Bad First Experience with Hard Luck Kings Guitars!
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- I had hoped to review a new electric guitar from Hard Luck Kings, especially as I've been planning to check them out for a while. However, my initial experience in dealing with them has been a bit disappointing. Let's hope this is a one-off....
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Truth in advertising: The name "hard luck" says it all!!!!! 😂😂😂😂
Yes, the irony of their name was not lost on me!
This is the only review I need to hear about HLK. I was curious about buying one, but I'll pass.
I took no pleasure in reporting this experience - I was truly hoping to promote their guitars.
Customers who are fairly knowledgeable do NOT like excuses and snarky remarks. Customers make the profit and reputation of a seller. The customer posts reviews and spends money. It's that simple. I have no experience with that seller at all and do not expect any. IYV and Monoprice/Indio are good enough for cheap NEW guitars and a good way to learn to replace tuners and do setups, etc.
Well said, Doug H! I agree completely.
There are people that swear by their products so I wanted to give the company a chance and buy a couple of guitars to review. However, the attitude I was met with was lacking to say the least.
Indio monoprice was AWESOME! My cali classic turned into a faux custom shop after 350 bucks in upgrades, and my helix only needed a setup and I use it for recording all the time.
@@jakeritchie3805 Cool - sounds like you did some great mods.
@@FlowforthInstruments yea you hit the nail on the head. Hard luck k8ngs make a great budget guitar but like you my southern Belle came with some issues and the customer service was terrible....TERRIBLE lol
Thanks for posting this video . I was curious why these guitars weren't sold on other websites but their own.
The model is the same as Rondo, Thomann, Guitar Fetish, Monoprice... so that's not the problem. It's the customer service.
It sounds, to me, like he thought you don't know what you're doing. I'd avoid ANY company that doesn't AT LEAST make sure that the customer has a good experience.
Yes, it is very discouraging when someone seems unwilling to take responsibility and seeks to blame the customer.
Why do business with jackoffs? Plenty of other companies out there. I wouldn't even bother getting another one after that.
True - definitely giving it some time before diving back in.
I have heard of this company and have visited their site but never had any intention of making a purchase. Although I realize this was not your intention but after watching this video I personally would avoid dealing with a company that had such terrible customer service. There are far to many companies that will go out of there way to make the customer happy. I'll spend my money elsewhere.
A lot of people have said the same thing. Word of mouth can be damning and this company just doesn't understand the impact of their actions.
HLK guitars are nothing more than cheap import kit parts that are assembled by labor staffing services.
I appreciate this information. I will make sure to never do business with this company! I don't have the time or patience to hassle with a company like this.
It wasn't my intention to put people off - hopefully the good outweighs the bad with this company. I just felt duty bound to relay the experience.
I was intrigued when I first hearf about HLK until I did a google search and found the same marshall forum and the Amazon reviews. A major red flag for me was the only positive reviews I found all sound like they were written by the same person.
It is a bit suspect - but not definitively proven.
You are too kind. I have a three strikes and you're out policy when I do business with a company and from your description hard lunk kings has more than three strikes already.
Yes, as a seller of instruments one has to learn to be customer conscious - and that was severely lacking in this case.
Thanks for the heads up. I won't be buying this guitars any time soon.
I didn't mean to put people off - just relaying an experience. They may make some nice guitars.
I bought one of their Explorers some years ago, piece of junk. Now, I see on their website that they're selling guitars in the $400-$600 range?! Really?!! Sounds like their products are still crap. As for their 'customer service' ....pretty F'n sad! I will never buy anything from them again.
Yes, it's the customer service issue I was mostly concerned with. Any company can send out a bad guitar - even the top brands. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience too.
Shades of Sawtooth! They pull reviews, make promises, and have continuous BOGUS "sales".
Do they?
Sounds like the guitar you received had a twisted neck ? Maybe dont know didnt see it just the symptoms sound like they are there. I sure as heck wouldn't buy a new guitar to have to remove frets and plane the fretboard install frets as usual business .customer service and quality control down the toilet for sure!
It seemed to be a problem with the radiusing on the bass side. At this price point - there is no point trying to fix a deep lying issue - and customers should be able to return defective guitars without meeting with any attitude or blame. It is a big failing to do otherwise.
If guitar is 350 but extra 50 to set up and extra 70 to ship, why dont they just say 469$ for the guitar which includes setup and shipping? They would probably get less complaints. It's like 6 of 1 or 6 of the other. Instead, the use the illusion of a cheap quality guitar but just seems like they playing games.
Good question!
I have had two hard luck kings' guitars. One the Southern Bell was a bad sounding guitar, but the Spider model played quite well. I actually felt bad selling the bell because I didn't want to burn the buyer, but he said he liked all style teles. I do wish I had the Spider back, it had cool inlaid spiders on the neck and played well. I get wanting an inexpensive guitar. Look for a Dean Vindetta for about 150 $ or maybe less and you will not be sorry.
Sounds like you had a mixed experience, which is what I'm hearing from folks.
HLK guitars are an odd company. They used to be really affordable. I just don't like their buisness model. The daily deal and clearance deals are priced all over the place. Their shipping costs are high. If you buy a case, the guitar and case are shipped seperately to get double the shipping on the same order. Their return policy is ridiculous. They used to include the setup with the guitar purchase. Now they charge extra. Every "review" is ultra positive. Just really suspicious. I'm done with this company. There are too many other companies that really care and want my buisness.
Yes, I know they've been around for a while. It is an irksome business model, a bit similar to what goes on at Guitar Fetish with the Xavier and Slick guitars. The fact that neither sells through Amazon or eBay - and only direct - means that they dictate strict terms. The shipping costs put me off and they refuse to combine shipping on multiple guitar orders. The extra set up cost for HLK just baffles me - especially if you don't pay for it and they can use it against you if they send a defective guitar. They seem to make very small runs and are little better than someone buying 20 guitars from Aliexpress and reselling them.
I got a guitar a few years ago and had a good experience, but that was when they included a setup with every guitar. If I buy a another one from them I'd pay for the setup with hopes that I wouldn't have to deal with what you want through. It makes me wonder what they will do with the guitar you sent back. Will they take the time to fix and resell it on pass the problem on to the next guy with hopes that he's too lazy to complain and return it.
I would say probably - but it had deeper lying issues than just set up. Just because you don't buy their set up - doesn't mean you should get a defective guitar. And why don't they just set up all their guitars?
Not only that, if you look up the address they have on their website , its just a UPS store... huge red flag. I ordered a guitar and two month have gone by, no guitar ans they wont respond to emails or phone calls. Going to the bank today to report it for fraud and have the payment canceled.
Hope it worked out for you!
Flashy colored hunks of junk. Only one I liked was the Fusia Tele but a painted neck....ugh
I haven't gone back to them since this first experience.
I've heard far to many bad things. I've seen their facebook group and fan boys attack folks that posted about an issue with a guitar or they posted about a bad buying experience. The company and owner are active in this group and they certainly dont detour this kind of behavior. I'm sure some people are very happy with their guitars but from what I've seen why bother. Especially when their are so many reputable companies building good affordable guitars with great customer service to boot. Thats just my 2 cents.
Agreed. I didn't think to check the FB page - but I did find two examples of online folks complaining about their experience with HLK. I think the attitude I was met with is precisely the wrong one - and will just create enemies.
Two pounds of shit in a one pound bag…
I bought one when it was still set up for free and it was discounted for paint defect.
It’s was super cheap so was not upset it was junk and buzzed all over if you lowered the action to were I like it. Electronics sucked also.
Heard the owner was difficult to work with so did not bother to return
Worst guitar I ever owned, was so happy guitar center took it as trade
Sorry to hear - but you should never let anyone put you off returning a guitar when you buy it retail. He caused a stink but he knew he had to take it back.
Thanks for sharing your info and experience. I haven't heard of this brand but definitely would not buy after hearing this.
It wasn't my intention to put people off - hopefully the good outweighs the bad with this company. I just felt duty bound to relay the experience.
Thanks for the info.I have been thinking about unfollowing them on Facebook anyway.They hammer me to death with there guitars 5 or 6 times a day.
They are very aggressive with their marketing - but so are Orangewood.
Anyone ever tell you that you resemble David Gilmore??
My playing? Why, thanks!
I see their ads pop up on my facebook feed all the time, they look like a joke. The prices scream red flags if you ask me
Some people like their guitars so I was willing to give them a chance... their customer service turned me off.
Hard luck king are junk. I would be embarrassed to own yet alone play one.
A lot of people swear by them - but it was the customer service ethic that I mostly had an issue with.
The power of the internet, as they say. I've heard of that company, but never dealt with them. After this video, I never will. This guy had a golden opportunity to make things right, the right way, ( instead made the customer jump through hoops to get it made right).
Maybe that company name is fitting. Sounds to me like a ONE employee company, hence people always getting the owner himself when they call.( Nothing wrong with that, my beef is in how you were treated).
If you ever deal with them again, I hope it goes well, but I for one, will avoid them.
Yes, it wasn't my intention to put people off them - but they really need to adjust their customer response attitude for a start. He intimated that he had a team of people - and they seem to do some volume - but I couldn't believe the claim that they hardly ever get returns.
Avoid avoid avoid
It is very off-putting and not a good customer service policy to shirk responsibility or try to blame others.
Cheap in
Cheap out
HLK suck.
Do tell!
Don't get burned twice!!!!!!
Never!
They seem to consistently have bad customer service
That's my impression too!
By looking at the quality of their website, it’s more than enough to run away. Looks like a website from 2002. That’s a huge warning sign for me, when a company can’t pay a grand to have their website look up to date
I KNEW that setup statement was coming!! Unbelievable. And it's $70 now!!
You too huh?
I ordered a spyder from them and it came with the frets leveled but not crowned and polished.
So I bought the tools to finish the frets and did my first crown and polish,This was when they advertised free setup.
never contacted them ,I'm glad I didn't it sounds like I would have wasted my time.
I can tell you this. Not discounting a bit what your saying. I have bought two guitars from HLK. First was a bombshell. I didn't get the pro setup, It had some issues, most were minor though the bridge/tremolo sucked. I bought a second guitar from them was a Southern Belle, got the setup, It is truly one of my favorite guitars. I have literally no issues. I now bought a 28 series Panther with the setup. I will get back with you on it.
Fantastic... I plan to give them another chance at some point. I'm not vindictive by nature!
Thanks for the Video. I was looking at their guitars but I don’t need the headaches. So many good guitars out there in this price range with good guitars and customer service.
I have never bought a guitar from them but I have check out the site many times the setup is $40 bucks. I have been playing guitar for over 20 years and have bought from many different companies. All of them do a free setup
Yes, I suggested to the owner that they just set up all their guitars and adjust their prices accordingly. Making people add it extra then sending out a crappy guitar if they don't just doesn't make good business sense to me.
Thanks for your review, i was thinking about buying a HLK guitar but I changed my mind ❤
Many have had decent experiences - some haven't!
I appreciate this review, honestly. Lots of people praising them, and hard to find a genuine review that shows an opposing view. It's worth it.
You're welcome.
So I dont think I'll try hard luck guitars.i do have an issue with a murio uke I bought...neck angle is off .
Been there...
Glad you told me how to find this video. It almost sounds like they're paying somebody with the setup costs to do the final quality control check and that's the problem. I still really like the look of their guitars and the options that come with them but at least now I'll be going into it with an understanding of something some bad experiences as well
Some of the guitar designs look fantastic, which is why I wanted to check them out. You may have a good experience - I just don't think you should have to pay the extra set up cost to get a working guitar.
The only places I've seen extra setup costs are distributors..... But that's for a highly detailed setup, setting everything thing up right to your detailed spec. I thought this company had some cool looking guitars, but I'd never take the risk of something I've only ever seen on FB
You can't really do a highly detailed set up then ship it across time zones - as things will shift. What you can do is make all the guitars you sell as good as possible - giving the customer the least amount of work to do. I didn't understand why HLK didn't just include the set up with all guitars - or why they would send out an awful one if you don't pay for the set up!
I bought one, got it and thought it was decent. Seemed like a kit guitar that they finish for you. I sold it for what I paid for it. Not that it was bad just was uninspiring to play so it sat on my stand.
Sounds like a normative experience with most budget guitars... you tend to sell on more than you keep, especially when you become decent at setting them up. It was ok but not quite good enough to keep - and I've done the same thing with Cozart, Lyx Pro, Donner, and many other budget brands.
@@FlowforthInstruments yea they’re good at practicing setups on for sure. I will say the people that bought them got the free 39.99 setup they should do lol. I think the best bang for your buck guitar now is the firefly guitars, just don’t buy them from the scalpers after they sell out for double.
@@txc123 Firefly are OK but the IYV (Inyen Vina) guitars are even better.
@@FlowforthInstruments I concur, the IYV stuff is super nice and affordable.
@@txc123 Got more incoming too...
Yeah man I had the same problem when I bought a spider from them. Their policy is terrible!
There is no excuse for poor customer policy.
Thank you for posting sir ! I was thinking of purchasing one of their guitars.. the idea of having to pay for a set up ,sort of gave me a bad feeling. I too can set up my guitars . I'm no luthier but leveling , polishing , fixing sprouts etc I can do. This was my dilemma ..There are far too many companies making decent cheap guitars out there.. I won't be buying a head ache . It is NOT what people say IT IS how they make you feel that a person never forgets..! The owner needs a course on philosophy 101. Stay safe !!!
Glad to be of help. I told the owner they should just set up all the guitars and include it in the price. Making people pay for a set up and then sending out crappy guitars to those that don't is a poor business model.
Was on the fence buying one, altho i dont care for squier acoustics, I love alot of the electrics and will probably stick to used squires for cheap teles and strats I know some of these guys do ok for insanely low money but ive had a few i just hated
Fair enough - there are a lot of budget companies like IYV and Harley Benton where I've had no customer service issues. Customers will gravitate to those companies.
Wow I was going to Order a Tele from them . Yikes 😱 not now
Well perhaps you can try it and let us know how it goes.
Wow Im not buying from them ever lol
Don't mean to put you off - just relaying my experience - and perhaps others have had a better one.
Why do people hold a guitar and never play it?
You could just leave it on the stand and tell about it.
Nothing wrong with holding a guitar... it's an intimate instrument. Mind you, I'm a cellist, now that's really intimate.
@@FlowforthInstruments Sorry for that, I was just forwarding through to see what it sounds like because I might be interested in buying one.
Thanks man.
@@justinwood2519 No worries!
I wouldn't buy another one from HLK. Not with the attitude you were receiving from the owner. Btw, I've owned the MAB Sawtooth guitar for a while. Nice guitar for the money and nice and light. I blacked mine out, black bridge, knobs and locking tuners but kept the pickups white.
Yes, I'm going to think about it for a while. Glad you liked your Sawtooth - they have come a long way in the last few months.