MikeHashem - Posted - 06/10/2010:  08:54:12

---

Around Feb. I ordered 2 Calton cases for my 1927 #6 B&D tenor and a 1930 Gibson #6 Checkerboard tenor. These were ordered from Mandolin Central for the sum of $1250.00. Thus began the waiting. ---- I was told that the cases would take 4-10 weeks to make. Well that seemed to be OK . 4-5 week later I called Calton and talked to the owner to inquire when I might expect them and was told that my cases were out of the mold and that they would be sent out the very next week. ---- 2 months later when no cases ever showed up I call Calton again and talked to a woman who took my phone #s and said that the owner would call me back.---- 2 weeks later and still no call back I contacted Mandolin Central " Tony ". He in turn contacted the owner of Calton who told him the cases were almost done and that they would be shipped the following week. Tony then asked the owner to personally call " Me" that day and explain the delay. He agreeded to do so.-- Call never came!----Well more weeks went by, still no cases.--- This is BS at its best. Yesterday I called Mandolin Central and cancelled my order. Tony at MC said that I am not the only one with a problem and that He is stopping all orders of these cases as of now.--- I want everyone to know that Mandolin Central is not to blame and that they were always responsive to my calls and EM.--- It seems that the Calton Co. is a second generation Co. that has changed drastically for the worst since the new owner took over.. It is to bad that a quality case maker has gone sour. Mike Hashem

mamadontlow - Posted - 06/10/2010:  09:41:34

---

I feel your pain on the Calton but wanted to offer you a suggestion. Janet Davis has some in stock I'm told (just called). You might try calling her store. If not her, I'm sure you can find a few other large bluegrass-oriented stores that have one or two of them already in stock.

janetdavismusic.com/c-calton.html

Good luck.

rexhunt - Posted - 06/10/2010:  10:03:21

---

I doubt that Janet Davis would have tenor Calton cases in stock, let alone one that would work well with a B&D.

Rex

fortyhole - Posted - 06/10/2010:  10:14:19

---

Mike's story is not quite an accurate representation of what happened: he was much too kind, and in no way describes the extent of incompetence and ineptitude of the current version of Calton. I was in China on tour when Mike first contacted me about building custom cases for his amazing collection of tenor banjos from the Golden Era of the 1920s and 30s. I passed the order on to my son, Andy, who is a very capable young man that I left at the helm at Mandolin Central while I was away for two months. Andy immediately processed the order through our normal procedure.

We had 5-string cases in stock, but Mike's interest is for fine tenors, and we needed to custom order those cases. Andy made many emails and phone calls to Jim Laffoley at the new Calton factory in Moncton to make sure this order did not get messed up like so many have in recent months. 95% of the calls and emails were not answered or returned. When Jim did respond, he agreed that it was no problem to supply these cases in 4 to 6 weeks. That was the first of March.

A couple weeks ago Andy and I bombarded Jim with attempts at contact, and I finally got him on the phone. He went through a variety of complaints and excuses about how difficult a time he was having with the company. I sympathized but asked that he contact Mike directly. Jim promised as soon as our call was over he would call Mike. Since then, none of us have heard from Jim or anyone at Calton. I called them yesterday and left a message with a stern woman who claimed to be his "answering service."

Since 1990, I have sold over 1200 Calton cases and have received many heartwarming stories of how instruments were saved from destruction due to the protection of these cases. Al Williams of Calgary was a treasure to work with and was always remarkably diligent in finding out the exact size and shape of any instrument--and some were very odd! And fit is the key! I measured and traced countless old treasures that came through my store. Al even went to guitar shows and met with luthiers personally so he could guarantee the fit. He never left a stone unturned in making his case THE BEST. And if we could not meet the estimated delivery date, Al would let us know why and would call the customer personally to make sure we all understood and were on the same page. We miss you Al. I still have a few of the Calgary made cases in stock and intend to market them soon. When they are gone, I am not sure what we will do. Does anyone have a recommendation for a case company that cares?

Thanks, Tony Williamson Mandolin Central

plunka5 - Posted - 06/10/2010:  19:44:53

---

Tony I was one of your many Calton Case customers over the years. In fact you hand delivered my Calton banjo case to me at Merlefest one year! That was service with a smile, and when I came to get my case John Hartford and others were jamming with Tony at the tent where he had set-up. Thanks Tony for all of the sounds and vibes you put out there for us!

Bill Rogers - Posted - 06/10/2010:  19:52:18

---

"We miss you Al" was echoed by another person I talked to who related some problems folks have had with Calton 2.0.

aroblin - Posted - 06/11/2010:  03:13:15

---

I, too, had problems with a recent Calton order. There was a delay in fulfilling the order, and Calton had trouble making a case to fit my Bacon & Day tenor. The case had to be returned several times before Calton came up with an acceptable fit.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 06/11/2010:  05:23:23

---

Mike,

I´ve some weeks ago recieved a fantastic custom built Calton case for my B&D #6 NPU tenor - however from the Calton Co. in UK. This company supplies all countries WW - except for USA/Canada.

The owner (and inventor) Keith Calton is a really nice guy - but also his company has some resource problems - however he´ll tell you the exact lead time when ordering - for the time being it´s 25 weeks plus delivery.

I´m for now seriously considering a take-over of the company - however I´ll have to include the Canada problems as presented by you and others in my considerations. I´ll ask Keith about this - it´s my impression, that Calton Canada is a sort of franchise taker.

Anyway - here´re some pics of my lovely and sturdy case (plus my beloved First Lady) - a pitty, that you had to cancel your order for similar cases:





Polle

---

Edited by - Polle Flaunoe on 06/12/2010 03:49:23

pgroff - Posted - 06/11/2010:  05:43:01

---

I also have a Calton case (some years old) for a B & D Silver Bell and it is the best case I've ever owned for a fretted instrument.

Here's hoping the problems can be resolved in one way or another so these cases can continue to be available to musicians.

PG

Dogfeathers - Posted - 06/11/2010:  10:25:10

---

At our local luthiers club meeting, a high end guitar maker (Bruce Sexauer) raved about this guy who makes carbon fiber cases for his $5000-8000 guitars. I have no personal experience with him myself though. The luthier claimed he was fast, affordable, high quality, light and somewhat bomb proof. He does custom cases and they are made and all parts are sourced right here in the USA.

This is the website and his e-mail. YMMV

carbonfibercases.com/

hoffeemusic@sbcglobal.net

Dogfeathers,
SF Bay Area

UPDATE 15 June


Do you make cases for banjos?
Thanks,
********
Hi Larry

I do not currently make banjo cases but I have had a lot of inquiries so I am planning to make them. I may have them ready to go in 2-3 months.

Jeff Hoffee
Hoffee Cases

---

Edited by - Dogfeathers on 06/15/2010 16:10:50

BanjoLink - Posted - 06/11/2010:  12:18:41

---

Looks like great cases, but I didn't see any for banjos!

larry p - Posted - 06/11/2010:  18:46:12

---

Over the years I've purchased several 'Calton' cases from my dear friend Tony at 'Mandolin Central'-the service he provides and the product was 'top shelf' all the way..
It's distressing to hear about the recent decline in the business acumen from the manufacturer, but knowing 'Mandolin Central', they'll find someone else to fill the need. One thing's for sure-you can count on Tony and Andy at 'Mandolin Central' to do what they say they'll do, and go beyond the call of duty to make a customer happy.

silvioferretti - Posted - 06/13/2010:  01:31:41

---

Does anybody have an idea of why this thread is in the Collector's Corner, except that the case you're talking about was ordered for a vintage banjo?...

Apart from this, I've got all my Calton cases from Keith Calton himself, from the UK I mean, and always got first-rate service, great cases, and prices that have always been perfectly in line with the quality of the products. I understand the US division is another thing, and only uses the Calton design, though, so I don't have anything to add but that the US Calton that came with my -75 is fine, a bit heavier than the other ones I've got, but totally reliable.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 06/13/2010:  02:51:46

---

Silvio,

I take, that many owners of collectable and often indeed very costly banjos do want them stored/transported in the best possible way - in my view a thread about the most suited cases for this is best placed at Collector´s Corner.

And yes - Keith Calton has been and is a valuable source regarding securement of those beloved Ladies.

Kindly regards

Polle

shclandler - Posted - 06/13/2010:  04:20:27

---

It seems to me like they're very disorganized over there. I ordered a case back in February, and that very week, the owner said the case is being started today, and will be at my door in a week. Okay, great! A few weeks go by, I called him, and the case just came through the cleaning process, it will be going out today. A few more weeks, oh, hey, I just literally tripped over your case, it will go out this afternoon! A few more weeks, you haven't gotten your case yet? you should have it by now, let me see what happened. The case got shipped to their dealer in Toronto, for some reason! It was then shipped back to their factory in New Brunswick, and then to me. It arrived without a strap. When I emailed then to get a strap, there was no reply. Overall, after what was initially quoted as 4 weeks 'lead time' I got my case in 12 weeks, with no strap. As a disclaimer, Jim Laffoley seems like a nice guy, nothing against him.

I wasn't going to write this, and I chalked up my experience to ordering a custom item, and these things take time. However, the stories all sound similar, and there should be quality customer service included with such a quality case.

Josh

MikeHashem - Posted - 06/13/2010:  09:22:06

---

I thought he was a nice guy to , but I never got my cases. Mike Hashem

mastertone250 - Posted - 06/13/2010:  17:48:14

---

I like price cases myself,but thats me. I also like my old mark leaf case too.

TLunneberg - Posted - 06/14/2010:  21:42:01

---

Even though I'm a guitarist I've been dealing with the Calton of Canada problem too so thought I would repost my experience since the Banjo Hangout has current discussion on this matter, and my experience has many common elements with the stories on your site. So sad--I hope Keith in the UK doesn't get dragged down by Jim and this Canadian disaster of a company.

I own three Calton cases (one from the UK and two from Canada). I find my Canadian Calton cases to possess better fit and finish than the UK case but both are great products. I've always loved the Calton case and only recently got a dose of their miserable and deceptive communication (or lack thereof). I ordered a carbon fiber case back in January and Jim confirmed for me that it would not be a problem to receive it by mid-March when I was going to do some gigs in the Northwest. I checked in a couple times by e-mail to make sure everything was on-track and I was assured that things were looking good, even right up to the point where the case should have been shipped. When the case didn't arrive I sent an e-mail, but got no response, when the 'drop dead' delivery date came I e-mailed again and got no reply. I did the trip and Southwest was kind to my guitar. After some time passed with no case and no communication I got in touch and asked exactly what business Calton thinks they're in if they won't sell a premium priced case to a willing customer, and feel it's OK to basically lie to the customer? After a while I got an e-mail from Jim apologizing and saying that they built my case with the wrong color interior but they could send it if I didn't mind this little issue. I said I didn't mind the different color and he said the case would be 'detailed and shipped' the next day... I never received the case nor any explanation. Again, I'm trying to pay good money for a case that Jim *claimed* was ready to go. Frankly, I don't believe there was any case. Finally, after placing a couple unreturned phone calls to Jim I cancelled the order for the Calton--I've never felt so happy about *not* getting something because I have nothing but bad feelings about Calton of Canada at this point and there are great alternative products. I also asked that Jim not reply back to explain because I wouldn't believe anything he might tell me (for once, they followed through with something I asked for...). Ultimately, I ordered a Karura and they are getting the case to me in time for another road trip. Yes, it's an expensive case but it's a fraction of the price of what it protects--and, very importantly, Karura has not jerked me around at all. I've talked to big name luthiers and well known guitar shops and most everybody says the same thing... it's really sad that Calton of Canada is running itself into the ground by lying to people and not making good on their commitments... honesty is so much easier to deal with--at least then you know you'll be waiting a while to get your case and you can plan accordingly. Also, in response to a very valid post about many guitarists not being able to afford what these premium cases cost, I've heard good things about Hoffee Cases (a USA product, carbonfibercases.com) who offer a custom carbon fiber case for about $500. I've ordered one for a 12-string guitar and, again, great customer service and I'm receiving the case about three weeks after initial contact (and I've got the UPS tracking info so I know this is actually going to happen). I'll post my thoughts on the Hoffee case when I've traveled with it a bit. Ultimately and sadly, the situation as I see it is that you can spend more or less than what Calton charges, get a case that meets most needs, and get some solid customer service at the same time. And, yes I do agree that the Calton is a very good case but if you've looked at the other offerings out there you know Calton is no longer the only game in town. For what it's worth, I'm not bitter about my Calton experience but I wish I had been pointed to this thread back when I attempted to order one of their cases so I could go into the situation with my eyes open. My opinion is that if you simply must have the Calton then look first to see if an online retailer might have what you need in stock already--I did this for a 12-fret 000 and got the case in a week. If that doesn't work, check directly with your guitar manufacturer/luthier to see if they have an extra Calton case sitting around that they'll sell you since they sometimes maintain an inventory of upgraded cases. If you need to order one, consider going placing your order through a dealer who does a lot of business with Calton because as an individual consumer it is my opinion and experience that Calton will throw you under the bus and then forget it ever happened, but only after blaming everything on their lack of a $10/hr staffer to answer the phone.

MikeHashem - Posted - 06/15/2010:  14:28:46

---

After hearing this story, I ,m very happy that I posted my thoughts on this case company. What gives ? Company does,nt need money ? ------ Bottom line is that I need a few quality custom tenor banjo cases. Who,s got them??????????? Mike Hashem PS Mandolin Central has already sent me my money back. I wish that I could buy the next case from them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MH

atompkins - Posted - 06/15/2010:  20:41:51

---

Just another vote of confidence for Tony at Mandolin Central. I first heard about him a few months ago when he advertised the Caltons he had in stock at Mandolin Central here on BHO. I called and got excellent response, service, and pricing from Tony, ordered both a Martin D guitar case and a standard 5-string Gibson case, and those cases showed up a few days later just as promised. After reading all this, I'm glad that he had what I needed in stock. I would be happy to do business with Tony again. Thanks for your help, Tony.

Alan

lazlo191 - Posted - 06/16/2010:  03:06:19

---

What Alan said. Tony was great to deal with

stanger - Posted - 06/17/2010:  03:47:26

---

Ordering issues aside... I'm wondering if there is any quality difference in the new Moncton cases once they're delivered?
regards,
stanger

TLunneberg - Posted - 06/17/2010:  06:44:15

---

I have a Calton case that I received in the last month (got it directly from a luthier) and I believe it's from the new factory. It's a great case, just like the other Caltons. Their product is still top-notch in my opinion, it's the delivery process that is terrible.

The only difference in quality I've noticed in Caltons is that my Calton of Canada cases seem to have a better fit and finish than my UK Calton, but perhaps mine is an exception. They all do the job quite well.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 06/17/2010:  07:48:21

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by stanger

Ordering issues aside... I'm wondering if there is any quality difference in the new Moncton cases once they're delivered?
regards,
stanger

---

I've seen a report (not involving anyone who's posted here) that there are production problems (i.e. fit for custom mando case) with the new operation.

aroblin - Posted - 06/18/2010:  03:08:19

---

Although there were delivery delays and several redos on my Bacon & Day tenor case, in the end they got it right. The quality seems identical to my older Calton cases.

I asked for and received compensation for the problems. Jim Lafolley gave me a cover for the case at no charge.

TopCat - Posted - 06/18/2010:  04:48:26

---

Sorry to say that there's a whole thread about the very same issue over at Mudcat:

mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid...ssages=48

stanger - Posted - 06/18/2010:  05:16:26

---

More than one company has stumbled badly when sold or moved to another facility.
Sometimes it's a management problem, but sometimes it's not- in any specialty business, employee expertise and experience are elements that simply can't be replaced.

So far, I've seen no posts from anyone who has gone to the new shop. Firsthand accounts, especially if they come from someone familiar with the company's processes and procedures, can explain where the new Calton shop's problems may lie... the best managers in the world can do very little if they are working with an entirely new and inexperienced crew, as most beginners are a ham-fisted bunch who have little understanding of high quality controls and expectations.
Only time will fix some problems.

It's distressing to read the comments about how the owner must not care about making money. Sure, it's very bad for a customer to get excuses rather than product, but make no mistake- no one buys a case company to lose money on it, or fail at making the best product they can make. Would any of you act like you want to throw your money away if you bought this business? Of course not!

I really hope Calton gets it's act together as fast as they can, but if the finished goods are still of the high quality that has made the Calton case's reputation is still there, I would much rather wait a bit longer for a case than to see them turn to crap so orders may be filled faster.
regards,
stanger

shclandler - Posted - 06/19/2010:  10:24:39

---

Stanger, I agree with you on this. I would have no problems waiting for the case. Just don't tell me, every time we talk, that the case is going to be shipped tomorrow and here next week. If he told me the wait would be three months from the beginning, that would have been fine. The cases are still great, solid, heavy duty cases. I am very happy with mine, construction, fit and finish.

Josh

jessie - Posted - 06/19/2010:  13:11:36

---

i ordered and paid for a carlton case back in november 2009 through a reputable dealer in the usa .after a few months ,no news of my case ,so i cancelled my order ,and was refunded the full amount .to my surprise ,i got an email from jim at carlton apoligising for the mix up and delays etc ,and jim sent me the brand new case i ordered ,with my name engraved on the lid ,giving me the case completely free of charge ,including freight which was $265 usa to me in australia .after converting to aust dollars at the time ,it was including the freight about $1100 aust .my prucha banjo fitted perfectly ,and the quality is first class .how lucky was that ,thanks carlton

stanger - Posted - 06/20/2010:  14:09:22

---

No quarrel from me, Josh...
It is all up to the individual customer as to how much time they will accept for delivery.

Stuff happens, for sure.... I recently shipped off a resonator I got in for a re-finish last December. Given the vagaries of an Idaho winter, I didn't offer a firm delivery date, as a lot of it depends on the weather for me with repairs like this. I expected to deliver the resonator by end of March, but we had a very hard cold spring here, worse than the winter, and it was the first of May before it was completed.

All I could do was keep my customer closely in touch with my progress, or lack of it, and I sent photos of progress whenever I could. He was a very patient guy, and I really appreciated his patience, but if he had been otherwise, all I would have done was to send his resonator back.

Given the time of year, I didn't ask him to pay anything up front. In a different situation, during better conditions, I may have asked for an up-front payment. But I would rather lose a customer from being slow than losing one by doing any less than the best I can do, just to get it delivered.
regards,
stanger

shclandler - Posted - 06/20/2010:  16:48:53

---

Stanger, no quarrel here either ... I read my post and saw it could have been taken as contradictory, not my intention

Josh

Cessna172 - Posted - 06/22/2010:  13:03:23

---

I too ordered a Calton in November of 09. I too was told that the case was completed with the wrong color lining and would be refitted. I received the case in April 2010.

Fairly dissapointing - I have worked as a composites technician for many years. Then to see this case made with a couple layers of fiberglass, everyday case lining, a very very cheap seal, and so-so latches, I figured I overpaid at least 400%. Expected much more for the cost. Also, I couldn't put a banjo in it for several weeks while the epoxy out-gassed. Smelled up the whole house and I was afraid it would react and maybe ruin the banjo finish.

kyle james - Posted - 06/24/2010:  10:12:18

---

Been wondering about this myself. A good friend of mine owns a music store and carries caltons, so another buddy of mine ordered one for his martin, several months later, no case, and my friend the owner says while they used to tell him, "its on the way" now he can't even get them to answer or return his calls! He told me yesterday he's worried they're shutting down!

I've had a bright purple calton for my nechville, now huber for about 4 years and love it, beat it to hell too.

TLunneberg - Posted - 06/24/2010:  11:49:59

---

By way of follow up on alternatives to Calton, yesterday I received the Karura case I ordered about one month ago. This carbon fiber case is a little more costly than a Calton carbon fiber case, but I am blown away by the quality. It is much harder and seemingly stronger than any of my three Caltons and I find the latches, gasket, and finish to be superior. It is also physically a bit smaller than my other flight cases (significantly lighter too), which leads me to the ironic point that even though this case is really worthy for checking an instrument as luggage, I will not be surprised if I get it into the cabin more frequently because of its less 'tank-like' appearace.

The fit is perfect for my guitar (I recommend taking the time to send a tracing of your instrument in addition to the various dimensions they request so they can really dial in the padding placement). Yes, I know you don't 'play the case' but I'm very confident in the durability of the Karura and its ability to protect my valuable instrument. I'll be checking it through on Saturday morning so we'll see...

Equally important, the customer service from Karura was outstanding. They kept in constant contact about order status, and--most important--they kept to their stated schedule for delivery (in fact, they finished a bit early). After getting the Calton runaround, it was really nice to be dealing with a straight-shooting company with a great product. If you are looking for a travel case for a precious instrument then I'd suggest checking out Karura. While I don't think this sort of case is justified if your instrument stays close to home, if you fly with your prized instrument then this is a great way to secure your investment.

I've enjoyed sharing experiences on this subject with all of you, and think we are helping our fellow musicians avoid hassles. - Tom (tlguitar.com)

banjoy - Posted - 07/22/2010:  07:19:42

---

Wow I have been out of the loop.

My post comes from the perspective of having been a Calton dealer. I'll keep this post as brief as possible. For 8 years I owned and operated a well-known case oriented website, which still operates under new ownership.

When I first proposed my website in 2001 I met Al Williams at the Nashville NAMM show and proposed selling his cases on my website. He declined but agreed to keep in touch with me and see how it goes. A few years later, in 2005 I think it was, Al Williams contacted me and suggested that I become a Calton dealer.

The business model of my website was that it was essentially a dropship operation run by a shoestring staff. I could not compete in prices with the brick stores and could not lay out the capital to stock his products. So, from the outset, I proposed to Al that I sell ONLY custom made Calton cases and not sell the so-called "stock" cases like the big stores (First Quality, Janet Davis, Mandolin Bros, etc) could afford to do. I would sell custom only cases and so it was understood that my sales volume would be pretty low. I probably sold about one case per month, maybe.

I received a call from Jim when he bought Calton Cases from Al. Jim introduced himself and we talked about my cases website, sales, just general stuff, mostly mutual introductions, a cordial conversation. I head nothing more until many months later when I noticed that other dealers had a new pricing structure for Calton Cases. I called Jim to ask what was up with that, why was I out of the loop for his latest dealer price list? I was stunned when Jim basically ranted at me that my sales volume was so low I did not deserve to be a Calton dealer. We exchanged a few choice words and Jim ended up literally screaming at me as he slammed the phone ending the conversation.

Well, I guess that meant I was no longer a Calton dealer.

I just never understood that mentality. Sure, my sales volume was low, but the customer service was pretty high (for the most part) though my company, we hand-walked customers though getting a case made to their specific instrument, and I was an enthusiastic advocate of Calton Cases. Even if I sold only ONE case per year, that sale did not cost Calton cases one penny. And, it was understood from the outset by Al Williams and me that sales volume would not be stellar.

Anyway, that's my experience with the company. Since the transfer of ownership of my cases website to its new owner I have basically decompressed and returned to normal, civilian life, and have been out of the loop on all this stuff. Until I read this thread today, I had no clue that Calton was being driven into the ground, apparently.

It's my hope that the company can regain stability and restore itself. I think the product itself is a good one, I myself own a Calton (Al Williams days) for my custom made top-tension. It's a great case. From what I have read here and elsewhere today, it seems the product is still there.

Maybe the new owner of Calton Cases of Canada, Jim, can re-think his approach to customer and dealer relations. I don't know. I hope he is able to resolve these things in a positive way. In reading this thread and others like it on the internet today, there clearly is a recurring theme here, a dynamic that he needs to examine and change. Time will tell I suppose.

--Frank

---

Edited by - banjoy on 07/22/2010 12:35:49

Haskells RB3 - Posted - 07/22/2010:  15:01:30

---

I have Calton but I wouldnt buy one again. It does protect the banjo but Im amazed at how easy the outside chips and scratches, I was a boat builder for 10 years and can say it has a thin cheap gel cote on the outside. Besides being a few years old I can still smell the glue on the inside and I aired it out along time and never used it till recently because of that, I have a prewar original 5 string in it but the banjo seems to be picking up the smell from the glue a little so Im thinking of selling it and looking for something better. They are over priced in my opinion and the seal is not that good and the latches could of been lined up better when they were installed. I also have another prewar in a old Mark Leaf case, while it is heavier its much better quality and protection in my opinion. Im glad theres other cases on the market .I will get another mark leaf if I can find one or hopefully Jeff Hoffee will start making banjo cases, his guitar cases are about half the cost of a Calton. Watch Jeffs video of him throwing the case around , pouring water on it and driving a van on it, with a guitar inside, if you did this with a Calton you would have a very wet broken guitar. Cant wait till he starts making banjo cases.

---

Edited by - Haskells RB3 on 07/23/2010 14:11:19

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 07/23/2010:  00:05:01

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by stanger

It's distressing to read the comments about how the owner must not care about making money. Sure, it's very bad for a customer to get excuses rather than product, but make no mistake- no one buys a case company to lose money on it, or fail at making the best product they can make. Would any of you act like you want to throw your money away if you bought this business? Of course not!

---

No, Mike, almost nobody ever goes into business intending to lose money, but there are a remarkable number of people out there who don't know how to *make* money, and who go through life thinking that their good intensions are just as good as delivering on their promises. And business is unforgiving. It just doesn't work that way.

There's an old business adage that neatly covers this sort of situation, and it goes like this: "If you regularly go out of your way to make things right for your customers, perhaps one in ten of them will think to mention your name and give you a good reference if/when the subject comes up. But if you regularly lie to your customers and treat them as if you were doing *them* a favor by selling them your product, you may be absolutely *certain* that every last one of those customers will blacken your reputation every chance they get, and they will continue to do so for years!"

The above is absolutely true, and this thread is an example of what happens when a businessman (?) ignores and lies to his customers: he effectively if unknowingly torpedos his own business right below the waterline.

I think every budding businessman should put the following quote on the wall across from his desk and stare at it for several minutes every day...

"Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."

-Yoda

Haskells RB3 - Posted - 07/23/2010:  14:14:12

---

I just got a email back from Jeff Hoffee and he said he should have carbon fiber banjo cases ready in a few months and they wont be over 600.00. Just check his web site in a few months if you want one , I do.

Dogfeathers - Posted - 09/22/2010:  11:43:41

---

I contacted Jim Hoffee several months ago regarding his carbon fiber cases (see my previous post above) and he did not make any for the banjo at that thime. That has changed.
Contact him here and take a look.

Dogfeathers

^^^^^^^^^^^

Larry,

The banjo cases are ready now. You can find out more at carbonfibercases.com/Banjo_Cases.php

Thanks,
Jeff Hoffee
Hoffee Cases