Very Bad purchase from upscale audio Acoustic Zen Adagio


This was not my first purchase from Kevin Deal at Upscale audio. I am a entry level audiophile. My PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP and Dialogue Premium Preamplifier have given many hours of enjoyment. I have purchased well over 1K in tubes from Kevin. This purchase took me over the 10K mark with Upscale Audio. I am not a rookie to audio or tube amplification. I have had a successful tube amp repair and design shop since 1993. 
My concern.
Here is the description of the Acoustic Zen Adagio from Upscale audio's website.
This pair of Adagio's from our demo room are also the last pair of Adagio's in our inventory. The Adagio is such a sweet sounding speaker and is perfect for those who really like to get inside the music. The pair we have are in the stunning Figure Red wood finish. The baffle style is the original (and better sounding) non-tapered baffle, as pictured. Price $2499.00 plus shipping
Ok.
I called Kevin and talked to him on the phone.  I asked him if he would entertain an offer. I told him that I had seen the same speakers offered on Audiogon and Audioasylum for considerably less.
He said I am a retail store and back my products. He also said this and I quote " Those people are just guys in their underwear scratching their asses." I am a store.
I trusted the description of the speakers and I trusted Kevin.
Total price. $2839.  $2499.00 plus $340.00 shipping to NC.
The speakers arrived and I couldn't wait to unpack them and hook them up. The packing was great. My anticipation was greater.
Left speaker Tweeter DOA. The same speaker had a shameful reject finish.  The lacquer was so clouded you can hardly see the wood figure. The back of the speaker was loaded with black specks under the lacquer. These speakers are seconds, rejects. I sent Kevin Deal 4 emails referring to the fact that this really was a bad deal.  It has been 3 days and no response.
On the other hand Robert Lee ( Owner of Acoustic Zen)  responded immediately to my email asking for help with the DOA Tweeter. I sent it off next day air to him and today responded that it is on it's way back  to me.
Somehow Kevin Deal's Train ran off the tracks so don't ask for your money back

rbogartr
I talked to him once about some tubes.  When I finished talking, I said, "I don't need this."   Its not like I can't find respectful and customer oriented guys to send my money too.
I too found Deal irritating so I took my business elsewhere. Thankfully that led me to Andy Bouman of Vintage Tube Services. Andy is not only extremely knowledgeable about tubes and vintage gear ( anything audio actually) but very helpful and friendly........and has many "holy grail" NOS tubes and goes the extra mile in matching them.
I have bought a few items from UA.  One item I had an issue with (a phonostage) and Kevin immediately remedied the problem, plus threw in a second set of tubes (4 total).
Wow - this is the first time I've ever heard anything negative about Upscale.  I bought a Nitty Gritty machine and my Opera Callas monitors from them and probably a few other things and everything was exactly as represented.  I know Kevin can be rather outspoken, but that's another issue.  Sorry you had a problem.  Perhaps Kevin was unable to get to his emails for a couple of days?  I would be upset too, but 3 days isn't that much.  Good luck. 
If this were 1910, and you’d ordered something from the Sears catalog and not gotten a response by postal mail in three days, I’d tell you to wait. But in 2017, when most people have email on their phone, and at the very least most people with online businesses have either email on their phone or have a system to respond to online communications, 3 days = 3 months. Even if he’s on vacation or indisposed, there should be someone in place to respond to inquiries. I bet it didn’t take 3 days for him to respond when you wanted to make the purchase.