What is up with Amazon? On 8/20, I get an email telling me the X10s are coming earlier than originally stated (9/16-10/3). The notice said to expect an 8/26 delivery.

Today, three days later, another email, this time pushing back delivery again (9/16-10/6).

My guess? They are going to be unavailable in the long run. Seems weird they keep changing the delivery date. Maybe Klipsch got annoyed, since Amy posted that they were only available for $211 from unauthorized dealers (though she turned out to be wrong on that front, since Amazon itself is an authorized Klipsch dealer).

I'll see where it goes. Meantime, that means a delayed charge on my Amazon VISA. Wallet spared, for the time being.

They are still listed on Amazon (from Amazon) for that price, but it now says a 1-2 months expected delivery. Hmmmm.

Its strange the shananigans goin on with re to delivery estimates. Odd. However, I look forward to eventually reading your thoughts on the images and how they compare to the Sleeks! They were an IEM I toyed with buying for ages before eventually opting for the Sleeks.

thats bizarre....mine should be here today or monday (thanks to the awesome service from soundearphones).

And getting more bizarre by the minute. I am on hold with Amazon right now, because I realized I can get the X10s for $191.99 via the "bill me later" $20 discount (available on Amazon orders over $100). So I went to cancel the order online, so I can re-order with the discount, and it says the X10 order has been processed and they are shipping - this despite today's email that says they are being delayed until 9/16-10/6.

Huh?

So I call Amazon, and the young woman says they have shipped and that's why I can't cancel the order online. I say, "What about the email I got today saying they are delayed?" Long pause....

She asks to put me on hold so she can research it. That's where I stand.

Anyway, my question is, if I can get the X10s for $191 on Amazon, wonder if Michael at Soundearphones.com will honor that price, because the SE site says they will match any price on Klipsch X10s.

(five minutes pass)
So the nice lady gets back on the phone, says the X10s are in fact "on the truck" and arriving Wednesday, and the email I received today was sent out by mistake.

Okay, I ask. What about the $20 discount? Too late, she says. I have to reject the package from UPS and reorder, using the "bill me later" discount code.

Seems silly, that Amazon has to pay for shipment, pay for return shipment, and then pay for another shipment (on the new order). She says nothing can be done about it.

Strange system, I guess, not having a mechanism to just give me the credit on my VISA, rather than go through the charade of canceling and reordering, right?

At this point, I think I have decided to give it up, and take the X10s for $211.99 on Wednesday, forsaking the $20 price reduction. Reason? The Amazon site now says they are unavailable for 1-2 months. Which is what is said when I ordered them on 8/18, but turned out not to be true.

So, who would go with the "refuse delivery" strategy and reorder at the risk of not getting them until Oct. 6, all to save $20? Show of hands (I mean posts). I don't REALLY need them...but I hate waiting (it's must be something about being part of the instant gratification generation).

Michael at soundearphones.com...if you happen to stumble across this thread, will you match the Amazon $191 price? I realize that's asking a lot, but no harm in trying.

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I wouldn't do it. I did it once and it was a bad situation. I did it with Newegg and afetr about 2 months I think it got squared away. But I had to contact them several times to inform them and I also had to keep track of the package online. At one point it showed to be delivered to them and I called CS. They said they didn't yet have it.

However, to Neweggs credit, the situation was resolved after they finally received it. It wasn't in their system yet even though they took possession of it.

I was told to simply refuse delivery. I won't ever do that again. In your situation I wouldn't sweat the $20 versus the hassle of refusing shipment.

Yeah, u've cited a strange system rigidity there where it would be in actuality in amazons best interests to give you the discount, post ordering! Wierd that they wouldn't want to fenagle a way round that. Still, me personally, I wouldn't risk the wait and/or hassle of refusing and then reordering over $20. I'd just learn from the mistake and make sure you are entitled to no discounts before ordering next time.

Good point. I have, however, done it once before with Amazon and it was hassle-free. They got it via UPS, credited my account, and I reordered in the meantime. If it weren't for the possibility of waiting 1-2 months for the X10s, I'd do it. But for $20, I'd rather get them now. Plus, $211 is a very good price.

Anyone out there considering them via Amazon, be sure to use the "bill me later" code, to save that added $20. Of course, make sure you pay the "bill me later" balance right away, because after reading about the service, it seems that if you don't, interest will be very, very high. Just a wild guess.

id just keep em. $211 is a great price.

Well, I called back to try and get a tracking number for 8/27, and the CSR said, after I explained the situation, that yes, the X10s were in process and would arrive 8/27. But, she also immediately said "For all the hassle, I will credit the initial charge $20," making the final tab $191.99 when they ship.

Wow, it's amazing how the first CSR said it could not be done, while door number two immediately opened. I sometimes write about CRM software for a living, and frankly, I just knew the first CSR had to be wrong. There was an easy fix, and Erin, the second CSR, took all of 10 seconds to figure it out.

Seems like someone wasn't paying attention during CSR training.

So it all worked out. Amazon, despite this little hiccup, is far and away #1 of the online giants when it comes to customer service. This is not the first time they have done right by me. When my Zune80 screen cracked 4 months after I bought it at Amazon, MS said "not covered" on the warranty (I really did nothing but gently press it with my thumb, a warning to Zune 80 owners). Amazon checked my records, saw I was a good customer, and issued a full refund - 3 mos. AFTER my refund period had expired.

Of course, I immediately bought a new Zune, and I handle it very carefully.

Amazon has a lifetime customer in me.

If they do in fact arrive on Wednesday I'd just keep em myself.

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Great to hear! I thought it a tad odd also but happy to hear of the resolution Its always great to hear of a CS being understanding with the customers plight and having their head screwed on enough to bend the rules as per the exampe you've just given. By doing so they are dealing with you, the customer, personally, which is what you want (and don't often get from giant corporations), they display common sense and professionalism. Great stuff!

Oh, I am going to keep them, especially at the $191.99 price. That is tough to beat. I think I am going to have two nice IEMs for my humble collection. That is, if the DO arrive Wednesday.

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Yes, it's Amazon's way. Wonder what happened to that other CSR? Again, I bet she just didn't realize she had the power to make it right.

Well after seeing this thread a few days ago I too decided to give the Images a try. I ordered when it still said they would ship in a month, but I also got the email that they would be shipping sooner and sure enough they shipped the next day, and since I am a Prime member they came via UPS 2nd day air yesterday.

My first impressions...I love these phones! I really didn't need them but couldn't resist the price. I already have SE530s, UM2s and Sleeks.

Let me first say that I am really not very good at evaluating phones in technical terms, I can just tell what I like. Kind of like an overall sonic impression versus a breakdown of highs, mids, lows, roll off, soundstage and such.

Comparing them with the Sleeks out of my 5th gen iPod (no amp) I have to say the Images win by a small margin. I know some people say they have too much bass, but to me it seems just right and not much more than the Sleeks with the bass+ port. To my ears, with the Images instruments and voices just sound more "real". They are however still very close in SQ.

Of course, the Images are even smaller, lighter and more comfortable than the Sleeks. The included accessory pack is nicer too, with multiple sizes of both single and double flanged tips, airline and 1/4" adapters, and two very nice carrying cases. At MSRP, I don't think all this is worth an extra $100 though. But with Amazon's current pricing I actually paid less for the Images than my Sleeks, and given similar pricing I would choose the Images.

Only a couple of minor complaints about the Images...the cables are thin and "kinky" from being wrapped up in the box. Hopefully they will straighten out over time but this is one of my pet peeves, especially with high-end phones. Also, the carry cases have a strange odor that transfers onto the phones...I can smell it right after I put them on but it goes away. This will also probably disappear with time.

I'm looking forward to tstarn06s impressions too!

Very interesting. How do you rate the Images compared to the UM2s and the Shures? I am no doubt going to keep both, for the reasons you mentioned. I still want to hear the Sleek wireless thing, when and if it arrives.