Woodwind and Brasswind

I would avoid doing any business with them if at all possible.  They are linked to a scam in eBay.  The eBay merchant’s name is 35redluvr and they were selling music gear through WWBW.  The items were sold for great prices especially the Gibson Guitars.  The items were shipped from WWBW.  Most of the buyers never received their items because the shipments were recalled, and as of right now they are holding on to both the customer’s money and equipment.  When called and confronted about the situation they claim no ties to 35redluver but know exactly what is going.  They are not very willing to work with the customers.  Type in 35redluvr into a search engine and there is a four page Gibson Guitar forum on postings regarding this mess.  Buyer be ware, I found that out.

 I would not shop here again

What a horrible on-line experience!  They told me that the cello stand was available when I ordered on December 1.  Nothing was shipped, but my account continued to show that the order was being “processed”.  Ten days before Christmas I contacted them because it was supposed to be a gift from Santa.  NOW they told me it was backordered. So my daughter only got a picture of the cello stand on Christmas Day. Then 2 weeks AFTER Christmas, I went to check the on status again, and my account says it was CANCELLED. No one ever contacted me.  When I got a hold of them, they said the item had been discontinued but no one ever contacted me about this.  Well I went to Birdlandmusic.com, and they had LOTS of the exact same cello stand in stock, and I got it in 2 days at a cheaper price!  Shame on the folks at Woodwinds and Brasswinds! They have NO CUSTOMER CARE.  They ruined my daughters Christmas.  I will never shop here again, and will never recommend it to anyone else.  Buyer beware!  There are a lot of other decent places to shop out there…this just isn’t one of them.

 I would not shop here again

When it comes to buying guitar strings on line, I admit that I just go for the best price. For Elixirs, the best price was at Interstate Music, and my buying experience there was A-OK. For Martin SP 80/20 Lights, the best price I could find was at   Read full review...

 I would shop here again

This company is apparently under new management, and has really gone to the dogs. The old WW&BW used to have excellent customer service.

They converted to a new system and deleted all of their old customer accounts. The people working there now have no concept of customer service and can't be bothered to lift a finger to help a mere customer. They expect customers to put up with inconveniences that they cause, for the privilege of doing business with them.


 I would not shop here again

Woodwind and Brasswind was good at one time, but personally, I will no longer do business with them. An order placed last year that was promised in 2 days took close to 6 months to arrive. Yesterday, I placed and order, received a guarantee that the instrument was in stock and would be shipped -- and that the sales person would personally walk this order through, but when my shipping confirmation came, not only was the address wrong but only the 2 small pieces were shipped. The clarinet, which is the specific piece promised to be in stock and shipped, is now mysteriously "back-ordered" -- this, after they charged my credit card for the full amount. I feel like I have been swindled and lied to, and this is the second consecutive time. In hindsight, I think I was foolish to even give them a second shot at getting it right. My advice -- STAY AWAY FROM THIS ONE!

 I would not shop here again

I received the wrong kind of violin string. I can not use it. i did no t ask for the ball on the end of the violin E string,but thats what they sent me.what do I do now????I can only use the loop.

 I would not shop here again

I ordered a mouthpiece and after nearly two weeks it had not been received. I called customer service and they said it could take 15 business days (three weeks). It was sent USPS first class and there is no way a small package should take this long. I cannot imagine how they think three weeks delivery is acceptable. I will never shop there again.

 I would not shop here again

Something fishy in the state of Indiana.....

I've done business with this company since 1980. Last month I received an E-mail regarding a 3-day Thanksgiving sale. I telephoned to confirm a price on a Yamaha 461 Flute. I was quoted a price that was $200 off of the price listed on their website. GREAT! I ordered the flute. It arrived quickly and is a terrific instrument. Here's the rub. I still hadn't received an invoice, so I checked on line only to discover the quoted $200 savings was M.I.A. I naively called thinking it was just an oversight, however, I was told the sale price that I was quoted was not valid because of a change in policy. When I questioned the appearance of this bait and switch, the manager said, that "Yes, I can see where you would feel that way." but reiterated that Yamaha won't allow them to sell below M.A.P.
To say this least, I feel deceived and would NEVER do business with this company again.

 I would not shop here again

I purchased an acoustic guitar and after viewing the site, I called and talked with a rep. Transaction seemed to process smoothly, however I was told I'd receive a confirmation email. Nothing! Called, they stated I'd receive an email when it shipped. Nothing!! I ended up tracking it by contacting FedEx. Well packed and arrived in one piece...great guitar.

I question whether they honor their guarantees. The day after I ordered the guitar, I received an email saying "Valentine's Sweetheart Deal" Purchase and save 'X' amount depending on your purchase. WWBW states that they have a 45 day price guarantee, but I've sent 3 emails, spoke with Customer Service, who said I need to talk with Sales, then attempted on 3 occassions to call sales directly. I can not find ANYONE at this company that will tell me whether or not they will honor the price guarantee. So far, nothing in any shape of a response from WWBW or Bobby S. the sales rep. It's been nearly a month and I'm done with Music 123 and WWBW, solely from a customer service perspective.

 I would not shop here again

We ordered two metronomes from wwbw.com. They were both defective. I returned both of them and ordered higher price model over the phone with wwbw. They first refused to pay for return shipping. It took them over two weeks to ship the replacements and they double charged me for shipping. When I sent emails inquiries about the double shipping change, they didn't response. When I called, they refuse to refund the extra charge. When I asked to speak to a customer service manager, I was told that no manager was available.

 I would not shop here again

The first time I ever ordered from them was a wonderful experience. I am a bassist who tends to be picky about his rosin (for the bow) as a lot of tonal quality depends on this. They didn't have one of the three brands I like to mix and match, but it was   Read full review...

 I would not shop here again

I have ordered three times in the last 4 months from WWBW. The items I have ordered are great and the price fair. However, be aware that their return policy is DECEPTIVE. You have to dig around in the web site to find out what happens when you return an item that you received with free shipping. This information does not appear on the returns information page for your full understanding of their policy. Also, when you order online you can be most sure that your online invoice will be incorrect! I ordered 3 times and twice the amounts on the invoices were incorrect. When you need to call them regarding questions, be prepared to sit in a que for at least 15 minutes and if they need to transfer you to another department you will wait another 15 minutes. This HAS NOT been a very pleasant or easy shopping experience at all. For better Customer satisfaction I would pay a little more and shop elsewhere!

 I would not shop here again

When you order and check out_ everything is fine. everything is in stock or you wouldn't order it thinking it would ship the next bussines day for what ever plan you chose. ordered a bass amp combo and a ext.cab $899.00 add said free shipping on   Read full review...

 I would not shop here again

Disregard this opinion if you can speak to a live person through the WWBW sales line at 800-348-5003 in under 30 minutes. (Granted,) I ordered during the Christmas rush...but that is no excuse for what followed. Okay, I ordered a Uke, top of the   Read full review...

 I would not shop here again

I Purchased a trumpet that apparently has a defect with the valves (sticking). I sent it back twice and they, so far, haven't responded to multiple voice mails, except one time they finally answered the "returns" phone call, which they told me that I can't be told anything about the status of my trumpet for 8 to 9 weeks. Tomorrow I plan to see about a credit card charge-back. I won't use them any longer. Customer service must not exist at this store!


 I would not shop here again

Further Update, December 2006 I received an email from a Music 123/Woodwind and Brasswind employee, who said that there had been no dismissals, business was proceeding as usual, vendors were cooperating. I then saw a late November article in   Read full review...

 I would shop here again

I've had mixed experiences with this company. It seems as though recently their customer service has suffered as it usually takes 15 - 20 minutes on hold to get a hold of anyone. There have been more mistakes on my orders recently and their way of tracking orders is not as helpful anymore - I've had a item listed on line as "now shipping" for a week and a half and just found out (after being on hold 20 minutes) that it is back ordered.

Their product selection, free shipping, and prices are the only reason I have always used them in the past and why I would currently use them. I will now be trying other vendors to compare however.

 I would shop here again

Ordering was done with ease, and all my questions were answered. The product arrived on time and was in good condition. But when I called customer service with a few simple questions after I received the product, I was put on hold for quite awhile and passed around to different departments.

 I would shop here again

Easy to make purchase and was notified several times about the progress of my order. I thought tere was good communication by WWBW to let me know what was going on.

 I would shop here again

It's been more than a month and I still haven't received the instrument I bought. Although, as of yesterday the shipping tracking said it had been delievered. I called and the customer service person I talked to was very nice and confirmed that my produce has yet to ship and will be adjusting the tracking on the shipping website. This was suppose to take 2 weeks and It'll be at least 5 weeks.

 I would not shop here again

Very good as usual. Best selection of instruments on the internet

 I would shop here again

A horrific experience. I ordered a triple trumpet case from them because they had a free shipping offer at the time. When I decided I didn't want it and sent it back, they charged me over $10 because "I am responsible for the outbound shipping if the item is returned." WHAT?? I already paid for the return shipping. I have never, ever in my life had a company charge me for shipping TO me when there is a free shipping offer, after the fact. That little piece of information is NOT written anywhere on the return policy section of their website. I see the free shipping offer has CHANGED in the past week or so to include this tidbit of information. I guess they must have had many more people than just me complain about them.

As far as I am concerned, they stole money from me by not making this fact clear when I chose to purchase from them.

 I would not shop here again

one phone call to customer service was met with less than enthusiastic, unfriendly, short.

 I would shop here again

Web site could be a little easier to use with better search functions. Otherwise, good service.

 I would shop here again

I ordered a case for a birthday (time deadline) and the website said it would take 3-5 days to order it from the manufacturer, but it took over a month! The e-mails I recieved from the company were not helpful

 I would not shop here again

My shopping experience at Woodwind and Brasswind was very good. The order went very smoothly.

 I would shop here again

Good customer service, crappy on-line service.

 I would shop here again

A very fast and good service! I was satisfied to buy from Woodwind and Brasswind.

 I would shop here again

My experiences of shopping at WW&BW have always been superior to other online music stores. I don't hesitate to go online and order from them, since all my previous orders have been completed and received in a very professional manner.

 I would shop here again

Good experience. The order tracking system showed "being shipped" right up until I received the package. Need to keep the tracking system updated so customers can plan for the arrival of their order.

 I would shop here again