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Topic: Billie May - D-10 |
Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2010 12:01 am |
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I would encourage anyone having any dealings with this man to do so on a cash-and-carry basis. He hails from Dexter MI and claims to be a Vietnam vet. In the almost 35 years that I have been in business, I have always trusted the word of each and every one of my customers. I have NEVER been stung for so much as a penny from a one of them. This past week, Billie succeeded in stiffing me for the FedEx charges incurred in shipping his Carter serial number 90018002 20 back to him after some minor work. He tends to hide behind his "voice mail" option and refuses to answer his phone.
I'm not trying to slam this guy...only to alert others who may have dealings with him in the future, that he is not to be taken at his word. Should anyone attempt to purchase this guitar (he has indicated that he may sell it), please check to see if a mechanic's lien is still in place on it before paying any money to him. You could be purchasing a guitar that I already own!!!
PRR |
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Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2010 12:44 am
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I presently have a D-10 in my shop for cleaning and a setup change. My customer, ironically, purchased this guitar from Billie May. It was supposed to have some KL changes on it that aren't actually there at all. My customer bought the guitar based on this representation of the instrument itself by Billie May. When he tried to contact Billie about the "missing" KL's and possible partial-reimbursement of at least some of his funds for the "missing" changes, his efforts were fruitless. My customer just dropped the issue at the time and chalked it off to a bad experience.
I will double-check to make 100% certain, but I believe my customer's purchase of this guitar was the result of a Forum post by Billie May. I sincerely hope that this man's tacky and questionable practices are not allowed to continue unabated on this Forum.
PRR |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 3 Oct 2010 2:47 am Paul Is On Target
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I'm the customer Paul is talking about who had a deal with Billie May that was less than ideal. As far as I know, Billie May is NOT a member of The Forum, but for those of you may who might deal with him in the future, I'd suggest avoid doing so.
Though the ZB D-10 was purchased from Billie May off The Forum, from a Craigslist add, Billie claimed there were three lever changes on the C6th when there was only one standard third string change.
Prior to agreeing to purchase the guitar, I asked him several times how many changes were on the C6th, explaining I needed three or four, so I doubt this was an honest mistake on his part. I did contact him more than once and asked for partial-reimbursement for two levers Paul would need to add to the guitar. I heard nothing from the guy.
My advice would be to avoid dealing with Billie May. Thanks, for bringing this out into the open, Paul. stevet |
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Martin Weenick
From:
Lecanto, FL, USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2010 3:57 am Guitar
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Steve, I am sorry this happened to you. I find it embarassing that a Vietnam vet would do something like that. I hope he is not a former Marine. If you can wait until I have finished my customers guitar I will make these parts for you at no charge. Martin.
_________________
Several custom steels. NV-112 Boss DD-7 |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 3 Oct 2010 10:39 am
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Take note of THIS 110% honest Vietnam vet! Martin will go to great lengths to help people and do right by them.
Martin, you are just a class act and I want people to know it.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Michael Robertson
From:
Ventura, California. USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2010 5:40 pm “Welcome Home”
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“Welcome Home” Martin
Michael Robertson
A 2/1 196th Light Infantry Brigade
1967-1968 |
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Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 1:34 am
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Martin - That's a very generous offer!!! The setup that I will soon be installing on Steve's guitar will by no means be run-of-the-mill, so many individual custom-tailored components will have to be made at that time. Doing this on a long-distance basis might actually prove to be a problem. It's all up to Steve though.
I marvel at how members of this Forum come to the aid of a victim of a scam artist. There aren't many who choose the low life, but it only takes one rotten apple to spoil an entire barrel.
You guys (and gals) are the greatest!!!
PRR |
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Martin Weenick
From:
Lecanto, FL, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 3:44 am Guitar
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Thanks for the kind words Paul and Bent. Why people do things like that I just dont know. Steve has been to my house in Florida, he is a great guy and certainly dosent deserve that. We will leave it up to him what to do. I still have a month to finish my customers guitar. Michael R., Thanks for the "welcome home" my Brother. I know what your outfit went through over there. Attitudes have really changed since we first came home. Martin.
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Several custom steels. NV-112 Boss DD-7 |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 8:44 am
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| I'm about 50 miles away from Dexter and have never heard of a Billie May. Thanks for the warning. |
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Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 5:53 pm
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Drew - He told me that he lived in Dexter MI, but had me ship the guitar to a Sunny Ridge Drive address in Pinckney MI which is not far away.
PRR |
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Dwight Lewis
From:
Huntsville, Alabama
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 11:45 pm Getting the shaft
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Very sorry Paul. Shame on this guy and thanks for the info. "Fellow Forumites , I have had the absolute pleasure to deal with Paul Redmond, and find his work as well as his communication and customer relations to be Prime". GOD will repay you Paul and HE will recompense for the bad deal you got.Hope things work out. Thanks
Dwight
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Dekley 7p4k(PRS-10C), BMI S12 5p5kn |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 6 Oct 2010 2:08 am THANKS, MARTIN, PAUL & ALL OF YOU
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It's been my privilege & pleasure, for over 11 years, to have had dealings with folks on b0b's Forum. I've been lucky to have met a few of these people in person and Martin has been one of them. Talk about hospitable and friendly; my wife and sisters still reminisce about our trip to his house.
I've only met Paul Redmond thorough his work on my Kline U-12 (brilliant) and through his letters concerning steel guitar repairs and innovations, the contents of which were usually way over my head and are still rising. You can easily sense a love and pride there for the craftsmanship his work exhibits.
There are so many others here that have added to the quality of my life with their contributions and I wish to thank them too. Of course b0b is way up there too obviously.
Martin, I thank you for the offer to make those levers free of charge for the ZB Paul is working on, but less funny is you agree to throw in a couple levers at discount when I buy on of your Weenick steels! |
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