I Got Screwed-Twice
DarqueKnight
Posts: 6,765
I preparation for replacing the binding posts on my JC1 amps, I took the top off to look around and plan out my modding procedure. There is nothing wrong with the stock binding posts. They are supposed to be of very high quality. I just don't like the way they look. I don't understand why they used all that thick aluminum plate on the case of the amps and then skimped by using plastic retaining nuts on the binding posts. The stock posts will be replaced with Cardas CCGR-S posts. I don't expect that I will hear a sonic improvement. I never have with any amp or speaker binding post replacement I have done. The Cardas posts will provide a tighter grip. Plus, I will subjectively feel better knowing that the back of my amp has some nice "audio jewelry".:p
While replacing the last screw in the top panel, I heard a "crack" and the top of the rivet-type screw sheared completely off.
I immediately called Parasound's tech support line to order a replacement screw. I got a recorded message saying that the person who handles parts orders was on vacation for a week and I was given another person's name and extension to call. I called the other person and got his voice mail. I then called Parasound's main number and asked if there was a real human I could speak to about ordering a screw. I was then given the name and extension of another person, the Substitute Parts Man, who I was able to catch at his desk (maybe the stars were aligned just right at that moment).
Anyway, I told this person that I needed a replacement screw. He tried to talk me out of ordering it because the part was "expensive". When I asked how expensive was expensive, he said $3.00 for the screw and $6.95 for shipping. Mr. Substitute Parts Man further said that he didn't think it was worth it for just one screw. I told him that, in the past, I'd always gotten screws for free. Whenever I needed only a screw or some other little doodad from an audio company (e.g. Polk, Magnepan, Sony, Yamaha), they would just put one in an envelope and drop it in the mail at no charge (not that I was looking for a free screw, you know). Mr. Substitute Parasound Parts Man said that they can't fulfill orders that way and that any parts sent out must go through the Company's regular fulfillment process. I said OK and ordered the screw.
My screw arrived a week later and it was very, very well packed. In fact, I was sent two screws...Mr. Substitute Parts Man was able to sneak an extra screw past the vast corporate bureaucracy. Sooooo....I got two screws for the price of one.
When ordering the new screw, I mentioned that I thought the broken screw must have been defective for it to break like that. He agreed as he was taking my credit card info. Parasound must have had some previous knowledge of how fragile these screws are: My screws were placed in a 3" x 5" zip lock plastic bag, which was then placed in a larger 12" x 14.5" plastic bag. The plastic bags were then wrapped in two layers of 1" bubble wrap and put in a 8" x 10.5" x4.5" box and sent by FedEx.
I just wanted to share.
Pics: 1. Broken screw; 2. Two new screws and packing; 3. JC1 rear; 4. Cardas CCGR-S replacement binding posts.
While replacing the last screw in the top panel, I heard a "crack" and the top of the rivet-type screw sheared completely off.
I immediately called Parasound's tech support line to order a replacement screw. I got a recorded message saying that the person who handles parts orders was on vacation for a week and I was given another person's name and extension to call. I called the other person and got his voice mail. I then called Parasound's main number and asked if there was a real human I could speak to about ordering a screw. I was then given the name and extension of another person, the Substitute Parts Man, who I was able to catch at his desk (maybe the stars were aligned just right at that moment).
Anyway, I told this person that I needed a replacement screw. He tried to talk me out of ordering it because the part was "expensive". When I asked how expensive was expensive, he said $3.00 for the screw and $6.95 for shipping. Mr. Substitute Parts Man further said that he didn't think it was worth it for just one screw. I told him that, in the past, I'd always gotten screws for free. Whenever I needed only a screw or some other little doodad from an audio company (e.g. Polk, Magnepan, Sony, Yamaha), they would just put one in an envelope and drop it in the mail at no charge (not that I was looking for a free screw, you know). Mr. Substitute Parasound Parts Man said that they can't fulfill orders that way and that any parts sent out must go through the Company's regular fulfillment process. I said OK and ordered the screw.
My screw arrived a week later and it was very, very well packed. In fact, I was sent two screws...Mr. Substitute Parts Man was able to sneak an extra screw past the vast corporate bureaucracy. Sooooo....I got two screws for the price of one.
When ordering the new screw, I mentioned that I thought the broken screw must have been defective for it to break like that. He agreed as he was taking my credit card info. Parasound must have had some previous knowledge of how fragile these screws are: My screws were placed in a 3" x 5" zip lock plastic bag, which was then placed in a larger 12" x 14.5" plastic bag. The plastic bags were then wrapped in two layers of 1" bubble wrap and put in a 8" x 10.5" x4.5" box and sent by FedEx.
I just wanted to share.
Pics: 1. Broken screw; 2. Two new screws and packing; 3. JC1 rear; 4. Cardas CCGR-S replacement binding posts.
Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
Post edited by DarqueKnight on
Comments
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talk about a waste of material....but hey, you got screwed twice for one price.....doesn't happen often :cool:Yamaha RX-V2600
Adcom GFA555 x 2
Yamaha CD685 cd changer
Yamaha Dvd c950 dvd changer
Polk RTi12 mains
Polk CSi3 center
Polk psw303
Polk RTi6 (surround and surround back)
Acoustic Research 12in 200 watt sub(8 years old and still hits hard:D)
WindyWillys cooling fan (works great)
Mitsubishi 52in big screen
blue jeans cables
AR interconnects -
ROFL Man, that's funny. Two tiny screws and that huge box!
Nice title for the thread, too.
In UseGeorge Grand wrote: »
PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
Epson 8700UB
In Storage
[Home Audio]
Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
[Car Audio]
Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520 -
DarqueKnight wrote:in the past, I'd always gotten screws for free.
well, i should hope so.. i hate when i have to pay for screws anymore. PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
I think it cost more to pack the two screws then the screws them self are worth.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
I'll bet Mr. Substitute Parts Man doesn't know that Mr. Packer Man has a sense of humor.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Well, at least you got what you needed! Have to admit, it's a bit humorous.
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F1nut wrote:I'll bet Mr. Substitute Parts Man doesn't know that Mr. Packer Man has a sense of humor.
Or....he might have been pissed at having to go through the corporate packing protocol just for a teeny tiny screw. The regular parts guy probably would have just put one in an envelope and droped it in the mail.Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country! -
The whole ordeal must have sucked but I would have laughed my **** off receiving a package that size for two screws. I guess you can't be too careful when it comes to shipping stuff these days :rolleyes:
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Thats great.
Kind of like when Russ sent me a box that could hold 3 Adcom GFA 555s and I got ONE GFA 545... biiig box.
But yeah, thats great - and thats a rip off... lol- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
I can remember getting a second screw for free but that was back in the
70's.polkaudio SRS (rdo194 x 8)
Dodd ELP (separate power supply)
JC 1 blocks ( strapped )
Rega Apollo
MIT (speaker cables) Outlaw (ICs)
polkaudio SDA2(rdo194x4) (front) polkaudio CRS (rdo194x4)(rear) polkaudio 400i (center)
B&K 505
Samsung LCD
VIP 622
HSU STF-2 -
Their packing protocol my very well be exponential. Consider yourself lucky that you didn't need a dozen screws. :eek:
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BlueMDPicker wrote:Their packing protocol my very well be exponential. Consider yourself lucky that you didn't need a dozen screws. :eek:
Yea, they'd have to airlift a pallet in for such a large order. :eek: -
You sure you want to replace stock binding posts? My understanding,which could be flawed,is that less metal equals lower eddy current.
Plastic is also harder to short across with good self damping.
