Ted Brown Music — Local services in Richland

As the tri-cities does not have much selection when it comes to music stores, I try to give Ted Brown a break, but they have lost a customer. I came into the Richland Ted Brown in the market for an amp, cash in hand, ready to buy. I also had a bass guitar I purchased from them for $400 several years ago. I was “greeted” by Andy. I told Andy that I am a guitar player, not a bass player, so naturally, it did not get played very often and I simply wanted it gone. I brought the bass in to see if they would be willing to buy it back or consign it (I understand they are a business and need to make money...) I told them I had purchased it for $400, and it had barely left the case. Again, understanding that they needed to make money, I asked if we could do $100-200 or so, (that way they still end up making $200-300 off of the bass), and again, with understanding the bass is a “Frankenstein” bass, which appeared to be homemade from Fender parts. I did not expect to make money off of it or anything, I understood it was a bad purchase, but I simply wanted it gone. Andy took one look at the bass and promptly advised it would be a “hard no”. I questioned him as to why they wouldn’t be willing to sell something that they had already sold me again, and he stated it would be a “hard sell”. Understandable, however, the fact he did not even consider it for a second tells me that Ted Brown (and Andy) do not care about customer satisfaction. I asked him several other questions regarding amps and the bass, and even consignment options, which he refused to even consider. His attitude made it very apparent I was wasting his time. Ted Brown has always had a very “corporate” feel, but never have I been treated so rudely by one of their service “professionals”. I would like to restate, I entered the store, cash in hand, 100% set on purchasing an amp, but due to Andy’s horrible customer service, they have lost a customer. I recommend taking your business...

I brought in a Trumpet I was looking to Sell but wanted to get it cleaned up first. So i took it to the Richland, Wa Location. I wanted to get my LA 6x Benge cleaned up. After I picked it up i saw that they stripped it to raw brass and it didn't looked cleaned at all. There are still spots all over. The mouthpieces I was told were going to be cleaned looked the same. So i went in the following day and Spoke to an Employee (Donovan). He said that the chemicals in the lacquer can sometimes take off the finish and "that is exactly what happened". With no offers to fix the issue. I wrote a email to the store with my complaint. The following day I get a email back from the store manager, Todd Peery. Who says he spoke to Donovan. That Donovan told the store manager that he offered to re-chem the trumpet at no charge. Which is not true. Todd also offered to have his shop go over the horn again, and explain the issues with the trumpet, and if i'm still unhappy. That he MAY be willing to purchase the instrument at fair market value. First off, Your shop took a huge chunk of the value off my instrument. So if you want to talk about "Fair" then your no charge re-chem is a no go. Secondly, I no longer trust your shop to do anything with my instrument. So no thanks on damaging my trumpet further. No thanks on any of your explaining. I have sent two emails since the last from Todd. Which was 4 days ago. This isn't good business. You don't destroy someone's 40 year old instrument and then TELL them they have either the option of having either more damage from poor work or selling it to you for a price you would like. I will be going to BBB if I hear nothing soon. Very...

I am 47 and have not touched a violin since a kid. I recently picked one up on sale. It was out of tune so I messaged Tim Brown Music on there chat service. Thinking it was expensive I wanted some quotes. Boy was I surprised when they immediately texted me back that it was free and to come on in. I nervously entered the store to try to get my violin tuned. I was met first by an amazing lady, by the string instruments, who is able to find somebody to tune it within a few seconds of my arrival. She also was able to help me with a lot of questions and steer me to the products I needed. Within minutes one person became three and I had the most amazing Customer service squad I have ever encountered. They were able to tune my instrument. Also help me remove a broken piece that was inside and set me up To have that piece replaced for a price that I could not believe. Between the service and the prices this place is like a Hometown music store from when I was a kid They were even able to take me back to a room so I could check out my violin now that it was tuned. That way I would not Embarrass myself, since it has been over 30 years since I played a violin. The best part is, they were able to set me up with an amazing violin to use while mine is in the shop. But the best part of the entire experience was, they were kindly able to inform me that I had actually bought a viola Instead of a violin. They did not make me feel like I was stubborn or uneducated. They just helped me learn the differences and said it was a honest mistake. So now I have a violin and a viola to practice on once it returns from service. I never go anywhere else for my musical needs. This place is like being...