Frustrating BTO story

[DennisG]

Thanks for all of your input.  The range of responses reflects the range of my thoughts on this situation.  I am trying to be rational about this but the dealers prior disinterest in my BTO questions does suggest something beyond a mere mistake. While the dealer rep took responsibility, that does not mean it was his mistake. I don't know that.

If it was just an ES add, that would be easy.  I really wanted the tobacco burst finish and the guitar as delivered was a standard GA-5 with a natural cedar top.  Nice but not what I ordered.

Having done a BTO before, and knowing how exciting the anticipation is and how disappointed you must be, you have my profound sympathy.  You're spending a lot of money on this, and you should get exactly what you want.  Clearly, Taylor is trying to help bring that about; now it's up to your dealer to step up to the plate.  Just know that sometime in the not-too-distant future, as you're sitting there playing that gorgeous guitar, all of this will be distant memory.

[MR XXXXX]

Is this actually a BTO, or did you just modify a GA-5?

[Glen]

Mistakes will happen. Period. Taylor is the best at customer service among the main stream production guitar manufacturers. The best! And of course I too get frustrated. Just happend a few minutes ago  But then, I get some personal prospective.

What defines a dealer, a company or the customer is how they handle the error. If someone is doing everything they can do to rectify the situation, that is all you can ask.  Let's be honest, "It's a guitar". It is not a drunk driver taking an innocent life, "It's a guitar". It's not sitting in an office and having the Dr. tell you and a loved one the prospects for a long life are in jeopardy because of this thing called cancer. "It's a guitar".

Take a deep breath. Look at the guitars you now have and smile. Look at your kids, your wife, your friends and your pet and smile. Think of how lucky we all are to live in a free country where we make enough money to buy these beautiful tools. If the only thing WE have to "b***h" about is a mishandled order, we got a great life.  Yes, I really enjoy playing, buying and talking about guitars. But at the end of the day "it's a guitar". They build them everyday.

[Cindy]

Is this actually a BTO, or did you just modify a GA-5?

I'm not sure a tobacco burst can be applied to a 5xx series as a modify-a-model...

ggj, since there was obviously a HUGE error here (lacking both the ES and tobacco burst), if it were me, I'd use a different dealer. Were you charged a BTO price (we can't discuss pricing here but you should be able to determine whether the price was closer to a GA5 or a BTO)?

[MR XXXXX]

Is this actually a BTO, or did you just modify a GA-5?

I'm not sure a tobacco burst can be applied to a 5xx series as a modify-a-model...

ggj, since there was obviously a HUGE error here (lacking both the ES and tobacco burst), if it were me, I'd use a different dealer. Were you charged a BTO price (we can't discuss pricing here but you should be able to determine whether the price was closer to a GA5 or a BTO)?

It can... Tobacco or Honey SB is an option... 

[roadbiker]

Mistakes will happen. Period. Taylor is the best at customer service among the main stream production guitar manufacturers. The best! And of course I too get frustrated. Just happend a few minutes ago  But then, I get some personal prospective.

What defines a dealer, a company or the customer is how they handle the error. If someone is doing everything they can do to rectify the situation, that is all you can ask.  Let's be honest, "It's a guitar". It is not a drunk driver taking an innocent life, "It's a guitar". It's not sitting in an office and having the Dr. tell you and a loved one the prospects for a long life are in jeopardy because of this thing called cancer. "It's a guitar".

Take a deep breath. Look at the guitars you now have and smile. Look at your kids, your wife, your friends and your pet and smile. Think of how lucky we all are to live in a free country where we make enough money to buy these beautiful tools. If the only thing WE have to "b***h" about is a mishandled order, we got a great life.  Yes, I really enjoy playing, buying and talking about guitars. But at the end of the day "it's a guitar". They build them everyday.

Pretty much in line with my comments. What it boils down to is "don't sweat the small stuff."

Jim

[M19]

For future reference,and others that may Go BTO, Jim at GR sent me the official BTO order form that will go to Taylor for my signature, and return, so there would be no confusion. If a problem occurs (heaven forbid) it will obviously be Taylor's issue in this instance.

[MR XXXXX]

For future reference,and others that my Go BTO, Jim at GR sent me the official BTO order form that will go to Taylor for my signature, and return, so there would be no confusion. If a problem occurs (heaven forbid) it will obviously be Taylor's issue in this instance.

That is why I asked if this was an actual BTO or a MAM... A BTO has a signed sheet....

[Kevin A]

45 days is nothing. Try waiting 2-3 years for a custom. 

I understand the frustration & disappointment, but screw-ups happen.

Wait & get the guitar you ordered.
According to your sig, you've other guitars, so its not as if you've nothing to play in the interim.

Kevin

[Cindy]

Is this actually a BTO, or did you just modify a GA-5?

I'm not sure a tobacco burst can be applied to a 5xx series as a modify-a-model...

ggj, since there was obviously a HUGE error here (lacking both the ES and tobacco burst), if it were me, I'd use a different dealer. Were you charged a BTO price (we can't discuss pricing here but you should be able to determine whether the price was closer to a GA5 or a BTO)?

It can... Tobacco or Honey SB is an option...

Then is this a BTO or a modify-a-model? The difference would be in the price and grade of wood.

[michaelw]

Is this actually a BTO, or did you just modify a GA-5?

I'm not sure a tobacco burst can be applied to a 5xx series as a modify-a-model...

ggj, since there was obviously a HUGE error here (lacking both the ES and tobacco burst), if it were me, I'd use a different dealer. Were you charged a BTO price (we can't discuss pricing here but you should be able to determine whether the price was closer to a GA5 or a BTO)?

It can... Tobacco or Honey SB is an option...

Then is this a BTO or a modify-a-model? The difference would be in the price and grade of wood.

if it was a tobacco sunburst, then it would be a BTO -
mahogany sunburst is the only finish option listed on a GA5e
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/ga5e

[MR XXXXX]

You can modify any Model 500 series and up (exlcuding 600's) to Honey Sunburst or Tobacco Sunburst for a small upcharge.  Not a BTO, just a Modify a Model. 

In addition the Mahogany sunburst is available on the Acoustic 5 series.

It's in their price list... which is here.. on the Standard Options page...

http://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/Taylor-Guitars-Acoustic-Electric-2012-PriceList.pdf?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Guitar%2BMenu%2BDropdown%2BLink&utm_content=PDF&utm_campaign=Price%2BList%2B2012%2BDownload

[Tammany Tiger]

Dunno. Something doesn't sound right. Taylor has screwed up my last two BTO orders with wrong details, but confusing a BTO with a standard GA-5? Something goofy is going on there.

What does the label say? A BTO will will include the word "Custom" in the space for "Model Number." Is it possible that you thought you were buying a BTO but the dealer realized that your specs made a MAM order cheaper and either did not communicate that to you or you did not understand? That would make it easier to explain but something is still not right about this story.

I would ask the see the BTO build sheet (the dealer will have a copy and Taylor can send one) and find out what is going on. That sheet will show what was ordered and when. If the dealer is not playing straight, make that known to Taylor and move on to a dealer with a lot of BTO experience like Guitar Rodeo.

I agree with others here who say that this is not worth getting worked up over but if all of these facts are right, either Taylor or their dealer needs to step up to the plate and as far as I am concerned, starting over is not enough. Regardless of where the fault lies, I would definitely let Taylor management know about this story in a firm but polite way assuming that this is a builder or vendor problem.

[cjd-player]

The thrill is gone from the new guitar anticipation and now I think I'd be better off to simply search for a good deal on EBay.

Personally, I only buy a guitar to fill a certain need in my playing: short scale, alternate tunings, travel, etc.

Obviously someone made a mistake, but if you're only buying the guitar for the thrill of receiving it, then what's the point in buying it?  In several months that thrill will be gone anyway, so again, what's the purpose of buying this?

[michaelw]

You can modify any Model 500 series and up (exlcuding 600's) to Honey Sunburst or Tobacco Sunburst for a small upcharge.  Not a BTO, just a Modify a Model. 

In addition the Mahogany sunburst is available on the Acoustic 5 series.

It's in their price list... which is here.. on the Standard Options page...

http://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/Taylor-Guitars-Acoustic-Electric-2012-PriceList.pdf?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Guitar%2BMenu%2BDropdown%2BLink&utm_content=PDF&utm_campaign=Price%2BList%2B2012%2BDownload

the standard model options sheet i've seen shows honey & tobaccoburst as an option on 500 series (ce) &
only mahogany edgeburst on the 5 series - seems to be some inconsistencies (changes) somewhere in there

the webpage is consistent with the options sheet, but the price list/specs sheet is different -
the price list also shows that honey/tobaccoburst top is excluded from the 600/6 series
(which would technically be correct if the entire body & neck had the burst finish. i suppose)

contacting one's favorite dealer would be the best option to verify currently available options
as they can find out exactly what running changes (additions, deletions, etc) have been made