WARNING: Audiophonics (France) - Warranty Denied & Unit Damaged Under Their Custody (RMA 27867)

[LuisAfonso]

This merchant no longer deserves any more of my attention. Tomorrow, I will hand over all the legal documentation to my bank as requested, and that’s that. You only truly get to know a company when things go wrong.

In my opinion, real power filtering and protection only come with a much higher price tag—perhaps necessary for medical or high-tech equipment where safety is priceless. For Hi-Fi, especially with my stable power grid and gear like Accuphase, it’s simply not needed. Personally, I never even heard any 'audiophile' benefit in sound quality from these units anyway.

I am now focusing on finding a DAC/Streamer that can truly handle High-Res Tidal files. I’m facing the classic dilemma: expensive Hi-Fi that fails measurements versus 'ChiFi' that outperforms gear costing thousands. I’ll be around here lurking and reading your tests and comparisons—there’s a lot of great data to digest!

Thank you all for the debate and the insights. Happy listening!"

 

[Mnyb]

this is why I keep the original packaging atleast during warranty and for expensive heavy items as long is own them .

Edit : One less thing tho contest and the mfg deemed it suitable.

 

[LuisAfonso]

this is why I keep the original packaging atleast during warranty and for expensive heavy items as long is own them .

Edit : One less thing tho contest and the mfg deemed it suitable.

Exactly. I’m always trying to explain that to my housekeeper, who insists on putting them in the recycling bin!

My storage room by the garage is now full of original boxes, many of which are probably long out of warranty.
But for this unit, I did use the original factory box, which makes the 'crushed' claim a week after delivery even more suspicious. Thanks

 

[Audionaut]

I am sharing my recent experience with Audiophonics (France) regarding a warranty claim for a Dynavox X4100 mains filter, used in a high-end setup (Accuphase / Stax / Tv).

In my opinion, it is a questionable approach to try to enforce one’s own warranty claims against a company by posting a first thread about it immediately after signing up on a high-traffic forum, with the aim of building pressure.

 

[Talisman]

In my opinion, it is a questionable approach to try to enforce one’s own warranty claims against a company by posting a first thread about it immediately after signing up on a high-traffic forum, with the aim of building pressure.

I don't understand these kinds of comments.
The user is new, so that doesn't change the validity (or otherwise) of their opinions.
Personally, I would consider a power strip that vibrates and buzzes to be defective, regardless of its price.
The photo they posted shows that the product didn't have the dent in the seller's response photo when it was packaged. It seems at least pterestonic to claim that tiny dent in the frame is a reason not to repair/refund an internal electrical problem (presumably).
Furthermore, this isn't a return, but rather a warranty claim for a manufacturing defect (presumably).
Audiophonics' response could also be that the product appears to be in perfect working order and that the buzzing is its normal mode of operation (thus certifying its electrical safety). This would make it a terrible product, but it couldn't be disputed. However, exercising the right not to repair a product by citing that damage as the cause seems rather specious, even in my opinion.
It's common practice in Europe to sign packages "with reservation" so that you can later assess whether any damage, not visible from the outside, is present upon opening the package. If the seller failed to do so, they were negligent; they should have immediately checked the contents and, if necessary, filed a complaint with the courier (if the customer's photos showed no such damage).

 

[Mnyb]

Dynavox are quite terrible products , knock offs basically . I have a record brush that is a lame copy of the hunt eda, brush shoddy quality .

I don't think the buzz was the problem was it not audible cracks and pops from the connected equipment ?

 

[Maxim-ICOM]

... if a package arrives 'crushed'...

As you are sender it is your responsibility about damage in transit and you need to open claim with your couriers.

This is quite possible scenario:
If the box do not have any visual damages shop will just accept it from couriers without any questions, but if there was insufficient packaging unit may be damaged in transit.
You can open claim to your carrier and try to prove that it was damaged in transit and it had sufficient packaging.

And indeed it does not exclude other scenario - you received the box without external damages, but packaging was insufficient and one corner show sign of impact to hard floor.

Anyway, in both cases couriers will deny anything as they do not have any mark about package conditions and will say that you or shop dropped the box after they delivered.

Your filter inside is quite simple: if it buzzing in your location and do not buzz in other, meant that there is a problem with mains at your home. Take a filter to some other place and test it.

Before blaming shop or carrier or yourself you need to identify where the problem happened.

 

[LuisAfonso]

In my opinion, it is a questionable approach to try to enforce one’s own warranty claims against a company by posting a first thread about it immediately after signing up on a high-traffic forum, with the aim of building pressure.

My goal isn’t to 'build pressure', but to provide transparency. A high-traffic forum is exactly the right place to share how a merchant handles a safety-related RMA and the legal duty of inspection upon delivery.

Whether I am a new member or a veteran doesn't change the timeline: Audiophonics accepted my unit in its original box on March 19th without a single reservation, only to claim it was 'crushed' on March 26th to void a warranty for an electrical fault.

Those are the facts. If a company values its reputation, it should follow EU consumer law regardless of where the customer posts. . Cheers!

 

[RickS]

Hope the OP finds satisfactory resolution, but this thread has reached its productive limit. Locked.