This review delves into the frustrating experience of purchasing and owning the Frederick Concert Series Adjustable Piano Bench, sold through Jim Labs Music. Initial concerns arose even before the bench arrived, with unhelpful pre-purchase communication and a lack of order confirmation. The problems persisted throughout the process, from the difficult assembly due to missing instructions to significant design flaws and a disappointing seat material that differed drastically from the online advertisement.Beyond the product itself, the customer service provided by Jim Labs Music proved exceptionally poor. Their dismissive responses, inefficient communication, and ultimately inadequate compensation for the numerous issues discovered only exacerbated a negative purchasing experience. This review will detail the various problems encountered, highlighting the significant discrepancies between the advertised product and the reality, and offering a comparison to alternative options to help potential buyers make an informed decision.
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Poor Pre-Sale Support and Purchase Difficulties
My initial experience with Frederick's sole distributor, Jim Labs Music, was far from ideal. I contacted them with pre-purchase questions, but the responses were vague and unhelpful. This lack of clear communication set a concerning tone for the entire process.
The online purchase itself was also problematic. Despite a pop-up message promising an email confirmation, I never received one. While my bank account reflected the purchase, this lack of confirmation left me feeling uneasy.
Frustrating Post-Purchase Experience
A week passed with no confirmation email, tracking number, or sign of my bench. Panic set in, and I feared a scam. Contacting Jim Labs only exacerbated the issue. The employee I spoke with was unhelpful and dismissive, making me feel like an inconvenience.
To obtain the tracking number, I was forced to write down a long, complex code verbally provided by the employee – a completely inefficient process. This lack of basic customer service was shocking.
Assembly and Quality Issues
Upon receiving the bench, assembly proved challenging due to the absence of instructions. The screws and washers had to be installed in a specific, unintuitive order. This lack of basic instructions was unexpected, considering the bench's advertised quality and years of research and development.
Raising and lowering the bench revealed a significant design flaw. One leg ground against the internal frame, creating a visible gash in the wood. This asymmetry in the internal frame design clearly indicates poor engineering and quality control.
Disappointing Customer Service and Resolution
Contacting Jim Labs about the quality issues yielded a disappointing response. Instead of a thorough investigation, they offered a paltry 7% discount, showing little regard for customer satisfaction. This lack of professionalism was incredibly frustrating.
After considerable haggling (15 emails!), and even mentioning potential claims with MasterCard and PayPal, I managed to secure a 21% discount. However, this process was exhausting and emotionally draining, with Jim Labs resorting to tactics that felt like emotional blackmail.
Additional Concerns and Alternatives
The seat material also differed significantly from the advertised product. The shiny, leather-like material shown online was replaced with a dull, matte, bumpy, and grainy vinyl. This inconsistency further raises concerns about quality control.
Other issues include: the lack of an official warranty or return policy on the website, discrepancies between part numbers on the box and website, and the poor 2.5-star Yelp rating, which reveals widespread dissatisfaction among customers.
Conclusion: Is the Frederick Bench Worth It?
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend the Frederick Concert Series Adjustable Piano Bench. The poor quality, design flaws, and abysmal customer service from Jim Labs Music make it a risky purchase. The potential for significant shipping costs if you need to return the item further adds to the risk.
Consider alternatives like CPS Imports, which offers a comparable adjustable bench with leather or leatherette options at a similar price point, including free shipping at times. Their positive online reviews provide a stark contrast to the negative experiences reported with the Frederick bench.
