Volti does it again!

@wolf_garcia

I agree that a "no returns for any reason" policy is pretty customer unfriendly.

Ok, so maybe this maker is short on staff or has gotten burned in the past -- or something.

But FFS, if I spend thousands of dollars on something, you’d think there would be a policy of trying to work with the customer. I mean, Volti could have a high re-stocking fee or insist on shipping being paid both ways, or whatever. Then, I’d at least know what I was risking by trying out a speaker. But to have no options at all? Bad policy, IMHO.

By having this kind of policy, in my opinion, they close off customers who are not stingy or finicky but understand that this has to be solid decision. And given the nature of acoustics and the importance of trying speakers in your space, it seems entirely reasonable. I mean, even little ol’ Fritz gives an in-home trial and he’s about as small a company as you can find.

And if you can drive to hear a Volti, great. That's a decent substitute. But could it really be that it's ok for many customers not in driving distance to have to take a big risk?

At $7.5 the best deal on speakers I have seen would be purchasing Vanderteen model 5As for $5K as they have been recently selling for.  Adjustable bass and with zero feedback amplifiers they will sound amazing.

Didn't mean to hijack your post.

@hilde45  Agreed, 0 flexibility is not ideal. Not sure if that’s due to being burned in the past. When I worked at the only real HiFi shop in my town, my boss similarly was a bit rigid after the sale. I can say for sure his reasoning was getting burned. We also dealt in pro audio, and that was sometimes nightmarish. 
Volti is a small shop, less than a dozen employees, no dealer network etc… I’m sure there’s a component of growth, keeping up with sales and stock, all while keeping quality high. It would be great if there were a handful of options to hear them other than going to the shop and a couple of shows. I just like to offer my house and my system to anyone interested. I know that we as a community indulge in a somewhat solitary hobby, but as proof from the show I’m just returning from, when we nerds meet, we really interact and engage in conversation.

@bigkidz  you didn’t hijack at all my friend, discussion is why we’re here right? Also the Vandersteen were also at the top of my list. I will own a pair someday.

@doyle3433 I am not a fan boy of Vandersteen like some are.  I do own the 5As and Sevens.  But we also manufacturer audio components and the hybrid and class A tube mono blocks we build just work wonders on them.  We have some many things in our listening room so people are always invited to come and play with us.  We enjoy the company.  If anyone is in the New Jersey area, come say hello.

Speakers are extremely easy to damage in shipping and in moving it in out and around a listening room.  I am amazed at how many come back to a store with nicks or even worse damage when being borrowed for an audition.  Also, to be fair, anything that went out and came back should not be resold as “new” unless the buyer is aware of this condition.  Allowing returns would add dramatically to the cost of the speaker.  Which is preferable: a liberal return policy or a low price?