Thonk Reviews 127

Eurorack is a difficult hobby to pursue in South Africa. The poor exchange rate and high levels of economic inequality put retail modules completely out of reach of all but the very wealthiest individuals, meaning those few of us here who do want to get into modular rely almost entirely on DIY.

Given the complete lack of any local suppliers for PCBs, panels, kits or specialist components, Thonk is a bit of a lifeline in this regard, especially because they're well stocked enough that I can get pretty much everything I need in a single carefully packed order (which is a massive relief given the vicissitudes of importing parcels into SA!)

I'm also really appreciative of their commitment to social responsibility. Donating money to social movements and making sure staff safety comes before profit is commendable in these neoliberal times.

Now, about stocking some rails... ;-)

I just got my first post-Brexit order through from Thonk and it was all good! Shipping time maybe 2 days longer than normal to France and no extra fees, only a small order but a good sign for the future as there is no body like Thonk!

Thonk gave me great advice on starting out in DIY, there's still nowhere else that comes close to carrying such a wide range of DIY module kits!

I have been forced to remove this truthful review against my will by Twonk and TrustPilot.

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Looks like it might be time to make a formal complaint to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for violating the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

I would have let this go, years ago, but for some reason Twonk won't let it go and have abused TrustPilots reporting mechanisms to suppress negative reviews and well, if they keep attacking me and repeatedly twisting my words into something they are not then I feel I am left with little choice but to defend myself.

As you can see from their response below. Mr. Twonk is a bully, and is taking delight in trying to intimidate me into removing my review. Seriously uncool. I don't think this is funny in the slightest. It's weird and very, very scary! I haven't said anything up to now about this, but I have not been to any modular events because I am fearful for my personal safety because of the way this person conducts themselves.

Who would ever want to do business with someone who could turn so nasty with so very little provocation?

For the record, all I did was use a swear word in an email, that's it, it wasn't even directed AT them, I said something like "Oh FFS, I have had enough of this sh!t" because I was having a bad day, you know like we all do, and it's just got worse and worse and worse since then... I don't get it! Who has time for this? The business can't be doing very well if they have so much time to spend starting fights with me over something so small and insignificant.

Time to take proper action that can't be so easily manipulated.

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Having said that, despite the sustained abuse from this horrible man, I am *still* willing to forgive and forget, make peace and move on. I have asked them to do this, but they flat out refuse, choosing ongoing battles like this instead?

Yep - beats me too... really scary!!

excellent DIY dealer

I just wanted to say how impressed I have been with Thonk over the years I have dealt with them. There attention to detail on orders is second to none. I have never had any missing items on an order and their notification is excellent. The fact that they are having to restrict orders during Covid19 really demonstrates their commitment to Customer Service. Keep up the good work Thonk, you really valued by the DIY Synth Community.

Always a fantastic service from Thonk. Well communicated and swift deliveries (in very eco-friendly packaging). A real pleasure to deal with.

Excellent. Selling Synth DIY materials is always going to be tricky.

It can be hard to know if a problem is with the product is misbehaving due to user error on the part of the person doing the assembly, or a defective product. Then the scope for messing up when dealing with tens of thousands of components picked by hand is fundamentally a lot larger than most e-commerce situations.

I've spent thousands with them over the years and only once have I ever had a problem with a kit. In that instance, customer service was excellent and really good three-way dialogue with Befaco, Thonk and myself. Problem transpired to be nothing to do with Thonk, but a problem Befaco's end, but Thonk still took great ownership of the issue.

I would never hesitate to recommend them, great company and I wear my Thonk T-shirt with pride. :)

Thonk always pull out all the stops to ensure a quick, smooth, and reliable service. Always my absolute go-to for everything Modular Synth related. Why can’t there be more companies like Thonk, huh? Five Star!

Consistently excellent customer service. Fast dispatch times, great selection of stock for synth DIY and friendly staff A****

These guys are great. Legendary in the synth assembly groups and still going strong during the global pandemic!!

Nobody else has these potentiometers right now and you got them shipped out to me in two weeks after they left your hands! Thank you, Thonk!

Well packaged and from half way around the globe, comes the savior to the end of my summer. A shiny bag full of various value potentiometers with and without detents, dual and single gang, one “a” curve and all the rest “b” curved and all “D-shaft”, just the way I like them! Can’t ask for more in these tough times. Thank you so much. Even had the tall trimmers... I can go round out three modules right now. Let’s make some NOISE!!

Stay safe and keep up the great support to the modular synth community, guys. Thank you very much for all you do.

-Casey from across the pond on lockdown in USA

Super friendly service. My go-to for eurorack, components and other noise making goodies. Great stock, well priced and always ships out in quality (environmentally friendly) packaging.

I've ordered from Thonk about 40 times in the last 5 years and never was the overall experience less than stellar. They know how to properly ship things internationally and I've never had an issue with wrong or missing items.
Thonk are a valued pillar of the synth DIY community–if you're starting off in this realm, I can heartily recommend them as a trusted and capable source of knowledge and parts.

Professional builder here. I live in the US, and have ordered tens of thousands of dollars of parts and kits from Thonk. Why would I order from a shop thousands of miles away? Because they are the most professional, detail-oriented and friendly folks in the business. I’ve never had as much as a missing nut or washer in the thousands of parts I’ve received! And their bredth of selection is unmatched!

Thonk are an absolute pleasure to deal with. They are extremely reliable and their customer service is second to none. I first purchased from Thonk as a way into the modular and synth DIY worlds without breaking the bank. Now that I build modules for a living they are an essential supplier for my business as well as my hobby. If you are into synth DIY or are thinking about getting into it then I definitely recommend Thonk.

I build modules for a living and I don't think I could have done that without the wonderful support over the years from Thonk!

Consistently wonderful!

Great company, love how they use paper in their packaging, given me some great suggestions re modules to make... always friendly.. look out for their DIY days.. met some brilliant people that I still keep in touch with.. if you're just getting into DIY eurorack/synth building these are some of the most approachable nice folk you can come across.. thanks guys..

Have been using Thonk for years. Needless to say they are the lifeblood of the SDIY scene not only in the UK but for a large part of the world. I think the disruption caused by the pandemic has really brought home just how much hobbyists and businesses alike rely on the outstanding and responsible work that Steve and the rest of the Thonk crew do.

Highly recommended.

Thonk went far out of their way twice to help me get the parts I needed in special scenarios which is stellar and gracious. Despite covid issues putting a lot of pressure on their business I was getting very quick email responses - much appreciated and will be back for more soon

I got the DFAM-Knob-Upgrade from Thonk the other day. When I opened the package, I noticed that one of the larger knobs was missing its typical round silver plate, must have fallen off before shipping. I informed Thonk Support about the faulty knob, and within just a few days, a replacement knob was on its way – completely free of any charge, of course!

Great customer service, no issues whatsoever, definitely going to shop with Thonk again! Thanks guys!!