Bad Experience With Eric Jensen And Jensen Musical Instruments

Eric Jensen of Jensen Musical Instruments took $2,000 of mine as down payment for an electric cello ordered in February 2006 with an agreed upon delivery estimate of 3 to 4 months. Mr. Jensen promptly cashed my depost check and that was the last I heard from him for over a year. During that time, Eric Jensen of Jensen Musical Instruments did not return my phone calls, emails or my check for $2,000. Registering this domain name, posting this page and posting about my experience on several blogs, including my own, was my effort to prevent this experience from happening to other potential customers of Mr. Jensen. Word obviously eventually got back to Mr. Jensen regarding my efforts because he eventually returned my deposit without any direct communication (phone or email) between the two of us. He has not paid me interest nor compensated me for my efforts in regard to this domain. Therefore, this site will remain as a warning to others until Mr. Jensen pays me interest, for my time to develop this site and related expenses.

Do not send ANY money to Eric Jensen or Jensen Musical Instruments unless you have some mechanism in place such that neither Eric Jensen or Jensen Musical Instruments receive a single penny until you have your instrument in your possession and you are satisfied with the quality.

I've added cross posts to my blog here (2006.11.27) and here (2007.03.03). Be sure to read the comments at these posts. It appears I am not the only one to have suffered a significant loss while attempting to do business with Eric Jensen and Jensen Musical Instruments. Of special note, on March 3, 2007, I received a letter from Mr. Jensen stating he would return my deposit by March 31st. Mr. Jensen eventually returned my deposit on April 24th - failing on yet another promise.

The last known business address was:

7730-14th Avenue Northwest, Seattle WA 98117, U.S.A.
E-mail: jensmus@halcyon.com
Telephone: 206-297-8120

The Better Business Bureau, where he is listed as "Out of Business" has his address as:

Jensen Musical Instruments
PO BOX 30102
Seattle, WA 98103
Telephone: (206) 782-3158
Reference: http://www.thebbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=63000587

If Eric Jensen or Jensen Musical Instruments wishes to have this site removed, they must complete the following:

• Return my deposit of $2,000.00 (Done.)
• Reimburse me for the cost of registering this domain ($17/year, no proration)
• Reimburse me for the cost of hosting this web site ($120/year, no proration)
• Reimburse me for my time spent developing this web site (currently 9 hours at $65/hour for a total of $585.00)

Current Due: $859.00

Background

Contract

Here is a copy of the contract (PDF) I signed and returned to Eric Jensen along with a deposit check for $2,000.00.

Canceled Check

Here is a copy of my canceled deposit check for the instrument:

(Click for larger image)

Call History

The following table shows my entire cell phone record of calls made between Eric Jensen and myself. The only time I actually spoke with Eric Jensen was on 2/7/2006 when we discussed the various options available and I told him what I wanted. Eric Jensen put all this information on an order contract which was subsequently sent via email for me to sign and mail to him with a deposit check equal to 50% of the negotiated price of the instrument. Except to take my order, Eric Jensen never once returned my phone calls.

Email History

2/6/2006

Hello,
I'm interested in an electric cello. I'm a relatively new student to the
cello and would like something that I can travel with, yet as my skill
improves is of sufficient quality to allow for exploration into other
areas of cello music.
How long does it take to make an instrument once you have a deposit?
Thank you,
Gregory Engel
phone: ###-###-####

2/8/2006

Dear Mr. Engel,
I appreciated the opportunity to talk with you yesterday about the Air
Travel Cello.
Here are details of your order as I understand them. Let me know whether is
acceptable,
or if you have any questions or wish to change any items.
A. Specifications
Four string air travel cello
Series 2000 pickup/preamplifier
Instrument neck/body made from hard maple or rosewood with clear finish
Graduated ebony fingerboard
Chest brace with adjustable tilt hardwood knob
Adjustable knee brace with rubberized leg grips
Setup for bridge crown ~27" above the floor; top of fingerboard (nut)
~46.5" above the floor
Jargar (or equivalent) cello string set
B. Pricing
Four string air travel cello with Series 2000 pickup/preamplifier $3,300
Mini processor / headphone amplifier for
travel $ 225
AC adapter for mini
processor $ 20
Fitted flight
case $ 225
Total for merchandise $3,770
Shipping
allowance $ 65
Grand
total $3,835
The estimated completion time is 16 weeks following the receipt of your
deposit,
or sooner.
If you decide to place an order, please send a signed copy of this letter,
including
revisions, with a deposit.
The best way to reach me is by e-mail, or by phone at 206-297-8120.
I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely yours,
Eric Jensen
___________________________________________________________________
Terms: To place an order I ask for a deposit of 50% of the total for
merchandise.
The balance is payable after the instrument is completed, before it is
shipped.
A personal check is acceptable for the deposit. For the balance payment, a
personal check is also welcome, but allow enough time for the check to clear
before the order is shipped. Otherwise, you can pay by money order, cashier's
check or wire funds transfer.
Limited Warranty: All Jensen instruments are warranted against defects in
workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of delivery.
Defects will be repaired or defective items replaced, at the discretion of
Jensen
Musical Instruments, free of charge within the warranty period. Strings are
covered
for 90 days. Normal wear and tear, and damage caused by neglect, misuse, user
modification, exposure to extreme temperature and humidity, incidental and
consequential damages are excluded.
Returns Policy: If you decide to return the instrument outfit within five
days of receiving it,
you would receive a refund for 85% of the total for merchandise within 30
days after
the outfit arrives here. Instruments with customized features including but
not limited
to special dimensions and color finishes are not returnable for a refund.
You would pay
return shipping, and be responsible for any damage to the outfit.
___________________________________________________________________
JENSEN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
7730-14th Avenue Northwest, Seattle WA 98117, USA
Tel. 782-3158 / 206-297-8120
Website www.halcyon.com/jensmus
___________________________________________________________________

2/9/2006

Hello Eric,
Enjoyed talking with you the other day. Dropped a deposit and signed copy
of the order in the mail today.
I'm traveling for 3 weeks beginning on 5/14 - just about three months from
now. It would be most excellent to have an instrument along, but I don't
want to rush the craftsman/artist. However, if extra $$ might change my
place on the list, I'm agreeable to that.
Thank you,
Gregory Engel
###################
##########################
v. ###-###-####
f. ###-###-####

5/26/2006

Hello Eric,
Just wanted to touch base and query how the electric cello I ordered was
progressing. Also to let you know I am traveling a bit over the next
several weeks and wanted to make sure you were not waiting for payment. We
would also need to work out a delivery time to match when I am home.
I'm really looking forward to the instrument. Not being able to play while
traveling over the past several weeks has been more difficult than I
thought it would be.
Hope things are going well and please drop me a note when you have an
opportunity.
Thank you and Take Care...
Gregory Engel
c. ###-###-####

6/26/2006

Hello Eric,
Back in early February I sent you a signed copy of an order for a four
string air travel cello (see attached copy) and a check for more than 50%
of the agreed purchase price. The check cleared the bank on 2/17.
As indicated in our agreement the estimated time for completing this order
was to be 16 weeks (4 months) or sooner once the deposit had been
received. It is reasonable to assume this time to completion began on
2/17.
More than 16 weeks have passed since my check was cashed and I have not
heard from you regarding the status of this order. I had sent you an email
in early May which was neither replied to or acknowledged and to date have
left four separate voice messages which have not been returned.
That the original estimate to completing this order has now been exceed
and I have not heard from you it would seem the order has no completion
date. I am concerned that something has happened to you personally or that
some other factor has caused this order to be delayed beyond expectations.
Please reply to this email message or call me any time on my cell phone
(below) and let me know the status of this order.
Regards,
Gregory Engel
cell: ###-###-####

7/9/2006

Dear Gregory,
I am sorry to be so unresponsive! I have never been so busy with production
work.
We have made good progress on your order and at this point we have
completed carving the body
and fabricating the metal hardware. I believe it will be a competent and
attractive instrument.
I am taking a few days off work and shall begin again in the last week of
this month. Then we
can give your cello our full attention and complete it quite soon.
Sincerely yours,
Eric Jensen

7/10/2006

Hello Eric,
Your message was a tremendous relief. I was beginning to fear you had gone
out of business. It is good to hear that indeed business is booming. I am
looking forward to having an instrument with which I can travel.
Take Care,
Gregory Engel

Last updated: 2007.09.28