Very Bad purchase from upscale audio Acoustic Zen Adagio


This was not my first purchase from Kevin Deal at Upscale audio. I am a entry level audiophile. My PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP and Dialogue Premium Preamplifier have given many hours of enjoyment. I have purchased well over 1K in tubes from Kevin. This purchase took me over the 10K mark with Upscale Audio. I am not a rookie to audio or tube amplification. I have had a successful tube amp repair and design shop since 1993. 
My concern.
Here is the description of the Acoustic Zen Adagio from Upscale audio's website.
This pair of Adagio's from our demo room are also the last pair of Adagio's in our inventory. The Adagio is such a sweet sounding speaker and is perfect for those who really like to get inside the music. The pair we have are in the stunning Figure Red wood finish. The baffle style is the original (and better sounding) non-tapered baffle, as pictured. Price $2499.00 plus shipping
Ok.
I called Kevin and talked to him on the phone.  I asked him if he would entertain an offer. I told him that I had seen the same speakers offered on Audiogon and Audioasylum for considerably less.
He said I am a retail store and back my products. He also said this and I quote " Those people are just guys in their underwear scratching their asses." I am a store.
I trusted the description of the speakers and I trusted Kevin.
Total price. $2839.  $2499.00 plus $340.00 shipping to NC.
The speakers arrived and I couldn't wait to unpack them and hook them up. The packing was great. My anticipation was greater.
Left speaker Tweeter DOA. The same speaker had a shameful reject finish.  The lacquer was so clouded you can hardly see the wood figure. The back of the speaker was loaded with black specks under the lacquer. These speakers are seconds, rejects. I sent Kevin Deal 4 emails referring to the fact that this really was a bad deal.  It has been 3 days and no response.
On the other hand Robert Lee ( Owner of Acoustic Zen)  responded immediately to my email asking for help with the DOA Tweeter. I sent it off next day air to him and today responded that it is on it's way back  to me.
Somehow Kevin Deal's Train ran off the tracks so don't ask for your money back

rbogartr
slaw,  I am very sorry. The only point I was trying to make is that Upscale Audio reached out to its customer with a resolution and was trying to contact the customer.  rbogartr needs to contact Upscale Audio for a resolution. 

Of course, rbogartr can handle this any time he wants.  Since he posted the problem here and on another sites, I thought he was anxious to get it resolved. Hopefully, a phone to Upscale Audio is needed and postings here cannot solve his speaker problem.    



The whole thing should not have been posted on an open forum. It is between the buyer & seller. Since the OP posted it, comments are going to happen. " At the end of the day" means just that. Pull the emotion out from the OP, KD and everyone else posting here. and what do you have?
Just what I said. Do we know what really happened in the communication between the OP & KD, no only he said - he said.

I don’t know why the OP posted this: " My concern.
Here is the description of the Acoustic Zen Adagio from Upscale audio’s website.This pair of Adagio’s from our demo room are also the last pair of Adagio’s in our inventory. The Adagio is such a sweet sounding speaker and is perfect for those who really like to get inside the music. The pair we have are in the stunning Figure Red wood finish. The baffle style is the original (and better sounding) non-tapered baffle, as pictured. Price $2499.00 plus shipping"

The above is the description from Upscale’s website current listing of the Acoustic Zen Adagio Jr. speakers, NOT the Acoustic Zen Adagio’s speakers that the OP bought.

There seems to be missing info from both parties and makes me suspect things are just not the way they seem, however, at the end of the day the OP gets a nice sounding pair of speakers at a reasonable price (warts & all). If the OP can live with the flaws and the rebate fine, if he ships them back for a full refund fine, however he won’t have the nice speakers. Both parties need to handle this off the forum, report the end results if one or the other deem necessary. There are no winners in this.
Kevin Deal is a jackas... I spoke to him on the phone and I would NEVER ever buy from him or recommend him to my friends or even enemies.  
about 25+ years at Audiogon, I am so glad that the truth comes out about Upscales Audio and Mr. Deal.    He is one Redneck Asshole, disrespectful and extremely racist person!  
Acoustic Zen DoNot make a redwood veneer.
If you're referring to the speakers this thread is about, Figure (or Figured) Red is available as a finish from Acoustic Zen. It is not as popular of a finish but it is available.