mvtele
MM Forum Member
Posts: 8
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Post by mvtele on Jan 12, 2015 16:31:39 GMT
Hello all. My post from the acoustic forum was captured above (thanks zac71). I just want to clarify my situation. The vintagenationals.com website has been up and down. It was down the day I posted that message. It appears to be up today. Lenny's phone number on the contact page had also been disconnected (rings but then you get a message from the phone company). I believe that the number is still disconnected. My past dealings with Len had been very good. I purchased two guitars from Lenny many years ago (pre financial crisis). One 1930s Duolian and one 1930 Tricone. Both great guitars especially the Duolian which I will never sell. My financial situation changed and I was looking sell some of my guitar collection. I'm an electric player so National guitars are not my area of expertise. I reached out to Len in late March 2014 to see what his consignment commission would be to sell the guitar for me. He said 15% and that he could sell it fast. So I shipped the guitar out to Santa Barbara. He took pictures and put it up on the site. As of this morning it is still there (1930 round neck tricone) in the vintage section. Many months passed and I didn't hear anything. I contacted Len in July 2014 and he said he was surprised it had not sold but that he had a German buyer that was interested. So last month, having not heard anything from Lenny, I sent him an email asking him to ship the guitar back at my expense. To my dismay he ignored the email and all emails since. Then I hear that other people are having problems and that National will no longer supply him with guitars. Having been through a similar situation with a formerly reputable dealer in North Carolina I assumed that it would be difficult to get people to believe my story (at The Gear Page there were lots of FatSound fanboys who defended Stu Carter right up to the point that he disappeared). I am pleased that this issue has taken less time to be taken seriously by most guitar forums. If anyone knows Lenny or lives in the Santa Barbara area I'd love to know what the heck is going on. In the mean time I would encourage anyone who has been scammed by Lenny to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, call the Santa Barbara County District Attorney Consumer Protection unit (805)346-7540, and fill out an electronic complaint with the CA state district attorney's office oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-companyYou can also try the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's office but they may or may not take a report.
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mvtele
MM Forum Member
Posts: 8
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Post by mvtele on Jan 12, 2015 18:44:00 GMT
I have just received an email from Lenny. My situation is far from resolved, but it's a start. Once I have more concrete information I will post it.
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Post by spatsdavenport on Jan 12, 2015 19:38:21 GMT
I bought a Republic from Lenny three years ago and I was very satisfied. I am sorry to hear all these bad reports. I wholeheartedly agree with Snakehips that none of us really know what's behind it, and I hope things work out for Lenny and his customers. Admittedly, I have no financial axe to grind.
Spats.
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Post by slide496 on Jan 12, 2015 20:26:36 GMT
I bought a Republic from Lenny three years ago and I was very satisfied. I am sorry to hear all these bad reports. I wholeheartedly agree with Snakehips that none of us really know what's behind it, and I hope things work out for Lenny and his customers. Admittedly, I have no financial axe to grind. Spats. Hmm, I wonder is that's where the money went for the one I ordered .. the date was August 15, 2012. Republic had no record of an order placed by him at or around that time when I contacted them several weeks later.
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Post by snakehips on Jan 12, 2015 20:38:10 GMT
Where ?
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Post by waffle on Jan 12, 2015 21:08:34 GMT
Firstly for me.. I think about a forum, who's hosting the forum and if that person decides to keep or delete the posts that are uploaded on here whether right or wrong,our Michael 'Mr Messer' must have a hard time in this respect concerning this thread and i applaud him for keeping it open.So people can see this and think about the use of cyberspace to buy valuable vintage instruments before seeing up front.
Now i did this..i bought a vintage National via Lenny Gerthoffer long before, i repeat, long before his business as we know as Vintage Nationals.My transaction with Lenny did not involve any web business and so was done on trust, i did worry about the guitar never turning up and getting ripped off, but to be honest Lenny kept in touch with me through the whole process.I know this is no help to you folks out there who have grievances, but felt i had to say this.I am not brilliant with words, but hope i come over OK and hope all is resolved for you all.
All the best.
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Post by petej on Jan 12, 2015 21:15:17 GMT
I thought would let you guys know that i emailed Lenny about selling my Duolian he has replied almost instantly,he said what he normally buys them for and ask for more photo,s before he could give me a price i'll leave you to draw your own conclusions (i'm not selling my Duolian) petej
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Post by petej on Jan 12, 2015 21:30:27 GMT
forgot to say, he said he would be interested iff the price was right Petej
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 12, 2015 23:50:00 GMT
At this point in the discussion, having been mentioned by Waffle regarding the policies of this forum, my silence would be more conspicuous than my words.
It is always so difficult when this type of thread appears on the forum and I ask myself every time, do I let it run or do I close/delete it?
There are clearly some problems with this company and people need a place to share their grievances and experiences. If I close or delete the thread I would feel disloyal to MM Forum members and to the people who have experienced problems in dealing with this company. I have absolutely no axe to grind whatsoever, as I have never had any business dealings with Vintage Nationals or Hot Rod Steel Guitars. I am not enjoying reading the posts, but this is a meeting place for many resonator guitarists, so for the time being I will not delete or edit this thread.
Shine On Michael
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Post by zak71 on Jan 13, 2015 1:25:31 GMT
Considering the number of people that have been swindled out of a guitar, or money, or both...it would be unfortunate if this thread were to disappear.
On the other hand, various unfounded hypotheses regarding why this is taking place don't add anything and should probably be deleted. Everything but facts and first-hand accounts should be deleted from this thread.
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Post by amccj7 on Jan 13, 2015 16:25:00 GMT
Thanks Michael for keeping this thread open. Nothing but positive things happen , when lines of communications are left open. Cheers to you!
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ripped
MM Forum Member
Posts: 15
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Post by ripped on Jan 13, 2015 22:27:24 GMT
I bought a Hot Rod 12 string Tricone from Lenny last year and although there was a one month delay in delivery I got the instrument in good condition as described. I would also say that while not a National it was fair value for the money. I resolved my delay issues by phoning him.
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mvtele
MM Forum Member
Posts: 8
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Post by mvtele on Jan 27, 2015 2:36:37 GMT
I spoke to Lenny last week. He told me that he traded my guitar to a buyer for cash and a gold Duolian. My Tricone is now marked as sold on the Vintage Nationals website. I am now waiting for payment from Lenny and will update this thread when that happens.
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Post by snakehips on Jan 27, 2015 6:30:41 GMT
Hi there !
Cash and a Duolian won't give him money to the value of a Tricone. Either he has additional cash, or might wait until he sells the Duolian before he sends you the money you are expecting ?
I wonder if Lenny was at NAMM this year ?
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mvtele
MM Forum Member
Posts: 8
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Post by mvtele on Jan 27, 2015 15:19:58 GMT
He says that he sold the Gold Duolian so I should be getting a check. Still waiting.
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