A while back I ordered a pair of Mingda Meixing MC845-AB amps. Specs:
Output Power: 95W x 2 Class A
Input Impedance: 500kohms
Output Impedance: 4ohms, 8ohms
Input Sensitivity: 900mV
Power Consumption: 270W
Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 30 kHz, +/-1%
Vacuum Tubes (per pair): 845B x 4, 6SN7 x 2, 6SL7 x 2
THD+N: ≤ 0.5 %
S/N ratio: ≥ 90db
Dimensions (L x W x H) per block : 48 x 49 x 55 cm
Well, I was told, after the order was placed, there was a manufacturing delay. No big deal. A month later they said the amps were being built and would be shipped within a week. Yay! I was then instructed to send payment a few days later, and I did via Paypal with my AmEx. Happy times. Then two days later I was told the payment wasn't sufficient, that costs and shipping charges had increased, they need an additional $180. My "I'm being jerked around" alarm starts buzzing. However, considering that sometimes these things happen, I sent $180 more. A week goes by, no shipping notice. I email them, they don't reply. I wait 3 more days, send another email, no reply. I call their office in Hong Kong, at 1pm their time, it goes directly to voicemail. I give them 3 more days, no emails, no one answers. So I notify Paypal, they open a claim.
Then I get contacted, within 3 hours. Imagine that? :rolleyes: They claim they sold out and would have more next week. I reply, telling them I no longer want the amps. No reply. Paypal says they're working on resolving the conflict, said I should wait and the product will be sent next week. I tell Paypal I don't want it anymore, I'd been lied to and was tired of waiting. They don't care, they aren't going to do anything.
Sooo, I call up Francine, my pitbull at AmEx and give her the whole story. She says "don't worry, I'll take care of it". The next day, AmEx shows a credit for my full amount, and PayPal is angry! I get stern language, claiming I had circumvented the resolution process. I said, "tough nuts". The following day
Paypal tries to charge my AmEx, AmEx blocks it. They then try to take the money from the bank account attached to my Paypal account. My credit union, for all intents and purposes, gives them the finger, because I have all electronic withdrawals on that account blocked. They threaten to suspend my account, I tell them that's fine because I have two others. At that point I guess they decide to just take the money back from the seller, because the people in Hong Kong contact me and they're very upset. I tell them "get bent" and give them the contact info for my attorney. Damn, that's just too much aggravation for a pair of tube amps, ya know?
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