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

I guess it depends on the company. I’ve always been able to talk with someone at Parasound, Pass, Ayre, VPI, Soundsmith, AVA, Magnepan and other American companies many times the owners themselves,

@mojo771 

Fortunately, I never had the need to knock on manufacture door cause my dealer took care of any support issues. There could be some underlying issues where a manufacturer unable to respond as we have seen from time to time. I would reach out to everyone in their dealer network to find out what’s going on with the manufacturer….i am sure someone would step up to offer assistance. 

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

It’s a growing trend. For example, Parasound was sold by founder Richard Schram in December 2022 and the new owner terminated customer service. Now the only option is talk to your dealer.

I will think twice before I before buying a Parasound component again.

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.