Hey - What Happened to the Beware of Viking Acoustics Thread

I wonder if they made amends. 

Now maybe some will consider the dangers of shutting down speech, even that which you don't like. It always comes down to who decides what '"truth" is.

To me - they (manufacturer) should come and defend/explain themselves.  That has not been the case. The truth is based on presented facts.  

Now maybe some will consider the dangers of shutting down speech, even that which you don't like. It always comes down to who decides what '"truth" is.

Are you trying to convince people here that banned speech on private platforms that promote violence, spout lies, and endanger lives is the same as complaining about poor customer service? 

Really?

All the best,
Nonoise

Thank you @nonoise , I would not have been as polite. Well said.

So does lie=disagree with nonoise?

…Dadork is still right though. And who gets to decide what speech is “promoting  violence, spouting lies, and endangering lives”, or whether it’s just going against the narrative? The very news you and I watch and read is guilty of that, only it’s cloaked in false “virtuosity” 

“So does lie=disagree with nonoise?”

Great question .

@nonoise you mean like lies about the origins of a certain virus or the efficacy of alternative treatment options than the ones prescribed by the government?

All the lonely people where do they all come from?

Bravo @nonoise.  And here I thought this was an audio forum.  My mistake.  

I assume Viking got audiogon to remove it. You can see Viking’s response over at WBF. 

If nonoise is for us who can be against us. 

Somehow, I was having issues getting into Whats Best Forum, but magically I can again.  It seems the thread is starting there with Viking Acoustics weakly defending themselves.  So my question is, how does a thread get deleted in Audiogon?  Does Viking Acoustics contact Audiogon and say remove the thread or does Audiogon based on its own rules delete the thread?  I've always wondered about that. 

Well there's no really good reason for the thread to be deleted. There were no politics, no slander, no name calling. I doubt anyone other than Viking got their precious feelings hurt. Just facts by the OP (as far as we know) and posts of support from members. Audiogon does itself no good to delete such a thread, even at the behest of the manufacturer in question.

There’s a thread on audio shark now about a buyer who was scammed by another company and audiogon also deleted that thread. 

I believe we are entitled to know the companies who scam. Poor service, and lying to buyers.

I also disagree why they deleted the original thread.it looks likes the OP did state the facts. 

Perhaps Agon pulled it temporarily to gather facts from both parties in order to verify everything before reinstating the thread.  (??)

No they sent me a message saying it violated their rules. 

Just gotta love the losers taking their pot shots from afar. 

All the best,
Nonoise

One should be educated about forums that mostly promote the manufacturers on those forums. Audiocircle is one that comes to mind. Sharing good and bad experiences on a forum can be a constructive tool but only if done in a reasonable, logical and rational manner. In those cases, we can benefit and decide what the problem really is. On Audiocircle the moderators are often the owners of the small boutique audio companies. The want fanboys who talk great things about their gear because it helps sell that gear, but they shut down real negative experiences. I like audiogon and put up with the arrogant posters, because some really good information comes through from the other guys/gals..

I assume Viking got audiogon to remove it. You can see Viking’s response over at WBF. 

 

And what a lame response it was, equivalent  to an admission of guilt. 
 

Viking Acoustics = guilty

@nonoise 

Just gotta love the losers taking their pot shots from afar.

If I was a good vendor on Audiogon I would be unhappy because members (like me) don’t know who are the good ones and who are the bad ones because the bad vendors seem to be protected by Audiogon. So now I will not spend my money with any of them. The entire point of a community is to share information to make the community a better place, basically working off referrals and reviews in an online environment, just as if we would ask our friend or neighbor. There is a tread on reddit saying the same thing so the word is getting out in locations that Audiogon can not control. Audiogon, if you are listening, your approach is short sighted. If you don’t occasionally clean house, Audiogon’s reputation will become ’where the scammers are’ and that harms Audiogon and the good vendors.  Viking should be able to respond and both post pictures so the members and other vendors can decide.  

(regarding what artemus_5 posted)

All the best,
Nonoise

@nonoise Well played!

Are all cops bad cops?  The answer is no.  In fact,very few are bad.  Sometimes an unfortunate case happens.  Is it right?  No.  I am sorry the Op had a bad experience.  I understand his frustration.  

I am a Viking owner who had a super experience with Viking.  I own a pair of Viking Acoustic Grande Voix Dual Horn Speakers.  They are phenomenal.  Prior to that, I had Sonus Faber Amati Tradition Homage and Wilson Audio speakers.  My current GV's blew them away in SQ.  

I can say to this forum that my experience with Viking was great.  The customer service was outstanding.  The speakers were hand-delivered to my house and set up by David personally.  I even purchased his Gottenburg cables.  One of them failed due to my error.  I am functionally blind and pulled on it the wrong way.  He replaced the speaker cable without any issues.  The craftsmanship of the speakers I received was outstanding and a showpiece in my house.  

So as I have read all of the comments from people hoping he goes out of business I find that to be sad commentary.  I do hope the Op and David can resolve this issue.  But it reminds me of the Raven and Prima Luna issue about two months ago.  People just plain dumped on these Companies just like they are dumping on Viking.  Why can't you just support the Op in his quest and be done with it.  

For the people who will never consider Viking because of this interaction, you are missing out on a fantastic speaker.  That is your right and there are 100's of speakers you can choose from.  

For everyone who owns a Viking Speaker, this thread is damaging.  What if we want to sell their speakers to upgrade to a higher-level speaker?  Do you think it will be easy for them to sell even though their speaker may be in perfect condition and sounds awesome?  If they post on Audiogon the answer is probably no.  I should state that my Grande Voix's are my be-all-end all speakers so my comment does not relate to me.  

I started a thread on the Lampizator Horizon DAC some months back.  It is a brand new high-end DAC.  Many of the comments were so crude, I ended up asking Audiogon to take down my thread and it was just meant to provide people information about the new Horizon.  I found many of the comments to be disrespectful.  

So not all Company interactions make a Company bad just like one bad apple cop does not make bad cops.  I hope this forum can understand another perspective.  I truly hope this issue can get resolved so that we can go one reading about new speakers, amps, dacs, and just enjoy our music.

Respectably stated.....

@willgolf I respect the fact that you want to protect your investment but keep in mind I was a Viking customer for 7 years before the start of this incident 2.5 years ago. I too had fine prior experiences. Just goes to show that things can change very quickly. I think Viking’s response on WBF says it all and shows their true colors. I feel bad recommending this company over the years because what happened to me could happen to someone else.

I am the most easy going person there is. I never complained in public or even to Viking until they scammed me. I don’t appreciate being lied to and having my money stolen.

Dear Derek, (VORTEX)

As stated before: we accepted your order for Viking TubeMaster loudspeakers after completing them you asked if you could change your order to Berlin Loudspeakers... wanting to please you we said yes and built a custom pair for you. Packed and delivered to you. You asked if you could return them because you were unhappy with the painted Finnish ply cabinets.

Normally a custom order would be corrected not returned; but we wanted to please you and said yes. We shipped you a beautiful product you returned a destroyed product.

We issued you a partial refund...you cashed the check.

If you would like us to post pictures of your cashed check (refund) and pictures of the Berlin R we shipped and then the destroyed ones we got back from you we can.

Regards,

David.

David’s response above seems pretty factual to me. Case closed, as far as I can tell. 

@oldrooney - case closed?  Are you kidding me?  What is your relationship to Viking?  Please disclose.

Viking's major mistake was to not address this immediately. Two sides to almost every story, I would like to see pictures from Viking to teach some of you a lesson about believing everything you read. Huge is if the client cashed the partial return check and didnt mention this in his OP. Funny how so many people dont understand the variations in human nature and behavior as these relate to business. 

Agon killed it. Still up at What’s Best.

They thought their members should know about this issue with Viking.

Guess we know who rules the roost here. 

That is hilarious @vikinghorn. You shipped me beautiful speakers? All the images are posted at WBF. If you think that’s quality workmanship and acceptable then wow, don’t know what to say!

You keep on rehashing the same things. If you would read my first post which is still at WBF I clearly say you returned 90% of my cash payment I made. This does not take into account the speakers I traded in. I also have clearly stated you received a damaged speaker due to your extremely poor, laughable, “factory packaging”. You’re trying to fight me and I’m agreeing with you.

@audition__audio you should also read my first post which clearly states Viking sent me a partial refund check. Not sure why this is so hard to understand. I have nothing to hide.

@vikinghorn if my partial refund was all I was supposed to get back then why for 6 months did you keep telling me more money was coming? I have all the emails which show you stating this over and over. Also, why did you lie and say the speakers were not sold to a new owner when actually they were sold months earlier and the check was cashed by you in Dec? I can get copies of that cashed check if you like.

David - It took you 1.5 years to build a pair of speakers. I never once complained. I rarely even checked in with you. That's called an easy going customer but I don't appreciate your lies or stealing my money.

Drop the speakers?! I have no idea what you are talking about. OUTRIGHT LIE to cover yourself. You are really stretching now. Disgraceful.

I realize there is no way you are going to pay me what I am owed. If you were going to return my money and not steal it that would have happened long long ago. This post was to tell my experience so others can be aware of it and decide if they want to risk going down this path with you.

Bottom line is you shipped a garbage product and now you're trying to spin things every way possible to cover yourself. You are a liar.

Email received 3 days ago from @vikinghorn 

Derek,

Please remove inflammatory posts on A-Gone and What's Best.

Correction:  boxes were from Bubbles and Boxes not Home Depot.

You didn't mention that the speakers were returned broken.

We are going to pay you less shipping and repair as soon as we can but if you let the posts stand we're going to call it even.

Thank you.

Derek,

Wow, now it's garbage product.... The hits keep coming from you. What's next? 

 But you didn't remove your incomplete and inflammatory remarks...this has turned into "sport" for you and at that... I'm out.

 Viking your hole gets deeper by the day. 
 

All you had to do was play nice...

This comment by you says it all. I was in manufacturing my whole career including shipping heavy, custom, high dollar speakers all over the world.  The way to have handled this would have been the following:

First off, don’t get yourself into a position like this. If you are shipping delicate, high dollar speakers make custom wood crates for them. My God man, get a freaking grip, I never once shipped speakers in cardboard boxes.

Secondly, immediately on seeing your unhappy customer’s posts contact him and ask him what YOU need to do to make it right. Yes, even if you don’t make a cent on the deal in the end.

Then sit back and watch a once unhappy customer post how well you handled the situation, how happy they are with your products and how they highly recommend your company.

 Business 101 for a company like yours in an industry like this. 

@vikinghorn notice how I never have said your speakers don't sound good? I won't, because they do. However, can anyone look at those pictures and tell me that is what is expected of a $15k retail speaker? It's horrible, garbage. I am baffled how you can think that is a "beautiful speaker", full of gouges and the paint falling apart.

@vikinghorn there were no inflammatory remarks. You are lying AGAIN. If anyone wants the exact email PM me and I will fwd it to you. This is insane.