R. Peggio
07-05-2010, 02:02 PM
Having read Teknoguitar's feelings about dealing with GSI, I thought I would share my experience dealing with them thru Dave Tate.
In late 2008 I had finally reached a place where I could look for a nice classical. I identified 2 specific models GSI had listed and contacted Dave about them. To my disappointment, both guitars had sold. I told Dave I'd just keep an eye on the website and contact him when I saw something that interested me. Dave then asked me what my price range was. I told him and he said he had another guitar that he could offer me in the range. It was a guitar I'd looked at but couldn't afford. He said he'd fit it into my budget and send me the guitar to try. While GSI's stated policy is 72 hours for a trial period, Dave told me to keep it for a week and let him know then.
Well, the guitar arrived and was just beautiful! The problem was, I found the action to be very uncomfortable for me. I called Dave after 3 days and told him it was a great instrument but not for me. I was prepared to send the guitar back at my expense but Dave had another idea. He offered to have me send the guitar back at no cost, let GSI re-work the action at no cost to me, install a different set of strings and re-send the guitar, again at no cost. If I didn't like it then, I could return it AGAIN at no cost. Well, how do you say no? So, off went the guitar and a few days later, it was back. It was MUCH more to my liking and after finding the right strings, I just couldn't be more pleased with what I have!
So, to recap, GSI sold me a guitar I couldn't afford for a price I could afford and went waaaaay beyond my expectations in terms of service, courtesy and professionalism. This may have just been a special case where Dave had more flexibility than might be usual but should I ever need to find another special instrument, I know where I'll look first!
In late 2008 I had finally reached a place where I could look for a nice classical. I identified 2 specific models GSI had listed and contacted Dave about them. To my disappointment, both guitars had sold. I told Dave I'd just keep an eye on the website and contact him when I saw something that interested me. Dave then asked me what my price range was. I told him and he said he had another guitar that he could offer me in the range. It was a guitar I'd looked at but couldn't afford. He said he'd fit it into my budget and send me the guitar to try. While GSI's stated policy is 72 hours for a trial period, Dave told me to keep it for a week and let him know then.
Well, the guitar arrived and was just beautiful! The problem was, I found the action to be very uncomfortable for me. I called Dave after 3 days and told him it was a great instrument but not for me. I was prepared to send the guitar back at my expense but Dave had another idea. He offered to have me send the guitar back at no cost, let GSI re-work the action at no cost to me, install a different set of strings and re-send the guitar, again at no cost. If I didn't like it then, I could return it AGAIN at no cost. Well, how do you say no? So, off went the guitar and a few days later, it was back. It was MUCH more to my liking and after finding the right strings, I just couldn't be more pleased with what I have!
So, to recap, GSI sold me a guitar I couldn't afford for a price I could afford and went waaaaay beyond my expectations in terms of service, courtesy and professionalism. This may have just been a special case where Dave had more flexibility than might be usual but should I ever need to find another special instrument, I know where I'll look first!