HOW can components be so expensive, and yet customer service is so bad.


I recently moved and had to set up the system again.  In moving things around, I have had some questions and issues, so I've had to contact the dealers and manufacturers a few times over the last few weeks.  I'm still waiting for a response from most of them.  

I had a static issue with my McIntosh amp.  I contacted them a couple of weeks ago and I still have not received a response.

I need a part for my Revel speakers.  I've contacted Revel (now Harman) twice over the last week - both phone and email.  No response.

I had an issue with my Weiss DAC cutting out. Turned out it had shipped with a missing part.  I hoped for a new unit or at least a replacement part, but Weiss told me to fix it myself with miscellaneous parts from around the house - basically chicken wire and bubblegum?  The dealer finally sent me a replacement after a couple of weeks of trying different solutions.

I tried calling the audio dealer in Charlotte where I bought the speakers but they never return calls.

I spent a long time researching and building my system and really enjoy my system.  But I might have made different choices if I had known about poor / non-existent customer support.

Premium stereo components are so expensive that I would expect premium service, or at least return my calls for service or for parts.  Do I just have bad luck or are others experiencing similar lack of support?

mojo771

I have a dealer who is polite, responsive, makes house calls, and I think that I am going to add him to my Christmas Card list and my Will because it is so effing rare these days.  I will be getting new speakers in the next year or two and have decided that I am going to limit my choices to brands that he carries.  In fact I may as well do that for all gear going forward 

Chris at Ember Audio a fabulous dealer. Always had good responsiveness from Von Scweirkert Audio, Vinni Rossi, Jeff Rowland

One of the reasons I generally don't purchase audio components from large faceless corporations. I've been purchasing components from smaller scale operations for years, direct communication with owner/designer, these guys can be very generous with their time, solve your issues. Minus this, dealers are the key, having in house technical department important to me.

@jfrmusic - totally agree about MSB. Every time I've contacted them about something, I've heard back from either their long-time sales manager Vince or the CEO within a day, generally, and they are very helpful. The CEO got back to me when I asked about a fuse blowing on my MSB S200 amp and he sent me out a new fuse right away. 

The VTL factory is the worse. The best so far:  Decware, Brinkmann and Tube Audio Labs.  Wish there was a So Cal retailer who rose to the occasion.