Message Board

Like the title says. See if Maury leaves this up.

Thank you for your comment but this is incorrect. We mystery-shop the competition weekly and MFG is not cheaper than us. No one is. In addition, we offer a much longer approval period, free shipping and unlike them we do not charge a 5% fee on returned guitars.

We are always be happy to beat Maury's prices-provided he has the guitar in stock, but he normally does not have guitars in stock - he has to drive to the factory to get them as people order them - and Martin is frequently out of stock an many guitars so he is unable to get them because he has no inventory beyond a few instruments. We have 200 or more in stock at all times. Our approval period is the same as most large dealers. I wonder how long this post will stay up? My guess is not too long. :OD Jon Garon

I have no objection to this post staying up, but some details must be corrected. We regularly stock 20-30 Martins and in addition to same-day shipping on those, we also drive to Martin to pick up any models we might need, when connecting customers with brand-new Martins fresh from Martin's QC. Martin checks 'em out, I double-check 'em, set them up and they're ready to begin their first and only shipping trip. No other customer plays your guitar before you, and its only shipped once. Since we don't carry hundreds of guitars in stock, we're able to offer lower prices, and we never have to try and sell customers on something that's been here too long. Martin has PLENTY of guitars in stock, and we're never more than 1 day away from them. We only pay outbound shipping on Martins and that lowers our bottom line as well. Jon has no idea what inventory I have, yet he's here with "the facts"? If Jon only beats our prices when we have the guitar in stock, doesn't that mean he doesn't beat our prices other times? This thread has no expiration date but we must keep the facts accurate. Thank you.

Wow..............this is beyond words.........I call it libel.

Jon, this is very low of you. No matter what your beef is it makes you look really bad.

Taylordude, you're entitled to you personal endorsement of MFG but the title of this thread is still untrue and I will correct any and every bit of misinformation in this or any thread on my website. When you consider that we stock MANY more guitars than Jon wants you to think, plus we can get a TON of Martin models with 1 day's notice, I must correct you on that too... MFG certainly does not offer a bigger selection. Our customer service speaks for itself so I don't have to defend that here. Thank you for understanding and you're welcome back here anytime. Competition is a good thing and it has no doubt helped us become one of Martin's top dealers.

I would have expected more class than that from Jon ... what a let down.

Maury
I just want to let you know that letting this "POS" Piece of SH*T post an Advertisement on your website is crazy. I know that you really think that letting him post here and daring you to leave his Advertisement on your site is the thing to do. However , what do you think would happen if you did the same at his site. I know at this point he would say "oh yeah that's great" but that's not how it works. All he is trying do is build his business and try and make you look like a fool. The one looking for business and daring you to leave his BS on your website and steal your business can't be doing all that well. All I can say is that you are the better businessman and as a new customer I am 100% loyal to you and your business practices. I would delete this post and don't let him pull his bs on your site.

Your Friend and Loyal Customer
Joe

I haven't purchased from Maury or MFG but I will say it takes a very confident person to leave a competitor's post up.. especially with the tone that on expresses.
As to Maury or anyone driving to the factory to pick up any guitar...hey thats one way of doing it to ensure you are getting a good quality instrument with no issues...I applaud you Maury if that is what you in fact do to ensure your customers have no issues on thei new instruments.

Well Jon, I bought a Gallagher from you a few years ago and that will be my last. I'm thinking about buying a Martin 000-28VS... I'd be happy to wait a few months and have Maury pick it up at the Martin factory. Since you were worried about Maury deleting this post, I'll be sure to direct my fellow AGF'ers to your classless post!

The above comments by Jon Garon were pathetic. I've known Jon for a number of years, and have done business with him in the past. Jumping into a fellow businessman's site and railing seems so tacky, and out of character for him. I can't imagine this bringing Jon any new business. Maybe a cocktail too many?!? Maury, I have been planning on an eventual purchase, and it was between you & Jon. However, I don't like the tone of Jon's or his co-hort's posts. I guess you win all the way around here...

This kind of dialog is better suited to a couple of car dealers. I've done business with both of these dealers and been very happy with all of my transactions. I think each has it's niche and they both do a fine job within that context. Maury responded to the original post with his take on the subject and Jon followed suit. This is Maury's site but it is not his internet. As a veteran of over 30 years in sales, I can tell you that tearing down the competition is not the way to build your business. Sometimes you have to walk a fine line on what you DO say because some people who are not in sales will interpret whatever you're saying as knocking the other guy if all you do is mention his name. Turn down the smoke; there's no fire here.

Bud Altman

I am betting the post attributed to JG above was not submitted by JG.

That said, I've purchased a couple of guitars from Maury and many accessories. I will continue to do so.

Thanks for the HumidiPaks and strings Maury! I bought three new ones this past week to replace a few I had given my brother in law.

Best,

Michael

Maury's since day 1, has always been the defacto retail outlet for the UMGF. Maury will only sell to UMGF members in good standing so as not to offend the Moderators, whereas Jon will do business with anyone and in good faith. Jon gets my business.

Maury's since day 1, has always been the defacto retail outlet for the UMGF. Maury will only sell to UMGF members in good standing (so as not to offend the Moderators and the referrals they send), whereas Jon will do business with anyone and in good faith. Jon gets my business.

I don't even know what the UMGF is... and my Martin purchase from Maury went just fine!

Tubes, the UMGF is the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum. Its a group of Martin guitar enthusiasts that's been around since 2001 and it can be found at www.UMGF.com. I'm proud to be a member there and I'm very fortunate to enjoy a great reputation there. I encourage you to check it out.

Old Dog, (may I assume you're also R.O.?) Your accusations are entirely untrue and in poor taste. If you want to come back here, please bring facts and an apology.

I invite anyone elase reading this to visit the UMGF for accurate information on this subject.

I've bought from both stores; customer services and being communicated with in a professional manner is important to me. I will buy only from Maury from now on.

I'm new to this forum. Who is MFG? What is it short for? I understand there are certain online or brick & mortar store people swear by. I never buy locally, there are 3 Music Stores here in Dothan, Al. and I cannot get one of them to budge off Full Retail. I only order online and the lowest discount I usually get is 20% off sometimes 25% depends what I'm buying.

HAHA this is absolutely hilarious. Jon, wow. You sure do know how to make yourself look stupid. If you can play guitar better than you can make yourself look stupid, than you must be pretty dang good. All that aside, your prices don't TOUGH Maurys. You have audio, he has video. It just seems as if everything you do, Maury does a little bit better. Well, except for price, he does A LOT better. But keep trying, don't give up! Maybe one day you can be as good of a dealer as Maury! But posting on a competitors website?? Thats like kissing your best friends mom.... in his bedroom.... on his bed.... YOU DONT DO IT. Hey Maury, it just goes to show that he is struggling in competing with you, because you don't post on other peoples website that you are dominating do you? Think about it. Hope you get some other business Jon because you aren't getting my future $3000 purchase next week, Maury is.

Tubes,

The UMGF is somewhat dedicated to the discussion of Martin Guitars. It is also an online chapel and its membership can mostly be summarized by the 3 G'S.

GUITARS, GUNS & GOD - and not necessarily in that order.

I have to say I am blown away by this thread. I discovered Maury's through the UMGF after reading some reviews on the D-28P. After I read some reviews of Maury's and realized how close they are to the Martin factory I decided this is where I am getting my next guitar. I have dealt with online dealers like Artisan in Franklin, TN and purchased a Gallagher(good luck with intonation and service) and a Santa Cruz and the entire experience was fantastic.I haven't dealt with Maury yet but I will and one thing I can assure you of is I will never deal with MFG. That post from Jon has got to be the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen and I just posted it to Yelp. Enjoy your first review Jon! I mean Jon are you 12 ? Really, really low and pathetic. And how is "he has to drive to the factory to get them as people order them" that a negative ? Jon! Here it is: http://www.yelp.com/biz/my-favorite-guitars-naples#hrid:xoLJiV8hy-5-cAi4eiCvkQ

I plan on buying many more guitars in my lifetime, and this post just made deciding who to do business with easier. As a person with a pocket full of change that has never dealt with either business before, I can only say that flaming another business owner on their own store's site is not a great way to gain a new customer. Just sayin. Keep rockin Maury, there are Martins I need and I'm buying em from you.

Jon Garon.... I'm really glad he has shown us all the real Jon. He has tried to keep it hidden for so long but it's bigger than him. A flawed personality like that can't stay hidden forever, it has to surface sooner or later, thank goodness it was here for the world to see... Poor Bast_ _ _, LOL! This attempt to harm his fellow dealer has resulted in him actually selling a heck of a lot of guitars for Maury.... that's justice at it's finest!
I've seen this darker side a couple times before, he tried to guilt me into buying one of those Custom OM28's of his. I didn't care for the Herringbone so much on that batch. He tried to shame me into buying it any way until I called him on it and broke off any further dealings with him in the future. I'll never deal with him again.

That bit about Maury not working with members in poor standing with the UMGF is crap. I take it as Maury and the UMGF Forum are wanting to keep scammers as far from everyone & their web sites as possible. Good for them! Jon bragged that he alone is willing to "take them in" His only interest in them is to try & sell them a guitar, lol. I think we are all able to see that one!

I ordered my first guitar from Maury at about 3AM this morning. An OM28 Marquis & it will be here in 2 just days. It shipped today, amazing! I am planning to order my next guitar in 8 to 12 weeks if all goes well. I'm wanting a 0028VS or this same guitar with all the Golden Era appointments if they have a model like this without going with a Custom Shop guitar. Anyone who has one of these guitars, I'd really like to talk with you a little bit & find out how you like yours.... at thmpick@gmail.com

Thanks to All!

Is MFG still in business?

Hello? Anyone? Bueller?

Is this thing on??

I've purchased from both Maury (twice) and Jon (once).

My first purchase from Maury was a custom D12-28, which did not arrive as ordered through no fault of Maury's. Maury, stand-up guy that he is arranged for another 12-string to be shipped from AUSTRALIA at his expense and let me keep it until the D12-28 custom order was corrected, HOW MANY DEALERS WOULD DO THAT FOR YOU?

My order from Jon was flawless and I was very happy with the product.

I would have NO PROBLEM purchasing from EITHER DEALER in the future.

Matt B.

Price is not he only thing we have to consider before buying. There are many others reasons to choose a dealer.

When you live outside the USA, and ask a dealer for an expensive guitar, if the dealer only reply : "Sorry, we do not ship internationally",
you can't consider him as a "great dealer".

Wow,
This post has probably been great advertisement for Maury.
Actually this post helped me decide who I would buy from. Maury or MF. Mmmm?
The guy from MF is probably a hot head for posting something like he did therefore he would not be a good choice to deal with. I knew if I had a problem in the future I would be the loser since all hot heads have to be right even if they are wrong.
By Maury replying like he did and leaving up this post, it shows me what kind of person he is. A cool level headed, straight forward, honest dealing guy. Maury got my $3089. dollar order (Martin d-41 Special and a set of bone pins). I am not in the least sorry and my guitar is absolutely amazing. It sounds better than my hd-28!!Thanks Maury!!!

I agree, I just ordered a new OMCPA1 from Maury and part of my reason for buying here was the posts I have read. Not so much from what Jon/MFG has posted (even if it was really MFG) but how all of you have rallied around Maury. I will have to defer weighting in my purchase experience until I receive my new Martin. Then to offer my Kudos.

Mark D.
Austin, TX

I have searched this site for a guitar that I can afford to play. Unfortunately, the Blueridge line does not come in a left handed version of the model I wanted. So, after countless hours on youtube listening to the differences between the Taylor 714CE and The Martin HD-28, I have decided on a Martin HD-28 Left handed. Since I live in Northern Maine where there are no music shops I must shop online. Some say I should travel to a shop and try the guitar before purchasing it, but living on a dairy farm prohibits me from being away for more than...three seconds. I need an honest shop that can inspect and setup my new guitar for my old tired hands. (I have difficulties while hybrid picking bar cords) Okay, I have trouble with bar cords...period. I have looked at MFJ and Maury's music. I can't tell you who is better with price, but I can tell you a lot about business ethics. Jon, an honest man would not do what you have done here in the essence of good business practices. Therefore, my purchase will be with Maury's music as they have answered my countless emails with warm regards and honest information.
This entry may not sway anyone's purchase, but you entries sure have swayed mine.
Thank you,
Bob Mycroft

And THAT is a thoughtfully written response. You have articulated my thoughts with feeling, Mr. Mycroft. Maury's will be handling my purchase of a new om-21 special as well.

All of of the responses citing MFG's "superiority" left me feeling a little dirty.

I just spoke with CF Martin. They had good things to say about Maury, not because he's an authorized dealer, but because there wasn't anything bad or dishonest to say about him. It's just poor form to downgrade a competitor, just to put a question mark in a customer's mind. Maury seems to spell out everything on his website, if you'd only take the time to read it. I'm looking forward to purchasing a HD-28, without any reservations. Except, please God, don't let everyone who handles it between Maury and me screw it up.

Just completed a transaction with Maury. I'm an 'older' dude w/ too much experience finding 'hype trumps substance'.

I was expecting a lot from this transaction, likely much more than his average customer. I moved ahead based solely on his word. That's a huge risk in the E-marketplace, these days.

Maury kept his word, to the letter, and then some. It simply CAN NOT get any better ..... I don't care what you hear or what you are promised.

You read and follow his parameters for conducting and decide if they suit you. If so, I can attest he will live up to the letter and he WILL DELIVER WHAT HE PROMISES !

If you're a 'first-timer', as I was, and you have doubts about his integrity and ethics ?? Forget about em, all of them .... you're dealing with a man who stands heads above most all others and, that certainly, and specifically, includes many of the product manufacturers.

I'll be dealing with Maury, again ....

I have been looking forward to own a Martin DCPA4 and hope I can get the information I need from this web site as they claim they help you through the whole process. I decided to read this forum and came across this string of messages. I have never heard of Jon or his company and until today I had never heard of Mauri's. I hope I have a good experience in making my purchase decision with Mauri's as he seems a good dealer to do business with according to current customers.

I am not getting in this war with MFG but I can state for the record that MFG has a D45 listed at $7500 and Mr. Maury just provided me with a custom shop D 45 well below that price and we aren't talking one or two dollars either.The service from Maury was excellent, and I will be reccomending His store from the moutaintops.

Someone made me aware of this particular thread/ message. It doesn't seem like a successful businessman in their right mind would ever leave a message like this. For 1 thing the punctuation is bad in his message, like someone who can barely spell English properly. Who is to say this wasn't left by someone playing games? I'm not buying it. Not sticking up for anyone here.... just pondering that it was not really Jon Garron that left the message. Anyone know for sure???

I am in the market for a new Martin. After reading through this thread it is quite obvious to me that Maury will definitely get my business. I was referred to him by the good folks at UMGF and was considering either MFG or Maury. No contest now. Get my Martin D-28 Marquis ready 'cause I'm ordering soon.

I've purchased Martins from Maury, going back to 2003 when he and Lori were just getting into business. He's always shot straight with me, given me great prices and great service. The guitars I've bought from him include my 00-18VS UMGF Custom, my 000-42 sunburst, and my 000-18GE sunburst. Unless another dealer miraculously has a particular lefty model in stock AND has a good price, Maury will get my business every time.

Jon at MFG does like buyers to contact other dealers willing to answer questions and concerns but expects after other dealers have answered questions the buyer come back to Jon and purchase guitars! Not good!

hi im new

I bought my OM42 from Maury because of this thread. Got the best price, wonderful customer service and fast shipping. Maury actually replied to one of my many emails at 10:30PM within minutes.

I purchased a few Martin Guitars from Jon at MFG in Florida 4 or 5 years ago. One was a signature mdl, it came with the wrong neck and pickguard. Shortly after that I called him about another Guitar that I owned and wanted to trade in on one he had. When I told him where I had bought the guitar that's when the real Jon showed up. He was very arrogant and opinionated about the deal I had made with another supplier.
( I think he puts mouth in gear before his brain )
Anyway, no more deals for me with MFG

I have never bought anything from Maury's but I plan on it very soon because everything I hear about them is POSITIVE.

I had a great experience with Maury on an hd28.

I read through this post a few months ago. My first thought was that this was a losing proposition for Maury. (leaving this thread up) Why should he have to defend his business on his own web site. But the more I read, the more I knew that I would buy my next guitar from him.

Then I started to read about Maury on UMGF.com and acousticguitarforum.com. Holy Mackerel, EVERYBODY loves this guy. Everybody trusts this guy. Everybody is getting an unbelievable deal from him.

So then the time came for my next purchase. I saw a model on his website, and had some questions. He called me back personally. He listened to my concerns and said "this may not be the right one for you, but I have another coming in shortly". Who else would do that?

I have now spoken with Maury, Heather and Angelo. I am always treated with respect and patience. The price was rock bottom, and I am very pleased with my purchase. I will highly recommend Maury's Music to anyone in the market for a new guitar.

Thank You Maury, Heather & Angelo

As an international customer, I e-mailed Maury asking for a price. He replied saying to make a phone call to him instead. I e-mailed MFG for a price, got an e-mail reply within minutes. Ended up purchasing from MGF. Just as feedback, it'd be good if Maury replied to e-mails with what the customer is asking, as I don't usually feel comfortable talking over the telephone.

I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Anonymous, but you'll notice on the page where you filled out our email form, we clearly state that we don't ship internationally. You didn't need to call OR email us for the answer. But I do regret not being able to help you. Best of luck, and I'm glad you found what you were looking for.

I've never had an issue with Maury being non-responsive. He's always gotten back to me within the hour, usually within minutes even. I've been doing business with Maury for 4 years now and will not go anywhere else if I'm looking for a new Martin.

Maury along with Jim at Trinity Guitars (no affiliation with either other than as a customer) are some of the few remaining dealers who sell (and regularly ship) Martins at what they should be selling for. It seems that nearly all Martin dealers are jumping on the MF/GC pricing strategy and people no longer know any better because that's what they see when the search on the internet. Props to Maury and Jim for continuing to sell these guitars at fair prices, posting pictures of the individual guitars and providing excellent customer service.

Wow, i cant believe Jon came on here and said what he said. How unprofessional and childish. Cheaper at MFG? Just a day ago I asked for a price on an OMJM from MFG, Elderly and Maurys.

Out of these 3 places MFG wanted the most and Maurys was the cheapest.