REPOSTED FROM THESESSION.... Cautionary tales.....
Hi all
About a year ago I ordered a Sam Murray 6 key flute from McNeela Music in Dublin who are I understand are the sole agent for Murray flutes
The flute was to be ready in about 3 months however through various delays the delivery time was extended to about 9 months
Having received the flute and paid McNeela Music in full i was initially please to get it after such an unplanned protracted wait
When i picked up the flute I put it together and generally looked at it and was surprised to see that the inside bore had been reamed very roughly and not up to quality and I pointed this out to the sales assistant and was told to take it up with Paraic McNeela
I came home and after a short while the C natural key fell off along with the pin
I brought it back to McNeela and met Paraic and asked him to send it back also to have the inside bore polished
I collected the flute soon after with the key and pin back on however the inside bore had no improvements. I expressed my disappointment to Paraic McNeela
Home again and after a short while the end ring fell off and a key pad also fell off.
I once again returned the flute to the sole agent and met Paraic and said I wanted all these problems including the inside bore sorted out for once and for all. The inside bore was reamed out so roughly I would think moisture would not run freely out of the flute and cause more problems He said he would return it to Sam Murry
I phoned Paraic McNeela recently which was after about a month and he told me that Sam Murray said these problems were due me keeping the flute in too hot an environment
And Murray would charge me for the repairs.
I told McNella that this excuse was crazy as I keep it in my home in the same conditions as 2 other flutes that I own With no problems
I have not heard from McNeela Music since or Murry for that matter
So my question really is Has anybody experienced issues with Sam Murray or McNeela Music who are the sole agent and if so what did you do about it and did you get satisfaction
The Murray flute is not cheap and I payed about 2500 and for that money you would expect a well finished flute. Not so in my case
And I’m wondering what to do
I would very much appreciate your comments
# Posted 8 hours ago.
Sam lost a flute of mine about twenty years ago. He said it had been taken by someone who used to work in his shop. Sam promised everything, gave nothing, and put me off for years. He didn’t make good till I moved to Ireland and went to his shop. He reluctantly and with bad feeling gave me a flute.
McNeela is complicit too, under the guise of an honest dealer. He represents Sam Murray and is responsible for his bad faith dealings. McNeela is not genuinely interested in anything but making money. He does not have a very good reputation among serious musicians. He lies and will do and say anything to get out of a bad situation.
If I were you I would take him right to court and get your money back.
# Posted 4 hours ago.
Re
Re: Sam Murray flute issues
"So my question really is Has anybody experienced issues with Sam Murray or McNeela Music who are the sole agent and if so what did you do about it and did you get satisfaction"
My experience: I left my Murray keyless flute for repair (cracked barrel) in July 2011. 2 years later July 2013, still hadn’t got my flute back from Sam.
From the Chiff & Fipple thread - Sam Murray and flute deliveries - August 2013: "Based in Sweden all my dealings with flute and uilleann pipe makers have been long distance by default. Over the years I’ve sent and received flutes, and parts of pipes to Chris Wilkes, Dave Williams R.I.P., and Martin Doyle and had no problems at all. I’ve purchased flutes from Cork, California, New Hampshire, a Wooff chanter from Australia, again no problems.
Sam Murray is the only maker who has been a severe disappointment. Sam refuses to return my keyless flute which I personally left in his workshop in July 2011. An attempt was made about 10 days ago by someone visiting Galway to obtain my flute and another person’s flute, that was left for repair over a year ago, and Sam could not produce either of the flutes. Sam and Sean still maintain radio silence, no communication. As my flute’s long gone I’ve nothing to lose now. 25 euros gets the Galway District Court Small Claims Registrars involved, Sam must be taken to task. He can’t just take people’s flutes and money unchallanged". I never got my flute back from Sam, or any other compensation, such as another flute, or money to the value of the flute. I hope you get your flute back Robin.
I took Sam to court some time ago for a 3 key returned to him for a head repair and the court found in my favour. However the sheriff in Galway couldn’t find him so I was out the flute and court costs.
I would like to get my flute back but have given up all hope.
# Posted 3 hours ago.
https://thesession.org/discussions/45580