[earwicker7]

Has anyone out there dealt with that Wally guy that makes all the vinyl setup tools? You know, the guy that is advertised all over the Michael Fremer DVD?

Let's just say Michael Fremer did a bang-up job of selling this stuff to me. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it; instead of ordering bargain setup tools, I went for the Grade-A stuff and ordered all of the relevant tools for my new VPI Scout.

I called him two weeks ago to order; I informed him right off the bat that I was only wanting to get this stuff if he could get it to me quickly. I needed tools NOW NOW NOW

. He said this would be no problem, he'd send them out express mail. Well, after a week went by and no tools, I called him. And called him. And emailed him. And called him another two times. Each time I left a message for him to please either drop me a quick email or call just to let me know what was going on. I've got nothing--no product, no contact.

I've concluded that one of two things is going on:

1. He's dead.
2. He doesn't give a damn about his customers.

If it's not #1, he's avoiding me. I got through in two rings when I called to order, but nobody picks up now that I actually need service. It's like he's seeing me on caller ID and not picking up.

If #1 is true, hell, I'm sorry and I'll pay my respects. Otherwise, would someone please help me out here? I'm dying here, I've got a new turntable and no way to set it up.

 

[britishbane]

Go look at audiogon forums or audioasylums vinyl section...wally is known for taking forever/not getting peoples orders out. Apparently he has horrible customer service but makes the best set up equipment out there. Go figure...

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by britishbane /img/forum/go_quote.gif Go look at audiogon forums or audioasylums vinyl section...wally is known for taking forever/not getting peoples orders out. Apparently he has horrible customer service but makes the best set up equipment out there. Go figure...

Oh, that's beautiful. My god, what is up with the lack of common decency in high-end audio land? Taking a long time is forgivable; charging top dollar, taking a long time and not communicating about it is a bunch of $#%&ing bull#@*$.

 

[britishbane]

What type of vinyl equipment are you using? I have a lowly Music Hall MMF-5 table and have found that the turtable basics mirrored protracter to be good enough for setting up various carts from Denon, Grado, Empire, etc.

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by britishbane /img/forum/go_quote.gif What type of vinyl equipment are you using? I have a lowly Music Hall MMF-5 table and have found that the turtable basics mirrored protracter to be good enough for setting up various carts from Denon, Grado, Empire, etc.

It's a VPI Scout. Man, I'm so pissed... I flat out told him right from the beginning, "I'm new to good vinyl, I just got my first turntable since the KMart Special I had as a kid, I need this stuff now. I have no tools, can you help me out?"

Some people on audioasylum said they had to wait A YEAR to get their tools. How can this guy know that and still pitch his goods to a person he knows is helpless without them? He seemed like such a nice guy on the phone. Why does he have such a good reputation?

 

[OakIris]

Here's a thread on another site that also warns that there might be a long wait for Wally Tools: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...ht=wally+tools - see the last post.

I didn't use Wally Tools to set up my turntable so I can't help you. You might check into some (cheaper) alternatives while you wait for Wally to come through! I used the same alignment tool that britishbane used - http://www.turntablebasics.com/align.html a good jeweler's scale (digital scales which can be found on eBay, etc.) for the sylus force gauge and a bubble level from a local hardware store. Check with the Vinyl Forum folks on AudioAsylum to see what they suggest.

Good luck! It sucks to have a wonderful new "toy" for your audio enjoyment that you can't play with!

Holly

 

[riffer]

Lol!

I dealt with him once, and that is enough. It took me 6 months to get my stuff. And I post that fact in every forum that brings this up.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

I vote this topic to be stickied.

 

[earwicker7]

I ended up filing a claim with PayPal. I've checked out a couple of posts on other sites where people defend him, saying "Oh, he's just eccentric." I'd like to see him use that defense in court.

I agree with Mule, this should be stickied. There is a sticky in the trade/sell forum about a guy who keeps scamming people on equipment; as far as I'm concerned, there's no difference. There are tons of people who have had to jump through hoops to get their hard earned money back from this guy after waiting over a year to get their equipment. I wouldn't have nearly as big of a problem with this if there were some communication, but to take someone's money (by the way, it was $325) and then not return the numerous phone calls and emails you get asking where the goods are should be criminal. This guy needs to be stopped.

 

[earwicker7]

Well, all, there's a happy ending. I got an email from Wally and the stuff has been shipped, tracking number and all. I told him in my response that I was more angry with the lack of communication than the wait; he says he's had problems with his phone and email service. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not, but it looks like everything is going to work out and I said no hard feelings.

 

[OakIris]

They say that patience is a virtue, but it is very hard to be patient when you have paid good money and are longing to have the use of what you purchased, especially when it is for a hobby you love.

I'm glad it worked out for you, earwicker7, but I think I will stick with my "non-Wally" tools, unless I can buy a used set from someone here or Audiogon or Audio Asylum! Let us know if it was worth the wait - those that have/use the Wally tools usually swear by them, so hopefully you will have the same experience.

Holly

 

[earwicker7]

Well, I finally got my tools, and I have to say it was totally worth the wait. It looks like I was pretty close on the VTA from just eyeballing it, but the previous tracking force (and this is with a $120 meter) was off by over 10%!!! Wally's meter read 198g, the other one read 225g, so the old meter was reading very heavy, which of course means I adjusted to have less force than it actually needed. Also, the cartridge, which I had aligned using the contraption supplied with the VPI Scout, was pretty badly aligned according to the WallyTractor.

Obviously, I would have preferred better communication and less of a wait, but all in all, the guy is a genius; the quality of his tools is unsurpassed.