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 5 responses by mojo771

Harman "luxury" owns  JBL Synthesis, Mark Levinson, Revel, Lexicon and Arcam.  So that means I can't consider any of those, McIntosh, or Weiss in any future purchases, or AA, since none of them seem to stand behind their products..

 

lalitk - Except for McIntosh/Revel/B&W/Harmon etc.  These manufacturers do not respond when contacted for support for their products.  

Yes, I did mention that the dealer whered I bought the product doesn't respond, but I'm primarily talking about the direct manufacturers and their poor support, regardless of price point.

I asked earlier for names of "good people" as you suggest and no one has yet offered any names.

I just tried contacting Revel / Harman again since they have not responded to my email from 5 days ago, and never returned my call from yesterday.  After 30 minutes on hold, I found a different Harman website that had a chat feature.  After an additional 15 minutes she said that she couldn't help me but I could call support, and she gave me the same number that I had now been on hold with for 45 minutes.  

Harman "Luxury" support does not seem to exist.  

 

I thought that I had chosen "wisely". 

I found McIntosh at many high end dealers and so I thought they would stand by their equipment.  As for Revel / Harman, maybe things fell apart after the acquisition. 

I also thought AA in N.Carolina was a good dealer, and I think they were when Leon ran things, but not so much after he became less involved.  

Maybe its time to re-evaluate every year or two.

What brand would you say is now  "premium" and stands behind their "high end" products?

 

VPI is so good, that the owner visited my house to help set up my table, because Upscale did it wrong.