Tone World in Administration

Deijavoo

Never shopped there but having been in the same boat this week last year as a store manager for Jessops I feel really sorry for the guys there.

http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/index.php/news/read/tone-world-in-administration/018468

lustycourtier

They sold my friends PRS two weeks ago on consignment and have pocketed the money. He's 2.5k out of pocket and Admistraotrs have fucked him off.

octatonic

That sucks.

I've heard Jackson's Rare Guitars in Australia did something similar but with properly vintage guitars- £20k guitars and the like.

One of the reasons I never consign guitars anymore- you never know if you are getting it back, or getting the money.

Deijavoo

Bleurgh, that's fucking awful.

I know what it was like though, last year when we had people buying lenses for £800 etc and coming in to collect being told that there was no stock, and no money to give back....

If the stock was there I'd have just handed it over. 

On the plus side, I believe you can chase the administrators for it but it can take a long time to get the money.

lustycourtier

I loved the shop, but way too much high end stuff to survive. 

richardhomer

Hi guys. I have returned after a lengthy absence, to comment on this topic. This is really sad news. I have known the main people involved in this business for a long time. They are highly knowledgeable, straight-dealing and thoroughly decent. The problems they have encountered are beyond their control and very unfortunate. I hope the business survives. Believe me, these people are not sharks.

ChrisMusic

Hi and welcome back Richard, I have missed your posts, so I hope you hang around.

I have never been up to Tone World, but people I have spoken to held them in high regard.

It is rough justice when bystanders get caught in the crossfire though.

These are tough times indeed.

octatonic

ChrisMusic said:

Hi and welcome back Richard, I have missed your posts, so I hope you hang around.

Ditto.

I have also missed Drew's responses to your posts.

Hang in there.

badlydrawnbanjo

A real shame. Lovely shop but as pointed out, quite high end niche equipment. Does anyone have the skinny on what's been going on between them and Sounds Great?

Rocker

This is indeed sad news.  Any shop closing is bad news, music shops are rare enough without losing any more.  Hope Tone World can get through this difficulty somehow.

lustycourtier

They sold the demo klon they'd 'never sell' recently to bonamassa. Bizarrely that rung an alarm bell with me.

richardhomer

Thanks Chris. If people Google the story, they will find reference to a legal dispute. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on this further. Clearly anyone not getting paid on something sold on consignment is terrible but the control of a company in administration (and therefore it's money) sits with the administrators, not the people who started the business. I just want to offer support for the people there. They created a wonderful store and are entirely trustworthy. I have dealt with Gary Sharpe (formerly of Sounds Great) since 1983. I have dealt with Rick Lowe since 1996. I have never had anything but great interactions and service from either. I wish to stress that I have no affiliation - but I feel strongly that I need to defend their reputations. They are good people....

lustycourtier

Maybe I was a bit string in my first post, but that's how it is. I've known the guys for a few years and it's a very sad situation.

supes

They must have where they were heading when they sold it. Not a good thing to happen to any company but it doesn't just happen suddenly one day.

fretmeister

I wonder if I should offer the administrators £200 for the Marleaux bass they had.

Van_Hayden

That's a shame, really like that shop.

ourmaninthenorth

Only winners here are the lawyers, plenty of losers - redundant staff, customers out of pocket etc etc. Bloody shame, hope the individuals concerned manage to recover from what is going to be a horrible few months ahead. 

Drew_TNBD

Dear Richard,

Welcome back buddy. Lets make a road movie together.

Van_Hayden

I almost paid up front for a pedal a couple of weeks ago....

Sad for everyone involved. No idea what happened between the two of them but plenty of losers as you say Paul.

Although it looks like for a change the economy isn't entirely to blame. I think and hope high end stores like this have a future. If the business was working and it was the legal side that caught them out they may yet find a buyer.

ourmaninthenorth

Maybe trying to establish a very niche business, in very trying economic times,  alongside battling through the High Court on another front  (and losing - if public domain reports are to be believed ) simply proved to be a bridge too far. In all candour, for which of Us all wouldn't it be? I have sympathies across the board here for all concerned, apart from the Lawyers - I can't afford to have their sympathy.  b-(

bertie

lustycourtier said:

They sold my friends PRS two weeks ago on consignment and have pocketed the money. He's 2.5k out of pocket and Admistraotrs have fucked him off.

they cant actually do that can they ?   They can pocket the "commission"  but legally the money belongs to your friend as the guitar wasnt 'stock'   and can (with appropriate proof) claim it back........................... cant they ?  Pretty sure I read a similar thing  last year   Fret ?