stuartypoorty
09-18-2008, 03:34 AM
I'd longed for a Revox for about as far back as I can remember, specifically a B215-S (the only black model available) and finally managed to locate one in Germany from a reputable dealer.
Images of the deck appeared encouraging and the item was described as being " in good condition, both technically and cosmetically ". So far so good. Price was getting up there but I went for it all the same.
The deck arrived and it was plain to see that there were several visible faults, namely a misaligned transport mechanism, PCB/motherboard bending, on/off switch not functioning - all this was about 3mm out of line. My first thought was that it had been dropped by the courier or heavily shunted in transit.
Reported my findings to the seller, thankfully the deck was insured, and at his request sent some photos of the damage.
Also, fairly close by, on the outskirts of Manchester there is a Revox engineer so I took the deck over for an appraisal.
In the meantime the seller informed me that the courier would not accept my claim as there was no damage to the carton! I only have the sellers word on this and asked him if he paid for cover on the cardboard or the contents therin ? Complete Teutonic irony failure on the part of the dealer.
Gets better; the engineers quote arrived and as well as the faults listed he uncovered some more, wow and flutter issues, the electroluminescent display was compromised and his belief was that the deck had long standing/historical damage which didn't result from transportation.
Cost to me is upwards of £600 excluding VAT to complete the repairs, I'm thinking "I've bought a pig in a poke"
I asked the engineer to send a copy of this to the seller. The seller responds by stating that A) he disagrees with the engineers findings and B) the estimate is too high and he could have the work carried in his workshop for a lot less. Who says Germans don't have a sense of humour; clearly he's having a laugh.
A placatory/derisory offer of 150 Euros is made to me from the seller. I decline.
As we've reached an impasse I register a dispute with Paypal, the deck's definitely going back and my search for a Revox B215-S will begin anew.
So, buyers beware, but in truth this is only major disappointment I've experienced as far as secondhand internet audio purchases go.
Images of the deck appeared encouraging and the item was described as being " in good condition, both technically and cosmetically ". So far so good. Price was getting up there but I went for it all the same.
The deck arrived and it was plain to see that there were several visible faults, namely a misaligned transport mechanism, PCB/motherboard bending, on/off switch not functioning - all this was about 3mm out of line. My first thought was that it had been dropped by the courier or heavily shunted in transit.
Reported my findings to the seller, thankfully the deck was insured, and at his request sent some photos of the damage.
Also, fairly close by, on the outskirts of Manchester there is a Revox engineer so I took the deck over for an appraisal.
In the meantime the seller informed me that the courier would not accept my claim as there was no damage to the carton! I only have the sellers word on this and asked him if he paid for cover on the cardboard or the contents therin ? Complete Teutonic irony failure on the part of the dealer.
Gets better; the engineers quote arrived and as well as the faults listed he uncovered some more, wow and flutter issues, the electroluminescent display was compromised and his belief was that the deck had long standing/historical damage which didn't result from transportation.
Cost to me is upwards of £600 excluding VAT to complete the repairs, I'm thinking "I've bought a pig in a poke"
I asked the engineer to send a copy of this to the seller. The seller responds by stating that A) he disagrees with the engineers findings and B) the estimate is too high and he could have the work carried in his workshop for a lot less. Who says Germans don't have a sense of humour; clearly he's having a laugh.
A placatory/derisory offer of 150 Euros is made to me from the seller. I decline.
As we've reached an impasse I register a dispute with Paypal, the deck's definitely going back and my search for a Revox B215-S will begin anew.
So, buyers beware, but in truth this is only major disappointment I've experienced as far as secondhand internet audio purchases go.