Annoyed with an ebay seller........

heiney9
heiney9 Posts: 25,198
edited November 2009 in The Clubhouse
I am usually careful about who I deal with on Ebay........I look at a lot of factors besides just feedback to determine if I am going to take a chance on an item and then I set a limit on what I'm willing to pay based on those factors as well as the rarity of the item.

I have been thoroughly impressed and blown away by Dared products. I own a pre-amp and hybrid integrated. I have been looking for the VP-16 full tube integrated for awhile and missed a few on Audiogon, but frankly they were a little more than I wanted to spend. Found a solid seller and a great deal on ebay.

Well I knew as soon as the box arrived today there was going to be damage and it wasn't Fed Ex's fault...............it was piss poor packing.

One speaker terminal was sheered completely off and (2) others were bent. The piano finish on the outer side was damaged in one spot. The idiot who packed this left a 4" gap between the outer box and the poorly packed inner box. A 30lb amp is going to move around alot in that 4" gap.

See photos

rear_broken.jpg

rear broken bent terminals

rear.jpg

rear broken bent terminals

box_inside.jpg

inner/outer box showing 4" of space

packing.jpg

pieces of the black piano finish in the poorly done bubble wrap

chips.jpg

missing chunks of finish

I am working with the seller for atleast a $50 refund so I can fix the rear terminals. We'll see.

H9
"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
Post edited by heiney9 on
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Comments

  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2009
    WOW!
    Good luck with this one H9.
    Michael ;)
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2009
    What is it with packaging issues lately! There's no faster way to say "I'm an idiot" than a poor packaging job.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2009
    Just plain lazy. How does it sound?
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,198
    edited November 2009
    It sounds great. I had to carefully connect the 'nanner plug in the bent terminal. The tubes are new production Russian Tung Sol driver tubes and Russian JJ/Tesla output tubes from the Tube Depot.

    It needs something atleast 40 years old running in this baby. I have a pair of RCA 5691 "red bank" driver tubes coming from the early 50's. Output tubes I haven't decide on yet they are 6V6GT or equivalents. Looking at the late 40's early 50's RCA 6V6GT (VT-107A CRC JAN) smoked glass round blk plates.

    The new production tubes don;t sound too bad.........there is a lack of bass especially at lower levels...........micro dynamics is poor at this point. Had it running for about 4-5 hours and not a single issue. Creamy and lush but not a whole lot of dynamics unless you really wind the vol. knob. 14wpc
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited November 2009
    That really sucks. Hope you can get it worked out with the seller and get your money back.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited November 2009
    The bent and broken terminals can be fixed but hopefully the seller will take care of you there. As for the finish if your anal about your gear ( and it sounds you are) like me then you probably won't accept this. Congrats on the amp, but sucks you have to deal with the issues from poor shipping .
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,200
    edited November 2009
    It doesn't look to me that the 4" from the top of the outside box to the top of the inside box was the culprit. It's the fact that both outside and inside box were very flimsy and the inside box did not fit snugly around the unit to prevent excessive movement (the top is squished in). Also, and more importantly perhaps, there seems to be very little space around the inside box (on the sides) to keep it from banging against anything hard that might hit the outside box. I'd bet that was where the piano finish got whacked off and the terminals got bent.

    Good luck with resolving the issue!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited November 2009
    That sucks.I have some extra binding posts that look almost identical to those,if he doesn't come good for them I would be glad to send you what you need.
    Testing
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,663
    edited November 2009
    Sorry to see that Brock. I'm thinking he should take it back for a full refund.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited November 2009
    Agreed poorly packed...
    But damn, what the hell happened to cause chips like that through two layers of cardboard and bubblewrap?? Was there any evidence of damage on the outside of the box where that part of the amp was?

    Also what the hell is up with people not even dusting the the the product before shipping it?
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,198
    edited November 2009
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    Agreed poorly packed...
    But damn, what the hell happened to cause chips like that through two layers of cardboard and bubblewrap?? Was there any evidence of damage on the outside of the box where that part of the amp was?

    Also what the hell is up with people not even dusting the the the product before shipping it?

    This amp is **** heavy with all 3 transformers on the back end. It weighs about 30-35lbs.(all concentrated at the rear). One drop on that rear corner with all that weight back there. Plus the bubble wrap was even done half-assed.

    There are actual dust bunnies on the unit. Pathetic if you ask me. Thick dust bunnies.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited November 2009
    Oh yeah, full refund....was thinking easy fix until scrolling down and seeing the buggered up finish. Good luck in getting this resolved.
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2009
    I dislike amatuer shippers.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,092
    edited November 2009
    No excuse for shotty packing like that. It's your call but the damaged finish would be the icing on the cake for a full refund. Hopefully the seller will make things right with you.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2009
    Return it.

    What happens when you decide to move onto something else and try to sell it?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited November 2009
    Does this seller live near Polkie918 by any chance ?!? JK :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2009
    Wow. That sucks. I am with the others that say you should get a refund. Mike is right on. That damage will drop the resale price.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,198
    edited November 2009
    Nope...........he's from Florida. I am torn about returning it for a full refund. These hardly come up FS, I got a pretty good deal on it. I can live with the chips (if he refunds some money) and the terminals can be fixed.

    Don't get me wrong I'm not letting him off the hook by any means and in the end it may have to go back. I ran it for 4 hours last night and it sounds/operates great. He has been very responsive so far in all my communications from sale thru damage, so that is a plus.

    I just can't believe how people lack so much common sense.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2009
    On a side note (and I think I did say this already), who would have thought a couple of years back that Brock would be buying all this chinese gear ;)
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2009
    This is why I stay away from ebay anymore. Poor packing, and of course EVERYTHING is in EXCELLENT condition; yeah right.

    When I bought my HPM-40's from ebay for the 70's mancave, they arrived with newspaper wrapped around them, sharing a box!!!. No bubble wrap, no cardboard reinforcement, no styrofoam. Surprisingly they were fine! I couldn't believe it. All the corners were intact, and no broken grills, etc.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,198
    edited November 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    On a side note (and I think I did say this already), who would have thought a couple of years back that Brock would be buying all this chinese gear ;)

    Certainly not I :D. I have to say for as much as I criticize Chinese sourced gear all 3 Dared pieces are impressive. Both in the quality of parts and build. All my units are USA only models however and that could be why.

    Nichicon, Auricaps, Dale resistors, beefy transformers, high quality vol pots/selectors, very nice ceramic/gold plated tube sockets. And for the cost they can't be beat!!! I'm sure in the future I will replace the Dared pre-amp with something more upscale, but right now with the best 12AT7 tubes made (Tele ECC801s; Valvo 6201 goldpin) it sounds fantastic and I'm having fun.

    The VP16 I just got is perfect for my office rig running the 5B's.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited November 2009
    "They" can make good stuff...... when they feel like it.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited November 2009
    Bummer Brock. I think you should return it for a full refund and wait for the next piece.
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  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited November 2009
    If you are going to keep it, fix the posts then send it to Nick....he would make it pretty again.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=986764&postcount=1
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited November 2009
    gdb wrote: »
    "They" can make good stuff...... when they feel like it.

    True, it's just going to cost more than $50 a wk. for the labor, and the expense of riding over them for a while to make sure they understand what is expected, and that they deliver it. What many people consider poor Chinese quality is actually the companies that contract the work not being very specific about the sourcing of material and components used, and ensuring that what they spec and who they spec it to be purchased from is followed. It's still basically a, you get what you pay for market for those doing business in China same as anywhere else.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited November 2009
    Just send him pics and ask for whatever refund you want. If he's a decent seller he will make it right. His packaging was not sufficient.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited November 2009
    I am in the midst of a similar issue with a Turntable I bought that was shipped on it's SIDE. Damaged and subsequently it did not function as described. MINTY.

    I may be done with ebay as soon as I get my money back. I bought it the Wednesday before Polk Fest.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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