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RANT: Really, really frustrated about deal gone bad

post #1 of 16
11/10/10 at 4:03pm
Thread Starter 

I have been in the market for a pair of bookshelf speakers for over a year now. I have spent countless hours doing research and going into stores to audition different kinds.

 

After a whole year, I finally managed to come to a decision. The Usher S-520's. Lucky for me, I found a deal for these speakers on Audiogon.com

Brand new, for $350 shipped to Canada from the U.S.

 

Saying I was exited would be an extreme understatement. After a year of waiting and researching, I had finally found the perfect speakers, for the perfect price. 

 

Me and the seller had been e-mailing back and forth throughout the day, working out details and such. It got to be the evening, and I had one final question that I e-mailed him. No response for over an hour. I figured he must have gone to bed.

 

I get an e-mail from him the next morning. It read that someone paid him the full amount last night, and that he had shipped off the speakers. He was sorry.

My world stopped turning, and I nearly broke down in tears. A whole damn year spent pursuing the right pair of speakers, and finally I find the right ones, and the seller turns out to be a huge ***** and sells them behind my back.

 

I'm still rattled to the bone, and I don't quite know what to do about it. I can't leave feedback on his profile because i never actually ended up buying the things.

Just like that, he snatched away my hopes and dreams.

 

People these days..

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post #2 of 16
11/10/10 at 4:29pm

You've picked out what you want. Now it's just a matter of hunting and waiting. Keep an eye on Ebay and Audiogon (and craigs). Try putting up a WTB on audiogon, avsforums, hometheatershack, etc.

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post #3 of 16
11/10/10 at 4:49pm

 

Did both of you sign a contract? Otherwise he can sell to whomever he wishes, unless your in a very select state such as New York where a verbal contract is binding. At least you known what you want, thats the hardest part of any purchase is just deciding and making sure you don't get buyers remorse. Looks like the spearers are only $50 more new from a store and you get a warranty. At least its not a rant about getting a box full of rocks...

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post #4 of 16
11/10/10 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 

What store? I'm in canada and haven't been able to find them anywhere.

 

I have wanteds up everywhere that I'm able to have them up. AVSForum requires you too have credits, and since I'm an infrequent visitor to the forum, I don't have any. Audiogon costs money.

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post #5 of 16
11/10/10 at 4:56pm

Man you really need to take it easy, I was starting to feel bad right at the beginning thinking you got completely broken speakers or ripped off or something else. This isnt a big deal at all, you can find those speakers, they arent vintage rare speakers or anything. Atleast you've made your decision, just keep a lookout for deals and hope the next one goes fine.

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post #6 of 16
11/10/10 at 4:57pm

That sucks,  I have had this happen to me both as a buyer and as seller.  It's an awkward and frustrating experience.  One piece of advice I can give you is that if you are serious about something you should make it clear with the seller that you're his buyer; I also highly recommend a phone convo if possible so that you can get your questions taken care of. 

 

Good luck!

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post #7 of 16
11/10/10 at 4:59pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the feedback

 

I very may well be over reacting, but hell, its been a bad few weeks and I was really hoping on this to help.

 

To the above comment, those are some great ideas. Thanks for the advice

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post #8 of 16
11/10/10 at 5:13pm

 

from the title I expected the worse. I'm glad at least it wasn't a scam. anyway, sorry you've got outbid.
 
did you audition the Usher's? reading others reviews and impressions is all very good, but audition is highly recommended, where possible. having said that, a new pair of S-520's for $350 shipped you can't go wrong.
 
better luck next time.
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post #9 of 16
11/10/10 at 5:30pm

You know what you want now.  I've lost plenty of ebay auctions like that, not exactly like that since it's an auction...either keep looking or save up to buy them retail.  

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post #10 of 16
11/12/10 at 8:30pm

Well, it could have been worse, where got them and something was wrong with them (happened to me, a real pain), or you got them and they didn't sound right in your room

(happened to me many times). Try calling/emailing around the country to Usher dealer asking for demos or open-box ones. You'd be surprised at how good a deal you can get,

probably almost as good as used. I have done this with great success with speakers and other components.

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post #11 of 16
11/12/10 at 9:52pm
Sorry to hear about that.

I've been a collector for a couple of decades and have had a number of narrow misses and deals gone wrong. It might not be a huge amount of comfort at the moment, but you almost always get what you want in the end. Maybe not today or next month, but you'll get them eventually. I once spent almost two years searching for parts or a donor to restore a particularly rare electric fan. But I did find an appropriate donor.

Fortunately, these speakers aren't as hard to find.

Keep an eye out for substitutes, too. You might think these are perfect - and they are probably very good - but there are others you'll love, too. Keep looking. You might find something even better for a steal of a price.

So keep your chin up. An excellent pair of speakers is in your future. smily_headphones1.gif
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post #12 of 16
11/12/10 at 11:12pm

Was gonna say, when it comes to speakers, there are plenty of fish in the sea...go to some local dealers and meets, keep looking, and definitely it is smart to see how the speakers sound in your setup, as this can be a lot more variable than the typical headphone purchase. 

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post #13 of 16
11/12/10 at 11:32pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the advice everyone, really appreciate it. Not so much the advice even, I view it more as consolation.

Its much appreciated!

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post #14 of 16
11/14/10 at 3:58pm

By the way, I was curious about what led you to these speakers, as I might be looking for some speakers myself sometime in the next year or so.

Thanks.

(By the way, I wasn't kidding about calling dealers; this has worked for me a number of times even for newer popular hard-to-get pieces, including some headphones not normally discounted.)

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post #15 of 16
11/14/10 at 4:24pm
Thread Starter 

Ok, well thanks for the advice.

 

These speakers are consistently highly reviewed by just about everyone on the internet. Of course, its important not to place 100% faith in online reviews, but you can base an opinion on the sonic characteristics that are consistently written about in reviews. If these tonal qualities match your preferences, then you're good to go.

 

From what I read, these speakers are some of the most balanced bookshelves out there. Since these are my first Hi-fi speakers, I don't want speakers that focus solely on precision, or solely on the low end. The S-520's are found to be well rounded, with a soaring mid range, smooth upper range, and detail to rival the best. It is somewhat lacking in depth of its bottom end, but I don't mind too much as a subwoofer is in my near future.

 

I have yet to hear them myself as there aren't any dealers in my area, so please keep in mind that this is only what I've read.

 

Hope that helps

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