2. misc-audio
  3. 174534-102527

Buyer Dispute

I would like to have some opinions of a remedy for this issue:

I purchased a pair of B&W 804D3 loudspeakers through Audiogon in August 2021. They were shipped in original containers by freight. The boxes arrived damaged with some holes in the boxes, but no damage to the speakers accept for one very small spot, which could be repaired with a drop of stain. However, neither tweeter was functioning. A multimeter revealed an open circuit across both voice coils. The seller said that they worked before shipping but offered to send me replacement tweeters under the previous owner' warranty which I agreed to. However, and here is the rub; Because of supply chain issues, Bowers and Wilkins did not, and still does not have the tweeters in stock. I have been waiting 6 months for the seller to provide the replacements from B&W, but they continue to be out of stock. In short, I paid nearly $7,000 in August 2021 for speakers that I still cannot listen to.

Any opinion on a path to resolution?

 

kirbymydog
sns
3,389 posts
 

@kirbymydog Wow, you're one of the most patient and understanding buyers I think I've ever seen.

You're sold non-working speakers misrepresented as working when shipped. You accept offer of replacement tweeters which have not arrived for over 6 months, and don't appear to be arriving any time soon. Your assuming no issues with crossovers in having caused original tweeters failure, which I might agree with since both tweeters are defective. This points even more to seller lying to you.

 

I'd have been done with this sale right from the get go, inoperable tweeters would have been the end for me. Looks like you've fallen in love with these particular pair of speakers. Become a realist, you've been had by dishonest seller and a speaker company that keeps no spares on hand. I'd be long gone out of this deal!

hshifi
572 posts
 

Hello,

You may need to get some interim speakers for now. You could open a dispute with  PayPal but in the end you loose the deal on the speakers. Everything in audio is going through the roof in price. I can’t imagine what these all aluminum speakers cost now. You might be giving up a once in a lifetime deal due to current prices. Last thing is try to find some tweeters on eBay or AGon or something else to get them going. There might have been a pair of these speakers or another model with the same tweeter that has serious cabinet damage. That’s how I got a hinge and sub platter for my Linn TT. Not cheap but cheaper than new. I hope this helps and this all gets resolved soon. 

kirbymydog OP
36 posts
 

Thank you. Yes, I do have other speakers to listen to. But not like the 804’s. The drivers cost  about $960 each. No aluminum housing…just the dome tweeter Itself. 

larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,009 posts
 

I would have a difficult time buying from a private party for these reasons.  Did they ship with insurance to cover either repair or replacement.  I buy new cars and buy new sound gear new as well for these same reasons.  I also like knowing they are covered under factory warranty.

lpretiring
473 posts
 

OP is past the 6 month mark in this mess. How long does someone have in opening a Paypal dispute?

Patience does not seem to be working in your behalf. If the window of availability is still open for you, I would pursue a dispute immediately as your best option for a fair resolution.

Best of luck to you.

More to discover