I am writing this post today for two reasons: 1.) to notify you, my readers and massage chair shoppers, about things going on in the industry that may affect you, and 2.) to get some stuff off my chest!

1. Osaki OS-7000 Back-Order Mess

We were notified over a month ago that the Ivory and Taupe colored Osaki OS-7000 massage chairs were back ordered for about 4 weeks. We have been eagerly awaiting their arrival. Last week I was told that the chairs were going to arrive by the end of last week or the beginning of this week. Well, today I get an email saying that they are not going to be here until June 11. The only reason Osaki has for the delay is a hold up in customs. I can buy that, but why don't the other companies I sell for have such long delays? Oh well, it is what it is and we have to live with it.

I just might mention that the Ivory chairs coming in have all been spoken for. There are no chairs available for new purchases from that shipment. The next shipment of Ivory Osaki OS-7000 massage chairs won't be here for another 6 weeks (so they say...but, keep your fingers crossed!). Bottom line...if you are looking for an Ivory Osaki 7000, DO N OT WAIT until 6 weeks from now to order. Trust me when I say that they will all be spoken for at that time. I heard from my source that 40% of that shipment is already spoken for! So, don't delay and order now to get in the queue.

2. Sanyo Customer Support

Here is another interesting "fiasco" that we've been dealing with over the last few weeks. As you may or may not know, Sanyo was bought out by Panasonic a couple of years ago. We knew that things would be different, but we didn't really feel any effects of the corporate change...until now.

This adventure began a week ago when one of our clients ordered a Sanyo 7700 massage chair. Great chair; very reliable and durable. Well, when the chair was delivered to my client last week, she noticed that a cover plate was broken. Now, this is not a piece that is necessary for the chair function. It is just a plate that covers a hole where you can install the remote control pedestal. Well, I asked my client to call the Sanyo customer support phone number that we have on our website. She reported to me that no one answered the phone when she called.

I then contacted my Sanyo rep and he followed-up with Sanyo directly. He received an email, which he forwarded on to me, that said that Panasonic was now handling all the support issues of the Sanyo massage chairs. Included in that email was a new phone number, which I passed along to my client. My client called the number but was told that the retailer who sold her the chair had to call! (getting dizzy yet?)

So, I called the number and was given 4 subsequent numbers, each one provided by the person who answered the phone on the previous number. I eventually got to a fellow who was kind enough to take my name and number and tell me that he'd have someone get back to me. Two days later, I got a call back by a gal acknowledging that the piece we needed was available. However, I received no information about whether the Sanyo parts and labor in-home warranty would cover the piece. I am still waiting to find out if the warranty is intact. I can only imagine that the warranty is honored, but who to call for warranty support is still a bloody mystery to me.

Well, that just about does it. I know I feel better now. I hope you learned something from this. Feel free to call me anytime if you have any questions or concerns about anything in the massage chair industry.

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-relief.com