2. misc-audio
  3. 149118-107872

Business Ethics in the Audio Industry

I wonder if anyone else has run into problems with audio manufacturer/retailers that raise ethical (if not legal) issues. In mid-April, I ordered a Schiit Freya on Schiit's website and authorized credit card payment. The website said that shipment would be delayed until April 30th. After that, I received another email message from Schiit saying shipment would be delayed until May 15. I made one further inquiry after that, and Schiit responded that I would have to wait a little longer. Then, just yesterday, I received a message from Schiit saying that the Freya had been replaced by two new models, and I could choose between them. Either way, I'd have to pay $100 to $200 more than for the Freya I had ordered in mid-April.

Before yesterday, there was no sign on Schiit's website or anywhere else that the Freya was being discontinued in favor of the new model (with two options). Nor did any of the email messages I received from Schiit indicate that the Freya was being discontinued and that I would have to pay more than previously agreed for what I had ordered. The messages only ever referred to shipping delays.

Do you consider this a fair business practice on the part of Schiit? I feel like it's a bait-and-switch, which they tried to justify by noting that my credit card charge was reimbursed three days after the initial order, as per company policy. But I assumed that was only because of the delay in shipping, and that the card would be charged once shipping occurred. I don't know whether this rises to fraudulent misrepresentation, but it certainly seems to amount to a dishonest business practice. I'd be interested to hear what others think about this.
dancole
firstnot's avatar
firstnot
248 posts
 
Schiit happens. They f-ed me as well. Your bad for not asking in an email
if a new version was due out anytime soon.

When you lose contact with a person to help you with a decision,
you cut out the middleman. That middleman may have been the person 
who would have advised you not to buy at that time.

Live and learn my friend.
andrew31829's avatar
andrew31829
13 posts
 
Schiit had offered for sale an item they knew was unavailable. 
Schiit strung the OP along with excuses more than once. 

As they had clearly discontinued the old model and had no old stock to sell, what harm to them if they had immediately told the OP that they'd a new model coming.

The issue would not have arose if they had not offered for sale something they knew they wouldn't supply. 
jperry
2,433 posts
 
It sounds to me like their inventory management system needs some help, but other than that, no problem. 

Buy their new version, a used piece of Schitt, or something else, and move along instead of getting all spun up over a minor issue.
Post removed 
dancole OP
15 posts
 
I appreciate the varied responses, including those slamming me for posting about the incident. Perhaps it was not worth posting about. Having said that, I believe most customers feel "entitled" to receive advertised items for which they have paid, without being strung along with false promises of mere "shipping" delays. I continue to believe that a seller ought to be straight with a purchaser about circumstances at the time of purchase and up to the point of delivery. Having purchased a good deal of equipment online, I have never had a situation like this one, and I find that the vast majority of sellers - especially dealers that manufacture and sell their own equipment - go above and beyond what is required to provide customer satisfaction. This is the last word I will say on the topic. But Schiit supporters should feel free to continue taking shots at me.
More to discover