep-in-the-shed his talk is, actually. Very elegantly done. Good blues talk, Dad Gummit.
Blues isn't always about raking somebody openly over the coals. Sometimes it's better for the community, actually, to be both public and discreet.
Actually, it's much better for Ryan's longevity on this forum that he was discreet.
And no, is ISN'T me he's talking about.
Buddha, thanks for stepping in and offering to help.
For now, it's probably better to just let this drop. I'm sure it can be resolved amicably.
Heck, good blues teachers sometimes do heartbreaking, irritating, piss-you-off things. Think Sonny Boy with Junior Wells.
I'd be pissed off, too, of course, were I in Ryan's shoes.
Heck, I WAS in Ryan's shoes. Nat Riddles called from the streets once, told me he was broke, and aroused such guilt that I went to the Western Union office and wired him money. "Just call me when it arrives--collect--so I'll know you're OK," I said.
He never called.
We made up later on.
Last Edited by on Oct 14, 2009 8:14 PM
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Bluzdude46
234 posts
Oct 15, 2009
2:00 AM
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How are we defined if not by honor?
I've prepaid for services from those I met here and am doing so again, to great results and great product satisfaction. I say hang the Mofo out to dry and then let him try to make a buck. Kyser? those who do it right have nothing to fear. Buddha? Great Harp dude!! Adam? I'm going thru vids and tab sheets to replace the holes in my harp education and I'm seeing progress, thanks for the kick in the ass. Gregg H.? Still using the VC with one of my favorite bullets and after 1-1/2 years of been hauled around and used alot, still perfect. Now we had the positive side of dealings I'll tell you I know Ryan, have had him as a guest in my home. He's a good dude and doesn't deserve to be stolen from. If I convince him to tell me who it is, and he hasn't. I'll post it on this site and any other, kick me out. I'm ok with that.
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harmonicanick
424 posts
Oct 15, 2009
3:01 AM
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@Bluzdude46
Right On!!
Name and shame..
Last Edited by on Oct 15, 2009 3:06 AM
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Kingley
427 posts
Oct 15, 2009
3:33 AM
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Whether or not the person responsible should be named and shamed is always going to be a subjective matter. We will all have our own opinions on the matter.
I only hope Ryan manages through his post to get some kind of positive outcome from the situation. All too often in we hear how people get mistreated. It always angers me and always will. Just because I'm the kind of person who believe in equality for all.
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RyanMortos
378 posts
Oct 15, 2009
3:54 AM
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Well, I'd rather not see this thread continue. At least not in the vein of who is it and how did they rip me off. I think my original intentions were lost in the debate.
I feel like I lit a match to start a log on fire to start a campfire with and one of the logs within the campfire got away and started a forest fire. That's the problem with posting on a forum you really don't know how people are going to take what you say. I usually try to be more careful.
I feel my original point still stands, don't pay for multiple anything without having a few single business transactions with an individual to make sure you're happy with their service. Others may still damn well be happy with this person's services, this is a personal opinion.
What happened was I made this transaction. Then a series of unfortunate events befell said person. I took this a wrong way being brand new to said person's services. Later yesterday I did finally get a hold of that person and we found a mutual agreement.
Please realize that I was not stolen from or ripped off. This person was nothing but sincerely apologetic & made good & other different circumstances that were being his or my control I'd probably have a different thread about how great an experience it was.
I'd like this thread to swing in a more positive direction like how to create a virus to reanimate dead harmonica great's corpses or what we can do to ensure better business practices from those that don't have the competition of 1000 walmarts/targets/best buys. Either that or poke fun at myself for starting such a fire and watch it burn itself out together.
Peace fellas & thanks for your continued friendship support in my harmonica journey.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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kudzurunner
743 posts
Oct 15, 2009
4:34 AM
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I'm going to lock this thread and let it slide off into obscurity, now that things have been resolved.
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