Transparent Audio is anything but Transparent

Refusal to authenticate second-hand goods is the norm these days. For example, in the luxury space, you can't get a Louis Vuitton or Chloe handbag authenticated by the respective manufacturers. This is increasingly the case because the counterfeits are so good, even employees can't recognize them.

I did a consulting project a few years ago for one of the world's top luxury conglomerates, looking for both grey market and counterfeit sites on the internet. During that time, I met in Geneva with the commercial director of one of the world's most exclusive watch brands. He showed me a watch that someone bought online, thinking he was saving 35% on the cost. The watch stopped working, and he brought it to an authorized dealer in San Francisco. They looked at it, determined that it needed to go back to the manufacturer in Geneva, and sent it. In Geneva, the manufacturer's employees opened the package, inspected the watch, and sent it to the master watchmakers on the factory floor. It was only when it was examined by the master watchmakers that they were told the product was a counterfeit. 

I tracked down the source of the counterfeit watch. It cost some scammer about $1000, which the scammer married to a counterfeit register receipt, right down to the terminal ID and the name of the employee who supposedly sold it (cost: ~$50). Then they turned around and sold it on an online store for $40,000. 

And yes, the counterfeit looked that good. Nobody is going to authenticate anything of value anymore. It's too easy to make a convincing knockoff, and the authenticator gets no benefit and all liability (whether loss of reputation or by being sued).

I am not a customer of Transparent cables, though I have had the opportunity to demo their cables. You appear to have more of an issue that they would not validate or make an assumption on a used product that you wanted to buy on eBay. I completely understand why they wound not and would point you to a dealer for confirmation.

How are they screwing the sellers in the secondhand market? More unethical practice committed in this market segment than by Authorized Dealers, just read the pages in this forum.

Karen at Transparent is trying to maintain the value in her product line in both the Primary and Secondary Market. Who can fault her for this?

Transparent is not the only manufacturer to take this position and I for one think it is awesome. They are trying to protect the brands that they built and have integrity in the secondary market.

Now of course there are the "Conspiracy theorist" (Transparent is just like all the other cable companies taking advantage of the gullible by clever advertising and obfuscation!) That see this a move by "Big Cable" (laughable like they are big Pharma or Insurance Companies) companies to shite on the secondary market and inflate pricing. They are only selling what the market is demanding and it is clear the demand is higher for Integrity, Quality, and Authenticity than fakes. I know it is a big capitalist’s scam!

I for one am a CAPITALIST and agree with "Big Cable" I congratulate companies like Transparent Audio, for initiating a Upgrade Program, to add and preserve the value and the integrity of their brand.  Cardas, Transparent, and other high end cables come with a "Certificate of Authenticity" . This is done to preserve the value and integrity of the product and to protect the "Consumer" in the secondary market. I am going to assume that your eBay seller did not have this?

We all want a deal, we want to fly first class for coach prices, we all want new cars for the price of used. Fact is business cannot remain viable by being socialist’s. If you want quality you are going to have to pay, and if you cannot afford it then you must compromise. No BMW’s for KIA prices here.

Their reply was “We can never guarantee the authenticity or functionality of products being sold by anyone other than our authorized dealers. If you choose to purchase from third parties, those purchases are made caveat emptor. If you’d like to be absolutely certain you are purchasing authentic Transparent products, I recommend you shop our network of authorized dealers.

So it’s clear to me, that this article wanting you to take advantage of buying used and answering your concerns was just a bunch of propaganda. Thanks for nothing.

Here is a link to the actual WBF thread. For those interested. 

@classicrockfan wont go that far. Look at other options like Wireworld, Signal Cable, RSX Technologies, Zavfino, DH Labs. I gravitate to OCC cables. But you can use an old extension cord on your system, just not my system.

Well put! OP try Ebay/Amazon and do your own research. You’ll find excellent audio cables for far less money like 1/10, 1/20 and use that money to upgrade your DAC and go to a concert with your wife (or gf) on a Sunday.

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