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
Stringreen, You have hit a home run. A lousy looking finish on a speaker is really infinitesimal in the grand Scheme. My wife went for a annual physical and was told she had 3 months to live from a rare form of cancer.. She only made it 2. The last thing on her mind would have been a poor finish on a speaker. I figure I paid about $500.00 too much for these speakers. The cost of an emergency room visit. I can't devote the time or emotion to try to recover my loss. Like you posted " its best just not to be aggravated and to move on"  Wise words. Thank you.

I've managed to go awhile without a major life's setback, I am truly sorry for your loss rbogartr.  We do all handle things differently.  In your situation I would feel like screaming in his face.  Your a nice guy and if we have the whole he story someone has done you really wrong and for a lot more than $500.  I have been a member here for so many years I can't remember, and having a successful person act like this is pretty close to an all time low.

rbogart, I'm sorry and I can understand that in scope of things pursuing this is not that important, but you already met your goal - telling others about dishonest seller.  I cannot imagine anybody putting speakers into boxes and not realizing color is different.
rbogartr-
I'm very sorry for your loss.  It sounds like you are not letting the tragedy define your life and I applaud you for that.  My wife went for her annual and her OB/GYN immediately found a stage 2 tumor that her annual mammographer "missed".  5 surgeries, 6 rounds of strong chemo and 12 years later, she is doing fine, but we lost her sister/best friend to a rare cancer 2 years ago.  It does teach you to put things into perspective, but you also should not have to put up with this kind of bad behavior.  Kudos to Robert Lee for stepping up.  I agree that you should give Kevin a call and talk to him about it.  He may have some photos of the speakers that may help determine if it was some kind of shipping damage.  I can understand a B&M dealer being put off by having an Audiogon price being used as a negotiating chip, but you could point out to him that Audiogon at least attempts to resolve disputes when items are not as advertised.  f it's shipping damage, as the shipper, it's his responsibility to initiate a claim and to make you whole while it is being processed.  If he still does not step up, and if you paid via paypal or cc, I would go through their process to obtain a refund.  With paypal, the process is heavily weighted in the buyer's favor.  Your credit card issuer will give you a temporary credit while investigating. 

Best of luck.  You sound like the kind of guy I would want as a customer if I were in retail. 
How did you pay?
With Paypal you could always make a claim and return them to the store, you may even have the same chance with paying through a credit card comp....