I took a guitar into Beacock's for some work at the beginning of February and just got my instrument back on 03/19/2011. The guitar technician Rick Weiss is condescending towards customers and tried to keep a piece of my hardware from my guitar that he removed, even after charging $270 for the work. The part in question is a switch ring from an LTD Les Paul which was added after market by myself. I went to pick up the instrument after 7 weeks and when one of the assistants from the repair area brought me my guitar, the ring was missing from the guitar. I looked in the case and it was not there either. When I asked where it was, the tech Rick, who performed the work came forward with a smug look and explained that it didn't fit. Note that there was nothing on the receipt nor was there even the ring in a baggy in the case with a note explaining this, he had tried to keep the ring himself. I informed him that indeed it did fit and I wanted it put back and in his condescending tone he stated 'I want you to be happy', well as the customer paying $270 for the work, I very well deserve to be. I've worked with many guitar techs over the years and Rick by far has been the most difficult to deal with. It is almost impossible to get a word in when speaking to him or trying to explain an issue and he treats you like you're an iditot. I am more than happy to wait for quality work, however what I will not accept is having my instrument altered without my consent and to be treated like a chump. Furthermore, while Rick did call to ask if he could charge $5 to clean up some wiring, he did not call in advance before charging an extra $50 in labor. The major problem is that this young man is more concerned with what he would do and how he would want to set up your instrument than with what you want. I've been playing guitar for 13 years, have owned many instruments and been to many quality repair shops and never been treated with the attitude I received from him. The sad thing is that Beacock's used to be a great store and was filled with happy customers and employees who worked well with the patrons and knew their stuff. I bought a Washburn N4 from Beacocks in 2002 and got an excellent deal (list is $1799, got it for $800). I used to frequent the store quite regularly, but the place has really changed since moving to the new location and certainly not for the better. This is the last time I will be going to Beacock's for anything.
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