I sent my Benz Micro for a re-tipping. After they received my cartridge I get an email on how to check status of the job. Their website tells you retipping takes 8 - 14 weeks. Well that came and went, I did not hear anything. I checked the status now and then, nada. I started to worry because it's been about a year now. Finally, I decided to give them a call and find out what is going on. In my mind, I'm thinking, have they lost my cartridge? Did they misplace it? What? I couldn't get through, goes straight to voicemail every time. So I decided to email an address I got from their website to ask for help. I got a response that it will be done soon, they are really back logged. An hour later, I get another email from another person saying it was done and ready to ship. What?! Did they just do a rush job on my cartridge? Because I started to complain? That they've had my cartridge laying around for about a year! And here's the kicker, please pay $450 for the retipping. Nice.
As a theoretical, potential customer I am touched and moved by hearing of Mr. Ledermann's life circumstances, shared on this open forum. I have a second, currently unused cart that could benefit from a refurbishing and am no less likely to avail myself of his services, and possibly more likely, because of it.
I am sorry if I offended you - since someone before my response posted knowledge about some personal challenges, especially as it related to the thread, I did not feel out of line posting some short details. Maybe you didn't like my poetry either.
At times, it is hard to know what will be or not be "of interest" or considered offensive on an open forum. I will gladly revert to my prior position of not posting here ever again, as that is the safest thing to do. I stopped posting here 5 years ago for similar reasons.
Inna very nice. WTF did your post add to the discussion? It is merely antagonistic. Some people do develop relationships on these forums. Leave them alone bully. We now have another expert who is withdrawing his or her expertise. Maybe YOU know as much as Peter and can share it when the time comes.
Peter, as you say, it is almost impossible to not offend someone with any comment these days. People want to make everything about THEMSELVES ! Some will be offended you don't post. 😀 Btw, you have 3 of my cartridges; take your time, no worries.
I got my delos back and one channel was not working. I took a picture of it hooked up to the meter and Andy was saying I was hiding something in the pic, or I doctored the pic or something!! The other had a collapsed suspension. Basically he refused to accept responsibility. I filed a paypal claim and lost. So at some point when I can stomach dealing with it I will send them both to ss.
If it bothers you, read something else. There are plenty of other topics here, there and everywhere. Showing compassion for someone who is experiencing significant loss and duress is human nature. If that bothers you, well, I feel sorry for you and your family.
Inna what kind of person would post such a nasty response . I am appalled beyond description . Peter , please do not stop posting due to the insensitivity of one obviously unhappy person . I have not sent a cartridge in yet but will and guess what , I have others to listen to while mine is being re-tipped . Under the demanding circumstances you are trying to work under I would wait for as long as it took , no problem . What is wrong with the world anymore ? Just how mean and nasty can a person be ? Peter there are many, many more of us who have your back vs one unhappy person saying hurtful things .. We appreciate you , Inna, if you don't like it , don't participate . We care , you obviously don't . I feel sorry for you .
@inna , you must be a miserable human being and are to be pitied. YOU are the one who should be seeking professional help. What a horrible and hateful thing to say. You should be ashamed.
SS backlog may be an unintended consequence of the vinyl resurgence. More people are turning back to vinyl, picking up old cartridges on Ebay etc, and looking for rebuild options. Mr. L's personal issues would (and should) take priority. He is essentially a victim of his own success. Kicking myself now for not sending in a cartridge 2yrs ago.....
@iopsrl, I think you’re correct. Several positive experiences with retipped vintage cartridges has convinced me that in most cases the suspension outlives the stylus. This makes retipping attractive and worthwhile, particularly in view of the upward spiral in prices for top new-production cartridges.
My only quibble with SS(and it’s a minor one) is that the work doesn’t appear to be done on a first-in, first-out basis. While waiting for mine for over a year I have periodically read satisfied posters report that their work was done in as little as several weeks. Of course SS can run their business model however they like, and I don’t question the quality of their work. In the small world of cartridge rebuilders Peter is a committed artisan.
A few years ago I had a cartridge retyped by Soundsmith, it took 8 months. From my forums reading, I expected a long wait but 8 months without an email or phone call, really.
While I have not yet used the services of Peter at Soundsmith, I am 100% inclined to do so after reading this thread. Custom artisan work should be valued by people as it entails rare skills and a dedication to both the work and the pleasure of a customer when they enjoy the final result. There are complications with everything, and your return on an investment varies widely. Peter sounds like the kind of person I would enjoy more than a business transaction with. Peter sounds like a real person, a rare person ...witness the thread.
While to me this business don’t make any sense at all, even
if they would fix it at no time. I mean money wise it’s ridiculously inadequate
unless you got, for free, some expensive ($5000 and up) cart, then may be, but
even then, how much it would cost to fix it and the parts are most likely are
not original, result is unpredictable etc. With respect to Peter, I talk to him
twice – the first time and the last time). The guy makes you listen to allot of
his B.S., which he think makes sense, instead of giving short and specific
answer to specific question, refuses to quote the price even when specific
problem been indicated to him etc. Wants you to send
him a cart and pay for his quote. While they all overpriced, and not exactly
charming personality, this guy is is the worst out of bunch.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
