AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Vinyl Circle => Topic started by: bacobits1 on 15 Oct 2019, 10:39 pm

Title: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: bacobits1 on 15 Oct 2019, 10:39 pm
Anyone know anything about this?
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: SlushPuppy on 15 Oct 2019, 10:53 pm
Site looks OK from here....
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: bacobits1 on 15 Oct 2019, 10:58 pm
I know. Other boards are reporting that since mid September.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: Pstores on 15 Oct 2019, 10:59 pm
I’ll stop there on Thursday and see.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: bacobits1 on 15 Oct 2019, 11:03 pm
I knew someone was close by.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: SlushPuppy on 15 Oct 2019, 11:06 pm
Contact Us

Please call 1-800-229-0644 or email info@needledoctor.com

I called the number and it said "The mailbox of the person you are calling is currently full and cannot accept new messages. Please try your call again later. Thank you"

Maybe not a good sign....
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: bacobits1 on 15 Oct 2019, 11:19 pm
Duh!
The voice mail is full and no replies from e mail either.
All this off of other boards.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: SlushPuppy on 15 Oct 2019, 11:20 pm
Duh!
The voice mail is full and no replies from e mail either.
All this off of other boards.

Well, you gave no background so I called myself. Answer above. Probably gone.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: Bob2 on 15 Oct 2019, 11:28 pm
Needle Doctor site is up and looks like it has had an overhaul.
Looks like they may have new brands of some items and some they might be discontinuing.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: bacobits1 on 25 Oct 2019, 09:23 pm
https://www.needlesandgrooves.com/threads/needle-doctor-closes-suddenly.752/

Posted by Needle Doctor on another site 9/22/19.

"After 40 years, The Needle Doctor is closing its doors, effective immediately. We are incredibly grateful for the support you've shown us, both locally in the Twin Cities and globally. What started as a tiny little shop on the University of Minnesota campus grew into a world-wide analog haven. The staff was never larger than 10 or so people, which should say all that needs to be said about the work ethic of those that wore the hat. Customer service was always the centerpiece; whether it was helping music lovers solve problems, helping seasoned vets take the next step with their system, or helping grandparents find a flip-over needle for their console stereo. Every day was an adventure. We hope that our love for analog and our friendly service set us apart from the rest. With that, one last thank you to everyone who's been a part of this journey. It's been a pleasure. The Needle Doctor is dead. Long live The Needle Doctor."
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: dminches on 26 Oct 2019, 12:01 pm
I’ll stop there on Thursday and see.

Did you go?
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: wushuliu on 26 Oct 2019, 02:35 pm
They were based in the Twin Cities? How did I not know this? Damn.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: matthewpartrick on 18 Nov 2019, 01:58 pm
Website's still working and shipping stuff :dunno:
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: twitch54 on 18 Nov 2019, 02:55 pm
Website's still working and shipping stuff :dunno:

really ? what have you had shipped ?
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: undertow on 18 Nov 2019, 03:48 pm
Looks like a hoax to me... Maybe started by a disgruntled customer, or competitor because below is on the website, and it is a fully functional 2019 browser and cart.


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=201027)
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: bacobits1 on 18 Nov 2019, 05:33 pm
Well.........you'd think they would address it? Since Sept?
There is no communication Email or Phone?
I was going to place an order last month, I got it somewhere else, I'll stay away.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: SnowPuppy77 on 18 Nov 2019, 06:12 pm
They were helping me with a TT upgrade and sold me a new power supply 2-3 months ago.  They were then going to sell me a new sub platter but no follow-up on their part.  When I bought my TT a couple of years ago from them I had an issue with a wobbly platter and they said that would handle it for me and it took a very long time and I became convinced that they were dropping it as they were not responding to emails.  I finally got a hold of them on the phone again and they took a part off at TT in the store and sent it to me which solved the issue.  They just were not very responsive to my issue.  I tried to give them another chance but the lack of response again recently does it for me.  I like having a relationship with a dealer and wanted that relationship with Needledoctor to work.  Will probably use Music Direct for my next TT.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: matthewpartrick on 19 Nov 2019, 10:15 pm
really ? what have you had shipped ?

Now that you mention it, maybe it was more than six weeks ago.  The last bit has been a blur at work...
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: SnowPuppy77 on 19 Nov 2019, 11:29 pm
Now that you mention it, maybe it was more than six weeks ago.  The last bit has been a blur at work...
Personally I would have my credit card company get it cancelled if Needledoctor has not shipped yet or let you know when they expect to ship.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: Don_S on 20 Nov 2019, 12:12 am
https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2019/11/19/the-needle-doctor-is-out-turntable-specialist.html?fbclid=IwAR1EZ_X4wK2M3gcJOdNQMnqGZVg6lqKot8I8wY5MdawnZV7h4VDqBZ1PW8U
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: Tom Bombadil on 20 Nov 2019, 03:10 am
Wow!   I wish him well with his art endeavor.   
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: matthewpartrick on 22 Nov 2019, 01:43 pm
Personally I would have my credit card company get it cancelled if Needledoctor has not shipped yet or let you know when they expect to ship.

Needle doctor cancelled it for me yesterday.  What a loss.

Who would you guys go to instead? No local record store...
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: SnowPuppy77 on 22 Nov 2019, 02:22 pm
Needle doctor cancelled it for me yesterday.  What a loss.

Who would you guys go to instead? No local record store...
I would consider Music Direct.  Turntables and vinyl is their specialty.  You can call them and talk with them.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: twitch54 on 22 Nov 2019, 02:43 pm
I would consider Music Direct.  Turntables and vinyl is their specialty.  You can call them and talk with them.

yep, agreed, along with Acoustic Sounds.

https://store.acousticsounds.com
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: Stu Pitt on 22 Nov 2019, 06:57 pm
yep, agreed, along with Acoustic Sounds.

https://store.acousticsounds.com
I would consider Music Direct.  Turntables and vinyl is their specialty.  You can call them and talk with them.
I’ve dealt with both stores. Music Direct more so. Both are great.
Title: Re: Needle Doctor gone?
Post by: Gov on 11 Jan 2020, 12:38 pm
Such a bummer. Bought my first “big boy” table from them. A music hall 5.1...

For gear I prefer MD to AS. For music I prefer AS. MD has a 60 day return period on most stuff and while I only used it 1x it was no (ok few) questions asked.