Conrad Johnson Repair Issues


The Post I Never Dreamed I’d Write
About two weeks ago I sent my beloved Conrad Johnson Premier-17 back to
the Conrad Johnson factory for repair because it stopped making any sound whatsoever. It apparently blew some internal component.
I soon received an email acknowledging receipt of the unit and an estimated bill
of about $523.00 not including parts.
On 10/14/2016 I got a phone message telling me the preamp was fixed & total charges were $579.00.
I called a few days ago to give my credit card info to pay for the repairs. The CJ
employee told me that “we also need to tell you that the unit was damaged during
shipping & the damages are not repairable because it involves damage to the structure of the unit & those metal parts are no longer available." The damage was not mentioned until that point.
Photos showed the actual frame of the preamp was twisted & bent. It looked like it had been dropped off a two story building without the box.
The repair manager felt it would be pointless to file an insurance claim because
they would automatically deny any claim where the box was not damaged & refused to assist me with any insurance issues.
The CJ phone rep assured me that Mr. Johnson, the owner, would call me that afternoon but he never did.
I did get a call from the repair employee who said they just want to
get my payment information & send my preamp to me.
I shipped U.S. Post Office & insured for $2000.00.
I’m shocked to have this happen with this company. I've had several pieces of equipment repaired by them with great service.
I would appreciate any advice. I'm a little shaken & confused.
I’m really shocked that this would happen with a company of this stature.
I've stayed with this brand over the years because of their reliability & reputation for integrity.
It really doesn’t look like shipping damage to me.Shouldn’t they at least be willing to
assist with insurance issues?
This is one of the more unpleasant customer service experiences I've had in a while.

128x128pereza
I shipped a guitar amp to the manufacturer for an update and it was dropped on its corner by UPS…bent the metal frame corner. It was sent back to me by UPS in the same packaging (!) and I unbent it and it works fine. UPS was an insane pain in the a-- and refused to pay for the damage, so my little amp will live with a bent corner and I’ll pack such things much better in the future, but in YOUR case Conrad Johnson risks damage to their reputation and I’d be friggin’ relentless in your quest for the truth! It seems clear from what’s been described that they’re attempting to dodge their own mistake, and that’s just lame. Go get ’em!
there's simpler way:

1. Give a call to the main CJ office and explain the problem.
2. Request an identical unit sent for free
3. If declined, than PURCHASE new unit from CJ directly
4. Do not accept old unit and initiate credit card dispute to bring back full amount paid for new unit.
Pereza-

I concur w/ the panel here. I never thought that I would read a post like yours?

First- Much Thanks! for your intial post. It is imperative (this is a textbook example) to post both positive and negative experiences when dealing w/ these companies. Dealers/ retailers as well. Luckily for you, Conrad Johnson has been in business for a long time. More of a challenge would exist if you were talking to a newer, less prominent company or start-up.

I am a big CJ fan and have a vested interest in your situation as well.
I want you to keep me posted, even if, you send me a PM.

PLease list all people at C-J that you have conversed and had dealings.
Hopefully, this sort of issue will get elevated to Mr. Conrad and/or Mr. Johnson as well.
Totally agree with the collective outrage expressed here.  I have dealt with cj repair services before with fine results.  Someone at cj screwed up big time and is not coming clean about it.  Don't put up with that!!  You're in an impossibly stupid position.  Yes, you deserve a fully functioning non-FUBAR unit or present production unit of commensurate quality.

I sent my Vandersteen model 3 speakers from here (PA) to Vandersteen (CA) and the UPS fork lift operator DID damage one of the speakers.  Vandersteen notified me of the incident, filed the claim with UPS, sent me a UPS receipt for the cost for Vandersteen to fix my speakers and all was well.  That's obviously the way such incidents should be dealt with.  

I also agree with swampwalker.  I would also mention that if the situation is resolved satisfactorily that you will post that here to to try and rehabilitate cj's tarnished image.

I truly empathize with you.  I would be ungodly upset if in your situation!
I was a c-j dealer for many years.  They are a wonderful company.  Of course, we are only hearing one side of the story, but I tend to agree with the others that something is going on.

Call and ask for either Bill or Lew and tell them the story.  I'm sure they will take care of it.  Some of the best people in the business.