Does anyone have a current phone number or email for Sam Murray?
In 2007, Sam Murray called me and asked that I sell his flutes for him. I told him I’d be happy to and we agreed to pricing and a delivery schedules.
He then said he needed money. No problem…I sent him quite a lot of money and he eventually (8 months later than his commitment) sent me a few flutes. I never received the rest of the flutes that I paid for.
Long story short, I now call Sam once or twice a year and we talk about the fact that he either owes me some flutes or $2170. He does his charming, bewildered Irishman routine and promises that “they’ll be off next month for sure.” We’ve been doing this for about six years now. It’s getting a little old.
Anyway, I’ve lost his number (he never responds to emails) and it’s time for the semi-annual phone call so he can promise me “they’ll be off next month for sure.” again. If anyone has a way to get ahold of him, I’d be grateful. Better yet, if you have his wife’s or son Sean’s phone number maybe they can get somewhere with him.
Add this to all the other threads about Mr. Murray!
I was wondering why you had to pay him for flutes that you were selling FOR him. Not a big deal if you don’t want to answer, but I thought you generally did consignments on a percentage of the sale basis. (You’ve always been great to me, btw!)
I was wondering when I saw them on your site awhile ago. I thought it was strange but I didn’t know how strange. I met him in Galway City at a pub about 7 years ago and he said at that time that his waiting list was about 6 months, I am glad I didn’t bite I would still be waiting. You have always been a very honest and kind man. So much for karma. I hope you get this settled soon but it doesn’t sound good. I saw him at a pub last July during the day and although I didn’t talk to him this time he looked a little rough.
edited: It has been brought to my attention that not everyone knows what I meant by the word rough. I meant tired or unwell. I greatly apologize for any other interpretation.
I get Murrays from other folks on consignment occasionally. That’s probably what you saw. I haven’t had a flute from Sam since I paid for them in 2007.
Why on earth anyone would order a Flute from/deal with this bloke is beyond me .. The amount of grief that has been expressed by members on these pages over the years is large.
I’m sure that he makes very good Flutes and that he is a very nice man… but !
There’s heaps of Flute makers around the world that are good communicators and good Flute makers,are Sam Murrays’ Flutes THAT good that one would offer ones self up for the flogging that we so often read about ?
Sam has his defenders. I would not be surprised to see them saying this thread is “going south” and should be closed like the last one. I think that was unfortunate as I think the more horror stories that are brought out like those above serve to help potential customers overcome the normal human belief that for some reason they will be treated differently. Anyway, I accept the moderators’ decisions and think they have allowed enough to be said on the subject to move the word on Sam Murray from “disorganized” to something far worse.
Casey,
I appreciate your points about the frustrations builders face and believe you have earned an excellent reputation over the years. But to suggest at least some of the horror stories regarding Sam Murray may be coming from problem clients who want to bug him on Sunday morning is quite unfair. These stories go back years and come from people who write reasonably and responsibly or are as well known as Doc Jones. Now it is fair to say maybe he is ill and should be given some understanding for that. I’d be the first to wish him speedy recovery and accept that my “all but the rings finished flute” was delayed indefinitely. I only sent a deposit. But those who’ve had their flutes lost or not gotten one fully paid should speak up about the situation.
I don’t want a disagreement with you. I enjoy your posts and website and think your stories of problem cases were surely exceptional indeed. But I do think the consumer side needs to be defended here a little bit.
Casey, I think you know me well enough to know that I’m a pretty amiable and patient guy. I’m not unaware of or unsympathetic to Sam’s personal problems and I hope he can sort himself out, but there comes a point where one has to stop excusing bad behavior.
Just for clarification:
I am on a waiting list for a keyed flute from a famous maker. It’s been much longer than six years. I haven’t emailed him once. I have never called. If he takes another 5 years, I’ll be happy as a clam.
However, I am not on a waiting list for Sam. He contacted me, not the other way around.
He needed money and asked me to buy some flutes. He asked me to pay in advance for said flutes which I did. He said they’d arrive in a few weeks. Many months later I got a few. No problem…life happens.
He said the last two keyless flutes would ship in a month…they didn’t come for a year so I called to make sure he was OK. He seemed OK and said “They’ll be off next month.” I waited another year…etc…etc…etc… It’s now been over six years that I’m waiting for those last two keyless flutes.
I agree that these sorts of threads are unfortunate. I’ve hesitated to tell my story over the years even though many other threads have surfaced describing exactly the same sorts of problems with Sam.
At some point though, one has an obligation to protect others.
If Sam works this out, it will be my great pleasure to report here that all is well and that he’s just had a bad streak.
I agree that these sorts of threads are unfortunate
So why indulge in them? Surely, if you’re really committed to resolve the issue, the way to resolve this is a solicitor’s letter delivered to the workshop, not a public display that will resolve nothing published on an internet forum ?
Has anyone having issues with Sam actually tried to send him a typed or hand written letter via snail mail? It may just be that he doesn’t communicate well by any other method. There are a few of us craftspeople out there who haven’t fully embraced the Digital Age.
.. The amount of grief that has been expressed by members on these pages over the years is large.