Hey the White van guys tried to sell speakers to me. Ha, ha,

Danny Richie · « **on:** 23 Jul 2003, 09:42 pm »

It was great. It made my day.

They caught me in the parking lot of Home Depot.

The White van pulled up with three guys in it. The driver said to me, "hey dude, you wanna buy some bad ass speakers?"

In almost disbelief and with a big grin on my face I looked at the van, looked back at him and said, "alright, the White van speakers guys!"

"Sure I'd love to see what you got."

I could barely contain myself, ha, ha, ha.

"What do you have there?" I asked. "Digital Designs, Dodd Digital, Dahlton's...?"

He said he was with Dahlton, and those other companies sold crap. Their stuff was good.

Starting to laugh now I then introduced myself, and told him who I was and that I was a loudspeaker designer and manufacturer... and owned GR Research.

"Oh really," he says, with a look of surprise...

I then told him he was more than welcome to bring some of those speakers by to GR Research and I would be more than glad to shoot some responses on them, take an impedance response, etc. and he could see for himself how good his speakers were.

He said he would actually be interested to see for himself how they measured.

I gave him my web address and phone number but did not hear from him, bummer!

He gave me his card too.

His name was Shawn Haugh. He is with T & M Enterprises Inc.

I have an Irving, Texas address and phone number if anyone is interested. He, he...

Here's their web site: http://www.dahltonloudspeakers.com

Danny Richie

Sa-dono · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Jul 2003, 09:55 pm »

Too good..thanks for that Danny

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jul 2003, 10:01 pm »

They're selling white Bose clones!!!!!!

http://www.dahltonloudspeakers.com/prod04.htm

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Jul 2003, 11:28 pm »

Dahlton huh? Dahlquist + Boston = Dahlton?

Couldn't they think of a decent name on their own? Or is it just something to confuse people that've heard of Dahlquist or Boston into thinking that Dahlton might be one of the two?

Carlman · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 12:04 am »

It's a confusion tactic... when I was approached by the van man, it was for 'coustics' or something like that... I asked if it was 'acoustic research' and they said no.... at least they were honest(ish)... they also said they had a few extra on their van because the warehouse loaded it wrong. So, I told them I'd give them $10 or $20 for a pair. They laughed and said c'mon, these are really good.... To which I said, but, these are just extra, at no cost to you, if I give you $20, you'll have $20! We both shrugged and that was it.

Good luck with that phone call...

rosconey · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 12:32 am »

i hope the gr research company vehicle isnt a white van-lol
better check what gets loaded if it is -lol
i could use a pair of alfa's for 200$-lol

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 12:33 am »

At that price I could afford Alphas for all five channels!

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 12:34 am »

Actually, they DO look pretty good.

rosconey · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 12:41 am »

white van version is spelled alfa(have to keep the people confused)

wshuff · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 01:15 am »

Hey, check out that website. THX is certifying white van speakers now!!!

Jay S · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 02:21 am »

In a way they are one better than the Bose cube speakers since the satellites are 2-ways, with a 2.5" mid and a tweeter. Bose has 2 2.5" drivers, and only play up to about 13 kHZ!

nathanm · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 02:21 am »

Wow, the irony is too thick! I wouldn't have told him you were a speaker designer though, to me that would've spoiled the fun. So does the van have to be white for this scheme or can it be a different color?

The website's spec page is created entirely as a single image with the type obscured enough to make reading it quite difficult! Clevver!

cryotweaks · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 05:23 pm »

"dude, I just bought some speakers!" he says in an excited, I just scored the deal of the century type tone.

"Where at"? I reply, thinking his usual haunts like Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.

"Ever heard of Theater Research? Yeah, they build home theater systems for real expensive homes. I met some guys who work for them at Home Depot". Now I started thinking to myself, "Oh no, how can I break this to him"?

Me: "Did they approach you about having some extra speakers in their van"?

Him: "How did you know"?

You know the rest of the story. Well as it turns out, they claim all of these claims, like "Made in the USA", lifetime warranty, etc. They have the list prices on the Box (now who does that?). It's screams "Made in China".

So he got two of these tower type speakers ("List" price $1900 ea.)
and this tacky all in one 5.1 home theater with DVD in a box ("list" price 2499), all for $500. The center channel has this LED display that has some welcome message streaming across is when you power it up. The specs say "200 watts max". If you read the fine print, its more like 20 watts. It probably cost the sales guy $100 for everything.

I just feel bad for him, even though he's convinced himself that he got his money's worth.

At least the white van speakers aren't as bad as they used to be. Now you get a product that works, makes sound, and looks alright from a distance in dim lighting. Granted you never get your money's worth from them.

One of my college buddies who used to sell these things would tell us horror stories of drivers falling out of the baffle when they unboxed them to show someone.

Their sales tactics however are a complete scam. Fake invoices, non existant companies, etc.

When will people learn?

hmen · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 09:41 pm »

I never would have dreamed that the white van guys would have a website. I think I'm going to email customer service so they can tell me what parking lot to find them in so I can arrange an audition. After all, the website says that they "utilize advanced technology" and that's just what I've been looking for. My only worry is that these are only white van guy wannabes and not the real white van guys I've reading about all these years.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Jul 2003, 12:58 am »

Quote from: hmen

I never would have dreamed that the white van guys would have a website. I think I'm going to email customer service so they can tell me what parking lot to find them in so I can arrange an audition. After all, the website says that they "utilize advanced technology" and that's just what I've been looking for. My only worry is that these are only white van guy wannabes and not the real white van guys I've reading about all these years.

I think a couple white van companies have sites--
here's one (actually it looks better than some audiophile sites)--
http://www.doggdigitalaudio.com

nathanm · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Jul 2003, 05:55 am »

Well, Dogg Digital has one thing going for them - they are above satire.

Quote

YOU NEED TO FAX A COPY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL, HOME, OR MOBILE AUDIO STORE BUSINESS CARD. PLEASE - DEALERS ONLY.

See folks, it's not a 'some dude in a white van', it's a "Mobile Audio Store"!

I really hope I get to meet one of these dealers myself, it sounds like a treat!

cryotweaks · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Jul 2003, 02:23 pm »

a mobile audio store selling weapons of mass distortion....

Larkston Zinaspic · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Jul 2003, 04:17 pm »

I've seen that before, and I've been asked several times on different occasions, usually in the middle of moving traffic. But I'm in NY, so when I'm asked by a stranger: "Hey man, you need speakers for your house?", I'm usually wondering where they stole them from. I respectfully decline the offer.

TheeeChosenOne · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Aug 2003, 02:52 pm »

More White Van stories. People discussing their experience from this week's encounter with these guys:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=1111626

Amusing stuff.

Some guy got even by popping the "white van's" tires and keying in "scam van" on their car. I guess he doesn't like business solicitations!

For Reference:
http://www.scamshield.com/Feature.asp?id=1

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=white+van+speakers

jcoat007 · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Aug 2003, 04:18 pm »

What the hell is a Digital Speaker? From the Dogg Digital website, it appears the crossover is digital. So I guess that 's what they mean?

I remember the satellite installer that came to my house was bragging about some digital speakers he was buying. He said they were impossible to get, cost around $2K and all of the Hooters had them. I had no idea what he was talking about. Maybe it was these? Maybe they are so hard to get because you have to wait to be approached by the White Van. I'm sure that's how they outfitted all of the Hooters.

From the Dogg website, under the photo of each speaker is this disclaimer (which is nearly impossible to read):

"Specifications are subject to change without notice. Model number and manufacturer's suggested prices do not represent a bonafide selling price in the metro trading area."

I guess what they are saying is:

The specs don’t mean sh*t because we can change them at any time.
The model and names you see could be different in the White Van in your area, and they sell them for much less than the prices you see here, but feel free to order them here at our inflated prices.

My last comment is this. The warranty department has a Via Lido address in Newport Beach, CA. I know this area, and this has to be some of the most expensive real estate in the country. Mr. Dogg is obviously doing all right.