Purchased a set of speakers on affirm…
Purchased a set of speakers on affirm from audio advice. After waiting two weeks, it still wasn’t shipped so I called the company. They have an answering service and all they do is take messages. They don’t handle any issues or anything and then they’ll have an agent call you at a later date. When I finally got a call from the agent, he told me it was basically my fault because their website shows that they’re sold out even though when I purchased it at shop.com It didn’t say sold out. And he told me it was because it wasn’t their website. All he did was offer me a refund or waiting longer. I told him I’d wait a little longer if he thinks they would get it in within a week or two and he said that they would. After waiting an additional 2 to 3 weeks I still didn’t see it shipped, I then checked their website and it did not say sold out. I called the company who just took a voicemail and never called me back after five days. I called again and told them I want this expedited or refunded ASAP and they finally refunded it. After I’ve already started to pay interest on my purchase. This company did not call me when they did do the refund or tell me which they were gonna go with zero communication skills zero customer service skills. I will never purchase from this company ever again.
jonathon Jenkins
Purchases a stylus that broke and they…
Purchases a stylus that broke and they never answered any of my calls and emails. Don’t go near this place. I will share this review on as many websites as I can find. These people will ghost you.
Unhappy
I purchased a CD player and AMP…
I purchased a CD player and AMP directly from Marantz and JBL speakers from Audio Advice. After installation one of the speakers was not delivering full sound. I called customer support and initially spoke with Jeff who was beyond helpful and after answering some questions it was suggested that it could be the AMP. Called Marantz who does not have an exchange policy therefore I had to return the AMP and purchase the replacement. Received the replacement and had the same issue. Called back Audio Advice and spoke with Mike who like Jeff was more than helpful. Both Jeff and Mike did not think it was the speaker however was willing to do whatever to make the situation right. After another call from Mike he suggested that as a last effort change out the RCA plug which I did and problem solved. These guys were amazing to work with followed up with return calls and I even felt their frustration for me. I would highly recommend doing business with Audio Advice they are a class act and stand behind their commitment..Janet C.
Janet Clausen
Probably very knowledgeable, not very personable
The first time I went by the store to hear the Super Lintons was on a Monday. I parked in front of the store close to a customer and employee loading the customer’s car with some merchandise. I was in the car a minute, then went to the front door, which was locked. The employee was walking away (inside). I knocked, but got no response. I then see the hours sign saying they are closed Mondays. Fine, maybe my “fault” for not checking first, but a little effort to have human interaction encourages a potential customer to come back to purchase what are, essentially, luxury items. Today, Saturday, I tried again. No other cars out front, three employees inside. One (I took for management, maybe wasn’t, but looked the oldest) asked could he help me, and I replied that it was a good day to listen to a good stereo, which seemed to make him pause. I said I was interested in hearing the Lintons. “Which ones?” “Super Lintons”. Another pause and he’s looking at me like I had the name wrong or maybe calculating my ”buy-ability” vs his time/effort. I asked if that wasn’t the correct name, and he said it was, but they didn’t have them after the initial period when newly released. “No room in the store…” Odd, but OK, I guess. They do have a lot of merchandise in there, I suppose, but can’t be sure because that seemed to be the end of his sales effort. No “I’m sorry, would you like to listen to the regular Lintons ( /KEFs/whatever)?” He appeared done with me, so I said thanks and turned to go, the only potential customer in the store. I did step in a room with McIntosh equipment just to look. I’ve had McIntosh…good stuff. My e-bike costs more than the Super Lintons. Maybe he was having a bad day, maybe my initial comment made me look unserious, I don’t know. It just left a bad taste in my mouth.
David Hartwell
What an utterly abysmal company
What an utterly abysmal company. Their customer service is for all intents and purposes non-existent. I ordered a $2000 AVR from them... it shows in my account as ordered and charged to my account, but they use a comically siilly tracking service with SHOP as opposed to FedEx or UPS. Well SHOP tracking doesn't show any real tracking info at all, it only shows when something has been delivered. So my order is basically drifting in the wind somewhere. Now here's THE WORST PART: You can't actually call a human being at Audio Advice. Calling their customer service number lands you in an "answering service" who doesn't know the first thing about your order, but they assure that someone from Audio Advice will call you back...... I have now gone that route three times for this order and NOT A SOUL HAS CALLED BACK. Nowwwwwwwww, I find out that the receiver I ordered and was charged for WAS NEVER ACTUALLY IN STOCK. Like, are you kidding me??! New Edit from about 10 minutes ago: A gentleman called me, FINALLY. Apologized very genuinely. So one positive element amongst a dozen negatives.
Tim Kramer
Absolute dirt bags
Absolute scum bags. Placed an order for an item they supposedly had in stock. Days went by with no receipt or tracking number. Took 3 days of calls and emails to reach somebody who finally told me they never had it. This garbage business is a waste of time and money. I don't know why I even tried them over one of their many, many reputable competitors. Lesson learned I guess.
Hendricus
Rollercoaster of Emotions
I ordered, on a whim, an open box vinyl stylus because Audio Advice had it in stock and for the lowest price around the net. I had never ordered anything from them before, so I was extremely wary about the experience (and the item wasn’t cheap!). The stylus came in pretty quick, I open it and see that there is no needle on the cartridge! My heart started beating fast, thinking I was going to lose out on this deal, since I wasn’t too sure of how good their service is. I started the return process on their website and submitted photos. I decided to also call their 1800 number and had to leave a message. I was starting to sweat profusely over this transaction but the next day I get a call from Audio Advice and the person helping me (Darren? I forgot his name, sorry) was super helpful and understanding, he reviewed my case and decided to make it right by sending me a new replacement stylus at no extra cost. A few days later, the needle came in, new and working flawlessly. He completely turned around my experience and my future with audio advice is bright, and will happily order again from them. Awesome job, thank you!
Victor Salas
Marty at Audio Advice is excellent to deal with.
There is fellow at Audio Advice named Marty. He is truly excellent and uber helpful. He always response with knowledgeable answers. I highly recommend them because for me and from my personal experience with Audio Advice in general is that they have better customer service and knowledge than most hifi shops I have contacted. I highly recommend Audio Advice as they do Know their stuff. Thank you Marty for the speaker advice on those JBL's 3600 HDI speakers.
Gary form Canada, Toronto.
3 Great Experiences! Three Great Experiences! I've purchased 3 things from Audio…
I've purchased 3 things from Audio Advice and they've been nothing but terrific. My first purchase was a Rega P6 turntable and it was an open box purchase. When I had an issue with it, their service advisor, Marty, was amazing. After trying everything we could think of he just said they'd send me a new turntable. Prompt delivery and even a return label for the other. I also got a Mac M-20, and a Mac 252 integrated amp, Marty again was right with me for some technical issues I had with the 252. These guys are great and I find them very easy to do business with
George Wagner
No online customer service!
was very disappointed in online Customer Service after purchasing my receiver on line about one week ago.I called with a question and left my number with a receptionist but later found out every call goes through an answering service.After waiting for over two hours I called the Factory in Canada. Thank God for the tech’s Jamie and John! They really spent time explain and walking me through things.After a total of three hours I finally received a call from Audio Advice. I told him how disappointed I was with their customer service. He said I should call an 800 number next time I needed help. The next day I had questions about the Arc Genesis.I called both stores and the 800 number I was given and went through an answering service all 3 times and left my info all three times.Never received a call from anyone from Audio Advice, ever!Again I called the factory and again I was walked through the process of setting up Arc Genesis.My Advice?Call Crutchfield!!
Herb Jenssen
This does not seem to be the same…
This does not seem to be the same company with the passion for selling good audio products that they were in the nineties. It appears that they have a change in management that has decided to also pursue an online business that sells the products that the 'rest of us' wants to buy but they do that poorly when compared to the big guys like Crutchfield. They are not ethical in that they will bill your card the very day you order when they have no clue as to when it will ship. None of the other big electronics retailer does that. In the current chip shortage situation, Yamaha AVR's as an example, have not had 2021 models available since August and no one knows then they will be. Not AA, they've been saying "available in September/October/November/December" - they just change the month on their online ad at month end. Compare with the others who tell you that they don't know and if they allow you to pre-order (Crutchfield does not) they will bill only when they ship.Also, someone needs to remind the store managers that the online is also part of AA (or so I assume). They seem to downplay products sold only online. One told me that "we don't sell that here" shaking his head in a manner that suggested they did not get the store's stamp of approval. In that case give the online another name.If you want a lavish home theater this would be the place to go. For the rest of us, DIY guys there are better, more ethical, more efficient online companies who understand the customer experience well.
Alex
Don't follow through and very arrogant.
My experience is terrible. Original Sales person we talked to never got back to us after inquiring about building a theater / whole house system. Went back and talked to a manager who apologized etc and got a different sales person. Told I would get an estimate by Tuesday and Friday came with no word. I inked a deal with a competitor. This wasn't a cheap deal either. Guess they only like the 100k deals.
Trevor Standiford
Purchased a $4000 Technics SL-1200-G
Purchased a $4000 Technics SL-1200-G. Instead received a $1600 Technics SL-1200GR. Did a chat and was told they would overnight the correct turntable and I would be contacted by a sales manager to speak about compensation for the inconvenience and me having to take the incorrect item to be shipped back.Instead received a call back from just another associate who then told me they would not overnight the correct item till I shipped the turntable I had received by mistake and they would offer no promo or discount. The only thing I was offered was “expedited shipping”. The regular shipping is two day. One day shipping is nice, but for what had occurred I didn’t feel it was sufficient.I told the associate this. He then said he’d get back to me once he spoke with someone “above his pay grade” who would have to approve any discount. There argument was that discounting the item is not approved by the vendor and they would lose the account if they violated the policy. I can understand that, but offering me a gift card for my inconvenience would address my concerns and retain me as a repeat customer.It’s been several days. I have received no follow up. They did actually ship the correct item the same night after telling me they wouldn’t and I received it promptly. I also returned the incorrect turntable. I give them 2 stars because I did receive my item and they did expedite the shipping. Otherwise not a good experience. I would not buy from them again at this point.
Scott Bailes
Just Superb!
I'm surprised there aren't many reviews for this great company. They are a retail store that has added a fantastic online shop. They are great to work with, have tons of really good video advice on products and give great advice. Just call or chat. I would choose them over anyone like Crutchfield for audio. They are 5 Stars ++
JackH
