Hello there and thanks to you all once again for tuning into yet another episode of the Brother Timothy Clark Podcast.
On Monday, November 25th, I placed an order for the Tech21 RK5 V2 from Sweetwater. I was absolutely thrilled about it. The anticipation of receiving such a versatile piece of equipment was palpable—it’s not every day you invest in a tool that offers so much flexibility. But here we are, November 30th, and it’s still not in my hands. Why? Because, according to Sweetwater, the USPS lost it. That’s right—lost a package worth over $300.
However, the situation gets even more puzzling. I was told by a Sweetwater representative that their USPS office said that they did not receive my package. So, if they never got it in the first place, that tells me a lot. If I visit the USPS tracking website, it clearly indicates that they’re still waiting for the shipper to provide the package. To me, this strongly suggests that Sweetwater never actually shipped it. Now, I’m not trying to point fingers without evidence, but if USPS says they didn’t get it, and Sweetwater says USPS lost it, the stories simply don’t align.
Adding to the frustration, Sweetwater has informed me that they can’t replace the unit because, according to them, the RK5 V2 is now discontinued in their inventory. This raises a very important question: how did they manage to sell me one in the first place if they knew it was discontinued? The math just doesn’t add up. If it was a rare last-in-stock item, wouldn’t they have ensured extra care in shipping? And if they were out of stock, why let me buy it at all? The whole scenario reeks of poor coordination at best.
To Sweetwater’s credit, they’ve promised to refund my money. That’s something, at least. But truthfully, I didn’t want a refund—I wanted the RK5 V2. This pedal was a dream purchase for me. The ability to have a reliable fuzz, a solid FET compressor, and all my essential effects on one compact unit, minus the SansAmp, was exactly what I needed. Alas, it seems this is not meant to be, at least not through Sweetwater.
If you’re interested in hearing the full saga, I’ve even included my call with John from Sweetwater in today’s episode of The Brother Timothy Clark Podcast . I’ll let you judge for yourself how the conversation went, but I’ll be honest: it didn’t leave me with a great impression. After years of being a loyal customer, this experience is disappointing, to say the least. I’ve come to expect better service from a company that prides itself on customer care.
I understand that mistakes happen, but this situation has been handled poorly from start to finish. Whether it’s a breakdown in communication, inventory management, or shipping logistics, this wasn’t good business. It’s a real shame, because I’ve trusted Sweetwater for so many of my musical needs over the years. But now I’m left questioning if I should continue to do so in the future.
Like how does this even happen? I just don't get it.
Contact me by emailing
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or by checking out my website
timothyclarkmusic.wordpress.com
and I am Timothy thanking you for listening to yet another episode of the Brother Timothy Clark Podcast.
