They seem to be. Part of the Rome Castellanes owned company. Mr. Castellanes has been discussed before on AK, I think.
STARBRANDS NETWORKS LLC :: Nevada (US) :: OpenCorporates
Any one deal with LP Gear?
- Thread starter gary7
- Start date
STARBRANDS NETWORKS LLC :: Nevada (US) :: OpenCorporates
As the other poster confirmed, they do seem similar. But LP Tunes seems to offer different selections, many JICO offerings, when Gear offers Japanese Bliss alternatives. I searched Gear for a replacement, couldn't find definitive replacements, Tunes had many options (including JICO). I even called Gear, talked to a guy, tried to explain my dilemma, his suggestion was just buying a whole new cart/stylus combo.
I use turntableneedles.com unless there's a good reason to use LP Gear. The former often ships the same day and I've seen delivery as fast as two days later.
Their customer service is crazy. I bought a table on ebay with "a new stylus from turntableneedles.com". Seller had bought the wrong stylus. I called turntableneedles.com and asked if I could exchange the stylus for the right one, and they said they'd take a look at it and if it passed inspection, exchange it. It did, and they did. Doubt there are many outfits that would do that.
In my experience, LP Gear isn't anything like that service-wise.
Their customer service is crazy. I bought a table on ebay with "a new stylus from turntableneedles.com". Seller had bought the wrong stylus. I called turntableneedles.com and asked if I could exchange the stylus for the right one, and they said they'd take a look at it and if it passed inspection, exchange it. It did, and they did. Doubt there are many outfits that would do that.
In my experience, LP Gear isn't anything like that service-wise.
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I didn’t have great experiences before, but decided to order again anyway. I got an email after a few days that the Nagaoka stylus was out of stock. I responded that I wanted the order cancelled, but I have yet to see a refund on my credit card after 5 days although it was charged for then stylus immediately as soon as the order was placed. Charges are processed MUCH more quickly than refunds. A Jico stylus ordered at the same time from LP Tunes has still not been shipped, a week after the order, although I was charged for that as well. They have a good deal going with the float on customer accounts.
Ordered mine, shipped in 2 days, due to arrive today (3 days after ship), but I'm in the West. Update: Not LPTunes fault, but USPS sent the item to my State, then off to the West Coast (Seattle), and now is due today. So Nevada, to Colorado, then to Washington, then back to Colorado (great work USPS)!
Update #2: Took 13 days total to receive due to USPS. Left my State, then took it's sweet ass time coming back.
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Giarcpnw
Active Member
Just an update: Weekly emails, fax and I actually found a phone number for them and left a message, even though it says they don't check it often and to send an email.
This is over a month now of more effort than any one customer should have to make to resolve an issue with a vendor.
I'm glad you guys are getting your shipments, I got mine in a week also. Just pray there's not a problem with the order.....
I did submit to the BBB but that can take months to resolve if they choose to at all. I can't honestly recommend LP Gear any longer even if/when they resolve this.
Bummer.
This is over a month now of more effort than any one customer should have to make to resolve an issue with a vendor.
I'm glad you guys are getting your shipments, I got mine in a week also. Just pray there's not a problem with the order.....
I did submit to the BBB but that can take months to resolve if they choose to at all. I can't honestly recommend LP Gear any longer even if/when they resolve this.
Bummer.
Garretts91
Member
Be cautious ordering from them or LP-Tunes. If they send you what you ordered they're both fine. Good prices and fast handling. If you don't receive what you ordered it can be an absolute PITA to get them to do anything about it.
I ordered an ADC XLM MK3 stylus and received an XLM Integra stylus. It's been a month. All my emails have gone unanswered.. I even found their phone number (kind of difficult) and left a message.
I don't give up easily, at this point I've just decided to eat it and not deal with them again. I ordered from them twice before with no issues, to bad.
I ordered an ADC XLM MK3 stylus and received an XLM Integra stylus. It's been a month. All my emails have gone unanswered.. I even found their phone number (kind of difficult) and left a message.
I don't give up easily, at this point I've just decided to eat it and not deal with them again. I ordered from them twice before with no issues, to bad.
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Garretts91
Member
Solid idea, I regret using my debit card.
Giarcpnw
Active Member
I used a gift card. Doubly sad. They have me by the tone arm.
I was notified that both the stylus I ordered from LP Gear and the one I ordered from LP Tunes (both last week) are out of stock. It seems that everything I order from the sites is out of stock and I get the charges refunded about 2-3 weeks after I am charged for the nonexistent merchandise.
patient_ot
Super Member
BBB is a joke. Call the consumer division of the state Attorney General's office where LPGear is located and the one in your state too. Then call your bank. That will light a fire under their ass.
Giarcpnw
Active Member
Well, I finally received the stylus i ordered so they made good after I complained on the BBB website but to be honest, the new stylus looks exactly like the cheaper one they sent me before. The packaging is the new more expensive one but you could fool me. So.....due to this whole fiasco i've completely lost faith in them. Buyer beware with LP Gear from now on.
bimasta
Addicted Member
Just got a stylus from LP Tunes. Four days; not bad. Price only half of any other site, including their parent LP Gear.
Cartridge was an AKG P8ES, exalted in its day and mine is NOS. But original styli hardened to stone — unplayable, useless.
The new stylus from Tunes shows me why this cart was so highly esteemed. Right out of the box it was as good as the Van den Hul MC10 I was using (too soon for a thorough comparison, let it break in first). Fit 'n finish immaculate. Couldn't be happier.
Cartridge was an AKG P8ES, exalted in its day and mine is NOS. But original styli hardened to stone — unplayable, useless.
The new stylus from Tunes shows me why this cart was so highly esteemed. Right out of the box it was as good as the Van den Hul MC10 I was using (too soon for a thorough comparison, let it break in first). Fit 'n finish immaculate. Couldn't be happier.
Old thread but I have ordered a good bit of miscellaneous stuff from LP gear over the years. I needed another headshell (their zupreme) which I have ordered before. It shipped out quick but is the wrong item. Vastly different than what I ordered. I have tried reaching out but nothing. They have no way to request a return on their website. Never had an issue before but out of curiosity I checked the BB reports and it's not pretty. I hope they get it together. I'll update the result.
