United Airlines Breaks Guitars [And Sucks at Customer Service]
First off, I’m not saying that someone should create a video every time they’ve been wronged, but if the story is compelling enough, and the music is fun enough that it becomes viral, well darnit, I’m okay with that!
Last spring, Dave Carroll of the band “Sons of Maxwell” witnessed baggage handlers from United Airlines mishandling his guitar case resulting in the $3,500 Taylor guitar becoming severely damaged. After a year of United giving him the run around, dozens of phone calls, emails, and letters, they finally said they’d do nothing for him. July 6th, 2009, he posted a music video about the experience on YouTube and on July 8th, United responded. They said they’d pay for the $1,200 repair job. Dave, instead, tells United Airlines to donate the cost to a charity of their choice.
YouTube - United Breaks Guitars
The full story is here.
Within 4 days the video “United Breaks Guitars” received nearly 2 million views. Dave has written, and promises to release two more music videos on the subject. What blows me away, though, is the incredible amount of trouble United gives Dave in an attempt to discourage him. Then ultimately, once they find he won’t be disuaded, they dismiss the whole matter. Now, he creates a video, a little bad press, and United comes knocking on his door to make it right.
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