So, I recently decided to buy a pair of Ti10k's from JBL's tenthouse/sideshow/bargain basement online store. Admittedly, the decision was driven not because I had longed for these speakers for years, or even necessarily as part of a quest for sonic bliss. Rather, it was a combination of an impressive driver line-up (I already know I like the mid) curiosity, ridiculously low price, and the fact that I think they look cool. Best case scenario, I love them and they go into the "statement system." Worst case scenario,they're not my cup of tea, and they get taken down into the basement which I have plans to re-finish into an Eames-esque lounge type environment. Win/Win, right?
I pulled the trigger on 1/10, and shipping confirmation came via e-mail on 1/12, which I thought was a great turnaround. I checked the UPS tracker religiously day-by-day waiting for them to come. All I kept seeing was a message that the shipping label had been created, but that the items were not in UPS' possession.
Yesterday, I called Harman with two questions. One was why the order confirmation had two different model numbers: Ti10KBE and Ti10kBE-Z. Short answer is the "-Z" designation means a factory re-furb, so even though both speakers were listed as refurb's, one is actually new. Cool!
Second question - when are they going to ship? Answer "Let me transfer you to my supervisor" Ummmm ... OK. 10 minutes later I hear "Thank you for calling technical support, how can I help you?" I explain to the guy that I'm not sure how I wound up in tech support, but I was just trying to figure out when my order was going to ship. He was pleasant enough, and tried to be helpful. His response was "That's weird - they're coming from Georgia, and it looks like they were put on the truck, then taken off again. They've had some ice down there, so that's probably the delay." I asked him if he had any idea when they'd be put back on the truck, and he helpfully suggested that while he didn't, I could track the shipment online. Thanks!
Bear in mind that exchange was yesterday afternoon. So, what to my wondering eyes should appear today but the UPS truck. And what should come off the back but one big-ass box with a JBL logo on it. I literally leapt from my office chair, scrambled downstairs and opened the door. In contrast to my prior post about UPS, this guy could not have been nicer! Let me state that again -- could not have been nicer or more helpful. Long story short, he actually helped me carry them into the house.
Scary sight number one: One box had appropriate shipping straps around the carton, and one did not.
Scary sight number two: One flap of the box actually opening while it was being taken of the truck. The tape holding it closed had apparently given way to the strain of containing a 100+lb loudspeaker. Imagine that.
Scary sound number one: Actually hearing the unit jostle around inside one of the boxes while the UPS gentleman and I brought it up the steps to the house.
Scary sight number three:
Downright disgusting sight number one:
Thus begins the journey. Needless to say, there will be no listening notes posted tonight. An e-mail went to Harman within 1/2 hour of receipt of the shipment, complete with pictures documenting the box, the "shipping protection," and the destroyed tweet. Suffice it to say, I've had eBay sellers do a far better job of packaging JBL's, and that's just downright disgusting when you're talking about buying direct from the manufacturer.
Wish me luck!
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Originally Posted by MikeBrewster77
Despite the FU by harman, when you get them right you'll be a proud owner of a truly underrated design.
