2. speakers
  3. 1020135455

What is the right thing here................

Thanks for pitching in.

I have been buying, selling, and upgrading for about 2 years now. I have done so with very few issues, although, tough for anyone to say no issues. This deal was not made from AudioGon, but I would like your years of experience as help.

This problem is about ethics, more than anything.

I had a set of B&W 801 Anniversary edition speakers.
Great physical shape, with no problems. Used for about a year, I had been running them with a McIntosh MC-352, a Citation Audio 7.1, and until they sold last week, a Jeff Rowland Model 7. They had performed flawlessly the entire time.

I bought them from the original owner, a person (a local dentist) that replaced them with Wilson Slams.

Anyway, he informed me that he had to have the dealer replace a sub driver when one blew in 1994/5. No problem, I suppose that happens, althought I have not experienced this situation.

Someone locally wanted to buy the speakers, and I told them to come look, and listen. He refused to make the drive (an hour, tops) from San Jose to Orinda, DOT. He didn't have a car, then the car he did have was broken down, then he didn't have time, etc. Since I didn't want to lift them by myself, I would not deliver them, which for something lighter, I would no problem. An hour seemed like nothing to insure your $2,500 investment, right?

He wanted me to have a company ship them, so I did. They picked them up, and drove them to SJ. Like any other transaction, I was prepaid, $2,500. Fair for the speakers, with stands, both in great shape.

He called me the NEXT day and told me the speakers were blown, the subs. He said it was blown and there was no way for me to know, it was so minor and that he pushed it over the edge, or some garbage like this. He has a Krell KAS amp (a large amp he explained). When he removed the drivers, he said one was not even the matching driver. I had the grills on the entire time, and have NEVER had a problem with the drivers at all.

The speakers worked fine for a year here, and they worked when he got them. Granted, the different driver thing seems wrong, but, the question is this:

He has asked me to either cover the cost of new drivers or return the speakers for a full refund.

I know what my thoughts are, what are yours?

Trying to be the honest individual I am,
Dan
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porschecab OP
336 posts
 
Thanks Bill!! We did have a great chat, thanks!

I like that idea, it may be just the way to go. I am leaning on picking up the cost of one driver. Originally I had thought of depreciating the cost of the used driver (since it did have some value before it blew) and backing that out of the cost of a new one. Can you tell I worked for an insurance company for 15 years and now in Finance?
lol.

Anyway, I posted this just to see if I was that far off base in my logic, excluding that last statement about depreciating the sub.

Thanks to all that have responded and to those yet to do so.

D
justacoder
66 posts
 
Perhaps having him ship the speakers back, giving him a refund, and then examining and fixing the speakers at your lesuire (perhaps just to resell them) is the best thing. This way you wash your hands of this person. What if next week the tweeters blow? Or he notices a 'blemish' that 'must have been there when you shipped it', etc.

$600 isn't fair, as you say. Maybe you can do the same as the first owner, replace the blown driver with a cheaper 'copy', and then inform whoever you sell it to next about this (and likely have to reduce the price a little).

Best of luck.
eldragon
707 posts
 
Just his attitude before purchase 'screams' problem buyer. But it is OK, you kind of knew it, but ignored your instincts BEFORE you sold them your speakers. I would return his money, and take the speakers back. If you partialy refund him, or replace drivers... troubles with him, might not end there?! Good Luck!
bbtuna
96 posts
 
The likelihood of both drivers blowing at the same time-frame as a result of driver failure is probably incalculable. You sent them working…end of discussion! This is clearly a user error or one of the truly unique happenings in our lifetime...in the universe.

On the changed driver…did you hide that it was changed? If not you owe him nothing unless you tried to say that everything was “original”. I mean you probably should proactively reveal something like that but technically it doesn’t make you liable for anything unless you mislead him. Was it an authorized change by B&W? If so, I wouldn’t feel guilty about it. Did it ever sound sonically off to you? Probably not so again, don’t feel guilty.

If on the other hand, you feel guilty because you think you should have proactively revealed the change, then offer to pay for 1 driver…$300 (half the pair price) and make sure you get something in writing (email) from the buyer that this settles your account. Be clear that you are offering to pay because you feel responsible for the driver difference NOT because they went bad. Even if you talk on the phone, say it again in email and save your email coorespondence.

If you don’t feel guilty but just want to be a good guy then offer ½ or ½.

If you decide to visit (which I don't think is needed) call and show up as soon after telling him as possible. In other words, call, ask, drive and see him in an hour. I might even take a change and not call until i was in town.

Just some thoughts...good luck.

cd
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porschecab OP
336 posts
 
Bbtuna -

Thanks for the comments. I never did actually know of any different drivers. The change, I was told, was by a B&W dealer that used to be in Walnut Creek, CA. It would appear, based on what I am told, the repacement driver was from a different series. You are correct, I do feel guilty, but only because a good deal only happens when BOTH parties are satisfied. I want to do the right thing, as I think life works out better for you if you live your life on the straight and narrow, or is it arrow?

For what it is worth, I, and everyone else that has listened to my stereo, includes a writer/review from Home Theater magazine (not that this means anything) have never noticed a difference. Heck, would the drivers even look any different?

Anyway, I like the 1/2 split if this is what makes everyone happy. I do NOT think I am liable for such, but if this is what it takes, then MAYBE I will give.

I will ponder and keep reading suggestions/thoughts.

Thanks again.
Dan
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