Yea. When I bought my Flex (before the massive tariff price increase) it was from Parts Express using PayPal.
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Buyer Beware: miniDSP Flex RCA arrived USED & Defective - Ghosted since May 3rd (Claim started April 18th)
- Thread starter Karlaka
- Start date
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- Tags
- customer service dsp flex minidsp
Minidsp don't offer PayPal as a payment option on their website (huge warning sign if you ask me)
Multicore
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Did you post about it on MiniDSP's own forum? They might notice that.
Roland68
Master Contributor
Presumably, if payment had been made via PayPal and a case reported, MiniDSP would have reacted long ago.
There is no reason in these days not to offer paypal as option. Even on alibaba b2b there is a paypal option. The extra costs can be added to the price (as on alibaba).
Ultrasonic
Major Contributor
They did and have had replies from miniDSP:
Buyer Beware: miniDSP Flex RCA arrived USED & Defective - Ghosted since May 3rd (Claim started April 18th)
Hi everyone, I am writing this to warn potential buyers about miniDSP's unacceptable post-sales support infrastructure and to share a severe hardware and quality control defect on a brand-new device. I ordered a brand-new miniDSP Flex (RCA version) directly from their store. I initiated my...
www.minidsp.com
"we're sorry" is a good start. but at this point to my opinion, their reply should have been "we're sending you a new unit"They did and have had replies from miniDSP:
Buyer Beware: miniDSP Flex RCA arrived USED & Defective - Ghosted since May 3rd (Claim started April 18th)
Hi everyone, I am writing this to warn potential buyers about miniDSP's unacceptable post-sales support infrastructure and to share a severe hardware and quality control defect on a brand-new device. I ordered a brand-new miniDSP Flex (RCA version) directly from their store. I initiated my...
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Laughable
Ultrasonic
Major Contributor
There is reference made to miniDSP sorting out shipping so they are presumably sending something... Note the full discussion is via support tickets not on the forum. Ultimately the OP needs to update for us to know.
OP
Karlaka
Member
- Thread Starter
- #32
Hi!
Just a quick update for everyone following this thread. I want to emphasize that my intention is not to disparage miniDSP. They have reached out and acknowledged that their support system failed to track my ticket, which explains the silence since May. They are actively working to find a resolution, which I appreciate.
However, we are currently navigating the practical challenges of their standard RMA procedure. For someone based in Argentina, returning the unit to Hong Kong is logistically and economically inviable—it involves high shipping costs, double taxation, and the consumption of my limited annual import quota. I’ve made them aware of these specific constraints and I am currently proposing alternative solutions that avoid the need for an international return, seeking a fair compensation that respects both their internal policies and my situation as an international customer.
Just a quick update for everyone following this thread. I want to emphasize that my intention is not to disparage miniDSP. They have reached out and acknowledged that their support system failed to track my ticket, which explains the silence since May. They are actively working to find a resolution, which I appreciate.
However, we are currently navigating the practical challenges of their standard RMA procedure. For someone based in Argentina, returning the unit to Hong Kong is logistically and economically inviable—it involves high shipping costs, double taxation, and the consumption of my limited annual import quota. I’ve made them aware of these specific constraints and I am currently proposing alternative solutions that avoid the need for an international return, seeking a fair compensation that respects both their internal policies and my situation as an international customer.
OP
Karlaka
Member
- Thread Starter
- #33
You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly why I’m keeping this thread updated—I believe potential buyers should have full transparency not just on the initial issue, but on how a company navigates the resolution process.
I agree that how a company handles a fail is more important than the fail itself. That is why I’m currently pushing for a solution that doesn't involve an international RMA return. For a customer in Argentina, returning the unit to Hong Kong is logistically and economically inviable—it would involve huge shipping costs, double taxation, and the consumption of my limited annual import quota.
miniDSP has acknowledged the system error that led to my ticket being ignored, and we are currently discussing alternatives (like a discount on a future purchase or a non-return resolution) that respect their QC policies while acknowledging the reality of the situation. I appreciate your input, and I'll keep the thread updated on how they ultimately handle this.
OP
Karlaka
Member
- Thread Starter
- #34
I appreciate your perspective. You're highlighting a very valid point regarding the risks of buying directly from manufacturers. In an ideal world, I would have opted for a local retailer or Amazon, but that isn't a realistic option for me. In Argentina, we have no local miniDSP distributors, nor are there any in neighboring countries. Furthermore, miniDSP devices are rarely available on Amazon.
My only other path would have been sourcing one through a US distributor, but with their current pricing and the extra tariffs on goods from China, the final cost is significantly higher. Additionally, if I had gone that route and encountered this issue, I would have been hit by a double-whammy of import duties: I would have had to pay US taxes upon purchase, and then full Argentine import duties to bring it into my country, effectively doubling all associated costs.
Regarding the unit's condition, I agree that receiving a device with signs of previous handling—even if it is fully operational—falls short of the quality standards we expect from a brand like miniDSP.
My goal in this thread is exactly what you mentioned: advocacy for better standards. By sharing this, I hope to encourage them to improve their packaging and quality control, and hopefully, find a fair resolution for my case that doesn't involve the prohibitive costs of international returns. I appreciate your support, and I will continue to provide updates as we move toward a resolution.
OP
Karlaka
Member
- Thread Starter
- #35
That is exactly what I am trying to figure out. It does feel like something has shifted, especially considering that my support ticket was completely ignored for weeks until I brought this to public attention.
While the device I received is fully operational, the aesthetic condition and the lack of proper QC protocols—coupled with the rigid adherence to standard RMA policies regardless of the customer's location—certainly suggest that their internal processes might be facing some challenges. I hope they are able to adjust and return to the high level of service that many long-time users like yourself are accustomed to.
OP
Karlaka
Member
- Thread Starter
- #36
I agree with the sentiment, but to be precise: I am not necessarily asking them to just 'send a new unit' without a return process. My point is that they should be open to alternative solutions.
My frustration lies in the fact that their only proposed path is a standard RMA return, which is logistically and economically impossible for me in Argentina. I am not asking for a freebie; I am asking them to adapt their resolution process to the reality of the situation. Whether it's through providing a discount code for a future purchase, a partial refund, or another creative resolution that doesn't force me to pay double import taxes and exhaust my annual quota on a return shipment, there are many ways to solve this that don't involve the prohibitive costs of a physical international return. I am simply advocating for a company to provide support that is actually usable for their international customers.
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OP
Karlaka
Member
- Thread Starter
- #37
I’m glad to hear that you’ve had positive experiences with your past orders; that is certainly the kind of track record that builds brand loyalty. I am not suggesting that miniDSP consistently provides poor service—clearly, many users have had a smooth experience.
However, each case has its own variables. In my specific situation, the product arrived with noticeable aesthetic defects, and the current resolution path they are offering—returning the unit to Hong Kong for inspection—is simply not feasible for me.
I am not looking to disparage the company, but rather to find a reasonable middle ground. I’ve been fully open to alternative solutions that don't involve the logistical and financial nightmare of a physical return, and I’m hoping we can reach an agreement that reflects the reality of international shipping constraints.
sorry i wasn't clear enough - to my opinion, they should have offered you a "freebie" (without you asking). period. because they messed up and are now fully aware of it.
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That's silly. They don't owe him a freebie.
Roland68
Master Contributor
But they owe him the device he ordered and paid for over two months ago.
To this day, he still hasn't received it.
If a manufacturer or retailer delivers a product other than the one ordered and paid for, they must bear all costs and handle all issues associated with the exchange, as they—not the customer—are the ones responsible for the situation.
