Buyer is claiming damage that was done by him!


Hi group,
I sold a pair of mint Harbeths. I shipped them in original double boxed carton with original bonnets covering them. I just received this EMAIL from the buyer. I know that many ruin these speakers trying to pry  the magnetic grills off incorrectly. What is my recourse with this issue?
Thanks  much for your input!

This is the EMAIL I received from the buyer!

Hi. I picked up the speakers from FedEx yesterday. They arrived with some minor dents around the front top corners near the grille on both speakers. When I opened the outer box, I've noticed that one side of the inner box wasn't sealed on top and as a result the speakers came out of the top foam speaker holder. I guess the damage occurred from speakers bumping against each other. The grill cloth is also ripped near the dents. I've sent an email to Harbeth asking how much replacement grills are going to cost. I could probably live with those dents but grills might be replaced at some point. I'm still waiting on my amp to come back from service, so I have not even plugged the speakers in yet. Hopefully the drivers are ok.    
128x128yogiboy

Showing 24 responses by yogiboy

Many remove the grills. Take a look at the listings here and you will see some with the grills removed!
So if the buyer damaged the speakers, I will end up with a pair of damaged speakers. What to do, what to do!
The only way to damage the grills is to remove the speakers from the protective wrap and try to pry them off.
I told the buyer to ship them back and I will give him a full refund.
Looks like I'll have to chalk this up as a loss!
Thanks for the options. I think paying for new grills would be the option I would take!
He claims both speakers are damaged. I am waiting for him to send me pictures of the damage. He wants to get a price on new grills. I just don't buy his story. I buy and sell on audiogon and have never had a problem like this. My feedback is flawless!
No I don't. I've been shipping for years and never thought that it would be necessary to take a picture/video of the boxes!
I requested the buyer to send me pictures of the damage. I also left him a message to give me a call. I have not received an answer yet.
I have a feeling that he is going to ask for me to pay for new grills that he ruined.
I'll have to wait for his response and take it from there!
UPDATE-
The seller sent me pictures and the grills are ripped  and the wood is chipped on the top corners of both speakers. It looks like all the other Harbeths that I have seen when the grills were removed improperly.
He is going to get a price on new grills and let me know what they will cost.
It looks like he got me by the ole short hairs!

 
That's what I want to do. He will let me know how much new grills will cost and I will give him a refund!
I included a magnet puller to remove the grills. I guess he could not figure out how to use it. He had the speakers for two days before contacting me with the problem. It just seems fishy that both speakers have the same damage.
I am still waiting for him to get back to me with pictures of the damage!
His whole story makes no sense. If the outside box was damaged then I would buy it. The inner box fit tight with no movement. They where both original boxes that the speakers came in.
I did and he denies it. I told him that I will give him a refund for the price of the grills. I would like to avoid having the speakers shipped back to me! I will find out tomorrow what new grills cost.
UPDATE-
I called the Harbeth distributor and he gave me a price of $90 plus shipping for new grills.
I told the seller and he wanted a $200 rebate.
I agreed and gave him back $200. He said he would give me positive feedback.
Hopefully I will not hear from this guy anymore.
I would like to thank all of you for the input on this problem that I had!
@timo62 
I gave them a try and I did not care for them in my room. I bought the new P3ESR 40th anniversary. I guess I just like smaller speakers!
Thanks

I sent the pictures to the distributor and he told me that without doubt the buyer tried removing them incorrectly. No way the original Harbeth double boxes and bonnets covering the speakers would cause that damage!
@mofimadness
I want to wait until this is all wrapped up. I don’t know what else he might decide to pull!
Thanks much!
@ fynnegan
The P3 is like all other Harbeths. You need a magnet puller to remove the Grills without ripping them! I supplied it with the speakers!
@axeis1
 Yes I do!
@dobnbav  
Insured them for full value! 
@whipsaw 
I want to break them in before I can compare them with the standard model!
mofi, I only gave him a refund of $200. I contacted Tammy on audiogon and she read this thread. She said that he did not complain to audiogon or paypal then I should not worry about it. Time will tell!
Now I know the meaning of being caught between a rock and a hard place.LOL



@guppy
The distributor ( FIDELIS ) has shipped him new grills ( at my cost ). I shipped this magnet puller with the speakers but I guess this dimwit did not read my instructions. The only thing I got from this sale is a bad case of agida!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MASTER-MAGNETICS-100-lb-Pull-Power-Handle-Magnets-96544/203613179
Hey guys,
The buyer received the new grills. He gave me positive feedback. I would say that this is over with. FYI: FEDEX told me that it is the buyers responsibility to file the claim since he signed for a non damaged box.

Thanks for all your input!