falconer
9 posts
Dec 02, 2009
9:13 AM
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Anyone know what's going on with him? I heard he had a fire a while back. I ordered a case in August and I haven't received it yet. I have sent a few emails but they have never been replied, the phone calls go to his voice mail box that is full.
thanks
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jonsparrow
1371 posts
Dec 02, 2009
9:16 AM
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that sucks. i hope every thing is allright.
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Buddha
1199 posts
Dec 02, 2009
9:26 AM
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I'm having the same issue.
I bought one at SPAH, had it in my hands and then he offered to put my name on it. He hasn't returned emails and I can't leave a VM.
I'm not complaining though, because I'm certainly guilty of offering something and then taking forever to complete the task because other things creep up...
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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harmonicanick
484 posts
Dec 02, 2009
11:25 AM
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I put an issue with them weeks ago and still no joy
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Greg Heumann
178 posts
Dec 02, 2009
12:10 PM
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I've known Jeff for a long time. He's a good guy so I always give him the benefit of the doubt. Here's what he just told me:
"As it turns out the lightning strike and fire were just the tip of the iceberg for me........my Mom has consumed most of my time since SPAH........she's had early onset alzheimer's for the past year or so and now multiple strokes........we've moved her into a assisted living facility but she going down hill, it won't be long till it's a nursing home.
Trying to explain that to pissed off customers isn't my bag so I just let them go. I get tired of repeating the same story all the time."
In other words, he cares and he's trying but he is slowed down by some pretty heavy matters. Its up to you to decide how you feel about that.
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/Greg
http://www.BlowsMeAway.com
http://www.BlueStateBand.net
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bluestate
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kudzurunner
828 posts
Dec 02, 2009
12:28 PM
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I have no doubt that Jeff is a gifted worker of leather and a big asset to the harmonica community, overall. He was generous with me when I was just getting this website started, and gave me a gorgeous leather harp case back then.
Too, it's important to be compassionate when people we know run into those once-every-two-decades sorts of troubles where things just fall apart.
That being said, some people are more skillful than others at figuring out graceful ways of dealing with life's inevitable big f--kups. The third paragraph in Greg's post above doesn't exactly compel compassion. Jeff is dismissive of his customers and seems determined to allow his business to fall apart. That's too bad.
When I go to Jeff's website, what I find is the following:
http://www.cumberlandcustomcases.com/catalog.php
The phrase "ready for immediate shipment" jumps out. Given the trouble that many people have reported (several in emails to me) in having their orders fulfilled, and given Jeff's personal troubles, he'd be better off leveling with his customers: putting a personal note front and center on his homepage, letting people know of his recent troubles, and assuring both his old customers and his prospective new customers that he will be back on line at full strength as soon as he's able. Right now, judging from the evidence, he's essentially given up on the foundational element of any functional business: respecting and servicing his customers. That's too bad. He's a nice guy, or was, and makes a great product.
Last Edited by on Dec 02, 2009 12:30 PM
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RyanMortos
501 posts
Dec 02, 2009
1:07 PM
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I still can't get over what's accetable business practice in the harmonica goods & services world.
Some companies/people come through as expected (or better!) & I'm more then happy to be a repeat customer & recommend them. Others I wouldn't do business with (again). I have no qualms with cancelling payments & finding another solution.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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MrVerylongusername
662 posts
Dec 02, 2009
1:21 PM
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It sounds to me like he needs some help to keep his business alive. I don't know Jeff, but that message reads like a man totally defeated and on the verge of depression and that is something I do know - all too well. He needs a friend to step in and offer to help. As Adam says a simple message on his website would go a long way. If all that had happened to me I'd be speaking to a therapist.
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Buddha
1200 posts
Dec 02, 2009
1:30 PM
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Things happen. I have some pretty heavy issues going with me as well but my customers don't need to know it - it does affect delivery times and I'm doing the best I can. I assume Jeff is doing the best he can too. I had a great conversation with him at SPAH and hope things are getting better for him.
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell
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RyanMortos
502 posts
Dec 02, 2009
1:35 PM
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If that happened to me I would update my website, temporarily stop accepting orders, & offer refunds to those on the wait list for months if they so chose. At least that's how I would continue good business. Note, I have nothing on order from him so my comments aren't personal.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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MrVerylongusername
663 posts
Dec 02, 2009
1:47 PM
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Well I'm not going to diagnose anything based on a couple of paragraphs and all I can speak from is my own experience. Maybe I'm wrong.
Depression sucks everything out of you. You can be totally aware of all those little things you need to do, but finding the motivation to do them is a battle. It's like drowning in a bath. You know all you have to do is to sit up, but for some reason it's just so much easier to let go than do that simple thing.
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GEEZER1
9 posts
Dec 02, 2009
3:24 PM
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I am sorry to hear about Jeffs tragic problems, He made a harp belt for me a couple of years back, I am well pleased with it, hope everything turns out ok for Jeff and his customers, he was a straight shooter with me.
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falconer
10 posts
Dec 02, 2009
3:39 PM
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Yes, a small note on his website explaining his situation would be nice. He wouldn't have to keep repeating the story and his customers would at least know what's going on. I have no problem waiting for a case, but I would at least like to know that after the fire if my order even exists anymore.
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Moses7373
3 posts
Dec 02, 2009
4:27 PM
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I agree with falconer on this it would be nice if there were a message on the site, I am still waiting since April. Chris Reynolds stops taking orders and posts to that effect when he knows he cant fulfill orders. Would be cool if the man did the same. That said if my order does still exist maybe it will turn up one day. Anyway if the dude has serious family concerns, personally i would rather he cared for his Mother, a small leather case doesnt seem that important. PEACE.
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kudzurunner
829 posts
Dec 02, 2009
4:37 PM
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@Verylong: Truer words have never been spoken.
Jeff's clearly enmeshed in a very bluesy situation. I suppose people on this board should be more able than most to appreciate what that means. Sometimes it means that people behave exactly as he's behaving. No big deal, really.
I mean, what would Sonny Boy say about the blues felt by somebody who is pissed off because they've been waiting around too many months for a custom harmonica case?
I can only imagine. He would probably carve his answer with a knife, then clean out the wound with a broken whiskey bottle. :)
Peace, y'all.
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falconer
11 posts
Dec 02, 2009
4:50 PM
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I should make it clear that I am not pissed off about this. Just simply would have liked to know the status of my order.
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