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  3. 174534-102527

Buyer Dispute

I would like to have some opinions of a remedy for this issue:

I purchased a pair of B&W 804D3 loudspeakers through Audiogon in August 2021. They were shipped in original containers by freight. The boxes arrived damaged with some holes in the boxes, but no damage to the speakers accept for one very small spot, which could be repaired with a drop of stain. However, neither tweeter was functioning. A multimeter revealed an open circuit across both voice coils. The seller said that they worked before shipping but offered to send me replacement tweeters under the previous owner' warranty which I agreed to. However, and here is the rub; Because of supply chain issues, Bowers and Wilkins did not, and still does not have the tweeters in stock. I have been waiting 6 months for the seller to provide the replacements from B&W, but they continue to be out of stock. In short, I paid nearly $7,000 in August 2021 for speakers that I still cannot listen to.

Any opinion on a path to resolution?

 

kirbymydog
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,426 posts
 

I have bought 2 pre amps on audiogon...know what happened? I had to eat the buy....So now have to preamps which are now it the boxes they came in...Buyer Beware....you may end up with a Big Door Stopped....

jetter
3,033 posts
 

One of the original and as far as I am concerned continued reasons for the Audiogon Forums existing is to become acquainted with persons through their posting so when you buy or sell items you have a good feeling you are dealing with upright individuals.

I do believe there are scammers here who know how to invent and post good reviews and feedback under their usernames.

jimman2's avatar
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jimman2
55 posts
 

Several things and excuse me if they’ve been mentioned - impossible to read all the comments.  Why would the manufacturer take ones word that tweeters are bad and send replacements without an authorized tech diagnosing them?  If the tweeters are bad then something caused that either from something wrong in the crossover or while being (over) driven, etc. - not likely that happened during shipping so that would concern me.  Say something is wrong in the circuitry and you replace the tweeters and they blow again - doubtful that would be covered by B&W.  Consider having an authorized warranty center look at them before installing new drivers.  I’m not sure why you didn’t do that earlier since you have been under the impression they are under warranty.  

kirbymydog OP
36 posts
 

Having them checked out prior to installing the tweeters is a good idea. It’s not worth taking the chance. Another person suggested this also.

jetter
3,033 posts
 

Hi again, the poster above is right.  You would hate to put the new tweets in and have them blow because of something else not working correctly within the speaker. 

Before installing the new $1K each tweeters, I would take the blown tweeters out and temporarily attach a spare cheap speaker for just a minute to ensure that no damaging voltage/other is happening.

Do your speakers have any fuses to consider?

 

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