My Teres 350 is on the way

Just one question Audio (Bill) Fiel- Since you are a dealer/distributor for two competing tonearms, why did you order a Schroeder? Is it a better product that you want for your own use, or ......? Its getting more than a bit tiresome to see you regularly trashing others products. BTW, my tonearm is neither Schroeder or Hadcock or Triplanar. Many of the products you sell are outstanding, but you really should disclose your business interest so new-comers here can judge for themselves what weight to give your comments. I know that may come across as rudes, but its late and this has just struck me as wrong.

Swampwalker,
I don't think you're being rude at all; your concerns are legitimate and fair. I take no offense and will address them for you.

BTW, when no email or phone call regarding a product that was ordered 14 months ago is received, I think a little criticism is deserved. What would you do? I think my post was justified a little sarcasm nothwithstanding.

Regarding the Schroeder, I don't know if it's better or not. I have 4 turntables here using a Vector 3, Tri-Planar, and Hadcock. I've always wanted a Schroeder and ordered one last November. Do you think all retailers restrict themselves only to products in their line?

If you read all of my posts I do my best adding a disclaimer when there is a business interest involved. Furthermore I'm very careful about not discussing products I sell and try not to do that unlike some other vendors here. I send private emails when necessary. My apologies if it has happened and I expect to be called out if and when it does. No big deal to me.

Trashing? Your words not mine. I call them as I hear them which you should find refreshing unless of course you own one of the products that I've called out (your Origin tonearm is a good example). Do you think every component is really Class A as some magazines seem to indicate? I don't because I've heard, touched, and opened up many of them over the past 45+ years. No apologies for what I feel is the truth.

If you would like to discuss further, send a private email or call me. I read your posts and enjoy them.

Hi all,

Well ... as Frank's show guide entry on page 71 of this year's Rocky Mountain Audiofest states "worth waiting for ...".

Having said that, it's my opinion that your dealer should provide you with a bi-monthly status update. It's difficult for some folks to e-mail or make a phone call to essentially say "I don't know", and I think that this is the source of the problem for many individuals - they're just not that good at holding someone's hand through the process.

For the record, I have a couple of Reference orders dating back to Thanksgiving of 2005. If the stars align, I'll receive delivery of them at this year's CES. So, if you're waiting for 14-15 months, you are not alone. Much as all of us wish this were not the case, the good news is that when it arrives, the waiting will have been forgotten and the joy will begin.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

.
Bill,
.
I know that the waits for a Schroeder Arm are extremely long, but I think in the end you will find it well worth it. My arm took a bit over 14 months, but I don't regret the wait at all for what I am able to now enjoy.
.
As you know, Frank is a one-man show and does all of the design, production, accounting, communication, traveling and marketing. Since the Arms are all hand made (Frank's), there is no way to speed up the process. I know that at times the communication is slow, but that is a result of him spending time at the workbench. Personally, I would rather have him at the bench instead of typing emails. If the waits seem unreasonable, I would suggest that they are only a by-product of the number people that want and have ordered a Schroeder Reference.
.
Frank works like a slave into the wee hours of the night and the delays are not born out of a lack of a work ethic. For those of you contemplating getting a Schroder Arm but are tentative about the wait…..I can only tell you that I do not regret the wait even a bit and would go through the process again.
.
Hopefully, you will see you arm soon and feel that the wait was well worth it.
.
Regards,
Larry
.

Friends,

We have are all in a bit of a "Catch-22" that Cello alluded to. The more time Frank spends with support e-mails, phone contacts, etc., the less time he has to perform his main task - which is building tonearms.

Frank has a hand-picked dealer network, which in the U.S. consists of:

1. Me (Galibier)
2. Chris (Teres)
3. Hart (Audio Advancements)

You would do well to work directly with us, and if we are in some way unable to help you, Frank needs to know this.

Since I work both sides of the fence (both selling product as well as being a manufacturer), I am by nature extremely sensitive to the necessity of a manufacturer having a quality dealer support network.

Wearing my manufacturer's hat, I would very much want to know if a dealer is unable to do their job - knowing of course that there are always exceptions and extenuating circumstances.

It is this single point (dealer responsiveness) which has resulted in my treading very carefully.

In many ways, the evolution of the Galibier Design business model is tracking Frank's, with me being the primary point of contact at present. This will likely evolve and I will face the same challenges that Frank currently does.

One of Frank's challenges is that he's very accessible - he hates to say "no" and is very generous with his time. If you, as the customer base collectively insist on consuming his time, then the wait time on Schröder tonearms can only increase. It's your choice.

There are other issues involving failed communications. I have one customer for example, who continues to e-mail me from an e-mail account which has a full mailbox. E-mail replies I spend half an hour composing to him bounce, and he follows up with questions as to my whereabouts. Can I be the only one who's e-mails don't get through? I doubt it. Is my job now to be an e-mail desktop support resource?

So, my humble advice to you is to give your dealer a chance to support you. Also, know that Cello's comments - about a 14 month wait - are not out of the ordinary. You're Schröder tonearm will soon be riding on your turntable.

Collectively, we can improve matters or we can make them worse.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier