Review: Jim Laabs Music Super Store

Easily the worst customer service experience of my entire life at ANY restaurant, store, etc. that I've EVER been to. I went in there with my girlfriend to browse sheet music and play piano. I'm a former music major, and know my way around a piano. I started to play, and was yelled at loudly and rudely by the owner. I thought music was supposed to be played in music stores? I guess not. My girlfriend very politely and calmly told him that if he wanted customers, he needed to treat them with respect. Instead of a sane response, he sweared and cussed at her. Not only did he swear and cuss, but he did so in front of a mom and her 2 children, probably aged 3-7. I came to her defense, telling him that music stores are generally places where one plays music, and that he had to apologize to my girlfriend. Instead, he called me names I can't type on here, and kicked me out. I honestly thought he might hit me too, it was that bad. Everyone should boycott this store until there is new management in place. This was one of the worst experiences of my life, and I will make sure everyone I talk to steers clear of this terrible place.

I saw a pair of accordion straps sold by Jim Laabs Music on Ebay. The straps were advertized as "ALL leather". Just what I wanted but they didn't take Paypal on auctions. So I called the store and placed the order with Troy Laabs. I got the straps 2 days later and rather than being leather, they were VINYL, "leatherette." I called the store and was told that the straps were still a good deal at what I paid, even for vinyl. I tried to tell Troy that I ordered (and paid for) LEATHER straps, not PLASTIC ones. He said that he didn't want to hear it, and that vinyl was better than leather for wear and durability. Right. He said I could "upgrade" to the original leather that I ordered for $80.00 - what a ripoff! Then, while we were talking, he went onto Ebay and changed his listing to say "leatherette" instead of the original "ALL leather" that was advertized.

Yes, this store needs to be boycotted. They employ false advertising and they are rude to customers, trying to tell me what I want and what I don't and that they aren't interested in what I think of their business practices. They ripped me off for $41. I'll spread the word far and wide about these crooks.

I recently bought a $3000 Kawai piano from Jim Laabs. I found the piano listed on Ebay and called them about details. I personally spoke to the owner at least 4 times and emailed them another 4 more times. Each time they responded back quickly and politely. They answered all my questions and did not act, in the least, rude or uncaring. He emailed me extra photos, gave me all serial numbers and extra details. Although I was a serious buyer, I could of been just another "tire kicker" and used up plenty of his time for no reture. After I felt confident that what they were selling was as described, I paid and it was delivered in 2 days. The delivery has no issues and it was actually better then described. It has actually no flaws. My piano tuner came to check it and could no find any single issue. It actually was still in perfect tuning that they did before shipping. This piano cost $8-9000 new. Yes it was a Japanese import and it was explained as such. I would highly recommend them to anyone. The truck that delivered the pianos had another 4 grand pianos that were being delivered, one costing $80,000. Obviously, others trust them. Take negative comments with a grain of salt. I have nothing but recommendations with my purchase.

I bought a new piano from Jim a couple of months ago. Whenever I called him about used pianos on his website and Ebay listing, they were sold and he tried to sell a different piano, which I did. Received it fine but found several stuck keys. After two tuners trying to fix it but couldn't I called back for warranty service and my experience has been horrible. Jim got mad because I called him too many time asking what's going on and yelled at me. Take positive comments with a grain of salt. Most of the reviews you see about them are NEGATIVE and talk about their deceitful business tactics and rude service. I am sure there are some satisfied (or lucky?) customers but do your do diligence, search for their reviews and read it for yourself. Their BBB rating of "F" says something as well.

Unauthorized Charge to My Credit Card

After purchasing a digital piano from Jim Laabs Music I was told that it would take 2 weeks to ship as they had to get the piano from the manufacturer.

After 5 weeks I called and they claimed that the piano shipped that day. They also said that the piano would ship to a local shipping terminal and I would be responsible for picking it up there. I had paid nearly $150 in shipping charges when I originally made the purchase and assumed that that included shipping to my home (I even had received a shipping quote from them prior to purchasing the piano and there was no indication that shipping would not be to the address I provided them for the quote).

They said for an extra $40 they could have it shipped to my house. I reluctantly agreed, as it had taken so long already and I really wanted the piano. When I check my credit card account a few days later not only had the additional $40 been charged but an unauthorized charge of $113 was also there.

I called and demanded an explanation and was told that shipping costs were actual more than they had originally charged me. I explained that they could not make unauthorized charges on my credit card and that if the original shipping charges were not the total shipping charges their customers needed to be told that at the time of purchase.

They said that if I refused to pay the additional $113 they would cancel the entire order. I told them to cancel it. 6 weeks wasted waiting for a piano that will never come. Don't waste your time. Even if it looks like a good deal, they may try to make up for it with extra charges and, as in my case, even unauthorized charges.