Is Borsini dead or alive?

[Jibberin]

Hi
Sorry to hear the bad news.
I too would consider my local MEP to see what they can do.
Also, to establish what happens to failed business in Italy I would consider ringing the Italian Embassy in London to see if they can point you in the right direction. There must be a procedure for a failed business and to stand any chance of recompense you will needs to find out the system.
If you paid by credit card then that might offer some hope
Finally, sometimes you have free legal advice with your home insurance. If you're a member of Which Magazine they too give legal advice
Good luck

 

[Brian K W Lightowler]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments so far : all noted. Payment in my case was international bank transfer. I wish I could be convinced that dealers in the UK generally possess the scrupulosity and helpfulness of Stephen, I presume from the USA. My experience of trying to buy an instrument of quality, of which I have bought several over the years, always involves an unseen and often lengthy orders with substantial prepayment. UK dealers I have ever come across never hold stocks of high end gear for demo, discussion or immediate sale and sadly being an accordion dealer in the UK does not guarantee probity. It sounds refreshingly different in America. A few years ago I bought an instrument from a Manchester dealer who went bust but fortunately I was able to "pay him a visit" and got my money back ahead of the receivers. Perversely I've done much better out of car dealers who in UK have a music hall reputation for shady practice. That's my excuse for dealing direct with the Borsini's who seemed nice enough people and have the quality instrument I'm looking for. I know the message is trust nobody an you won't be disappointed, particularly in the accordion world where nothing sounds what is says on the box! Brian

 

[donn]

It's my impression that Italian makers do a fair amount of direct sales business. My guess would be that in the present case there isn't a thing a dealer could do to resolve the situation. The likely situation right now, I'm guessing, is that there's no accordion, there's no money in any account to write a refund check, in essence there's not even an owner to discuss matters with, and matters are no longer subject any external influence from owners, dealers, distributors. Someone with an inside contact might be able to rescue the old accordion with the defective free bass switch, if that's still intact.

As for where people are? Some of us address this in our account configuration so you can see where we are posting from, but failing that I think the odds are better that we're in the UK or Europe, not so much the US or Canada, though of course there are a number of us here. Sadly, few if any from Italy. Italy had its own accordion forum. It died, but seems to have come back, so that's where they'll be.

 

[Brian K W Lightowler]

My enquiries into the Borsini collapse turned up a catalogue of dishonesty and some bizarre scandalous stories of the family which if true would make the basis of a good movie. As expected I spoke to a number of folk in the business who said they would never have dealt with the Borsini's. The U.K. embassy advise that I engage a lawyer to pursue the case and although it is tempting to chase justice as a matter of principle, the cost estimates substantially exceed the new superstar they have stolen from me. It is a great shame that such a formerly respected company should leave the stage in dishonour and disgrace. I would be interested to hear from other creditors.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Brian,

I am so sorry to learn about the predicament you find yourself in, and wish that things could have been different. It certainly seems as if you have lost both your cash and your instrument, and I cannot think of any possible redress.

Ordering through a UK dealer would have given you more protection, as your contract would have been with that dealer. Still, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I really hope that you get a satisfactory resolution.

Kind Regards,

Stephen Hawkins.

 

[Brian K W Lightowler]

Your words of comfort are appreciated Stephen and thank you for valued support.
I agree that a contract with a dealer whom you have a more direct contact, possibly in the same country would have a different flavour but I have to say that if the dealer goes bust during a transaction, money is money is money. Bankruptcy in the UK often means that creditor gets nothing and the wheeler/dealer walks away to start another day with another bunch of mugs. I had a close one with a Manchester music shop about 20 years ago. In short, I purchased a new instrument and was persuaded that he would market my trade in as he said he couldn't take it as part-ex (naively I fell for that one). Seemingly my old instrument had been sold via the trade and I became aware that the shop suddenly closed. In my case swift direct action retrieved my situation but I heard other hapless customers lost out and the individual moved onto pastures new. So whilst I can see a middle man may enable more information about the trading chain, equally it may also complicate the situation. Either way integrity and honesty though the system is important. Hence in many things I have grown into the adage that if your trust nobody, then if something works it's a bonus.
Brian (still alive and squeezin')

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Brian,

I'm happy that you are being philosophical about your upset, and feel certain that you will rise above it.

Pete at the Accordion Shop in Rochdale seems to be a nice sort of chap. I have chatted with him a number of times, and he has always been helpful and friendly.

It is difficult to trust anyone so soon after you have been let down but, life goes on, and we must put our trust in people of good repute.

I do hope that you can find a solution to this affair, and that your loss is not too great. The accordion you sent to Italy remains your property in the eyes of the law, and you may consider asking the Police if they can assist in any way. Just a thought.

Kind Regards,

Stephen Hawkins.