Experience with buying cymbals online

[Strangelove]

I have bought all my cymbals lately from Music 123 and Musiciansfriend. So far, one has had a gouge in it, another was warped, and the last one had a dent on the edge. I notice these two vendors all ship from Kansas City (maybe the same warehouse?) I am really getting tired of sending cymbals back, is anyone else experiencing this?

[airsmunch1]

Being that you can not hear the specific cymbal first buying online is risky at best. I still do it all the time because I trust the major manufactures, but what I do for certain is understand the return policy of the vendor. That is key. They should have both a damage and defect warranty as well as a satisfaction warranty.

www.wolvesatthedoor.net

[Strangelove]

I live in a remote location and the nearest metro area does not have a good enough selection for me to even try out.

Maybe it's just been my experience, but it almost seems as if they send you a faulty cymbal to see if you accept it, and if not, they will process the return no questions asked. But this process takes weeks, and I'm wondering if this has happened to others with these vendors. I think I would pay extra not to go through this hassle.

[airsmunch1]

Again ebay is an awesome resource. Sellers are very concerned about their reputations (if you buy from one that has sold several items or is a dealer) and they wont chance you leaving bad feedback by sending you a faulty cymbal.

www.wolvesatthedoor.net

[BattleArmor]

Again ebay is an awesome resource. Sellers are very concerned about their reputations (if you buy from one that has sold several items or is a dealer) and they wont chance you leaving bad feedback by sending you a faulty cymbal.

www.wolvesatthedoor.net (http://www.wolvesatthedoor.net)


And they generally have good prices.

I recently picked up some 13" Groove Hats which I am loving, for 290$, almost 100$ under the list price. Not only that, but on the page was a soundclip of the actual cymbal. The store was called Indoor Storm, for anyone interested.

I have only bought one cymbal from musicians friend and it came just fine, but when I ordered a drum set from them a couple years ago, it came without one cymbal stand I also ordered along with it.

[shoedaddy]

I've ordered cymbals online frequently, usually because it's something I can't find locally. The problem with many of the big box online sellers is they don't pack them well. I've had to send cymbals back to online dealers more than once. Once, a $400 cymbal I ordered had a big dent on the edge because there was nothing in the packing to protect the edge. It was just resting against the side of the box. They offered me 10% off, which I declined. For that price, I want a perfect cymbal. More recently, I ordered some hats and a ride that I couldn't find anywhere locally. They were literally sliding out of the box when I picked them up on my front porch. Amazingly, they were still in good shape, but there was just one rolled up piece of newspaper inside protecting--rather, not protecting--them. The one place I've ordered online who does a great job of packing is Tony at www.cymbalsonly.com. His stuff is thoroughly protected. Also, on his site, you can listen to samples of the exact cymbal you'd be getting, as well as important details such as weight. It's surprising to see the weight-differential in some of the cymbals of ostensibly the same size.

[jcmuse2089]

About music123 and musicians friend shipping from the same warehouse: musicians friend owns guitar center and music123. I've ordered from massmusic recently. Great packaging.

[saocir]

I am from Ecuador, and I have ordered online from CymbalsOnly.com, I think is the best and secure way to buy online,

[cadwiz]

You guys are making me nervous. I'm waiting for my two Giant Beat cymbals to come in. I ordered them from GC last week. Hopefully they come in one piece.

[Strangelove]

I've ordered cymbals online frequently, usually because it's something I can't find locally. The problem with many of the big box online sellers is they don't pack them well. I've had to send cymbals back to online dealers more than once. Once, a $400 cymbal I ordered had a big dent on the edge because there was nothing in the packing to protect the edge. It was just resting against the side of the box. They offered me 10% off, which I declined. For that price, I want a perfect cymbal. More recently, I ordered some hats and a ride that I couldn't find anywhere locally. They were literally sliding out of the box when I picked them up on my front porch. Amazingly, they were still in good shape, but there was just one rolled up piece of newspaper inside protecting--rather, not protecting--them. The one place I've ordered online who does a great job of packing is Tony at www.cymbalsonly.com. His stuff is thoroughly protected. Also, on his site, you can listen to samples of the exact cymbal you'd be getting, as well as important details such as weight. It's surprising to see the weight-differential in some of the cymbals of ostensibly the same size.

Yes, I have noticed that every cymbal I ordered from MF/M123/GC has all been packed poorly, in oversize boxes with nothing protecting the edges. The funny thing is that the dented one I got did not have any damage whatsoever on the box it was sent in. Also the gouged on I bought came in also with no damage to the box, so how could some kind of sharp steel object have gouged it in transit? This is what has me wondering if they don't just take returned cymbals and immediately send them right back out again to the next unsupsecting customer. Thanks for the cymbals only link. I think I might start shopping there from now on.

[Muckster]

I have had nothing but great experiences with online music stores, ebay and even a trade with a member here at Drummerworld.

[Shedboyxx]

...... The one place I've ordered online who does a great job of packing is Tony at www.cymbalsonly.com. His stuff is thoroughly protected. Also, on his site, you can listen to samples of the exact cymbal you'd be getting, as well as important details such as weight. It's surprising to see the weight-differential in some of the cymbals of ostensibly the same size.


I third the nomination for Tony at CymbalsOnly. Listening to the samples is a big time help. He does an excellent job of displaying the cymbals in honest and thorough uses. He's also a drummer and a great guy to deal with.

My 18" Istanbul SE Jazz Crash came packed top drawer with nary a scratch. Check the site out and support a great resource.

You can buy sticks and heads from MF/M123.
Leave the important purchases to Tony and businesses like his.

Jim M.

[Drum Punch]

Hey guys,
It's good to know other people have the same issues. I've ordered countless cymbals from a number of places (what can I say, I'm a heavy hitter) with mixed results. I can't say I've tried cymbalsonly.com but I know I've had good luck with americanmusical.com (http://www.americanmusical.com/).

My 2 cents

[wolfmoon]

There is no way in hell I would buy cymbals or drums online for tis reason. I always go through a dealer. If it comes to them damaged it's their problem and if I wanted to, I wouldn't have a problem getting my deposit back. I also travel to get what I want if my local store doesn't have what I want and someone else within driving distance does (2 hours driving time or less) If you can travel to get what you want, it is well worth it. If you can't I would try some other online store other than the 1 you have been using.

[kwolf68]

I purchased 3 cymbals from a poster in here named TenPastTen and the cymbals were exactly as he described and I love the hell out of them. I took a chance going online for used gear and it was a great decision.

[Wavelength]

Save for a china and a splash, I've bought all of my cymbals second hand from online vendors. I've had no problems so far.

[DamoSyzygy]

I ALWAYS pick my cymbals relative to how they feel and sound. These are two things I could never guarantee from a cymbal bought online, so I see no point to buying online no matter how cheap.

If you get a good rpice on a cymbal you didnt want, youve still wasted your money!

[drumhead61]

I bought some hats from virtualcymbals and had not probs with their shipping or time in getting them to me...sorry to hear of the horror stories.