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Must be a slow day over there, calling me on New Year's Eve.  Personally, I prefer Full Compass hands down.  Their sales reps seem way more laid back and more interested in helping reach my goals rather than their sales goals.

Most companies are not customer friendly and don't have that professional edge to them. If something is doesn't work they fit it or They'll send you a new product. To say this  Sweet Waters is on top of things, since I work in the professional market there's a lot bad business practices- this company very professional and concerned about what their products are doing for there customers, what other company does that for You?

Never give sweetwater your phone number or email address.  They never stop emailing or calling.  It's really annoying.  I dont mind the emails as much, but stop calling my cell phone!

I bought a few products from these guys back in '06.  The customer service was pretty good, but no better than Musician's Friend or American Musical.  There was one problem, most of the audio stuff I bought, guitar effects mostly, were dusty and opened...they looked like floor models.  I sent them back, and they were easily exchanged for...more floor models.  I wound up keeping them, but only because I had a line of credit with Sweetwater.  I haven't purchased anything from them since (wait for a sale on Musician's Friend or finance with three payments at American Musical Supply...or hell, I've found that Amazon has better prices.) but I keep getting calls...you know, just to see if I need anything.  This cold calling nonsense combined with the "used equipment" they sell as new, and generally horrible pricing is why I don't bother with them.

PS-If you look at all the employee posts on this site (Sweetwater is awesome!!!)...you'll get an idea of how these guys are paid to operate.

I wonder why I got called around 10:30 yesterday morning, since I've never even heard of your company, much less having done any business with you ???  Also, I am on the National Do Not Call List.

Man Shitewater I mean Sweetwater are a bunch of mid-Nation cheese eatin backward azzes. If they call me one more time I'm gonna have to get madevil on those moronic neanderthals.

I still like you Sweetwater, you get all the stock on new gear right after Namm and Musikmesse. Having it first from you guys does give you high marks in my book, but the "ex-boyfriend who still calls" does get kind of annoying. Just send an email and I'll keep you in my thoughts.  I just think we should see other retailers, though (American Musical; Zzounds etc.)

Yes.  

And once you are in their database, they will call and call and call.  And email, and call.  AND CALL.

I wonder whether full-blown cults even harrass their former members like this.  It's insane.

Highly recommend you support your local music store instead.  Such establishments tend to know what boundaries are, and respect them.

I bought a $300 item half a year ago and since then they (sweetwater) keep on calling me occasionally.
Today, they called again to inform me that something I bought there has an upgrade intiative.

So, I guess it's kind of nice of them to call me up personally, but I have to admit that an email would have been enough, being called makes me stop whatever it is I'm doing, and it can take a while to get back into it.

It smells a little like they are trying to be my "studio friends".
The service a sweetwater is generally really forward though and in terms of pricing they are competitive, so maybe next time they call I'm just going to tell them what I think instead of writing it into a message board :)

Everybody must file a complaint against Sweetwater with Ripoff Report and the Better Business Bureau in order to convince them to stop the spam phone calls.

It's important to report Sweetwater to both the BBB and Ripoff report because the BBB does not publish the contents of the complaints it receives. Only Ripoff Report does. The best part is the Ripoff Report WILL NOT remove any complaint against Sweetwater or any business.

So, don't worry about your complaint getting removed or unnoticed.

Oh, the person who was pestering me was Ryan Murray.

ryan_murray(AT)sweetwater(DOT)com

Ryan Murray
Sweetwater Sales Engineer
1-800-222-4700 ext. 1311

I placed an order for an inexpensive and self-explanatory item. It retailed for around $50. It was nothing special at all. I did not require any customer service, sales support, or technical assistance.

But just 10 minutes after the order was placed, I received a call from "Ryan", an employee at Sweetwater.

Well, it turns out he was calling (as a courtesy) to confirm that he received my order. (?!?) At that point, I became confused as to what was happening. Why would an order for such a low-risk and self-explanatory item need to be confirmed? Who does this? Almost nobody!

Ryan Murray of Sweetwater then told me that the shipping would be free (which I had already known), no signature would be required (which I had already known), and that my order would be delivered in about three business days or so (which I had already known). All of the above-mentioned were readily and clearly apparent during the simple and fast online checkout process.

Ryan Murray asked me whether I had any questions at all. And I told him that I did. I asked Ryan Murray why I received any phone call in the first place. Ryan Murray claimed that Sweetwater calls to confirm ALL Internet orders. (!) And he asked me whether I would prefer to continue to receive these so-called confirmatory phone calls.

I told Ryan Murray that Sweetwater does not need to confirm any of my orders with me over the phone. But, as if that were not enough, Ryan Murray insisted in asking whether I was certain that Sweetwater should no longer make any future order-confirmation phone calls. I of coursed re-confirmed (!) that I do not want to receive any order-confirmation phone calls in the future.

To make matters worse, Ryan Murray stated that an order of mine may not go through "as how I want it" unless Sweetwater initiates an order-confirmation phone call.

In all, when one does not turn a spammer away, eventually it may escalate into up-selling or seasonal sales calls (per complaints from customers against Sweetwater as easily found on the Internet). I do not want a more expensive item, an upgrade, or an add-on. But Sweetwater wants more profitable sales apparently.

See, when I turn to the Internet for shopping, I appreciate the fact that I am not badgered by salespersons, especially the ones who "groom" the customer.

I assume the executives at Sweetwater came up with this nonsense about the salesperson-initiated order confirmation calls. So, shame on the Sweetwater executives for making the employees perform revenue-generating, unnecessary, overzealous, and overwrought spam phone calls disguised as customer service/order confirmation. To some this is viewed as badgering and high-pressure.

Please be aware that I had *no* opportunity to opt-out of these order confirmation phone calls when I was placing my order. If I had been given a chance to opt-out, then I would have clicked the opt-out button. And by right, each and every customer should have to *opt-in* first.

I am most certainly not alone in filing this complaint.

(#1)
"i hate having some sweetwater rep call me after every order or web purchase. that drives me crazy... I use to be in sales...never again."

(#2)
"The up-selling. You can't just buy something. They Sweetwater ask you if you want a microphone or a plug in or a new computer etc. Also, they call you randomly throughout the year, trying to get you to buy more things. They are like telemarketers."

(#3)
"My Sweetwater rep doesn't call me after orders (he usually sends and email instead) but will call me every 3 or 4 months to see if I need anything. I don't know why he bothers as I don't really buy much from there..."

(#4)
"They used to do this to me, too. It's very annoying when you work at a busy studio where the phone is often very busy and it's important to keep the lines free. In my situation, these calls seemed particularly superfluous."

(#5)
"I've heard people talk about this before and my advice would be to request a different representative or just tell the one you have how you feel."

I complained via e-mail to make certain that there is a written record of my preference (opt-out) in case Ryan Murray of Sweetwater failed to input my preference into his end of my account.

Unfortunately, Ryan Murray sent an *INAPPROPRIATE* follow-up email to my complaint.

"Hey XXXXX, I received your email the first time, but I wasn't sure if you wanted a response. We call our customers to confirm their orders for a few reasons.

1. It helps prevent millions of dollars in fraudulent orders each year.
2. It helps us make sure the customers are really getting the product that will solve their problem.
3. It helps us build a relationship with the customer. This is something that 99% of the customers we talk to really appreciate.
4. It gives the customers a point of contact in case they have questions or concerns. It puts a face to the website. Most companies just take your money and process an order. If you prefer to just be treated as an order, and not as a customer, then we can surely process your orders in that fashion in the future.

Ryan Murray
Sweetwater Sales Engineer
1-800-222-4700 ext. 1311"

The last bullet-point was outstandingly nasty and cocky. So, we'll start with that one first.

"4. If you prefer to just be treated as an order, and not as a customer, then we can surely process your orders in that fashion in the future."

I most certainly do *not* prefer to be treated as just an order, not a person! However, you must understand that I prefer to initiate the communication. I'd prefer to contact customer service according to my own preference and during at a convenient time. Why is this so apparently difficult for you to appreciate and most importantly RESPECT? When I need help, I'll ask for it. OK?

If each and every order I placed on the Internet were to be followed up with a pesky call by a salesperson/service-rep like Ryan, then I would have received about 1,000+ phone calls per year. Sweetwater is the one and only website I have encountered which initiates these superfluous sales calls which they disguise as customer service. There needs to be an opt-in process as explained here in the link.

"3. It helps us build a relationship with the customer. This is something that 99% of the customers we talk to really appreciate."

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts--for support rather than illumination." Andrew Lang

You must give all customers a *fair* opportunity to opt-out before reaching that conclusion.

"2. It helps us make sure the customers are really getting the product that will solve their problem."

Pre-sales after the sale? That was *not* the purpose of your phone call. You did not ask me what my needs were or whether the item I had purchased would resolve them. But given that the item I purchased was so stupid, cheap, and easy to use, item #2 is moot.

"1. It helps prevent millions of dollars in fraudulent orders each year."

Complete nonsense. My billing address matched my shipping address. My shipping address matched my billing address. My phone number matched the number on file with Discover Card. The CV2 code matched as well. Moreover, I'm familiar with these addresses verification systems and they can be configured to work in an automated manner. If anything is flagged, then it will be reviewed manually. Nothing about my transaction was to be flagged. It was a low-risk item which was going to an address which matched the address on account with Discover Card.

Even worse, this was a Christmas present for someone. When I answered the phone call, my answering machine had picked up at the same time and the friend of the intended recipient of this present heard the entire phone call!

I would have marked my order as "gift" if Sweetwater had given a prior warning about spamcall.

I would like to switch to a new salesperson. And I - the customer - will INITIATE all communications.

This is Sweetwater, the music retailer: http://www.sweetwater.com/

They are pro-active with their customer service.  No big deal.  I like Sweetwater, because there is a single sales rep assigned to my orders, whether I place them online or over the phone.

If you don't want to be called, just let them know.

It in fact IS a telemarketing call.

I have to say, you sound like a real peach to deal with. How dare you confirm my order and see if I have any questions... please. Don't be such a dick and you'll enjoy life a little more.

How can a sales call not be telemarketing?

I have shopped at Sweetwater several times--NoComplaints--I will do it again. It's a first class organization.

Yeah, I just happened to "stumble on this and thought it necessary to "interject".  I have never read so much ass-clown [***] in my life.  Ryan Murphy has been my sales rep at Sweetwater since 2006, when I spent about 16 grand building a home studio in Nashville Tennessee.
#1 I think it's appalling that any particular person gets bashed for adhering to the policies set forth by their employers.  If you hadn't already figured it out, Ryan does NOT own the company.  Perhaps your issues are with Chuck Surack, the owner and CEO
#2 If you don't like the way Sweetwater Sound conducts their business, why do business with the at all?!  Im sure (for your petter 50 buck purchase), Sweetwater will survive very nicely if you would just take your whiney little ass to Guitar Center dot com or any one of about a dozen other on-line retailers who sell pretty much the same merchandise for the same price

We professional musicians appreciate reeceiving a call to confirm that we are getting EXACTLY what we expect to get.  Ryan has saved my ass on multiple occassions by informing me that (for example) the device I ordered requires special cables or a part that is not included.  Without such consciencious follow-up, I would have been unable to charge for services in a timely manner because a crucial piece of equipment would be useless without that "pesky" add-on that would actually enable me to USE IT.

I hope taking his call didn't make y'all late for your job at McDonald's ... but I actually make my living by performing, producing, teaching, doing live sound, etc., etc.
Whan I have been contracted to work on a tour for a platinum selling artist, I need to be prepared and Ryan makes sure I always have everything I need.  We have developed a relationship based on trust and mutual respect to the point that if he were to leave Sweetwater, I would encourage him to take my business with him.

One day I hope you will all learn that those of us who are old enough to remember when there was no such thing as on-line ordering, well... we appreciate having a human being who (at the very least) will bend over backwards to assist us in the unlikely even something does go wrong.  PLEASE buy your musical gear at Best Buy, 'cause they are not a professional music store and you are not a professional musician/  Nuff said!

NO it wasn't a shill post -- anus-breath... I am another customer who could NOT agree more.  You just like to [***]-and-moan cause you're bored and have an empty worthless existence.  Sweetwater rocks, and my musical friends and associates (which include Beck, Axl Rose, Chuck D., Prong, Joe Cocker, Keith Richards) for whom I work or have worked always appreciate that if I don't have something... that when I tell them I'll have it in 48 hours that I am always able to "back it up"
I don't have time to go to a retailer b/c if I'm being paid 300 bucks an hour it is not very cost effective to hop in my Cobra and go shopping.  Even my PA's time is more valuable than that.  Ryan is my secret weapon.  Call me ANYTIME at (nine one four) three three zero - zero six six three and your call will be answered by ME.  THEN you can write an apology for taking the stance that you have ANY F'ing idea what you're talking about!  Now GET BACK UNDER YOUR ROCK AND STAY THERE... we adults and professionals have a job to do and DON'T appreciate your badmouthing our favorite sales team!

My Call Block app just blocked them as spam. Win! Prior to smart phones I'd have to waste the time telling them that no, I do not have any music equipment needs at this time. If Sweetwater would put half their telemarketing budget into the pockets of their customers in the form of competitive pricing, they might actually start competing with the prices at Musicians Friend and American Musical.