Talon-New owner-NO customer service

Interesting topic and good discussion. Anyway, was browsing the speakers sales this morning and noticed that a 'goner was selling a "NEW/FACTORY SEALED BOX" of VS VR-1s.

I also know that VS has a policy about Internet sales of their speakers which states "ANY NEW VSA PRODUCT SOLD OVER THE INTERNET, BY OTHER THAN OUR ONE AUTHORIZED ONLINE DEALER, WILL NOT HAVE ANY WARRANTY."

Now this is the sort of thing that leads to misunderstandings between customers and manufacturers. No doubt the individual buying these speakers from this seller (and I'm assuming the seller is NOT an authorized dealer) will probably, and erroneously, assume that the speakers are under VS's warranty. So what happens, if couple months down the road, one of the speakers develops some problems? No doubt, VS would fix the speaker, but should the repair be covered "as if" the speaker was under warranty (which unless the seller is an authorized dealer, it is clearly not) or should they charge the buyer (who will "no doubt" be upset to find out his "NEW/FACTORY SEALED BOX" of VS VR-1 speakers didn't include a warranty) the cost of doing the repairs on his speaker?

BTW, I sent the seller the following message:

"Are you an authorized Von Schweikert dealer? If not you might want to mention the speakers will not being under warranty (see link - http://www.vonschweikert.com/_pricesus.htm). Just mentioning this because someone buying these "NEW" speakers might assume that they would be under Von Schweikert warranty, and if you're not a dealer that's not the case."

Hopefully, he'll amend his ad, and mention about the lack of warranty, but nevertheless, I think you can see some of the points I was trying to make about warranty issues and second/third party sales and manufacturers and who's responsible for what.

Cleaned up - You are absolutely right that this is the condition of the market right now. I do not think that it is right, though. How did this guy get these speakers? Did Von Schweikert sell them to him, make his fair profit? If this is a one time deal because of some special circumstance, it shouldn't be such a big deal to VS. If this is a recurring problem, VS should stop selling speakers to him. While VS seems to have the LEgAL right to do what he wants, it seems like from a perspective of fairness, he should take responsibility for his product.

Well heard back from the seller, and apparently he won these speakers in a drawing at an audio show. Also, the seller does a fair amount of business on Audiogon, and has a good reputation. Nevertheless, the seller also thinks that VS would provide warranty on these speakers since they are not "gray market" speakers, even though VS website is quite clear about on-line sales and warranties. I emailed VS and asked them what their thoughts are, and if I get a reply, I'll let you know what VS thinks on this matter. One more thing, I see the seller lower his price, since I let him know that VS had significantly lowered it's price on the VR-1 in the particular finish that he is selling. Apparently the finish is being discontinued.

Whoever said "The customer is always right" never dealt with real customers !

You know what I just found out from one editor of a prominent Audiophile magazine. The original post from Robyatt was sent to them as a letter to the editor to be published. The editor also recognized that it was not one for publication, but instead sent it on to me to be aware that the individual was doing that.

I will say it does bother me that we went out of our way to look for a solution from a different company, where we make no money, and the result is a very negative post here and letters to editors in the audiophile community.