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Problems with Ken Law and Storm Digital - Page 3  

post #31 of 282
8/12/06 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by slwiser
I know of another single builder that anounces products and has taken over 12 months to deliver it.
I know exactly who you're referring to and I wouldn't deal with that builder either. There's no excuse because there are several options open to the builder here, all of which he has eschewed. A start would be to not accept new orders until he's cleared the backlog. Replying to the emails of those who are waiting would cost him nothing either. Even if he just sent a mass mailout stating his current position.
He's done none of these things, and it's not the first time this has happened. Last time around it took akwok to find out what was going on, if he hadn't gotten involved who knows how long that would have taken to sort out?

The fact that someone else is worse is neither here nor there. Both of these builders are guilty of shoddy service.
post #32 of 282
8/12/06 at 1:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by slwiser
I know of another single builder that anounces products and has taken over 12 months to deliver it. So 1-2 months is not that much of an issue when you consider their pressures when the hype of these forums gets going. The problems that have been noted are almost surely associated with the demand and his ability to support that demand and the continuing support required for follow-on sales.
I would say, based upon my own personal experience now that I am inside manufacturing, is that Ken is outsourcing the construction of the DAC to that Chinese company. Ken has thoughts of design and either designed the DAC completely on his own or with the assistance of the engineering staff of this Chinese electronics manufacturer. He then contracted out to the manufacturer to construct the designs to his specifications and to order. But, as is very common with outsourcing, this manufacturer is also doing their own thing (for instance, Shandling making their own line and also making Music Hall products as well, to specs). Ken might have even contracted for the Chinese manufacturer to do direct drop-shipping of the goods once he sends in the order.

So, either 2 things have occured (A) the Chinese subcontractor is at full production for their own line and Ken's line is taking a back seat due to a lower negotiated profit margin or (B) Ken has been slow in paying the Chinese subcontractor and the contractor has ceased production and shipments until the account is up to date.

At least, that's what it looks like from here. I do not believe Ken would have the (huge amounts of) capital to start manufacturing completely from scratch and the subcontractor route is the most common to follow. It can work but it leaves the customers at the whims of both the designer / seller and the subcontractor at the same time.
post #33 of 282
8/12/06 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
I'm talking with Ken on instant messenger right now. He has apparently sent the DAC out but still doesn't have a tracking number for me. When the situation is resolved I will change my post and feedback to reflect the situation in its entirety.
post #34 of 282
8/12/06 at 1:49pm
I don’t believe that the issue is the delays; it’s the lack of honest and forthright communications. From what I have read everybody understands that delivery will take some time. It’s being told what to expect and then not having it happen that is upsetting. It’s the fabrication of the various excuses for his failing to meet the expectations that he created.

In my experience customers want honesty first. If you say the item will ship next week it should ship next week. If for some reason it can’t customers need to be told why and when they can realistically expect it to do so. Honest communications are key.

As to paying for something weeks and even months before it will be shipped, well that’s just plain insane. He appears to be dramatically under capitalized, his business may be a house of cards, and it could collapse at any moment. One possible reason for the delay is that he is using the money that someone pays him today for living expenses and to pay for the costs of building the item that someone ordered and paid for three months ago. If this is what is happening it’s only a matter of time before it totally collapses.

The above paragraph is total speculation. I’m just talking here. I really hope that he makes it. The product looks wonderful. What he needs is to find someone with some money to back him so that it could become more than a one-man operation. A little inventory couldn’t hurt.
post #35 of 282
8/12/06 at 1:54pm
Yes, you are right there...

Communication and possible not taking orders until the situation is under control would provide much better owner response and better future understanding from those who may become customers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by doctorjuggles

The fact that someone else is worse is neither here nor there. Both of these builders are guilty of shoddy service.
post #36 of 282
8/12/06 at 1:54pm
most of this thread is speculation.

you have 2 people who have had orders delayed. lets revisit in 2-3 weeks and see whats happened.
post #37 of 282
8/12/06 at 1:57pm
Don't we all....I do hope eveything works out. You are right in that this unit looks like a winner and all of us win when competition is there for others to compete against.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yikes
I really hope that he makes it. The product looks wonderful. What he needs is to find someone with some money to back him so that it could become more than a one-man operation. A little inventory couldn’t hurt.
post #38 of 282
8/12/06 at 2:00pm
Off the wall question again from me.

Does this make you a Member of the Trade or is your manufacturing work not associated with this hobby?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snake
I would say, based upon my own personal experience now that I am inside manufacturing....
post #39 of 282
8/12/06 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elnero
Unfortunately there is no one local that I know of that would have enough knowledge to look at the DAC. I live on a fairly small island so specialized services such as that are hard to come by and if there was someone the cost would most likely not be viable anyway.
Are you still in possession of the damaged DAC, or did you send it back? I imagine there would probably be someone in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, who might be knowledgable enough to help.
post #40 of 282
8/12/06 at 2:21pm
I’ve been working in High-End Audio for 21 years. The last 5+ have been as the National Sales Manager for Siltech America. Siltech America imports (Surprise!) Siltech Cables from Holland.

I frequent Head-Fi and other audio and headphone sites for my love of the hobby. In no way do I attempt to hawk my wares on this or any other site. My views expressed in my posts are formed as a hobbyist who also has intimate knowledge of the audio industry.


edit

Sorry I thought that the question was for me. It's what I get for not reading the quote.
post #41 of 282
8/12/06 at 2:25pm
Note that my comment (I think) did not reference your post and therefore was not directed at you.

You are clearly a member of the trade as identified.

I think all opinions of those that love this hobby should be welcome here.

Even the opinion of the person to which my question was ask is welcome. I hope this is not taken out of context and as a hostile question.

Yours and his inside insights into manufacturing and distribution side can be of interest and very educational for all of us. At least I am interested in what you may have to say.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yikes
I’ve been working in High-End Audio for 21 years. The last 5+ have been as the National Sales Manager for Siltech America. Siltech America imports (Surprise!) Siltech Cables from Holland.

I frequent Head-Fi and other audio and headphone sites for my love of the hobby. In no way do I attempt to hawk my wares on this or any other site. My views expressed in my posts are formed as a hobbyist who also has intimate knowledge of the audio industry.
post #42 of 282
8/12/06 at 2:41pm
this is an e-mail that I got from Ken Today.

Hi David,

I havent online in past few days,because i'm very busy in the factory
about the case.
about elnero's post,i'm very upset about it,i make the full
replacement to him,just i told him need to wait .because the DAC on my
hand are ordered buy another customer.i cant send him advance.so,
there is the delay.

also the old packing of the DAC is bad,it is improving now.and the
design is change ,it is lighter now,so it may not easy to make the
damage again.

the estimate shipping date of the D02A is about the end of august to september.

Ken

ps.i'm very busy with the factory in this moment,so the email response
will be delay.





So yes, people should definitely stop ordering at this point. It'll give him time to clear up his backlog, and so what if you end up paying a little more when the price goes up...its better to have that kind of piece of mind.
post #43 of 282
8/12/06 at 2:57pm
alex_cs: I have some explaining to do? What makes you think that? I'm not yours, or anybody else's bashtoy. I might have misinterpreted what you said though, I'm not too sure.

I've tried to help some people with their orders last time, and this time also. But there is only so much I can do when the builder gives delay after delay, and it's rather frustrating. All I do is relay messages - it's all up to him to deliver. I don't have special powers.

It's sad to see a business start from scratch and start building momentum, only to totally crumble due to disorganization. He makes good DACs, but his management and sometimes common sense skills often leave something to be desired. I highly doubt Ken will be running away with the money, but I do not think the 1 month estimated time frame is a good estimate, considering previous experiences. I have told him before not to give such tight bounds on his time frame estimates, but I guess he has not taken my advice to heart. I think it is more likely that it will be at least two months before the first D02A will surface.

I too am waiting for two DACs, so I am in the same boat, but I am willing to wait patiently since I know it won't be anytime soon. I do think such quick judgement of Ken as being a scammer is rather unfair, considering he's never scammed anyone before.
post #44 of 282
8/12/06 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by akwok
I do think such quick judgement of Ken as being a scammer is rather unfair, considering he's never scammed anyone before.
I know nothing about it except what I read here. I don't think most folks view him as a scammer. But I think a lot of people are upset because he does not treat them with courtesy and respect. Ignoring people and the promises made to them is not respectful. IMO, 98% of the bad feeling would go away if he just communicated with people. Evidently, he doesn't care about that. If he did, he would either do it better or else hire someone to help him do it better.

All this stuff about "Sorry, I'm busy with the factory" is just not a good answer. It's an excuse, and excuses don't make anything better. Anybody here who communicates with him and cares about him should tell him that it doesn't matter what he thinks he's doing, and it doesn't matter how busy he is. What matters is that he's treating customers like dirt whether he means to or not, and it's starting to catch up with him.
post #45 of 282
8/12/06 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by slwiser
Off the wall question again from me.

Does this make you a Member of the Trade or is your manufacturing work not associated with this hobby?
Not associated - way outside. But, I guess, "manufacturing is manufacturing" now that I'm in here I can see what manufacturers (of many things) told me about for years and years.

It can be...a headache.
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