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Audio Eden & Lack of Response - Anyone Else?

I have tried since last weekend to get a response from the Canadian retailer, Audio Eden, who is offering a used Nait Naim UnitiServe. Calling them occasionally got a response to call back later. Their terms were onerous; quoting in Canadian dollars only, refusing to use PayPal and wanting to impose a 6 1/2% tariff to ship into the States. That one really steamed me. Since when were tariffs applied to used goods? Near the end of my frustration when I couldn't get any response to my emails I tried to call them. Apparently they are a 2 man shop. The fellow that I could get on the phone always deferred to the other guy. I tried for three days to reach him but never did. I'd beware of these people. All my other Audiogon experiences have been very positive. This is the lone exception. I'm now glad that I didn't buy from them. Had I had a problem I seriously doubt that it would have ever been resolved.
griffheel
rja's avatar
rja
2,370 posts
 

Agree that dealing with Canada CAN be a headache. Even mail takes a long time to get there. IMO: The Canadian government has deliberately and consciously set out to make individual transactions between our two countries difficult. When larger items or UPS or FedEx are involved things can go south in a hurry. The buyer may receive a bill for taxes or duties weeks after the item has arrived.

I had a Classe amp once, when sent in for service it was sent to NY and driven across the border. Classe drove it back to NY from whence it was returned to me. Even they had to find a way around the bureaucracy although somewhat inefficient.

Having said that, I deal frequently with Canadian companies such as PartsConneXion and have sent small items to Canada by USPS with no problems. So some transactions can hassle free.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Only buy and sell in USA only.
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tonykay
1,301 posts
 
Another familiar story. FWIW, try to buy locally. Buying from Canada, no thanks; Europe, never; Asia, no way in h**l! Also, if they want to meet at a McDonald's...danger sign. Anyone who is serious about selling equipment will let you audition it. If I see something here on Audiogon and it's local, my interest is doubled. I have never had a problem here on Audiogon, and buying locally means I'll never have to post an article here about how I got scammed. Just my two cents.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Rja, "When larger items or UPS or FedEx are involved things can go south in a hurry."

No, that's exactly the problem. They NEVER go south (or north) in a hurry. Instead, they get hung up in Customs for weeks and/or months.
mcbuddah
93 posts
 
It's not just Canada. I have been buying a lot of stuff this year for my system and have trouble with Paypal and so I only get to buy things if the seller can take a credit card any other way but PP or if I can send a Western Union money order. My bank offers them to without fee. I also send them by USPS Priority 2-day Mail. One check to nearby Flint, Mi. took 13 business days. Two more to each of the coasts took more than 6. Flint is only 150 miles, as the crow flies.
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