Mullen Guitars Do Not Buy!.... Don't Not Buy One!!...

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 8:30 am

I WILL MAKE THIS BRIEF!.. WHOEVER IS LOOKING FOR A MULLEN GUITAR AND YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT BUYING A NEW G2 OR A MULLEN FOR THAT MATTER DO NOT PUT YOUR MONEY DOWN IN EXCESS OVER 500.00. I PAID THIS THESE PEOPLE 4,365.00 ON MY CREDIT CARD AND AFTER TRYING REPEATEDLY TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION EVEN TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO BUY MY SPOT TO HELP OUT MULLEN. I HAVE CONSULTED MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY AND A LAWYER TO RETURN MY MONEY. LIKE MR DELL MULLEN STATED "WE AREN'T IN THE BUSINESS OF GIVING MONEY BACK TO PEOPLE THAT CHANGE THIER MIND".FOR ONE I DIDN'T JUST CHANGE MY MIND, I HAVE AN EMERGENCY THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTIONS AND THIS IS WHY I HAVE TO PULL BACK FROM BUYING THIS GUITAR. MAN!!.. PEOPLE ARE LOOSING THIER LIVES WITH THIS BAD ECONOMY. PEOPLE HAVE LOST THIER HOMES, CARS, WIFE, KIDS, JOBS. I KNOW OF TWO PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THAT LIVE IN A SHELTER FIGHTING TO SURVIVE! AND HERE WE HAVE A COMPANY THAT DOES BUSINESS LIKE THIS???... PER MIKE MANTEY HIS SAID THAT MULLEN DOESN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO REFUND. SO I GUESS DELL MULLEN IS USING MY MONEY TO RUN HIS BUSINESS AND BUILD HIS GUITARS FOR THE BIG STARS THAT COME FIRST. I ACTUALLY WAS REFERRED TO MULLEN GUITARS BY A FRIEND OF MINE WHO SAID YOU HAVE TO GET ONE OF THESE GUITARS, SO I THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND WITH MY FRIENDS RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ONE,I PUT MY MONEY DOWN.NEVER AGAIN, THE NEXT GUITAR I BUY WILL BE A DESERT ROSE OR A WILLIAMS GUITAR AND I CAN GET THE SAME THING FOR ABOUT 2,000 LESS WITH A BUSINESS I CAN TRUST!. YOU HAVE MESSED WITH THE WRONG PERSON!!. I WILL STOP HERE UNTIL I GET MY MONEY AND THEN YOU CAN BET I WILL NEVER PLAY ON OF THESE GUITARS EVEN IF SOMEONE GAVE ME ONE. I DON'T SUPPORT BUSINESS THAT PRACTICE UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES!....

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 29 Jul 2009 8:38 am

Tim
This is a reputable company with a good record of customer care. Should you not be negotiating direct with them until you have exhausted all avenues first? You have been very economical on what the issues are between you and the company.

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 8:55 am

I have. That is my problem!!... I gave them thier 500.00 deposit, now they don't want to return the remaining balance of the money I put down. That is the bottom line. Like mike Mantey said "they don't have my money".

I agreed to pay the 500.00 non refundable deposit. This company reminds me of a used car lot. Forcing you to sign on the dotted line or wear you down so that they don't have to give you back your money. They expect me to wait for them to build a guitar and then try to sell it and before they will even attempt to refund my money. UNACCEPTABLE!!.
THEY MADE THIER PROBLEM!.. MY PROBLEM!.. If I didn't agree to pay the 500.00 non refundable deposit I would understand, but that is not the case.

Ryan McMahon · Post by **Ryan McMahon** » 29 Jul 2009 8:59 am

Thats a shame!! Dell,Keep the deposit, But Refund the balance.Its only right,IMO.He has a right to be angry.If you cant express it on the forum, then where?again,IMO.If this happend in my line of work(it has, several times) I gladly refund the money. Thats if I havent spent it!!HMMMM?

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 29 Jul 2009 9:06 am

It's best not to jump to conclusions until both parties have put their point of view.

Curtis Alford · Post by **Curtis Alford** » 29 Jul 2009 9:31 am

If work has not been done,on this guitar, and a shipping date given with proof that this is a reasonable time frame, the money must be returned.
Only the deposit is exempt from the return. If the money has been kept more than 6 months, in most states, the man is due interest on his money.
This still depends on the agreed time for delivery, set at the time the contract is entered into. It is possible even the deposit is refundable under non performance conditions.The builder is obligated to perform or return the deposit as he has agreed to certain time restraints as well.
Kind of bussiness law law 101.

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 9:43 am

THAT IS EXACTLY CORRECT!..I LAID MY MONEY DOWN ON MAY 29TH 2009 WITH A SHIP DATE OF OCTOBER 2009. I MADE THREE PAYMENTS TO THIS COMPANY FOR A TOTAL OF 4,865.00 AND 500.00 NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT. I OWNED UP TO THE 500.00 AND NOW DELL MULLEN REFUSES TO RETURN THE REMAINING BALANCE IMMEDIATLEY.COMPANIES THINK THEY DO WHATEVER THEY WANT BECUASE THE HAVE A NAME, AND I WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED THESE PEOPLE. I GAVE A MULLEN A FAIR CHANCE TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND EXPLAINED THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED.THEY ARE SO INSITANT ON KEEPING MY MONEY, I EVEN GAVE THEM A CHANCE TO KEEP THE MONEY WITH A SIGNED CONTRACT TO BUILD ME A CERTAIN GUTIAR WITHIN 30 DAYS. THEY REFUSED. OK I TRIED!... YOU KNOW IF MULLEN WOULD HAVE NEVER TRY TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES THIS WAY AND UPSET ME THIS BAD, AND WHEN I GOT INTO A BETTER FINANCIAL SITUATION I WOULD HAVE RETURNED AS A CUSTOMER BUT AFTER THIS!.. NO NO NO NO NO!!.....I WOULDN'T SUPPORT THAT COMPANY IF THEY GAVE ME A GUITAR!!. I WILL BUY A DESERT ROSE OR A WILLIAMS GUITAR AFTER I'M FINANCIALLY ABLE AND SUPPORT THOSE GUYS WHO WOULD APPRECIATE MY BUSINESS.

Ryan McMahon · Post by **Ryan McMahon** » 29 Jul 2009 10:14 am

Get in touch with my pal, Bill Rudolph of Williams Guitar Co. No sales staff.Just him and his son.Polite, trustworthy, knowledgable, helpful, etc,etc.He also builds one heck of a guitar. His changer is second to none!Dial him up when you are ready. He always answers.Not to say any other builders arent equal, but Bill is a real card, and a joy to do business with!!! Just my opinion.

Curtis Alford · Post by **Curtis Alford** » 29 Jul 2009 10:21 am

Tim,
The company still has ninety days to deliver you your guitar per your agreement. Any chnges in your situation does not affect this agreement for delivery date.
It would be only by the goodwill of the company to return your money if it is in fact, delivere to you by stated of Oct.2009.
If it were me, and no expenditures had been made on the item to be produced it would be to the benifit to the company to just return the entire amount.
However, I would post my actions and not except your business in the future.You acted in bad faith posting this without discloseing there was a condition on your part that prompted the refund request.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 29 Jul 2009 10:28 am

Where is that clothesline when you need it?

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 29 Jul 2009 10:35 am

I don't have a horse in this race, but I am curious about something. Why did you send them all the money, if they only required $500 deposit?

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 11:35 am

Rick you missed the point.

Mike Mantey · Post by **Mike Mantey** » 29 Jul 2009 11:36 am

I will address this issue with limited information. I really do not like addressing this on this forum; it is really between the customer and Mullen Guitar Co. However the customer has taken it to extremes, so I feel a response is necessary. We stand by our company 100% and feel we are doing the correct thing to resolve this issue. We were willing to refund the money (less the deposit) and since it has gotten out of hand, and the customer has taken it beyond dealing with us to resolve, we will have to address this differently.

I thank you all for the continued support for the Mullen Guitar Company, and this issue will be settled between us and the customer.

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 11:44 am

no Mike I haven't taken it to an extreme! YOU(MULLEN GUITARS) HAVE MY MONEY AND YOU AND DEL REFUSED TO GIVE IT BACK!.. LIKE YOU SAID YOU DON'T THE KIND OF MONEY LAYING AROUND. MY SUGGESTION IS YOU BETTER FIND THAT MONEY AND QUICK!....

I WILL NOT SIT HERE AND HAVE MULLEN LOOK LIKE THE GOOD GUY HERE. I DON'T PLAYING GAMES WITH MY MONEY. I WILL LET THIS BE KNOWN TO EVERYONE IN THE STEEL GUITAR COMMUNITY. MULLEN GUITARS REFUSED TO REFUND MY MONEY IN AN EXPEDIANT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS IS THE ISSSUE HERE!!. MULLEN GUITAR EXPECTS TO KEEP MY MONEY UNTIL THEY BUILD A GUITAR AND THEN TRY TO SELL IT THEN I WILL GET MY MONEY!..WHO KNOWS WHEN THAT WILL BE!!!..I'M NOT IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO BE WAITING ON YOU TO GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER. ALSO I'M NOT OBLIGATED TO YOUR COMPANY WHAT SO EVER!. I HAVE PAID YOUR YOUR FREE MONEY OF 500.00 AND NOW I WANT THE REST OF MY 4,365.00 BACK IMMEDIATLEY!.. YOU GOT MY MONEY IN GOOD FAITH NOW IT'S TIME YOU DO THE RIGHT THING!! MULLEN GUITARS!!...TODAY!!.. NOT TOMMORROW OR THE DAY AFTER!!..TODAY!!!....

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 12:18 pm

GET MY MONEY!!!... THEN I WILL WE WILL BE DONE WITH EACH OTHER..... YOU TRY TO KEEP MY MONEY, YOU WILL SEE THAT WILL HURT MORE THAT IT WILL HELP YOU. DO THE RIGHT THING MULLEN GUITARS!.. GET MY MONEY BACK!!...

SUE ME DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO FOR SLANDER, BUT THERE IS NOTHING I HAVE SAID THAT ISN'T TRUE. THE EMAILS BACK IT UP. YOU HAVE MY MONEY AND NO I WILL NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU DECIDE YOU WANT TO GIVE THE MONEY BACK. IT IS YOUR OBLIGATION TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I'M DONE PLAYING GAMES WITH MULLEN GUITARS!.. THE INTERNET IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!...TRY TO TAKE THAT AWAY!!.. MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY IS ON THE SITUATION AND THESE EMAILS ARE BEING FOWARDED TO MY LAWYER. THERE ARE LAWS THAT YOU MUST OBIDE BY. IF THE BUYER REQUEST THIER MONEY BACK AFTER FULLFILLING THIER OBLIGATIONS TO WHATEVER TERMS HAVE BEEN SETFOURTH, THE MERCHANT MUST COMPLY WITH IN 72 HOURS FROM THE REQUEST BEING MADE.

YOU REALLY BURNED A BRIDGE WITH ME!!.... I WILL KEEP DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO LET THE WORLD KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, AND MULLEN GUITARS AND Mr. TIM PILLOW'S DEALINGS WILL BE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE!...I WILL QUIT WITH MAKING OUR DEALINGS PUBLIC WHEN I KNOW MY MONEY IS ON IT'S WAY, UNTIL THEN THE WORLD IS MY FRIEND, LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE. JUST LIKE YOU ARE DECIDING TO KEEP THIS BATTLE GOING. SO WHY NOT PUT ME ON AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD SINCE YOU ALREADY HAVE MY MONEY, I HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FACTS THAT SUPPORT MY CLAIM.I HAVE GIVEN YOU YOUR 500.00 NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT AND I SURE DONT HAVE ANYTHING TO SHOW FOR IT EITHER. BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE. YOU HAVE MY MONEY AND YOU ARE REFUSING TO RETURN IT IMMEDIATLEY. THAT IS THE POINT HERE FOR ANYONE THAT IS READING THIS POST.

Don Brown, Sr. · Post by **Don Brown, Sr.** » 29 Jul 2009 12:40 pm

Tim, if I'm reading your words correctly, it isn't that Mullen, is refusing to return your money.

And, as you stated, (in another thread) after talking with them, they are even willing to allow you to pass along the sale (and the in line wait) to someone else.

My feelings are, that (quite naturally) you are upset over the personal problem you're dealing with at this time. "That's quite normal!" Anyone of us would be, with a spouse's (or loved one's) emergency.

But taking your personal grief, out on a (any) company, for money you need back, that you've given them, and them, not immediately being able to fullfill, that desire, doesn't mean the company is not trustworthy, nor any of the above at all.

You've got to understand, that (especially) these days, being in business is tough on everyone. But as you know, not a one of us know from day to day, what will take place. "That's a given!" Much the same with you finding out that surgery is needed, unexpectedly!

Had you known, you probably wouldn't have ordered a new steel in the first place. Or, we'll say, you wouldn't have given any more than the, "Required $500.00 as a (non-refundable) Down Payment, BEFORE the work is started on the steel."

Please re-read that again. The BEFORE any work will start on the steel, is "very important!" Because, after work has started on the steel, then, any money you give, is given toward the final full purchase price. And, is not a requirement of them to refund that money, or any portion of it. They're only obligation then, is to complete the project, by the projected deadline, if specified in particular. Which also means that you have the obligation to have the full balance paid when completed, before the item will ship.

So please give this some thought, and you'll see it possibly in a better understanding.

I feel for what you're going through, but trust me, it's not Mullen's fault that caused the problem your facing. It was your own doings, since you were not obligated to pay a cent more than the $500.00; until you were notifed the product was ready to ship upon receipt of such and such a Balance Total.

It's therefore, I feel that by them telling you as soon as the guitar sells, they'd refund the difference between the $500.00 and what other you've paid, says a whole lot for the company. Regardless of what company it is.

Disclaimer: I don't know a single person at Mullen nor, have I ever done any business with them. But I can say this: "I wouldn't be afraid to do business with them, at all. Nor would I think anyone else reading this would either.

Note: Granted, it would be good, if we could all get instant refunds on items we've purchased, when unexpected emergencies popped up. But that's not how it works.

However, I can sympathize, with what you're going through with your wife, and we wish her well, with a great outcome, and a speedy recovery....... Don

Note: I started writing this before the company had replied, and before Tim had written anything other than the first portion. So I want to add this:

Tim, if you needed the money, then why was it you also, said you'd still take the guitar, if they (Mullen) would sign a contract to have it done in 30 days? This I don't understand at all.

But I can assure you, if anyone demanded of me, what you are, they wouldn't get very far. There are right ways and wrong ways of going about things. And giving orders, is not the way to settle anything, that would only infuriate most (myself included).

Instead of turning anyone away from Mullen, by anything you've had to say here, (Especially during your last spews) you can put that to rest, that it won't happen. Time had proven, that Mullen is a Reputable company.

You may take this letter along with you too! Your outbursts were totally uncalled for. I'm now sorry I even wasted my time in replying to your first post. However, I'll leave it up, since I already wrote it.

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 12:49 pm

I initizally was going to try to work to try to get a buyer to save myself the 500.00 but within hours my situation got out of control and then and email was sent to refund the money and take the 500.00 deposit. Where Mullen went wrong is they are refusing to give me the remainer of the money back less the 500.00 non refundable deposit. At the point when I agreed to give them the 500.00 I don't owe them nothing!.. I have already paid these people for thier trouble, and my trouble. So what more do I need to do to get my money back???.. 4,365.00 is alot of money, and I sure to have it laying around for MULLEN GUITARS TO USE UNLESS THEY WANT TO GIVE ME STOCK IN THE COMPANY, WHICH I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYWAY!.. I JUST WANT MY MONEY BACK IN AN EXPEDIANT MATTER!. THAT'S IT!!.. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I HAVE TO SAY. I DON'T OWE MULLEN GUITARS NOTHING!!. THEY OBVIOUSLY DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE PUTTING ME THROUGH!!.. I HOPE THEY DON'T MAKE IT ANOTHER YEAR!..IT'S FREEDOM OF SPEECH MULLEN GUITARS!!... I DON'T WANT ANYTHING MORE TO DO WITH THEM EVER AGAIN!...

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 29 Jul 2009 12:52 pm

Tim,

I think you are being a little rough on Del Mullen.

If it were me you were dealing with, you wouldn't get a dime back, you would get a guitar as promised, on or before the date promised.

As hard as that sounds, remember, he is not a banker, he is a guitar builder. An emergency on your part should not constitute an automatic emergency on his part.

I don't know Del personally but I have dealt with hundreds of people over the years in the steel guitar community and these are the first negative words I have read or heard of about Mullen Guitars.

JMOHO

P.S. Mind turning your caps lock off?

Tim Pillow · Post by **Tim Pillow** » 29 Jul 2009 1:07 pm

John Drury wrote:Tim,

I think you are being a little rough on Del Mullen.

If it were me you were dealing with, you wouldn't get a dime back, you would get a guitar as promised, on or before the date promised.

As hard as that sounds, remember, he is not a banker, he is a guitar builder. An emergency on your part should not constitute an automatic emergency on his part.

I don't know Del personally but I have dealt with hundreds of people over the years in the steel guitar community and these are the first negative words I have read or heard of about Mullen Guitars.

JMOHO

P.S. Mind turning your caps lock off?

you wouldn't get a dime back, you would get a guitar as promised, on or before the date promised.

Easy for you to talk it's not your money so what do you care? You don't know what you are talking my friend. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm calling them out on the carpet. There are no terms and conditions. There terms are 500.00 Non Refundable deposit. THAT'S IT! You can't make some buy stuff they don't want. CONSUMER LAWS!. BTW. The guitar wasn't even paid for, so what is your point???. You don't have one, you are just talking your trash!...

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 29 Jul 2009 1:09 pm

Tim Pillow wrote: I WILL QUIT WITH MAKING OUR DEALINGS PUBLIC WHEN I KNOW MY MONEY IS ON IT'S WAY, UNTIL THEN THE WORLD IS MY FRIEND, LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

Okay, but as one of "the people", could I respectfully request that you not type all of your posts in ALL CAPS. It really makes it hard to read your diatribes.

Thank you in advance.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Jul 2009 1:11 pm

When I ordered my Zum Hybrid from Bruce, I sent him a check for $200.00
When he was within a week of delivery, he sent me an e-mail requesting the balance. I sent him the check and within days I received the guitar.
That's the kind of person I want to do business with.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 29 Jul 2009 1:15 pm

Tim,

Thanks for the reply, it gave me a lot of insight as to where the problem really lies.

Many thanks for turning the caps off.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 29 Jul 2009 1:34 pm

I don't have a dog in this hunt, but if you paid on a credit card, all you're out (right now, at least) is whatever the monthly payment is.

Correct?

I figure that's about...what, $100 a month?

The deal is probably considered a "verbal contract", and your intent to honor that contract was made when you made full payment!

No use getting all indignant and telling us we don't "understand". A judge will ask the same questions we're asking. (And I hope you have some better answers.)

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 29 Jul 2009 1:40 pm

I don't think kittens will solve this one.

Arch.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Jul 2009 1:44 pm

How about tootsie rolls at 20 paces?

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