memphis audio service
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=112653
Printed Date: April 27, 2024 at 8:41 AM
Topic: memphis audio service
Posted By: house15
Subject: memphis audio service
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I purchased a couple of memphis audio 4 channel amps off of ebay(both worked great!) I had them both tested and NO problems. Then when I finally got around to installing (about a month later) one of them would blow both internal fuses just as soon as it got power! I called Memphis to see about getting it repaired, NOT WARRANTY, (I was offering to PAY) but guess what? They absolutely 100% REFUSED to repair it because I didnt buy from a dealer!! Who turns down money? this is the biggest load of crap I've ever encountered! I dont understand why, especially with such a "bad" economy, someone would turn down work and money! I have been using Memphis audio for years, and NOW I will NEVER buy their stuff EVER again! Not to mention The woman I talked to was VERY rude to once I said I purchased online. So just a word to the wise......NEVER tell them you bought anything from ebay or any other online retailer, if you do they will tell you to screww off!! Dont get worked over like I did, go with JL or anybody that is NOT Memphis Audio. I now have a $500 amp that is worthless cause They dont want to fix their own stuff!! ------------- Curtis McClure
Replies:
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 1:53 PM
You worked yourself over. Had you bought it from a authorized dealer do you think you would be in this situation? Even if you had not mentioned that you bought it online, you would have had to produce a receipt for warranty and then you would be in the same boat. Why should a manufacturer warranty something for you when you did not buy it from a authorized dealer? Part of the service that you pay for from a authorized dealer is warranty. You screwed yourself when you chose to go the unauthorized route to save some money. Want service, go right back to the guy you bought it from, get him to return your money (good luck with that though) and then buy it from a authorized dealer. Then watch how doors open for you if you have a problem. This is not a Memphis problem at all, good for them for turning you down. As much as it sucks to hear that from someone, you made the choice of where to buy the product from in the first place. A quick look on the front page of the site has a clear warning about internet sales and a link even for more info on it. I imagine that you are familiar with the site as you are a long time Memphis user. How can you not be aware of the warranty policy when it is in plain view for anyone to see? No sympathy here from me unfortunately. You got what you paid for, you paid for a product with no service, how can that be wrong? https://www.memphiscaraudio.com/internet-sales-policy/ ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: j.reed
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 2:06 PM
I have to agree with forbidden. Ebay is a grey market for the most part. They sell at there cost so they can keep numbers up and receive lower cost to sell in there true retail stores. Making them more money. The price you pay for putting out less up front is in the event of warrenty you are screwing yourself. Also alot of what you see on Ebay that says it is new is actually referbs. Again you screwed yourself by not buying a true new warrenty product. Yes this sucks to hear. But you did bring it on your self buying from an un authorized dealer. This is a good though. Maybe others can learn from your mistake. BTW JL and most other reputable manufactures use the same warranty policy. JL would not fix it either. ------------- 
Posted By: audiocableguy
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 2:13 PM
The company is supporting their dealers and protecting themselves. Buying from an authorized dealer is insuring you are getting an official product, a product that hasn't been stolen and offer correct info/tips on installation. Most important warranty repair, repair and or replacement. The number of knockoffs, black market and gray market products are skyrocketing. I am on the side of Memphis refusing your repair request. If you read in the rules here no links to ebay products for good reason. Read the Memphis Position covered under Consumer Alerts.
You bought products from an electronic Flea Market. More and more companies warn you upfront they will not honor warranty claims or even tech services for items not purchase from dealers.You will find in small print online dealers who are not authorized to sell brands give you a warranty only with them.This is how they sell refurbs, returns, overstock or possibly stolen stuff. Good luck having them honor anything.
This issued from JL:
JL AUDIO products purchased from unauthorized sources carry no warranty from JL AUDIO, regardless of any claims made by the seller. We have no way of determining whether these products are used, refurbished, counterfeit, stolen or otherwise compromised.
Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 2:20 PM
So it's OK for you to screw Memphis over, but when Memphis doesn't want to work with you they are evil? ------------- Kevin Pierson
Posted By: stereosales
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 2:53 PM
SOOOOOOOO correct guys, thanks for backing up the authorized dealers trying to make a living and supporting their families. While i dont carry memphis this issue comes up way too much.An educated customer is usually going to be the happiest. Play by the rules and we will do any and everything we can for you.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 3:10 PM
house15 wrote:
So just a word to the wise......NEVER tell them you bought anything from ebay or any other online retailer, if you do they will tell you to screww off!!
Which is EXACTLY what they should have told you. A better word of warning might be: NEVER buy gear from EBay or any other unauthorized seller and then expect factory warranty support. Hopefully you have learned a valuable lesson. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Does it blow the fuses without power on the remote terminal of the amp?
Posted By: house15
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 8:12 PM
You guys arent understanding me!! I'm not trying to get them warranty it. I WANT TO PAY THEM MONEY, and have them fix it. I NEVER implied that it was anyone elses fault that i purchased from an unauthorized dealer, I just think it is a bunch of B.S. that they wont even take my money and repair it !! And BTW I just sent a SONY radio off to them for repair and they didnt give me a load of crap!! I send it - they fix it - i pay them - they send it back!! What a concept!!! Memphis is just wrong on this issue, on top of all this, What incentive do they give to buy from them?!? Now you cant EVER sell what you buy from them cause the potential buyer will will say HELL NO cause if it ever has an issue they cant get it fixed!! iF you bought a car from some guy out of state I'd bet ANY amount of money that your local dealerchip wont turn you down just cause you didnt buy it from a car lot!! And dont forget Im NOT talking about warranty work!! MEMPHIS IS WRONG!!!
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Curtis McClure
Posted By: house15
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 8:25 PM
I dont remember if the remote was hooked up or not? i will check it out. Do you have a possible solution? ------------- Curtis McClure
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 8:45 PM
I have a possible solution either way, I just need to know that so I can tell you about how much it might cost to get it repaired.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 10:18 PM
We get you fine. I even responded on another site about this as it seems you are intent on getting yourself flamed on every forum there is. Here is my exact quote. "Why is it that people (and the OP) assume that Memphis should service it? Memphis is under zero obligation to service this item even if the customer wants to pay for it. Why would they continue to support someone by offering service at a price when the customer would not pay for the service from a authorized dealer in the first place? I as a retailer don't have to sell you squat if I don't want to. If I have a customer come in that I know is going to be a problem, I will recommend that he shops somewhere else and becomes that businesses problem. Memphis is doing the exact same thing. They do not want your problem, the problem that the OP created. Nothing wrong with that at all." ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 10:21 PM
If someone here is going to offer you a good solution to get your amp repaired, then take it. It is totally wrong though to state that "Memphis Audio screwed you", you screwed yourself and have only yourself to blame. Take the advice given and listen to it until it makes sense. Memphis is a great company and takes great care of their customer. You are not their customer regardless of the name on the amp. You are the unauthorized dealers customer and that is who you should be saying screwed you. Who did you buy the amp from so that other people know to steer clear, I am sure you would not want anyone else running into the same problem that you have.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: house15
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Just about everyone I have ever met that buys car audio plans to upgrade at some point, and having this information about Memphis audio's lame policy, we would ALL have a diffficult time getting rid of anything made by memphis. I do agree that they make quality audio products, and have never thought otherwise. But how can me wanting to make myseff a customer of Memphis be causing them a problem?!? The problem is i would be spending less money with them than they would like! I noticed you didnt have anything to say about the point i made about this being just like buying a used car?? Its because I am RIGHT! People need to WAKE up! this is the 21st century folks, the internet is responsible for billions of dollars in sales and then you have someone who wants to "block" you for doing business on the web!! WHY? ALSO the person I bought this from sold me a working amp! it quit after i got it, he did NOT screw me. And i DID have a certified installed do the work so there is no question that it was done wrong, This amp came out of a show car and was well taken care of. This should be a simple fix and should be well on its way to being over by now but the fine people at memphis audio want to make at WAY more difficult than it should be.
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Curtis McClure
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: March 25, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Why not see if you can get the customer receipt for it then? Then re-approach Memphis to see if they will be able to help you or not. ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Rules are rules...you can't bribe them with money. They don't care.
There are a lot of electronics repair shops that fix amps.
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Custom Enclosure Design
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 12:21 AM
EVERY commapny has every right to say "We reserve the right to refuse service". And that's EXACTLY what they are doing - exercising their right to protect their own interests! If they repair the item, (and even if you pay them to do the repairs NOT under warranty) then Memphis/JL/Focal/etc. is basically telling EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD: "Go ahead and buy any of our stuff from whoever you want to. We don't care about our business or the hand-picked knowledgeable car audio experts we adamantly support."
It is NOT the same as buying a used car. A used car may or may not have an "extended" warranty. It may or may not be covered under the manufacturer's original warranty. In California, EVERY car sold as a "used" car will have a sticker in the window (YES, even in a brand-name dealer's lot) telling the buyer whether there is any warranty: That used car dealer is under ZERO obligation to provide a warranty on that car... (It has to, man... State law! --Donnie Baker) Certified pre-owned generally includes the warranty, and your amps were not CPO. They were used. The consumer knows that if he wants it covered under any sort of service contract, then he will have to buy said service contract. I do know that eBay offers service contracts on nearly everything you can buy on the site. THAT'S your protection. Memphis is under ZERO obligation to support you or your purchase. YOU knew that there were NO internet authorized dealers of Memphis Audio gear, and you got bit for taking the risk.
Even if you pay, they are still supporting "gray market" hardware, and I can see their point perfectly well! I have said since the day I joined this board (with POSSIBLY one or two exceptions) "Please support your brick-and-mortars". I truly am sorry that this mistake cost you 5 bills, (especially today) but I do have to side with all of the previous posters and Memphis on this one.
And the lesson learned here? Support your mom and pop shop!
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 5:16 AM
haemphyst wrote:
EVERY commapny has every right to say "We reserve the right to refuse service".
Times are tough. the Commapny I work for won't refuse to service it.
Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 6:48 AM
Memphis is in the business to SELL amps, not repair them. If they choose to repair your amp they are doing two things: 1. Obligating themselves to offer some sort of warranty on the amp since they worked on it 2. Encouraging people like yourself to circumvent their reseller policy Basically, the way Memphis looks at it (I'm guessing here), is that since you didn't buy from one of their resellers then you really arn't a customer. Memphis has no control over any aspect of the amp (and it may even be a counterfit or a referb). It's basically not worth it to them to provide this service for you. Your best bet would be to take it to a third party repair facility. As far as selling a used amp, most compananies warranties are to the orignal owner only. Whenever you buy used equipment, unless there is documentation specifically stating otherwise, you should assume there is NO warranty. ------------- Kevin Pierson
Posted By: draggindakota
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Wow, you opened up a can of worms house15. I have to agree with both sides though. I'm all for buying NEW equipment from authorized dealers, thats how the manufacturers make money. With unauthorized dealers, their equipment might have fallen off the truck somewhere along the way to an authorized dealer. BUT, if you buy a USED product, regardless whether it was from Ebay Craigslist a yardsale or a crackhead, and are offering to pay the original manufacturer to repair that product, I don't see why they would turn you away. It's money and business for them in a lean time. I mean, they made it, they would be the most qualified place to get it repaired. I understand that they have the right to refuse service, but it all goes back to customer service. Everybody keeps going back to warranty warranty warranty, but that is not what his complaint was about. However, saying that Memphis screwed you was a little off base. It's a chance that you take when you buy used equipment. Good luck with getting it fixed though. -------------
Posted By: wirewise
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 10:28 AM
draggindakota wrote:
...I understand that they have the right to refuse service, but it all goes back to customer service. Everybody keeps going back to warranty warranty warranty, but that is not what his complaint was about.
The OP is not a Memphis customer. If he had purchased it from an authorized dealer, he would be. He is a customer of someone else and should deal with them or another third party to have it repaired if he wants to pay to have it repaired. Memphis no longer has any obligation to have anything to do with his product and in the best interest of their company and their dealers, they made the correct decision.
~wirewise~
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 12:00 PM
house15, as has been stated, you bought a used piece of equipment from a third party. The manufacturer does not offer service on used gear with unknown pedigree. That's how the world works. Deal with it. And by the way I edited the title of this thread since you were not "screwed" by Memphis. If anyone "screwed' you it was the person you bought the amplifier from. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: house15
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 5:54 PM
to i am an idiot, the remote WAS hooked up, it was only when the amp powered up that the fuses would blow. Thanks for your help
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Curtis McClure
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 6:20 PM
It has shorted output transistors. This will not be a costly repair. What model is the amp? Is it a long skinny amp about 6 inches wide by about 12 inches long? Or is it about 10 inches wide and about 14 inches long? The long skinny on would be about 80 dollars to repair. The larger one around 60 dollars.
Posted By: house15
Date Posted: March 26, 2009 at 6:52 PM
It is a mc-3004 closed to the long skinny one! So what do i need to do?
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Curtis McClure
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: March 27, 2009 at 8:59 AM
DB-R does amplifier repair...google him.
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Custom Enclosure Design
Posted By: boogeyman
Date Posted: March 27, 2009 at 9:33 AM
let Iam an Idiot walk you through the repair or let him fix it and be done with it.
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 23, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Just checking the status of your amp.
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