VPI Customer Service

I'd like to add my kudos to VPI for their great customer service. I have an older Scoutmaster with the old style arm clamp. It kept me from being able to use the outer ring clamp due to the tonearm not clearing the tone arm clamp before contacting the ring. Emailed Mike, and he sent me an upgraded tone arm clamp no charge. If I decided to upgrade my table it'll be another VPI.

Steve

Has anyone heard if VPI is no longer including the periphery ring on the Classic 3? All references on their website say it's included as well as all recent reviews linked to on their website, but mine came today with no ring and no reference of a ring in the manual. I'm waiting til Monday to get the full story from VPI. I hope their customer service is as good as advertised.

Stewart,
First of all, congratulations on your Classic 3. It will provide you with much satisfaction and enjoyment for years to come.

Now, to the best of my knowledge, VPI does not sell direct so I'm a bit unclear what you mean by saying your Classic "came" today. VPI sells their products through a network of dealers so your question should be directed at the dealer you got your Classic from before we talk about VPI customer service.

Stewart,
I have a Classic 3, this is what I recall. Mine was packed with both the ring and the center weight.
Some suggestions:
1. There are 2 boxes, one for the platter, ring, weight, etc. and the other for the Turntable.
2. If I remember correctly the serial numbers on the boxes should match. Check that they match, maybe you got a Classic 1 platter box with a Classic 3 turntable box accidentally.
3. If they match, check the packing material, does it have all the indentations for the ring and weight? Maybe it was a packing error. Did you get the Classic 3 center weight? or the Classic 1 (black) screw down clamp? with rubber spindle washer?

There is no VPI dealer in my state so I bought it from the nearest VPI dealer in an adjoining state who set it up with a Lyra Kleos and shipped it to me. I have asked the dealer and he is checking. Not really a customer svc. matter as of yet, I just want to know if anyone was aware of a change re: VPI including the ring with the C3.