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
Ag insider logo xs@2xporschecab

Showing 2 responses by tweekerman

Hummm..I don't know what this guy's game is but if you feel confident that you sent him good quality speakers (ie. not on the verge of a "blown woofer") then i would let him sweat it out a bit. Let him huff and puff. But like Sean says you may find him a "P.I.T.A." in the long run. New woofers are probably going to be like $400/pr. For me that's alot. If you got to dig deep for this kind of money make him a final offer to pay half. Another alternative is to have them shipped back to you (he pays shipping) and i can offer you some suggestions on using the cabinets for a new driver "kit" selection. I am finding out as well there are all kinds of people in this world. LOL
Porsch, does the 601's in reference have a 15 inch woofer? If so , i find it hard to believe they are blown??? I have 20 yr. old speakers with a 8 inch woofer and still works fine. Yes let this guy take it to a B&W repair center and have a letter in writing stating the woofers in question are in fact damaged. And tell him you will pay the service fee to have them examined. Get a phone # of the B&W center and call to see what exactly happened. IF the tech says "blown from extreme abuse" tell the buyer that every speaker has its limit. BYW what amp do you use and what's the wattage? As well what volume level?