Friends, Family, and Clients of SlideBone.com lend me your ears as what I am about to say is simply "Nothing But the Truth."
For sometime I have been the largest distributor of Marcus Bonna Cases. This is fact and undisputed not that I am looking to set any records. As we all say... "it is what it is."
With the many many large orders received from MB, I have never had any quality or craftsmanship issues till November 2007.
A shipment of 50+ cases (trumpet & trombone) arrived from Brazil and delivered to me here in NY. For the most, cases shipped to clients where pristine and flawless.
Well folks we are all human and not perfect. Two trumpet cases out of 30 left MB's factory with defects. I did not notice two tiny holes in these cases when I shipped them to the customers.
Both clients contacted me and one did not return calls or emails. He tended to take this situation up with MB. It was only after he "trashed" me on the "net" did he realize and apologize that he made a huge mistake. He would have gotten a brand new replacement case and able to keep the defective one. Marcus Bonna gave this person a T- Shirt and patch. The second client handled things more professionally and ended up returning the case.
While all of this was brewing , I contacted Marcus Bonna and his wife Kathia replied.
Both Marcus and Kathia did not want to take responsibility for their error and began to "pass the buck." They blamed everyone but themselves and not their company.
They proposed to send lining and have me glue it over the damaged area. I refused this offer and said that my clients only want the best.
I asked very nicely to please repair or replace the case and offered to ship the case back to Brazil at my expense.
I was refused from Kathia and then Marcus Bonna chimed in with an e mail all of his own.
He stated that he makes 500 cases a month and checks each one of them personally.
He never makes any mistakes.
He has a name and reputation.
It was a sad day, when Marcus Bonna's email arrived saying the November '07 order was canceled. His words where "For Now and Forever."
I replied and humbly said that in my opinion it was not a wise business decision. He was letting down many brass players here in the USA and abroad.
He did not care and disrespected the people that patronize his company.
What seems to be a sad story turns out to be a Happy Ending !!!
Over the next couple of weeks I did my "homework" very carefully on MB and his company.
Questions that where asked by many in the business:
If MB makes 500 cases a month, why the 6-10 month wait ?
Why the constant price gouging ?
Why won't he warranty a case or product ?
Why won't he send samples ?
Why have 3 major distributors stopped doing business with him ?
Why won't a major trumpet mfg do business with him ?
Why are cases "outsourced" ?
I am not one to "slander" anyone but I feel compelled to let the public know of this charlleton. After all he "trashed" my company but two wrongs don't make a right.
I feel I have to let the public know as a fellow brass player.
So why is MB "bad mouthing" SlideBone.com ???
Why does he make false accusations , i.e. "counterfeit cases" ???
Very simple folks. Jealousy and Immaturity.
In Brazil., Marcus Bonna is known for threating and suing people. Unfortunately here in the USA, he is irrelevant.
So with all of MB's juvenile ways, I made sure it did not effect me.
I thought to myself....You are either part of the problem or part of the solution.
And hence Marcus Bonna was part of the problem and the solution was right around the corner.
Over the past few years, the man responsible for making all the cases, Ciro Basili
came to the rescue.
Ciro (Basili Cases, Brazil) is the finest case craftsman with a heart of gold.
His line of horn, trumpet, and trombone cases are far superior than of his competitor.
Cases are tailor made to the clients needs. ETA on cases is @ 6-10 weeks and with
attractive pricing.
No hidden extras such as extra d rings or backpack straps.
Any cordura color or black leather. Choice of interior color and options such as wheels and laptop compartments.
Again one might ask... Why is Marcus Bonna "slandering" SlideBone.com.
My answer is simple jealousy. Marcus Bonna lost a very large sum of business in the last few months.
Basili Cases (NY Flight Cases/NY Custom Series) are being used by some of the members of major orchestras in the USA and Europe.
Freelance Orchestral, Jazz/Commercial Players, Educators and Students from around the globe too.
Players all have raved about these new cases and love the quality.
They feel the whole case is made much better.
More durable covers and stitching with heavy duty handles, zippers, and backpack straps.
And last but not least an attractive price.
In closing I would like to thank the many people who have passed thru SlideBone.com. MB cases will continue to be advertised as to make the public aware so they do not get hurt.
I am first a trombonist/musician and always understand and adhere to the needs of fellow brass players.
I am always available to offer assistance,advice,and the best pricing along with service.
In the long run I won't let anyone down and if one is eager to jump start Spring '08 with a Basili Case, drop me an e mail for the perks and incentives.
All the best,
Irvin |
