[Tony2]

Hello everyone,
This is the kind of story we all hate.
After knowing GR-research for many years, specifically having heard about the OB in the dipole community, I was tempted to take the plunge and went straight to the place.
I was welcomed and we listened for some tracks.
After discussing and getting to know each other, I decided not to take the upgrade kit for my magnepan 20.7 but to take the triple threat OB subwoofers and paid in a heart-bit 3500$, taking possession of the 6 drivers as well as 6 sheets of no-rez without even negotiating, knowing the amplifiers would have to be drop-shipped by the importer and he will send me later the speakon connectors.

I thought the owner would treat me well having done such an easy deal in a couple hours.
Well that was probably too easy for him.

1) After a few days, as I didn’t have any news about the amplifiers shipment, I sent gr-research an email but he supposedly couldn’t give me information…….well,  it is him placing the order and providing the importer with the shipping label.
Basically I had to phone twice the importer in Austin who told me Danny should have given me all informations. Fortunately the importer helped me directly.

2) Despite asking Danny 3 or 4 times about the speakon connectors he owe me, either I get “i don’t know when i will receive them or simply no answer at all. Both are unacceptable as he surely knows when he will receive, knowing the volume of speakers he sell…..

I don’t know if it is because I am a foreigner or if it is because I am being too nice, but this chasing ends up in being a whole frustration and it certainly doesn’t reflect professionalism but amateurism, giving credit to the people calling all of its products either overrated or snake oil.

I had in mind to buy other kits in the next few months, well….I’ll pass !
Lessons learnt, don’t support small businesses ! Unfortunately

[Danny Richie]

Wow! I want to respond to this and clarify a few things. 

When you placed the order, I provided everything I had in stock and explained the timeline for the amplifiers. We do not stock them. They are drop shipped from Rythmik Audio. I also explained that they do not stock the version of the amps for our open baffle application. They add a shelving circuit for that application before shipping them out. You understood at the time that it could take some time. I told you that it can take a few weeks.

I also had only one connector in stock. I offered it to you then, but you said no, asking me to wait until you had more in stock and then send both items.

I received my first email from you three days later. Only three days later, and you are already looking for them. 

Hey Danny
I left you an email over your website just after we met , it seems you didn’t get it as I didn’t receive any answer.
Did the amplifiers ship ?
And the connectors ?

My response: 

As I explained when you were here. If Rymith has amps, with the shelving circuit ready to ship, then they typically get them out within a few days. If they do not have amps ready with the shelving circuit, modifying and shipping a pair of amps with that circuit can take about a week.

I have not received notification yet from my supplier about the connectors' arrival, but like I said when you were here, I bet they will arrive before you cut your boxes. As soon as they arrive, I will send them to you.

FYI, Rythmik Audio took some vacation time in March and went to Australia. That might have put them slightly behind. 

Within two weeks I received a bill from Rythmik for the amps that were shipped out. That is still fairly prompt. 

Neutrik style connectors were ordered from Parts Express right away. I am still waiting for them. 

Fortunately for you, I received a return of some unused items that included a pair of Neutrik connectors. So the connectors were mailed to you last week. You should have already received them. 

I recommend you be more patient about things outside our control. 

Claiming that I can't get those things to you any faster, is because you are a foreigner is beyond words. I won't even respond to that. 

Shipping delays happen. Blaming us for delays that are not our fault isn't fair either. 

Then because of your impatience, you claim our products are over rated or snake oil? That certainly doesn't match what you were saying when you were in our listening room. 

Now you can't support a small business? I am sorry, but shipping issues and products becoming out of stock are not limited to small businesses. 

You are unfairly blaming us for things outside of our control. 

[Don_S]

I find the OP's post most disturbing. I have no personal experience with GR Research or Danny Richie. If I only read the OP's post, I would have a very negative opinion of GR Research.

Fortunately I know GR Research and Danny have built a loyal following on this forum for good reasons and trust him over the OP who only has two posts at this time. One introductory post and then this complaint. Zero credibility there. 

[nlitworld]

Not everyone can be Amazon. But then again, any business worth the cost of their letterhead shouldn't be like Amazon. MOST businesses in audio I've ever dealt with is at best a few days lead time to get orders boxed and shipped, let alone special ordered and drop shipped. That should be a few weeks at best with most any company. I sell automotive paint and if a customer special ordered a spray gun that wasn't in stock, it would be 2-3 weeks every time.

Not to hate on the OP because everyone is entitled to their opinions, but his is pretty unfair and misguided. Sounds like someone is a little too antsy pants in need of instant gratification, which is normally a trait for us millennials. Do I wish Danny had an extra 2 people on staff for next day delivery? Sure. But with that comes cost and headache. I'll just wait patiently every time I order more tube connectors and wire and will appreciate the low overhead cost.

Danny, you keep doing you. 

[Phil A]

I haven't looked at the rules lately but there used to be a 'no dirty laundry' rule where the original post may be considered inappropriate.

[BrandonB]

Reminds me of the Steve Jobs Quote. "You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time.”  So true!
Actually I just looked this up and it seems Abraham Lincoln said this and Steve Jobs might have been quoting Abraham Lincoln or very similar.

[Huskerbryce]

Impatience is a trait many people have and can lead to unwarranted frustration.  Ive ordered many kits from GR-research and have not had any negative experiences.  Sometimes waiting a couple weeks sucks when you are anxious to get started on a fun build but I totally understand supply chain delays.  Especially in the current global environment.  I think the OP needs to take a step back and consider what truly poor customer service is compared to just some shipping delays.

[wgallupe]

He also posted the same thing at the Steve Hoffman Forum (username Tony31) which seems to have sparked some more negative comments/opinions from others...                         

[nlitworld]

I think the OP needs to take a step back and consider what truly poor customer service is compared to just some shipping delays.

Call Xfinity (Comcast). There you'll find the textbook definition of bad customer service.   

[Craig Young]

Wow !!! So lucky to choose the triple. I got the double and shoot now I'm thinking of going with another pair of doubles.

[Don_S]

Reminds me of the Steve Jobs Quote. "You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time.”  So true!
Actually I just looked this up and it seems Abraham Lincoln said this and Steve Jobs might have been quoting Abraham Lincoln or very similar.

No, No, No. The correct quote is: ""You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool Mom." Captain Penny   

[Rusty Jefferson]

...I don’t know if it is because I am a foreigner or if it is because I am being too nice, but this chasing ends up in being a whole frustration.....

I'm going to guess it's neither.

If you heard and agreed to a several week timeline during your visit and then paid, your behavior here is unacceptable. If Danny is lying to us and actually said you'd have everything in a couple days, feel free to elaborate, otherwise, slink away.

[Theronbo]

I probably don’t need to reply to this thread.

I suspect that most if not all have experience dealing with Danny & GR-Research…

I hate to be ageist … or perhaps it was a communication error…. I’ve traveled the world a lot & recognize that you might be speaking the same language… but often aren’t communicating the same language…. Chinese used to bug the cr@p out of me … continually nodding while you’re talking…. I assume they’re agreeing with me … but they’re only indicating they understand me… led to some serious misunderstandings…

Anyway, I’ve had a very similar exchange with Danny concerning the amps for double trouble kit I ordered… think it took 3 or 4 weeks to get them…  I was frustrated, communicating with Danny, he contacted Rythmik & still only gave me a estimate of a week.  I kinda took it in stride, understanding it wasn’t in his control….


I will tell Mr. op … you will fr’kn love those speakers… they are expensive… but there’s nothing like them available anywhere else… no manufacturer, to my knowledge has an OB bass speaker… I know… I tried to find one… because these are expensive… & then you have to build them … which isn’t hard, but is nontrivial… certainly need a few clamps at a minimum…

Anyway I’ve purchased quite a few kits from Danny & he’s always treated me with courtesy & fairly.

[mick wolfe]

I couldn't agree more. When I built my GR NX Studio Monitors a few years ago, I had to wait a month or so for a few parts. That said, the flatpack had already arrived and that alone kept me busy in the meantime. Danny kept me informed and was very helpful along the way. Basically, patience is a virtue when one embarks on a DIY project. If one doesn't possess that trait, best just buy off the shelf.

[Danny Richie]

Here is an update on those connectors that we are still waiting on.

I called Parts Express today to find out what happened to our order. Those connectors are the only thing that I get from them.  We should have received them over a week ago.

The first call to the commercial department got me disconnected.
The second call, I was connected then got a busy signal.
The third call, I got someone and they could not find my order and transferred me to Ronnie. I then got a busy signal.
The forth call, I got through to Ronnie again, but had to leave him a message.
I call again later and I actually get Ronnie, but while I was talking to him (mid sentence) I got hit with another busy signal.
I call back and get him again.... He sees my order. It has a tracking number, but the tracking number goes nowhere. It has never been scanned by a shipper. So he then sends me a copy of the order showing me that it was placed, but he thinks it was put on the wrong truck.

I was told that they would call me back when they found it. 

And I am the one getting hit with poor service complaints.

Sometimes you are just at the mercy of suppliers.

[fridays]

Everything has been like this since the plandemic

[decal]

Notice ol' Tony2 hasn't posted about this again?

[Danny Richie]

PE lost the order. They are processing a new order and getting them out now. They still don't have all that I ordered. It is a partial fulfilment. 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Parts Express was bought out and is under new management

[Oscillate]

"Parts Express was bought out and is under new management"

I will lament the day Danny retires and closes or sells GR Research