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TRL WON'T GIVE ME MY AMP

Not sure this is right Forum but I'm desperate. I have an  Tube Research Labs amp  that the owner Paul Weitzal made for me 9 or 10 yrs ago.  January 2019 the amp started to cut out,  contacted Paul but learned he had pasted away.  Received email  from TRL  saying  still in business with new Owners.   Gregg from TRL contacted me and told me to shipped it to an  address in Houston which I did, insured for $5,000.  A few weeks later around the end of Feb. Gregg sent me an email telling me the amp was over heating. The 1st of March I email  Gregg with instructions on what I wanted done. That is the last time I had any contact with Gregg!!!!! I sent email after email to TRL pleading for someone to tell me where my Amp is????? The last of week of August,  I sent an  email to TRL saying if I didn't hear from anyone I will go to stereo sites and tell my story!!  Immediately had phone call from  Leon in  NEW YORK asking me "what 's going on?"After explaining the situation to Leon, said "would call me back in a couple days". So needless to say  Leon never called back and when I call,  he is never there and leaving a message does no good.  I'm hoping someone can tell me what to do????IF nothing else, do not do business with "Tube Research Labs"
Thanks Kim
panheadscooty
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,504 posts
 
Know anyone in the local area where you shipped the amp? be nice to knock on their door and at least try to recover your amp in person. 

Maybe there is a fellow Agon'er here who lives in the area who could take a stroll by.

Is it considered theft if they don't give it back to you? may have better luck with the police if you can support a theft-fraud  accusation.  
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

in addition to contacting that state's attorney, I would immeidately contatc the local authorities and initiate a legal action for fraud with the county or city police departments, respectively. or both! this seems the first thing to do. you have an address, and formerly phone numbers you can provide the cops along with more information.

as it is as well inter state commerce perhaps in addition, there are Federal offices for fraud you could contact.

I do recall a member here that had sent along his amps to a similarly abruptly vacated enterprise, i.e., Thor Audio, for upgrading purposes.  reaching out to the local cops there resulted in him getting back one or maybe both of his mono blocks as he had their full description, serial #, and shipping information, receipts etc.

there was possibly more to that affair but the above info was conveyed to me by the person whose gear was made unavilable by the abrupt unannounced departure of Paul Marks.

GVery sorry to hear of this issue. it is the single yet remarkably devastating concern enthusiasts face with a cottage industry manufacturer. whose infrastructure is severely limited.  ood luck.
panheadscooty OP
9 posts
 
Thanks Guys. The Amp was more sentimental than anything because it  was from Paul. I don't like it when someone takes advantage of a situation. I will make some calls to the  local Authorities.  Maybe I'll take a 3 day trip from Seattle to Houston.  Rent a car and go to address it was shipped and see if Anyone is there? Thanks again Guys
Kim
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,261 posts
 
This is the main reason I no longer go to small one or two man operations for my audio.  I owned 3 AI tube preamps but once I heard that the owner of the company was semi retired, I moved on to something else.   All my audio is from big companies like McIntosh, Esoteric, Technics GE, and Sony.  At the very least, if someone dies, the show still goes on.  Hopefully I will never be in the OP shoes.
joepizquick's avatar
joepizquick
6 posts
 
I will be in Houston on the 31st of October and will gladly go to the shop in person to try and retrieve your amp for you!!!! These people piss me off and would be happy to do that if you do t get some resolve before then!!!!!
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