HOW can components be so expensive, and yet customer service is so bad.


I recently moved and had to set up the system again.  In moving things around, I have had some questions and issues, so I've had to contact the dealers and manufacturers a few times over the last few weeks.  I'm still waiting for a response from most of them.  

I had a static issue with my McIntosh amp.  I contacted them a couple of weeks ago and I still have not received a response.

I need a part for my Revel speakers.  I've contacted Revel (now Harman) twice over the last week - both phone and email.  No response.

I had an issue with my Weiss DAC cutting out. Turned out it had shipped with a missing part.  I hoped for a new unit or at least a replacement part, but Weiss told me to fix it myself with miscellaneous parts from around the house - basically chicken wire and bubblegum?  The dealer finally sent me a replacement after a couple of weeks of trying different solutions.

I tried calling the audio dealer in Charlotte where I bought the speakers but they never return calls.

I spent a long time researching and building my system and really enjoy my system.  But I might have made different choices if I had known about poor / non-existent customer support.

Premium stereo components are so expensive that I would expect premium service, or at least return my calls for service or for parts.  Do I just have bad luck or are others experiencing similar lack of support?

mojo771

Showing 1 response by bimmerlover

You are completely in the right and justified to be disappointed and frustrated.

I believe that the mark of a truly high-end manufacturer and line of products is not only about their product engineering and performance but how they handle customer service and how quickly they respond to issues, their service/repair times, etc  

My experience with for example Audio Research, Cambridge Audio, and Audio Advice (as a retailer) is that they all respond extremely quickly.

At the other end of the scale you have companies such as Krell who, for understandable but yet ... reasons, are impossible to get a hold of.

And this was an issue long before their owner unfortunately and unexpectedly passed away.