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
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 

After reading all of this thread again, the gloves must come off. You have been gracious and honorable. 6 months is too long. Let the seller know you are filling with PP. Make sure you show PP all correspondence with the seller. Tell him times up.  

jetter
3,038 posts
 

Just double checking. My speakers have a separate jumper to the tweeters. If yours do also, you are sure the jumpers are in good shape?

kirbymydog OP
36 posts
 

Thank you. Yes, jumpers are fine. The voice coils are discontinuous. No continuity.

kirbymydog OP
36 posts
 

Unfortunately, the window for PayPal dispute has closed. However, I can still submit a summary of what has happened to both Audiogon and PayPal and perhaps even the dealer.

ghasley
2,506 posts
 

Absolutely I would have a conversation with the dealer and the seller. Be extra nice but communicate that all you wanted were working speakers, as advertised by his employee. Communicate that you gave the seller the benefit of the doubt as well as a nauseatingly lengthy amount of time to remedy the problem. Explain that the seller represented his employment with the authorized dealer as evidence of his credibility. You extended the credibility because the dealer is a legitimate B&W dealer. If there is a representation problem, it actually exists between the seller and his employer as it wasn’t you who made the inference.
 

Now, explain that you are a man of principal and that you arent going anywhere. The last point is the one that usually results in a satisfactory resolution. Explain that you have no issue whatsoever with the idea of spending $100,000 in legal fees if they force you to chase this to ground. Its the principal of the matter.

More to discover