Dealer behavior issue

If you're in the U.S. the rules regarding restocking fees are governed by each state and if there are any fees or "no return" terms, they must be disclosed at time of sale.  It seems like you negotiated or attempted to negotiate a custom restock fee, but you also paid with wire upfront, rather than even a check?  That audio dealer hasn't even remitted the money to the manufacturer/distributor yet....it seems like if he was reputable in the first place, he would only require a deposit so that you're not wasting his time ordering something that is never accepted by the buyer...or if he knew you would just order the thing.  If he gave you a date when it was to be received by him and it's not there as promised, he hasn't fulfilled his end of the transaction.  Also, the manufacturer or distributor probably wouldn't be happy hearing about this person...in fact, in cases when I've done this, the retailer was seething...because they are at risk of losing their relationship.  And by the time they talk to you again after a 'friendly' conversation with their supplier, you'll have a check waiting. .. hopefully.  In any case, always use a credit card, but also don't let a retailer put you over a barrel.  There's no requirement that a refund be given for anything purchased ever..as a return...., but you didn't order a custom lime green aluminum chassis with yellow LEDs.  If you haven't, or never, take delivery, he can't keep your money forever.  You always have the option of self-initiated court action, which is a pain, but the fees are relatively cheap and then there will be a public record of that vendor being a defendant.  You can also always sell the item on your own but why take that basis risk?  You haven't opened it or taken possession.  Given that you've never opened it, unless the manufacturer is on the brink, the most that anyone is actually harmed is shipping costs....restock on an unopened item?  You could also ask for full value as store credit.  Even the worst jerky store would take that most days of the week....they have the money and you have to remember to spend it there.  But, as others are probably having disappointing experiences, if the store goes out of business, your store credit is essentially gone as you'll be way down in the stack of people they repay if anything is left.  It seems like you shouldn't have to surrender something of value (your gently used item) that wasn't in the original transaction just to unwind a purchase that hasn't even been shipped or arrived at the store yet.  That sort of entangling would really make a high-end manufacturer unhappy.  It seems very predatory.

Typically, the dealer is not charged for ANY product until it ships.  If the product hasn’t even left ARC then most likely he hasn’t even been charged yet!  Where did the money go? You should be eligible for a full refund because he’s out nothing.  The next logical solution is that he spent the money on other operating costs so he has enough left to pay the cost of the unit, but not enough to give you a refund.

There are way too many holes in your story to be believable. There must be something else that you are not including. Why would you be charged anything if the item was never shipped? A full refund without a restocking fee or any other charge would be the norm. The only fee if any should be the shipping from ARC to the dealer and from the dealer back to ARC!

Lot of quick judgments about the dealer with only the ops stated story of the "facts".

@facten - Exactly!