Nightmare experience with Ping Gong of AAA-Audio!

[innov8ion]

For those of you thinking about buying Dussun products or doing business with Ping of AAA-Audio, you may want to think twice. Please see aaa-audio.digistic.com for a complete record of email exchanges...

I own a Dussun V8i integrated amplifier, retail cost of $1800, which stopped operating in December 2008. Even after the official warranty had ended a month earlier, Ping Gong of AAA-Audio, the American distributor for Dussun, entered an email contract with me promising to repair the amplifier. Even after I offered to pay for return shipping, he promised he would pay for it.

He received the device via Fedex on January 27th, 2009 and claimed no damage in transit. On February 28th, I received an email from Ping stating that he had an emergency and would get back to me soon. On March 9th, he apologized for the delay stating that he had totally lost his mind. On March 18th, 2009, nearly two months after receiving the amplifier, he stated that he repaired the amplifier and would let it run for a while before sending it back. Against our original agreement, he now claimed that I would need to pay for return shipping. Still, no reports of damage to the amplifier.

When asked about the change of heart regarding shipping, Ping became upset and threatened to sell my property on eBay. On March 19th, 2009, he sent me an angry email and stated that he would send the already repaired amplifier back after 3-4 weeks of testing. On March 27th, 2009, he sent an email stating the amplifier was considered totaled and "fit for a junkyard." How can this claim be taken seriously given the facts of the case already stated?

Since Ping entered a contract with me to repair the amplifier, stated he repaired the amplifier on March 18th, and that it was irreparably destroyed on March 27th -- my Dussun V8i amplifier was destroyed in his care. Therefore, it is my belief he owes me the value of the amplifier and possibly a penalty for his lies, threats, and harassment.

On April 7th, 2009, Ping stated he wished to buy back my unit. On April 9th, 2009, I responded that I would accept a fair settlement of $1150. Later that day, Ping responded that he would only pay a settlement of $400 and he threatened to sue me. I then let him know that the negotiation was over. He then tells me he will send back my amplifier. I told him that I can't accept it, because we signed a contract stating that he would repair the device.

The device he destroyed sent back to me is worthless because it's a product imported from China. And he's the only authorized distributor in North America and obviously refused to honor his contract.

Update: Someone alerted me to something I find very odd. Check out the front page of AAA-Audio's website @ aaa-audio.com! He's dedicating valuable space on his corporate website to trash his customers (me?) Seriously??? This show of professionalism is astounding...

 

[markw]

Wasn't Ping-Gong one of the Jedi Masters that died in "Rise of the Sith"?

..or is it a percussive version of ping-pong?

In either case, I doubt anyone here ever heard of him, Dussen products or AAA-Audio. ...or even you for that matter.

I would hace preferred it remained that way.

 

[innov8ion]

Thanks for your opinion but as Mick Jagger succinctly states, "You can't always get what you want."

This is an audio forum, many of whom purchase from independents. The owner of this company's behavior is so over the top -- people should be aware...

I filed a BBB complaint, but what will come from that? What good is small claims court? I'd have to travel from St. Louis to Massachussetts to take him to court. This would negate much of the money he owes me. Going public is the only way I know to hold him accountable.

How would you feel if someone did this to you?

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for your opinion but as Mick Jagger succinctly states, "You can't always get what you want."

This is an audio forum, many of whom purchase from independents. The owner of this company's behavior is so over the top -- people should be aware...

I filed a BBB complaint, but what will come from that? What good is small claims court? I'd have to travel from St. Louis to Massachussetts to take him to court. This would negate much of the money he owes me. Going public is the only way I know to hold him accountable.

How would you feel if someone did this to you?

Welcome to the forum.

I would take him to small claims court. I can't assume either parties guilt based on one Customers problems especially from a very new member.
As such I suggest you take him to small claims court.

Next time you need to vent I suggest using the steam vent. It's a safe place to let a manufacturer have it if need be.

If you want advice on replacements I'd be happy to help. What's your budget.

 

[innov8ion]

^ I respect your opinion, but you aren't in this situation. If you had read what I said, you'd understand that taking him to court isn't quite economically feasible since my claim is for approximately $1150 and travel costs would soak much of that up. All of the original emails are posted @ http://aaa-audio.digistic.com. The dealer I purchased the Dussun from in Chicago is also aware of this issue. You don't have to believe me. But if you care that much, why don't you call Ping and ask him if he sent those emails? He did...

Sometimes the truth hurts. The truth is important. If you don't like the truth, please move on from this thread.

 

[MatthewB.]

Filing with the BBB does nothing. It just gives people who take the time to check on this company (which few do) a heads up. I would immediatly contact his States Attorney General (if you live in another state, your states AG can't do anything, because the crime took place in another state. Send copies (not originals) of all your corresepondance to that states Attorney General. Trust me when you get the states AG on the case, Things move very very quickly. I wound up getting a 7,500 HDTV for 1,099 because of a misprint ad, getting a 700.00 HT system (B-day gift for my sister) for 99.00 (showed advertised pic of one system while trying to switch with a cheapie system) by contacting the Attorney General. I have done it actually about 6 times and each time, i wound up getting huge big ticket items for pennies because of false promises on a businesses part. If you have the proof, and the business doesnt comply, then the AG will go after them with a vengeance. trust me the business owner would rather just pay up then have to hire a lawyer and fight a legal battle at a cost of thousands to him/her.

 

[lsiberian]

^ I respect your opinion, but you aren't in this situation. If you had read what I said, you'd understand that taking him to court isn't quite economically feasible since my claim is for approximately $1150 and travel costs would soak much of that up.

Sometimes the truth hurts. The truth is important. If you don't like the truth, move on from this thread.

Respectfully your only contributions to our community are in this topic. I have no problems helping people out, but we don't know you. We don't know if you are telling the truth or not. All you've made are unsubstantiated claims.

Honestly we don't know you. Nor do we know of this company. All your doing is helping them with free advertising.

 

[innov8ion]

Respectfully your only contributions to our community are in this topic. I have no problems helping people out, but we don't know you. We don't know if you are telling the truth or not. All you've made are unsubstantiated claims.

Honestly we don't know you. Nor do we know of this company. All your doing is helping them with free advertising.

Why are you arguing with me? I'm sharing a truthful experience.

All of the original emails are posted @ http://aaa-audio.digistic.com. The dealer I purchased the Dussun from in Chicago is also aware of this issue. You don't have to believe me. But if you care that much, why don't you call Ping and ask him if he sent those emails? He did...

Check out his corporate website @ http://aaa-audio.com, which he's using to berate his customers... I guess that's pretty normal, eh?

And my experience isn't valid because I've never posted here? I realize you don't know me. Heck, I don't know you. But I've read here. Perhaps this forum isn't welcoming to new members...

Thanks Michael. I plan on contacting the Massachussetts AG!

 

[markw]

Why are you arguing with me? I'm sharing a truthful experience.

Had you other posts prior to your rant, my stance would be a little different, perhaps even sympathetic.

This forum is very welcoming to new members, but to come in, guns blazing, trashing someone isn't the way to make an entrance.

For all I know, you're just a stranger searching out audio sites in which you can vent your anger and then will be gone, never to be heard from again.

 

[innov8ion]

^ Fair enough. I realize it appears I came in with guns ablazing. I did, but I wasn't trashing him. He trashed himself and I have little to no recourse. The facts are the facts and his erratic behavior is for all to see @ http://aaa-audio.com. Can you imagine a respectable corporation trashing their customers on the front page of their website? I'm dealing with a head case here....

Well I've purchased some ERA D4's for the bedroom. I'll be looking for a smaller integrated amp to power them. Perhaps I'll open up a thread here to ask about it.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Post some pictures of your set up and all will be forgiven.

 

[lsiberian]

^ Fair enough. I realize it appears I came in with guns ablazing. I did, but I wasn't trashing him. He trashed himself and I have little to no recourse. The facts are the facts and his erratic behavior is for all to see @ http://aaa-audio.com. Can you imagine a respectable corporation trashing their customers on the front page of their website? I'm dealing with a head case here....

Well I've purchased some ERA D4's for the bedroom. I'll be looking for a smaller integrated amp to power them. Perhaps I'll open up a thread here to ask about it.

Thanks,
Dave

I have viewed the link and besides his poor grammar he didn't actually attack you by name. He simply posted a picture of the box it was shipped in response to a thread on another forum.

You have other recourse. I suggest you resolve this legally. If you need to travel to court you can make him reimburse your expenses.

Maybe you should take him on Judge Judy! Then we can all watch. That would be fun. I miss daytime tv somedays.

And please post pictures! We all like pictures.

Again welcome. AH is a more than a forum it's a community.

 

[innov8ion]

^^ Hehe, ok. Below is a picture of my living room system many months back. I've got a pair of ACI Sapphire XL's and a Force XL sub which I love. The Dussun V8i powered the Sapphires. I've got an Apple TV in there now.

Isiberian, I didn't claim he attacked me. The main issue is that he claimed in an email on March 18th that he already repaired my amplifier. After he claimed to have repaired the amplifier, he now states it's irreparably destroyed. To any logical person, it means the amp was destroyed in his care. This email from him states that he opened my box and would repair and return the amplifier. Did he state that the amplifier was damaged in shipping? No. Never did he claim the amp was damaged in transit until after he became loony.

The MF even threatened to sell my amp on eBay. And now he's berating his customers on the front page of his website? Very peculiar.

It's true, I'm not pleased as punch.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No man...we want pictures of your home system.....

 

[innov8ion]

^ I know, thanks. I copied the wrong link. I changed it, no worries.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Cool...welcome aboard.

Hope you get the amp issue worked out.

 

[lsiberian]

^^ Hehe, ok. Below is a picture of my living room system many months back. I've got a pair of ACI Sapphire XL's and a Force XL sub which I love. The Dussun V8i powered the Sapphires. I've got an Apple TV in there now.

Isiberian, I didn't claim he attacked me. The main issue is that he claimed in an email on March 18th that he already repaired my amplifier. After he claimed to have repaired the amplifier, he now states it's irreparably destroyed. To any logical person, it means the amp was destroyed in his care. This email from him states that he opened my box and would repair and return the amplifier. Did he state that the amplifier was damaged in shipping? No. Never did he claim the amp was damaged in transit until after he became loony.

The MF even threatened to sell my amp on eBay. And now he's berating his customers on the front page of his website? Very peculiar.

It's true, I'm not pleased as punch.

He's crazy it sounds like to me. Someone is missing a few screws. If he even sent the damage amp back. You might be able to fix it yourself. I suggest you contact him in every way possible until he returns it. Be persistent. Be cordial and persistent.

 

[markw]

He does aound like a nutcase but when you deal with the "bleeding edge" in tuis hobby, go for unknown brands, and are forced to deal with unknown fly-by-night importers/companies, you run the risk of getting burned.

 

[jamie2112]

Ping is a complete lying toolbag. I would take his a** to court in whatever manner you can being in separate states and all.........

 

[walter duque]

As for me, any company that starts with AAA I would not feel comfortable with.