Timbernation Platform Problems

Most likely he’s more pleasing when the stakes are very high. Not so much when the stakes are relatively low. If I had to guess I’d say it’s his attitude that I object to most. He sent me a bunch of junk boards about the time his daughter died. Not even usable, complete junk. Exactly what folks have been complaining about all along. I get the distinct impression it’s beneath him. The $500 Tables he seems to do better on.

I have read all of that. I am not defending the seller, but stating the facts on this site. Buyers need to post negative feedback on sellers that deserve and it may not be happening here. Bad on the buyers. Also, the seller may be pleasing far more than the handful who have posted negative comments. Seems this may also be true.

Hi, there. They don’t post negative feedback here. Search this site for “Timbernation” using the Search magnifying glass symbol at top of page. You might be surprised. There is adverse information all over the internet, AA and elsewhere, if your ‘re so inclined. Much of it fairly recent including the OP. As I said I don’t wish to belabor the point or dismiss his personal tragedy. I can track a blue tail fly up a hound dog’ nose.

Again, no negative feedback given on this site in over 9 years. All positive with no neutrals even. We owe the community, Agon community, to post negative feedback on sellers if they deserve it. Those having negative experiences with this seller did not post it here over the last 9 years. The seller has several listings now and continues to receive nothing but positive feedback on this site. He is certainly pleasing many Audiogon members and they are leaving feedback. 

Actually his problems were there before his family tragedy, the death of his daughter in a R accident in Florida which if I recall correctly was 12 years ago, and continue to this day. Sorry to disagree. And I don’t wish to belittle the tragedy at all. But it appears he used the accident as an excuse for quite a long while. Everyone deserves a break, but come on!

I haven’t bought anything from timbernation yet, Looked him up and read all the negative comments too...
apparently at the time he had a Major disaster in his family which made him collapse, but after some time he came out of it and satisfied his customers.
If what I read was correct, then the guy doesn’t deserve all this negative stuff a dozen years later.
Just give him a break, specially since OP states he was contacted with a promise to do him right...

Oh, they (negative comments) are out there, alright. Try searching archives at Audio Asylum, for example. You’ll get an earful.

I have an order in right now and hope it turns out well. Surprised to hear some of the negative past experiences as I don’t see these in his feedback for the most part. Nothing negative over the past 9 years. 

Timbernation has long history of disgruntled customers.

That may or may not be true Geoff but are you sure he didn't go through a rough patch and then turn things around?  Either way, he doesn't need you to throw out a "blanket statement" that hurts his business.  Not putting a final finish on the bottom of a platform is hardly an unusual practice. This case was simply a lack of effective communication from both sides, and at worst errors of omission not commission.  

i've order a rack and speaker stands from Chris and all went well, except for the speaker stands which took a couple of calls to get it done, but the work was finished on all sides and well made.

What I do now is to get ahold of a local carpenter that I searched out online and his work and prices simply can't be beat. There are many talented craftsmen out there so just employ google and do the necessary due diligence and you will find someone who can meet your needs.

All the best,
Nonoise

Timbernation has long history of disgruntled customers. This is only the tip of the iceberg. I’m not sure if it all started with the tragic death of his daughter in an auto accident 15 years ago, but that probably didn’t help. In any case he seems to be oblivious to these continuing issues, some much worse.

Update. I received an email from Chris offering to do whatever I wanted to address the situation. I was happy with the response and I appreciate the customer service.
I am now a happy customer.

Glad things worked out for you. This is about expectation management.  I certainly understand why Timbernation would assume one finished side would be sufficient for your needs - this is not uncommon with platforms.  I made some beautiful white quartersawn oak platforms for my monoblocks.   They are finished on 5 sides with only some laquer on the bottom to mitigate moisture absorption.  I never considered the need to finish the bottoms.  However, if you expected both sides to be finished I understand your disappointment.

The unfortunate thing here is that you chose to post this publicly with the word "Problems" in the title next to the manufacturer's name, which prompted a few folks to cry foul over a simple miscommunication.  Timbernation missed an opportunity for better communication with their initial email response and have paid with bad publicity.   Either side here could have avoided the problem by picking up the phone.

" I expected a maple block that was of high quality and not one that has significant imperfections on one side ..... Should I just accept this?"

"Should I just accept this?"  Better question is why would you accept this or even contemplate doing so. 

Easy boys! Everything is being taken care of and there was a logical and reasonable explanation on how this happened. The block was about $150 and not $300 like i read...

Remember that this board is dropped into my Zoethecus and is used for my amp. 

An inexpensive alternative to wood is Bluestone, a granite-like outdoor paving stone sold at many Home Depot stores. The advantages/physical characteristics of Bluestone are extreme hardness, very high mass and extreme stiffness. I suggest a size of 18x18x2. Mount the Bluestone on your favorite cones. Voila!

You got screwed with a crap build piece....bottom line.
Go get it replaced or returned with a refund.

i bought mine from MAPLESHADE thst was fully finished (planed, sanded, and varnished) on ALL sides , as one would expect.

They are popular because there is an intrinsic feel of "it" if it's correct for the application. And to a certain point they do work. That's all I know. That's also why companies like "MapleShade" are in business. Besides, have you ever tried asking for a 18" x 18" solid piece of hard Maple 4" thick at any lumberyard? Some of the looks I received were astounding.
    I recently needed to have a four piece "base" set made for my line-source speakers. I ended up paying over $1000 for the raw slab with the bark still on it to get the size I needed. The prices for tonewoods of that size are ridiculous. Fortunately I live close to P.R.S. guitars. A factory that uses allot of large wood slab So I Bought some that was earmarked for them. Shipping costs would have made what I accomplished infeasible.

You got that right, Bubba. I just did a customer’s entire system for less than $250.

$300 will buy a lot more isolation than a piece of maple wood provides. I'm mystified by their popularity.

Update. I received an email from Chris offering to do whatever I wanted to address the situation. I was happy with the response and I appreciate the customer service. 

I am now a happy customer.

I had the same thing happen 10 or 12 years ago. I had to send the whole order back. I didn’t do that again.

Unless it was sold/stated as a "b-stock" or imperfect item, then they really should replace it.

Send it back. If you paid by credit card, dispute the charge.

You should have looked at Symposium although its not wood it sounds and looks much better. Good luck though!!