Tell us your worst audio dealer or mfr. experience.

Years ago I was shopping speakers for my sister and her husband. I called Fidelis AV in NH on a pair of used speakers for info and schedule an audition. The salesman said speakers are boxed, he doesn't want to take them and set them up for an audition. Then said internet buyers don't need to audition before purchase so why do need to? If they don't sell in 3 or 4 weeks, then I'll take them out for you. I was SHOCKED!

Fidelis AV has moved several times in NH since so not sure if the salesman still works there.

Recently I decided to replace all my PCs and emailed 2 local BM (MA and NH) for Shunyata Sigma/Alpha to demo. They never replied and loss out on $15K+ of sales. No plans in trying to support local BM any longer.

Knghifi, it's the same way in Los Angeles with a lot of dealers. They always complain how bad business is but when you give them a chance to earn your business they don't want to go out of there way.

Avatar Acoustics shipped my AMR CD77.1 back to me by UPS and it was broken beyond reasonable repair. Even though the shipping was at my expense, Darren sent it uninsured. He was completely unwilling to take any responsibility and became petulant and offended that any compensation should be offered. When I offered to contact AMR to see what they were willing to do, he accused me of going behind his back (?!). AMR was reasonable, offering me a heavily discounted DP777SE when they were released. It took a over a year and it was still more money out of my pocket, but AMR was pretty stand up about it.

Darren left all communication to first his wife, then his assistant. To be fair, he had been very informative and helpful for years up until that point. When he had to step up as a reasonable seller, let alone dealer and national distributor, he was full of excuses and misplaced indigence. Really outrageous and disappointing behavior.

There it is...my worst experience by a long shot.

Budburma, good to know. I have thought about buying one of their pre-owned units in the past. My concern was service after the sale. After reading what you wrote I am glad I didn't.

Avatar Acoustics. Far and away. Returned an AMR CD77.1 after repair and mods to me and it arrived damaged beyond repair. I asked to make a claim with UPS and Darren told me he only insured it for $50. He had charged me for the shipping...my bad, I thought it would be insured(!?). He them tried to guide me through repairs. Things kept going wrong the machine over the course of weeks and I suggested he provide some compensation towards a new machine. He flew into a petulant rage, full of a wide range of excuses and took absolutely no responsibility.

When I suggested we speak with AMR, his petulance took on a new, more vibrant hue and he declared he would no longer deal with me after we had both contacted Vincent Luke at AMR. VInce was amazing and generous. He offered to settle for Darren by providing me with a new DP777SE at a significant discount.

After a little under a year, the first SE was sent to Avatar. Darren kept it "for shows." Vince thought it was meant for me. Darren had turned communications onver to his wife, then his assistant, myself, and Vince.

After a year, an SE arrived. I listed it for sale unopened since, In the meantime, I purchased an Aesthetix Romulus, had it modded at the factory and was (am) enjoying it quite a lot. Besides, I had (have) no interest in dealing with Darren ever again. VInce thought listing it right away shed a bad light on AMR and suggested Avatar sell it for me. After 6 weeks of no movement, they passed it back to me....

Without a transferrable warranty, I opened it and it didn't work. It was suggested by Avatar that I check fuses, etc. No thank you! I at least still had the warranty. I returned it, it was a simple fix with the 240/120 switch in the wrong position, but I took my money back and let them keep it.

Never an apology, never a moment of taking responsibility. I'm still both shocked and dismayed. Prior to this, Darren had been very generous with his time and knowledge, but when it came time for him to step up as a responsible seller...let alone dealer and national distributor.. he not only disappeared, but aggressively avoided taking any responsibility whatsoever.

AMR UK was amazingly standup even though it wasn't their responsibility, but why they would keep Avatar onboard with this kind of behavior is beyond me.

Steer clear of Avatar would be my advice.