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