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Note for those who buy used equipment...

I have obtained most of my equipment on the used market, and will continue to do so. However, today I ran into an issue that I had previously not encountered.

I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a used piece of Accustic Arts equipment when, in response to an inquiry about how to obtain any needed future service should that be needed, I received the following message from the Accustic Arts distributor in the U.S.:

"Thank you very much for your interest in ACCUSTIC ARTS products. My firm represents and distributes the brand in the USA and all responsibilities as it relates to repairs are through our firm.
We ONLY service products that are either bought from our firm or through an authorized dealer (similar policy to other manufacturers)".

After letting the distributor know that his policy ruled out any further consideration of Accustic Arts equipment for me, he sent the following:

"Our service policy is really no different than the vast majority of other manufacturer’s – in fact, just about nobody services or supports products bought and sold in the used market since we have no idea of how old the products are, where they were bought, how many times the items were bought and sold and how they were packaged etc. It would ultimately cause a huge liability for no reason. I suppose that is probably why most manufacturers will not support items bought and sold in the used market.
We carry ten (10) brands and we have one policy applicable to all."

So... before investing in something which may have very little re-sale value, and/or which has the potential to morph into a door-stop; do check on the manufacturer's/distributor's policy towards servicing used pieces of their equipment.

Rupe
rupertdacat
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I agree with Dave that Acoustic Arts' statement about most manufacturers not servicing used gear is likely untrue.

I have had used gear serviced by Lamm, Belles and VAC, and my impression is that many if not most US manufacturers will not only service used gear, but they may also honor the original warranty.
rcprince
2,830 posts
 
Almost sounds like he's talking about warranty repairs, rather than repairs you'd have to pay for. Is that a possibility?
newbee
4,093 posts
 
Someone commenting on this exact post on AA thought maybe one of the undisclosed/underlying reasons was they thought the amount of demands from 2d hand owners might swamp their repair facility. While that seems awfully cynical after I thought about it I think I agree that as a distributor he doesn't want to commit his time and resources to second hand repairs..

I've seen some real junk out there by reason of design or parts/construction quality that I sure wouldn't want to undertake the responsibility for effective repairs if it were 2d hand and I had no other connection to the owner or other reason.

Thanks for the heads up.

PS, according to the author's comments on AA he has clarified that the distributor will NOT accomodate repairs on ANY basis for 2d hand owners. You might like to refer to his comments there.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
Rupe- This is NOT the case for the majority of high end manufacturers. While they will not provide warranty support, there ARE repairs available, either from the manufacturer's authorized service reps or independently. Not always, but mostly. Of course, many boutique manufacturers go out of business and some have only fair service, but if you check the forums you will see that many provide high quality service to all their products.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I saw the list of the other 10 brands he sells posted at AA...pretty much stuff that I've never heard of, not big wonder to me now, as to why they won't service it.

Dave
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