Customer Service in High-End Audio


The purpose of this thread is not to call out any specific manufacturer or dealer, but to start a discussion about customer service among "high-end" audio manufacturers and dealers.


A little about myself; I'm in my 30's and over the past few years have become interested in putting together an audio system to gain more enjoyment out of my music collection.


Of the dozen or so dealers and manufacturers that I've dealt with, I've been shocked at the overall level of customer service; poor communication (failure to respond to emails or phone calls) rudeness, unfulfilled refund or shipping promises, etc.


I want to add that I have had some really great experiences as well, but overall my experiences have been disappointing.


Now, I understand that some of these companies are small or even one-man operations. I've read threads here on Audiogon where customers have complained about service, and someone has posted something like "he's too busy building cables to respond to emails." Sorry folks, but I don't think that is any excuse for poor customer service.


As a small business owner, I'm really surprised at the overall quality of service in this industry, and I think it could be a huge turn-off to people who are interested in getting into the hobby.


Again, the purpose of this thread is not to call out any specific manufacturer or dealer. I'd be curious to hear others feelings or experiences on this subject.




shadow8911

Showing 3 responses by celander

@uberwaltz. Agreed. Those dealers or manufacturers who respond to emails over a weekend—often in less than 15 minutes—get my attention and a memory slot in the positive impression brain bank. 
My experience with HEA manufacturers and dealers alike has varied. A lot of these folks really aren’t savvy, having nary a wit of business acumen. It’s a cottage industry after all, chockful with a lot of failures due to missteps. Pissing off an investor group, a banker, or even a landlord of the space used for a factory or showroom often creates instability. Pissing off customers in even the slightest ways, like not returning phone calls or following through with promises foster a lot of animosity among customers. A lot of manufacturers and dealers are brilliantly successful at this game, as the word of mouth endorsements will attest. 
With the greater interconnectivity of forums like this and the internet generally being available, dealers and manufacturers need to be more proactive with maintaining good communication and service with their customers.