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Have been sending Merlin emails regarding my ordered TSM Studio Black with Master RC networks.Ordered 8 weeks ago.I have paid for the speakers and the freight.I don't get any answers back.No response.
Has anyone been successful in contacting the company after Bobby's passing away ?
Is there anyone else working at the company ?
Follow Ups:
You have previously accused an inmate for passing on hearsay...
That Bobby would basically force buyers to write good reviews. Well if you don't believe it, I have plenty of personal proof. As I'm sure many others do also. So be careful who you accuse and defend before you actually do some investigating.
I don't think it's Rod's responsibility to investigate the claims posted here. Even if you're right you need to back up your accusations or this place turns into a free-for-all.
"I don't think it's Rod's responsibility to investigate the claims posted here. Even if you're right you need to back up your accusations or this place turns into a free-for-all."
Few things that people do or say about one another is as negatively consequential as saying something not based on personal experience but hearsay is as damning and/or detrimental. I DO hope the poster in question understands the difference between his personal experience and what he has "heard" from others and to understand the fundamental distinction between the two. It seems from his last post he doesn't.
> > You have previously accused an inmate for passing on hearsay...
It wasn't an accusation. It was a statement of fact. The previously accused inmate clearly said, and we quote, "I provided evidence posted by someone I don't even know."
The definition of hearsay is "Information heard by one person about another."
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
So....The original question: has anyone been able to make contact with Merlin ????
To "The Bored": Are you serious? You demand proof? I'm laughing out loud. You allowed Palkovic to shamelessly promote his flawed speakers and corrupt business model. And, ultimately, you contributed to his fate. Nothing I've posted proved to be untrue or outrageous. There are countless documented examples that you choose to ignore. Please wake up to reality. It's all very sad for a lot of reasons, but don't embarrass yourselves further by defending Palkovic and attacking me. I accomplished my goal. Buh-bye.
Buh-bye.
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
when you feel it is immoral to charge more than your costs for a product. If you don't allow your business to make profits, then there is no way to expand your business or to allow it to plan for rainy days.
JE
So you think Bobby wasn't making a profit on a 12K+ pair of floor standing two way speakers? Seriously?
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
This I'm sure is what caused the unfortunately act committed by Bobby. He has essentially been operating in a pyramid situation for years. Which probably was getting worse and worse. I purchased 3 separate pairs of speakers. Each time I pre-paid and then waited extended periods of time for delivery. This goes back several years. It's the old "get money from Peter to pay Paul". If inmates didn't realize this was happening than I'm sorry to bring it up here. He would promise, take your money and then repeatedly lie about delivery. I knew and liked Bobby and his speakers, but he was running a flawed business. It must have become overwhelming. This is still very unfair to the, I'm sure, many people who are owed speakers. And I'm sure they are out there. It's sad but running from your problems and leaving them to your family to resolve is the worst solution (life insurance policy ?). Very unfortunate and sad but the writing has been on the wall for some time.
Well written post.
When I ordered the TSMs around 8 weeks ago,I knew that the promise of 3-4 weeks delivery wouldn't happen.It would take longer,like the previous two times in 2004 and 2011.Yet,I really wanted those speakers.At the end the business model failed.I doubt if there will be a cent left.Time will tell the obvious.
I briefly worked for someone in the same boat. He took money for products he couldn't afford to make and convinced himself it would all work out in the end. He folded the company a year later and no one saw a cent.
why would you buy from them again. Whats so great about Merlins that would make you do this. lets hope his family or whoever is in charge of his estate, will be honorable enough to refund you.
AB.
Very simple,because I have owned Merlins since around 2004 and I simply love the design.To me ..incredibly good speakers !Merlins have a clarity and openness to their sound thats special.All other speakers I have listened to ever since sounds veiled by comparison.
So,in 2011 we waited a long long time for the VSM-MXr/SuperBAM,these are still my A system reference.I had enough trust in the product to go for Merlin again.TSM Black M with Master RC networks for my B system upstairs.Bobby promised me the last time will not happen again.3-4 weeks delivery.It did not happen.I have paid the freight and the speakers in full.I hope for a refund but in honest truth,after all this...I would still prefer my speakers to be delivered.That's not going to happen anymore.Overall,this is a very very sad situation.
And thats exactly why i love my Clements. The clarity,9 out 10 speakers dont have
if you knew there would be problems and you HAD to have the speakers maybe you should have bought them used.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
Used sellers don't want to ship out of the States.
I knew it would take longer.I didn't know the speakers would never arrive ..
You know ironically I sold both of my speakers internationally- I sold my TSM' s to a person in Brazil and my VSM's to someone in Spain - I was reluctant - but the buyers were so purswasive and eager to receive that they did something I would never do - "trust somone i never met internationally" - on both times they paid by bank transfer upfront. I waited until money was in my account and then I shipped them out.
Whenever they e-mailed me I was quick to get back and then prior to bank transfer we would get addresses of where we lived - I was also forthright about where I worked and would corrspond from my work e-mail also. The transactions went smoothly and the speakers arrived safe on both occasions
I have also sold magnepans - twice to people in Italy - no issues (but I understand that there are risks)
Mike
Bobby once offered me a Merlin bookshelf speaker at half price from his collection because he liked my posts in the speaker forum and my love for speakers. I couldnt take it up because the shipping and the customs duty were so high. I wish I had bought it. So sad a super guy like him had to commit suicide.
Bill
In the end, Palkovic was the quintessential con artist. I'm sure he began with good intentions, but it's as I have believed for many years. He sold his speakers at HUGE discounts -- 50 percent off retail -- in exchange for rave reviews. That's about as corrupt as it gets. The immensely profitable upgrade path was especially revealing, or at least it should have been to any thinking person. And, yes, it is sad that he committed suicide, but he is responsible for his own cowardly fate. Let the Merlin minion assaults begin.
> > in exchange for rave reviews
Evidence?
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
To The Bored (what a joke): How about this for evidence?
"Bobby once offered me a Merlin bookshelf speaker at half price from his collection because he liked my posts in the speaker forum and my love for speakers. I couldnt take it up because the shipping and the customs duty were so high. I wish I had bought it. So sad a super guy like him had to commit suicide."
(Signed) Bill
There are dozens of examples of this. Don't embarrass yourself by defending a con artist. This absolutely confirms all that I believed about this man and his company. And please stop deleting posts that further reveal you to be dishonest and unethical. You should be ashamed. In the end, the truth prevails.
Are you the reviewer to which you refer in the previous post?
BTW, the posts that were removed were political in nature, and like posts will continue to disappear. If you don't appreciate the rules here, you are welcome to do the same.
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
You asked for evidence. I provided evidence posted by someone I don't even know. There are dozens of other examples from people who got cheated. The Merlin magic and his minions have been exposed. It was all mostly a scam -- supported in part by people like you.
And, yes, ethical companies that deliver value should be rewarded with a profit. Let the market work as intended. But please don't reward and honor dishonesty that ultimately led to the death of a company and a man. It's all kind of tragic.
> > I provided evidence posted by someone I don't even know.
That's called hearsay.
> > -- supported in part by people like you.
Me? Us? Got evidence?
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
@ron
You sound like an angry person. What, if anything, did Bobby P. do to you? Or, are you appointing yourself guardian of all that is just and right in the audio world.
Did you know Bobby personally? Did you interact with him in any way, business or otherwise? Have you owned his products?
I can answer affirmatively to the above.
I still own his speakers, and rotate them with several others, in multiple systems. I bought them from Bobby, occasionally had some upgrades performed, and have thoroughly enjoyed them, never thinking I was 'scammed'.
I don't know his business model. I have no idea, as many of those posting seem to, as to the financial state of Merlin. I do know that the customer service for this owner of VSM-MMe's was very good, and while I waited for delivery of the speakers and the ARS integrated, it was less time than other items I have had ordered.
The bottom line is: the man has died.
I am sorry for anyone who has lost, or potentially lost money on unfilled orders, but a man has died. Your personal beliefs of suicide have no place here; his family is still grieving, and yes, this post is making me sad with its coldness.
farmdoc: Yes, I did own Merlin speakers. And, yes, I did interact with Palkovic. And, no, I'm not angry. It's good to know that you had a good experience. Regardless, he was not a victim. Enjoy your system!
This morning, I sat down and started researching on Merlin business to get ready to take Bobby to small claim court and to file a complain to BBB. Then I immediately saw the sad news that Bobby had passed away. I emailed him this morning. I don't need to go to the court now. But I will lose a large amount of my hard earned money forever. But why? I must agree with some of the posts here that Merlin Music does not conduct its business in the most professional, honest, and ethical manner. But Merlin is the not alone out there. I was surprised that no one came forward and said anything about it in any forum all these years. Maybe many of us (I included) who got cheated hold the higher moral ground to not to spell the beans in public forums. Maybe the vastly positive comments on Merlin Music make us think we are the rare exception, a glitch in the system. Very likely that some suppliers of Merlin knew about Merlin's financial trouble for longer period of time. Yet no one said anything to warn the consumers. All we've heard are how good the Merlin speakers sound (which is true). How helpful are these forums and the audiophile community!
Yip...selling off my second system to cover the cost of money lost .Ironic,the system that the lost TSMs was ordered for will cease to exist.
Is that what he did ? I did not know that. He could at least taken care of his customers first.
AB.
I thought he could easily afford to give away one speaker at half price. Of course he was so charitable. He was a very good guy the way he kept the customers in the family, taking care of their problems with their speakers. He was not a Management Guru of a Marketing expert but was a sensitive human being, highly vulnerable to harm.
Bill
I can't believe you said that
Alan
thanks!
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
You compassion should be aimed at the customers he defrauded, his grieving family and so on.
incredibly unfortunate, but sadly the truth. Why else? And there is plenty of proof. Anyone including dealers who purchased know the truth...
I have a house full of equipment and the only piece now or ever pre-paided and then waited for delivery was Merlin.
where's the proof? You know something the rest of us don't?
I'll have a bit more compassion for slighted customers if there is proof
rather than what seems to be a lot of accusations tossed about. He ran
his business for some 25 years based on fraud, or was that a recent thing?
I've already expressed sympathy for his family and friends, thank you.
You'd have some compassion for him if he'd died of cancer or been run over
by a Mack truck?
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
how do we know he didn't have cancer or some other degenerative and excruciating disease?
That wouldn't explain taking all that money from people and leaving them with nothing, now would it?
I remember being very put off when the new BAM, BAM BAM, etc kept coming out with improvements. The Lead free solder upgrade was particularly irritating since as he stated: he had been doing it for years for European customers due tp EU regulations regarding lead.... and suddenly, years later he noticed the improve,went in sound for his american customers and offered and expensive upgrade? questionable at best. Does anyone know or recall the exact timeline?
Now, as for the self murder: Really? It is his life not YOURS.
nt
You need to get someone in the USA to go check it out for you, emails will get you nowhere. Good luck.
AB.
Will cost me to much money, I am afraid.To do it from South Africa will be expensive.If I was in the States it will be a different matter.
Please wait a little while for the suffering family to settle down.
Bill
If you used a credit card you may be able to dispute the charge if you are timely. If you used a credit card, look at the first statement the charge appears on and see what the timeline is for disputing a charge and the steps you need to follow. If you are within the time period, then follow the steps exactly.
While it may be nice to wait and let the family "grieve," doing so may well waive your right to seek relief from the credit card company.
JE
Bank transfer from South Africa.Speakers and freight to SA fully paid.
Sad to say, but you are simply another unsecured creditor of the business. Best of luck to you and I hope you get something back from this debacle.
JE
Will try,but I doubt it.
Bobby punked out on his responsibilities.
The chances of you getting your order, which likely hasn't even been built, is about zero.
If it was me, I'd contact the credit card company and arrange for a refund. It's the only way you'll ever come out with anything.
I have accepted that getting the order is non existent.
I paid through bank transfer from South Africa.
I simply cannot afford to lose the money for the speakers and the freight to South Africa.
From my understanding its only been about 2 weeks from the devastating event. Its a small company, probably only run by Bobby knowing 100% of what's going on at all times, with helpers who don't know everything.
You bought something and paid for it and should get it or a refund. But in this case a little patience should be considered..
Just my opinion.
a little patience and understanding goes a long way; hopefully ways enough
to sublimate the anxiety of a perceived wrong that MIGHT happen but hasn't.
It's not exactly like Merlin is some start-up company that doesn't know what
it's doing. In fact I doubt they really care about his couple thousand dollars
and will be more than glad to return it to him once everything settles down.
I doubt Mr. Palovich had any scammers or incompetent sunder his employ.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
I'd suggest tactfully getting in touch with Rick Brkich of Signature Sound, who is both a dealer and a family friend.
jm
The first think I did was to get .. tactically ..in touch with Signature Sound.He gave me great info regarding the situation at Merlin,
The situation is very unfortunate and sad. I represent the business who dealt with Merlin on behalf of Chris and must voice my concern about the business ethics of Merlin and Bobby. He was in a rush to get the funds from us and we tried to get him to commit to a delivery date with little success.
If this was an isolated case I would have more empathy , but a few years ago we had a similar experience with ordering VSMs for Chris. We waited nearly a year for delivery and had to threaten Bobby with social exposure on internet before he made progress with the order.
I don't agree with people's view about Merlins customer service and so called family of Merlin.
With this as background i hope that we will get some movement to resolve of this issue through anyone in the USA that are connected to Merlin
Stefan
Airmusic
On two different occasions- once in 2005 (TSM's) and again in 2010 (VSM's)
On both occasions I only had to put down 50%, and only had to wait 1 and 3 months for them to ship.
He always answered/returned calls and he always replied to e-mails in a timely fashion.
In fact he would sometimes chit chat if you started delving into other types of audio discussions.
I don't know if the past few years were extra hard on him for other reasons (I know in 2010 his wife was diagnosed with cancer) but Bobby was always very personable and forthright about any and all of my dealings with him.
Perhaps he was a "little" exagerant with his proclaimed advancement with each reiteration of newer model - but I could tell he was truly passionate about his speakers - and I must say for the size of the VSM they punched well above their size and sounded much larger than they had any right to.
This really is sad, and I can feel for anyone who now may be stuck and possibly out of money.
Bobby was the heart and soul of Merlin - without him at the helm or without any other "protege" to carry on, I must believe that the only way to get a Merlin speaker now is to buy used...
Edits: 09/04/15
What you say about the VSMs is absolutely true.I am still passionate about the speakers.My VSM-MXr/MasterBAMs are playing as I type this...on a Stingray II with NOS Telefunken ECC81s ...brilliant !!
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