I Had a Karen Moment Today - Upscale Audio in LA Sucks!

Tidybuoy · 07-14-2020, 08:14 AM

Sorry, I accidently posted this in Parf - re posting here.

I rarely get furious but today was an exception. My mood could possibly have been affected since I was up until 2am doing my taxes.

Upscale Audio - thumbs down!

About 10 days ago I purchased a pair of speaker stands for $539. Not outrageous but not cheap either. I was impressed when I received tracking information the day after the sale. Unfortunately, they shipped "Direct Signature Required" and since I have a job, nobody was home at time of delivery. FedEx left a sticker on my door but it had a check that I could not wave the signature requirement. I received a 2nd and 3rd sticker the following days.

I called FedEx and asked if I could pick up the package at their warehouse but they told me no and I would have to contact the seller as it had "special seller circumstances". I sent an e-mail to Upscale Audio but I did not get a response. I specifically asked if I could change the delivery address to my office but I got no response.

I called Upscale Audio and told them the situation and the guy on the phone told me he would try and look at the tracking when he got a chance (he did not appear to really card). As we were speaking, I received a notification from FedEx that they would attempt a final delivery on Saturday so I told the guy at Upscale Audio I would wait and receive the package over the weekend. I stayed home all day on Saturday but the package never came.

I followed up with another e-mail to Upscale Audio but I received no response. This was beginning to grind on me as I had been waiting for a package and each time I contacted them, I got no response.

Again, I called FedEx to find out how to resolve the problem but they told me I had to discuss with the shipper and that they could not do anything.

I decided to contact PayPal and put a hold on my payment. Within 5 Minutes of doing this, I received a call from Upscale Audio. But, Instead of the customer service lady settling my nerves, she proceeded to chew me out for contacting PayPal. I asked her why they would ship Direct Signature Required and she told me that I should have read their shipping policy. I asked why would I do that when all I did was buy something and my confirmation stated it would be shipped FedEx Ground. I had no idea that I would need to stay home all week just so that I could receive a set of speaker stands. She continued to belittle me and pointed out that their policy is clearly stated and if I would just have clicked on the link on their home page I could have read it.

I got furious and had my Karen moment. I used some foul language and hung up.

Regardless, I have e-mailed them and asked them to refund my purchase. I will definitely stay away from this place in the future as they have no idea how to treat a good customer and that is more important to me than the item itself. They really should change their name to Uppity Audio.

__________________

vash · vash's Garage

damn. that sucks.

i kinda subconsciously look to see if a company will send FedEx. if so, i am leery and will typically shop elsewhere. they are not flexible at all.

i have wasted the exact same time and effort you just spent. i feel your pain. but honestly, i cannot remember the item i shopped, bought and didnt recieve. i let it go, after i disputed the charges.

good luck. i would set my speakers on milk crates before going thru that again.

black ones, to class it up.

vash · vash's Garage

not so sure this qualifies as a karen moment.

Zeke · 07-14-2020, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

not so sure this qualifies as a karen moment.

Sounds like the CS lady was the one who had the moment. Fook her and her company for this type of treatment.

I'm still waiting on a shipment from the big A that was scheduled to be here last Saturday. Things are messed up right now, but I have exactly the opposite problem as the OP.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

One question is why you bought from UpSale Audio.

But the fundamental question is why purchased a pair of speaker stands for $539 ???

Fancy speaker stands don't do much for sound quality, if anything.

If it was intended to be an art piece, then ok...

Tidybuoy · 12:26 PM

I purchase for looks. These will be used for larger bookshelf speakers Klipsch RP600m and will also make it convenient when I use my outdoor projector for movie nights and don't want my speakers sitting on the lawn. The $539 includes tax & shipping and I think the basic price is $499 (still a lot for speaker stands but I like the looks).

These are the short version at 20" tall:

Tidybuoy · 07-14-2020, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

Fancy speaker stands don't do much for sound quality, if anything.

Fancy, No. But raising the speakers (especially tweeters) to ear level will affect the sound quality.

Zeke · 07-14-2020, 12:19 PM

They look well designed.

masraum · 07-14-2020, 12:25 PM

It's funny how when you're trying to take care of a problem that only affects you that the vendor is unresponsive, but that when you start impacting the vendor, especially their cash flow, they are extremely responsive.

rusnak · 07-14-2020, 12:29 PM

I would have just ordered them from somewhere else, and gotten the credit card issuer to refund me the money. I reserve my Karen moments for more momentous things. You really out to go down to Guitar Center and have a listen at some of the stuff they have there.

Baz · Baz's Garage

I've never liked the "signature required" route.

Especially if I was never notified and only found out when I returned home and found the dang sticker on my door.

If they allowed me to sign the card and leave it for next delivery it defused the situation a bit.

Hope you get the situation resolved, Vern. Good luck!

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I like the way they look too. And yes, the tweeter should be near ear ht. ... A welder or a wooden legs would be fine... and less $$$

maybe bubinga wood...

But here's the thing - they apparently had a stmt. as to how they would ship, and it was part of the contract.

OTOH, hiding parts of a contract is not consumer-friendly esp. in Calif.

so...

Tidybuoy · 07-14-2020, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

It's funny how when you're trying to take care of a problem that only affects you that the vendor is unresponsive, but that when you start impacting the vendor, especially their cash flow, they are extremely responsive.

Agreed. Unfortunately for me, the vendor has 2 months to refund my money before PayPal does anything (again, another policy that I didn't read).

I would like to set up a go fund me page so that I can earn enough to buy a set of Klipsch Horns from one of their competitors and then send them a copy of the $28k price tag and a photo of me with them in the back of my truck parked in front of their store - will go fund me work like that??

Norm K · 07-14-2020, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I would like to set up a go fund me page so that I can earn enough to buy a set of Klipsch Horns from one of their competitors and then send them a copy of the $28k price tag and a photo of me with them in the back of my truck parked in front of their store - will go fund me work like that??

If P.T. Barnum was right then, ya, GoFundMe might just be the ticket.

_

Dmitry at Pelican Parts · 07-14-2020, 01:14 PM

If anyone is looking for an extremely professional and comprehensive hi-fi shop in LA, check out Common Wave Hifi in Downtown Los Angeles. The owner, Wes, is a great friend of mine and will undoubtedly give you the best service and explanations about anything you're inquiring about.

He's open by appt only currently. Very easy to schedule.

Tidybuoy · 07-14-2020, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmitry at Pelican Parts

If anyone is looking for an extremely professional and comprehensive hi-fi shop in LA, check out Common Wave Hifi in Downtown Los Angeles. The owner, Wes, is a great friend of mine and will undoubtedly give you the best service and explanations about anything you're inquiring about.

He's open by appt only currently. Very easy to schedule.

Thanks for the recommendation. I want to buy a few things but we have absolutely nothing in Fresno except Best Buy.

Dmitry at Pelican Parts · 07-14-2020, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

Thanks for the recommendation. I want to buy a few things but we have absolutely nothing in Fresno except Best Buy.

He'll be more than happy to help you out and can arrange for pick up next time you're in LA or can ship to you. He carries any audio piece that could need - speakers, phono sections, cables, turntables, dacs, pre amps, etc...

Tell him Dmitry from Pelican Parts sent you.

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

I had the exact opposite experience when I ordered a set of Corbeau seats. They were running behind building them and I was out of town for a couple weeks when they shipped. They called and asked if I wanted to have them held at a one of the depots or drop shipped and have someone else sign for them. They did require a signature but were flexible on where that signature came from. They shipped FedEx.

Tidybuoy · 07-14-2020, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipper35

I had the exact opposite experience when I ordered a set of Corbeau seats. They were running behind building them and I was out of town for a couple weeks when they shipped. They called and asked if I wanted to have them held at a one of the depots or drop shipped and have someone else sign for them. They did require a signature but were flexible on where that signature came from. They shipped FedEx.

That would have been fine with me. I just didn't want to b in Limbo.

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

I don't know why some companies just don't give a crap.