I've been reluctant to post my "FULL" experience and outcome with dealing with Ruben as I no longer have a dog in this fight, but it pains me to see people continuously left in the dark after having already paid hundreds or thousands of $$$ and have zero to show for it except stress of wondering if they were "had".
As I have already mentioned quite some time ago in this very thread, I commissioned Ruben to build a pair of custom LS-9s, LS-C and matching LS-C stand. Per Rubens request, I paid 75% up front for him to start. VERY long story short, over a year later and very little contact aside from the occasional broken promise, I finally got my speakers. When I sent the final payment in, I left off 10% of the total price (not 10% of the remaining 25%). I refused to pay full price and had actually deducted 20% at first, but in the end deducted only 10% of the total price of the job.
He came through, but at a price I am unwilling to ever accept again. His work is masterful and the envy of so many, but his conduct with business is by far the worst I have experienced.
I wish those who have paid money (and still waiting) the best with getting a finished product. I know it has been said before and even told to me by Ruben himself, he is an utter perfectionist and *IF* you get your speakers you will be pleased beyond words with their appearance. The two times I spoke to him on the phone, he was a pleasure to talk to and very humble and respectful, so it's extremely hard to be angry with someone like him from a personality standpoint.
Rob
