ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

[OLSONGO]

Nice materials , Ugly, ugly and cumbersome design. The wood is awesome, which I could say the same for the rest. If given to me I would change the hardware. Need some one in R & D with some knowledge in aesthetics and ergonomics .

Peace
Olsongo

[bigsxc]

So Mario originally told me that he shipped my Requinto to me on April 28 via Hyde Shipping. Hyde goes from Belize to Florida.

Since I never received it I contacted Hyde who said they had no record of the shipment. I followed up with Mario a few days back and got this e-mail today:

"I had to see what was the hold up on getting me info so I pulled your drum and just paid the extra money and sent it on a plane. I have a copy of the paperwork. I will send you a copy of it. However your baby is gone. Sorry for the bumpy start but it seems to be the pattern here. Thank God I figured it out. Took six months!!!!! Ha Ha!!!!!!! Don't worry she is gone. Thank Bro."

From this incoherent response I still don't know when it was shipped or by what means. Does he mean it was just sitting at Hyde and he pulled it sent it on a plane? Who knows.

So have you recieved your drum yet? I'm in the same boat! I'm actually really irritated!!!

[bigsxc]

Hey All,

New to the site! I also have ordered a Conga from Mario it has been over three months! It is in the process of delivery to Nc through Hyde Shipping. After reading your post I'm like totally ready to puke! I've heard good things about the drums and I was sold! Now I'm wondering should I have just spared myself a headache and bought a set of Galaxy's? Has anyone recieved their drums from Belize? I sure hope its worth it! I honestly must say though it maybe the last time after this drawn out experience.

Big on Customer Service

[sonorlite]

Here's the response from Mario from 5/18:

"I tried to send it with Hyde but they are so slow and you have been waiting 9 years so I pulled it and sent it straight to you. To your address. I put all your info on the box and in the paperwork. The thing is that there is no tracking here and it drives me crazy!!! But at least I know it is on a plane and I think it will be handed over to UPS when it gets there. I won't know until you get it, that is why it is so important for you to tell me how you got it and when so that I will know how this system works here. I'm not on my computer so when I get on mine I'll send the copy."

Have not gotten the drum or any paperwork. Hyde is not slow, it's just 5 days from Belize to Florida. I have no information about what plane it was on and where it went. I paid for this in November.

[thomas newton]

Here's the response from Mario from 5/18:

"I tried to send it with Hyde but they are so slow and you have been waiting 9 years so I pulled it and sent it straight to you. To your address. I put all your info on the box and in the paperwork. The thing is that there is no tracking here and it drives me crazy!!! But at least I know it is on a plane and I think it will be handed over to UPS when it gets there. I won't know until you get it, that is why it is so important for you to tell me how you got it and when so that I will know how this system works here. I'm not on my computer so when I get on mine I'll send the copy."

Have not gotten the drum or any paperwork. Hyde is not slow, it's just 5 days from Belize to Florida. I have no information about what plane it was on and where it went. I paid for this in November.

Guys, I do understand your concerns but can't help thinking it would be better for you to sort things out with Mario rather than post here a one-sided, blow-by-blow account of your dealings with him. Maybe fill us in later when things are settled.

Quoting private email, challenging the truthfulness of people's statements publicly and generally being critical of a person when they are not there to defend themselves or offer an alternative viewpoint isn't going to lead anywhere positive imo.

[RitmoBoricua]

I am tired of the ranting too, enough is enough. This should be handled privately. Take Care and I Hope Your Drum(s)Arrive Soon. Peace Out....

[Dangler]

Here's the response from Mario from 5/18:

"I tried to send it with Hyde but they are so slow and you have been waiting 9 years so I pulled it and sent it straight to you. To your address. I put all your info on the box and in the paperwork. The thing is that there is no tracking here and it drives me crazy!!! But at least I know it is on a plane and I think it will be handed over to UPS when it gets there. I won't know until you get it, that is why it is so important for you to tell me how you got it and when so that I will know how this system works here. I'm not on my computer so when I get on mine I'll send the copy."

Have not gotten the drum or any paperwork. Hyde is not slow, it's just 5 days from Belize to Florida. I have no information about what plane it was on and where it went. I paid for this in November.

Guys, I do understand your concerns but can't help thinking it would be better for you to sort things out with Mario rather than post here a one-sided, blow-by-blow account of your dealings with him. Maybe fill us in later when things are settled.

Quoting private email, challenging the truthfulness of people's statements publicly and generally being critical of a person when they are not there to defend themselves or offer an alternative viewpoint isn't going to lead anywhere positive imo.

I for one am glad that these Isla customers have been sharing their experiences with us.I was considering buying Isla but after hearing the stories/excuses I will definitely not be dealing with this Mario character.
There is internet in Belize and he is aware of this forum.It doesn't have to be a one-sided story, and I'm sure the people voicing concerns would love to have communication with him either here or privately but Mario chooses not to. And from all the crap excuses I've heard here I'm guessing he chooses not to communicate so he doesn't have to give another lame excuse for not delivering to all his anxious customers.
What other alternative do his customers have? He's got their money in Belize and is not following through with his promises.Are they just supposed to quietly sit around and hope for the best?

[thomas newton]

Are they just supposed to quietly sit around and hope for the best?

There are 2 issues, the time it takes to get drums from Mario - this long wait time is well documented in this thread and others, so all I can say is that those complaining about that is that they need to lurk more - and the 'lost' requinto which is a real problem yes, but trying to sort that out in this thread won't achieve much that is positive imo.

Not going to say more on it. Hope things get sorted out for everyone soon.

[bongosnotbombs]

Sounds to me like Mario is simply having a few problems shipping this man's quinto to him from his new factory in Belize. I can't understand why such a big deal is being made over it.

[Congadelica]

+1 Bnb

[SpEd]

I believe these issues to be growing pains from the move.... I'm expecting my Isla order to be finished sometime in June, and expect shipping details will be worked out by then.

[vinnieL]

Truth be told Isla is not suffering from growing pains and moving this is an ongoing issue that goes way back. I myself got a million excuses with my drums anyone see a pattern here? My feeling is that Isla should stop posting a 90 day turn around time on their website. I have personally spoken to someone from congaplace on the phone and we shared our views of Isla and came to similar conclusions and it appears that after speaking to this gentleman quite some time ago Isla has still not made things right for him. I am not surprised.

[pcastag]

A forum is just what it is a "FORUM" where people discuss their experiences, good and bad. Unfortunately it seems as though there are some delivery issues with Mario and his drums, acceptable to discuss here I would presume since a lot of people probably made their decisions to buy his drums based on what they read and heard about the product here. If everything gets resolved then I'm sure these same folks will probably chime in to say drums arived OK, if not then he'll just have to deal with the business repercussions, cost of doing business in the modern world. Hope they arrive allright, I'm anxious to hear some reviews of the ziracote and mahogany drums.
PC

[bigsxc]

Not bashing the Brother but it is a serious concern. The consumer is asked to step out on Faith with a deposit and Full payment before shipping. That's a lot to ask considering a lot of companies we all use have immediate resolutions and customer contact. I for one am not rich and I'm a family man. Who has put in many work hours and sacrifices to get the Drums of my Desire. I'm Blessed to be able to make a purchase LIKE THIS! In all fairness things really could of been diagnosed before a move like this to make for a more comforting customer relation. Volkswagon isn't going to move to Mexico without making sure it can get its vehicles to the dealers in a timely fashion. If I lose ,I lose, but again it will be another reason why My faith is in God and not in Man. Step it Up Mario I'm pulling for ya!

[sonorlite]

My concern is less the length of time it has taken and more the lack of straightforward communication. I have ordered enough other custom made products (knives, leather jackets, etc) to understand that timetables given in advance aren't always maintained.

What irritates me when the supplier of whatever I ordered either does not respond to inquiries at all or gives conflicting answers. Isla is the first custom maker I have dealt with that required payment in full upfront including shipping and I should have not agreed to that after the move to Belize, that's my own fault.

I too hope this all works out for Mario as my conversations with him before the move were always very pleasant.