When a used gear purchase goes wrong

[tuga]

Last Friday I was finally able to adequately position my new (used) speakers and give them a proper listen.
Unfortunately something was off and after swaping sides and inverting cable polarity I decided to measure the response. Diagnostic: uni-q midrange not working.
I contacted the seller and the history of the speakers is a certified horror show.
Ironically this was the first time I have bought used gear from a retailer and until now I'd never had issues...
Let's see how they deal with the situation before I start naming names... Very disappointed.

 

[DomT]

thats not good news. What did you end up buying? Sounds like Kef something or other. Did you get the 60s?

 

[tuga]

thats not good news. What did you end up buying? Sounds like Kef something or other. Did you get the 60s?

I bought a pair of Reference 3s, couldn't stretch the budget as far as the LS60s (or a pair of SCM40As).

 

[Mr Kandid]

Classic case of money back not fit for purpose and if they’ve hidden dodgy history then it’s new dealer time.
It’s up to you if you name and shame but get clear first.
The main reason to buy previously enjoyed from a dealer is that there is recourse.
I would stick them now anyway bad taste and spoiled.

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

Send 'em back.

 

[toms wait]

I'm not an expert but that trace looks like one of the worst I have seen.
Has that been designed or just drivers thrown in a box.
Peaky is an understatement.

 

[tuga]

I'm not an expert but that trace looks like one of the worst I have seen.
Has that been designed or just drivers thrown in a box.
Peaky is an understatement.

The top trace from the right speaker is as flat as it gets (ignore below 900Hz when the room starts to interfere), the 3 bottom curves belong to the left speaker. Note that I have applied less smoothing than the typical 1/6 octave.

 

[MartinC]

How rubbish. Expecting to be enjoying some new speakers and then ending up having to diagnose a problem . Hope you get a resolution you're happy with quickly.

Were you told a different story re. the history before buying, or wasn't it something you enquired about?

 

[antonio66]

Let's just hope the dealer can sort it out, money back hopefully. I really like the look of the Ref 3 in walnut finish.

 

[tuga]

Were you told a different story re. the history before buying, or wasn't it something you enquired about?

I didn't make thorough inquiries about the condition. I don't expect to find 'broken' gear for sale in a reputable store.
They assuemed it was fixed but I don't think that professionals are particularly knowledgeable (I've just had two underwhelming experiences with different retailers other than this one and even a streamer manufacturer rep). They could have been selling shoes.

 

[DomT]

I didn't make thorough inquiries about the condition. I don't expect to find 'broken' gear for sale in a reputable store.
They assuemed it was fixed but I don't think that professionals are particularly knowledgeable (I've just had two underwhelming experiences with different retailers other than this one and even a streamer manufacturer rep). They could have been selling shoes.

If the dealer had sent the speakers to KEF to be fixed that’s even more worrying. If they had been to KEF one would work in the assumption that they were fixed no? But in any even hugely disappointing.

 

[tuga]

If the dealer had sent the speakers to KEF to be fixed that’s even more worrying. If they had been to KEF one would work in the assumption that they were fixed no? But in any even hugely disappointing.

They were fixed by a 'repairer' they use regularly.
Last night I emailed them asking to have the speakers serviced by Kef or my money back. Problem is that they weigh 50kg each, are 1.2m tall and the boxes are in a tatty condition... A nightmare.
And the sound is rubbish, I can't even enjoy a bit of music to relax.

 

[StingRay]

So are they offering a full refund or just to fix them?

I have found salesmen and dealers to be similar, no matter what they are selling. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[tuga]

So are they offering a full refund or just to fix them?

I have found salesmen and dealers to be similar, no matter what they are selling. Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks. If they don't reply to my email before the end of the day I will have to give them a call.
I'm off to work now and have loads to do.

 

[DomT]

They were fixed by a 'repairer' they use regularly.
Last night I emailed them asking to have the speakers serviced by Kef or my money back. Problem is that they weigh 50kg each, are 1.2m tall and the boxes are in a tatty condition... A nightmare.
And the sound is rubbish, I can't even enjoy a bit of music to relax.

Not good. Best of luck. The dealer should pay for new boxes if you wish them to go to KEF.

 

[savvypaul]

Note that I have applied less smoothing than the typical 1/6 octave.

He says that to all the girls...

 

[Southall-1998]

I stay away from HiFi Dealers nowadays. Most of them are scumbags!

S.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

I have bought my last 3 expensive (to me!) items from dealers with no problems at all.

 

[Sumdumgi]

I stay away from HiFi Dealers nowadays. Most of them are scumbags!

S.

What absolute nonsense.

 

[savvypaul]

I stay away from HiFi Dealers nowadays. Most of them are scumbags!

S.

Investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in stock, premises, staffing... surely there's an easier way to become a scumbag?