2. amps-preamps
  3. 151530-330

Dealer behavior issue

I would like opinions as to whether members feel that I’m being unreasonable to think
that a very popular dealer has not performed so well on my behalf, the customer. Last summer I ordered an expensive ARC amp understanding that delivery would most likely be in Oct which was fine with me. I did make a commitment which I understand.
My situation seriously changed due to my wife’s health but I agree that’s not his problem.
At this point I requested to pay a handsome restocking fee, 2-3k, can’t remember the amount but he was cavalier saying why would I want to do this?
So that was that.
The unit is about to be delivered and as I’ll immediately resell the unopened box I gave him a last offer.
The transaction had a current unit model trade in that retailed for 8k and is a favorite product of his and he carries it.
Yesterday I offered to give him this unit as the restock fee with 90 days to fully refund me.
I have received no response so he didn’t like my offer which is his right. I have spent over 40k retail over the last two years with him with no problems.
So in the end I changed my mind which is the lowest form of audio behavior. Was I foolish to think this guy would accommodate me? The product I offered to GIVE him will fly out his door for $4k .
This is just business as usual ?
4425

Showing 16 responses by 4425

4425 OP
861 posts
 
Greed?
4425 OP
861 posts
 
also i think giving him a true 8k item that worst case sells for 4k was a fairly steep price as a restock fee. but i offered it
if not shipped to dealer yet it’s hard to see what ARCcould offer. 
finally he raves about this new ARC product which I’m sure is true. why so worried to stock given that he’ll have it at cost-4k
4425 OP
861 posts
 
stereo5. the dealer made the point that taking my unit back with or without restock fee would cost him the sale of another unit. that’s why i tried to discuss restock fees to soften the blow. he said why would i do that. i agree IF he feels that there are no circumstances in which he doesn’t have to extract max absolute dollars.
he’s absolutely opposed to me basically consigning it to him and getting repaid after he sells it. 
btw if i revealed the dealer you would be in disbelief as to whom i’m talking about. doesn’t matter
4425 OP
861 posts
 
it was not a special order unit. standard ARC amp. A new model in fact that will sell well. he acts like he can’t arrange anything w ARC to assuage the situation. Just didn’t want to help me out.
4425 OP
861 posts
 
not sure. not overtly for sure
4425 OP
861 posts
 
he’s made a lot of money on me yes. has been a really good dealer till now. he’s going to make 4 k on the sale but he’s lost me. i’ll see what he says tonight and go from there.
4425 OP
861 posts
 
Elizabeth. I haven’t sent the trade unit yet but the cash portion has been fully paid.
The only reason he might think I may not buy from him again is that I explained the health situation which may diminish future purchases.
This guy is pretty well known and well regarded(i think).
To not accommodate me in any manner is very disturbing and only come the conclusion he’s greedy. This is out of character for him
4425 OP
861 posts
 
well this dealer among others now always say “i’ve already” paid for it so my hands are tied. Pretty lame. 
I don’t know what ARC would say.
A couple more facts:
I actually spent over 50k with him and he won’t agree to help me at all when I resell it. 

4425 OP
861 posts
 
I only deal with the owner. He is out of state and ok to send to my no dealer area. I expect he’s heard it all and my problem is not his problem. I think that has nothing to do with what his behavior should have been. 
Ive bought a lot of equipment from him and we’d had a fine relationship.I do vacillate at times on purchases but have always pulled the trigger.
Im just amazed that he values me so little. 
4425 OP
861 posts
 
well based on all the prior deals i simply
thought he wouldn’t freak out over losing one high dollar deal especially when offered large restock fees. i do trust him to come through with delivery.  he’s not dishonest. just a bit greedy without the long view in mind.,this was an eye opener to me
4425 OP
861 posts
 
paid by wire as i’m not worried about getting the unit in the future.,my distress is to be dissed over transaction. i think i’ll come out better reselling it but would give up the restock fee in order to not have to deal with it.,my hands are full elsewhere. 
4425 OP
861 posts
 
this is not a complicated story and i’m sure not very interesting but i wanted to know if others have had such an experience. I have offerred generously to undo a purchase that i committed to way before the unit was built. i know that i’ll get the unit; there’s nothing dishonest here. i’ve been buying audio gear for over 40 years and trust him enough to wire payment to him. 
its when he said “why would i take it back as i’d rather sell two? “ that bugs me. 
anyway i’ll take the unit(obviously) and resell at less of a loss than the restocking fees i offerred him. i do change my mind at times about which cable to get etc but never on big ticket items till now. if he doesn’t like me he shouldn’t take my orders which have been extensive. we’ve always gotten along well till this. 
4425 OP
861 posts
 
also what holes are there? i made a commitment to buy an expensive amp and changed my mind about buying it. this was my fault. all efforts to undo the sale, before the unit was built failed. He didn’t want to lose the profit. I get it. 
Are other dealers this ‘hard’ is all i want to know.
4425 OP
861 posts
 
for the doubters please check my feedback to see if i’m a creep
4425 OP
861 posts
 
in the end it’s just regrettable. affording the amp was never the problem and i never claimed it. it’s that i have no need for it anymore. my problem.
i think he’s a really nice guy and it’s a head scratcher. I offered $3000 to cancel the deal before the unit was built. This is not accommodating. maybe he’s in a jam. regardless i’m not going to trash him bc i’ve always liked him but that’s been crushed. no more to say as this must be a unique situation. he clearly doesn’t like me and that’s disappointing too.
oh last thing. be looking for a great deal on a brand new ARC amp in the near future. it’s a beauty and will be a very good seller.
4425 OP
861 posts
 
really my post wanted to know if other members have had an experience with a dealer that was so inflexible. there’s nothing legal here. we agreed to disagree. that’s all.
in the end i committed to buy it and so i have. i can’t use it now which he was told well in advance of manufacture. It was his prerogative to not accommodate me. 
clearly there’s a beef with me for changing my mind. i won’t name him bc he’s a well thought of dealer, i think, and the problem was caused by me. 
i made a deal and have never done anything to cause harm to a dealer. i understand that they are just businessmen in the end. 
he’d have made way more money taking my deal. go figure
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