Two defective pieces in a row - unreasonable to demand refund?

Less the 24 hours. It's DOA, won't power up out of the box.

Nothing else I'm interested in. In fact I bought speakers from the same store based on the match with this amp, so if I return the Mc I'm left with speakers I'll have to find a new match for. Not fun.

The first unit was gouged to bare metal on the bottom, looked like someone missed the hole when screwing on the pallet. It was definitely new, McIntosh security tape on outer and inner box. Just took in the 2nd unit in to the dealer and they confirmed it's DOA, not even the service USB port was working. Took some time to calm down as suggested and  ended up asking for a 3rd replacement. I like the idea about asking for a DA2 module, I feel it's fair compensation for all the hassle, we'll see what the dealer says. 

@hobo1452

Bought from a reputable local dealer I've been working with for years. Brand new units with McIntosh security tape on inner and outer boxes, freight label addressed to the dealer with a Binghamton return address. I'm brand agnostic, so however troubling it may be if you're a Mc fan, the fact is I did get two bad units in a row, straight from Binghamton. 

Bought 2 pairs of speakers and turntable from this dealer. This situation isn't the dealer's fault and I'd like to do business in the future. Don't know if demanding a refund will get me blacklisted from the store

@hobo1452

There's no way it was damaged in transit, as I've said repeatedly. Believe it or don't. My dealer isn't just authorized, they are McIntosh "platinum" tier dealer. No reason for me to name them because I'm not having a problem with them, and even if I were, I wouldn't name or shame unless I was getting shafted, which I'm not. In both instances when I called Mc they said take it back to the dealer for a replacement. By the way, I haven't said a bad word about Mc either, just stated facts. Can't fault the customer service I've received so far, which was reassuring enough for me to go for the 3rd unit. Why would I do that if I had some kind of anti-Mc agenda? 

The outer box of the 1st unit was pristine, no signs of mishandling. Nothing was loose in the inner box. Implausible to me that the damage could have happened in transit, it almost certainly slipped passed QC or occurred while it was being packed. I realize this could have happened to any mfg, but I've never seen a 1/2" gouge to bare metal on any other $$$$ gear I've unboxed. As for DOA gear, this is the first time I've experienced it. I think the production backlog at Mc might be to blame for QC rush jobs, that or I'm just having a streak of bad luck. I don't mind if they'd just take their sweet time putting together a unit for me that is spotless and works.

@yogiboy

I bought speakers to match this unit (many hours of auditioning), so after my initial frustration subsided (I wrote my post just minutes after finding my 2nd unit was DOA in order to get unbiased advice) I decided it's less of a pain to just wait for a 3rd unit than start start from square one trying to find a good pairing. I do really love the way the speakers sounded when paired with this unit and that's the whole point it no? 

@audioman58

Sorry, maybe I was unclear, the units were shipped to my dealer from Binghamton and I picked them up from the dealer.

@hobo1452

I beg your pardon?

@audiodwebe

You are. Store policies aren't laws. If I don't receive what I paid for they can't just keep my money. Hence my question whether it would be unreasonable to demand a refund, meaning not simply request, but insist in lieu of filing a chargeback. As someone else mentioned, no return policies are generally meant to prevent tire kickers, not to shaft established clients. Exceptions to every rule etc. etc.

Update:

Finally up and running with a spotless and functional unit. Chalk my problems up to bad luck, or COVID, or whatever. McIntosh and dealer took care of me with no hassle. Easy to forgive problems when the manufacturer (and dealer) makes it right without skipping a beat. No regrets, sounds amazing. Bottom line, I would advise anyone who reads this thread in the future not to be scared off McIntosh because my experience. It is true that I had to go through multiple units till they got it right, but they got it right and didn't give me any grief, which counts for a lot in my book.