1/5

posted Sep-22-2011

"I ordered from Audiolines LAST YEAR and to date still do not have my product(s).

To their credit they called me a couple days after I ordered and told me they would not have one of the items I ordered as it had been discontinued (to date, more than 9 month's later, it's still listed on their website) but the other item would be shipping out shortly. Well, a month later with no item and no word from Audiolines I inquired though their on-line customer service system. They responded quickly, saying the item they thought they would have still isn't in stock, but would be within two weeks.

Well, more than two weeks went by again and about a month later I inquired again. Same story. The manufacturer had not filled their order and they still don't have it but it would be another two weeks.

Another month or so went by and no contact or product, we're over three months from the order now, so I contacted them again. Same story except they told me they were going to charge my card for it and then ship it to me. I then had to spend about a week with them proving to them that they already charged my card, last December, until they finally found the record and apologized to me. However I still never received anything.

About a month later I tried them again and when told they didn't have the item I asked about buying something else and just using what I already spent as store credit. What I was going to buy now was 3x more expensive and they were OK with it. I was told that this new item "would be in within a couple of weeks" and that they would call me when it was.

That was almost four months ago. It's now the end of September and not only have I not received anything, even though they were paid last December, now they are simply not answering my e-mails (through the website or just regular e-mails). It's been over nine months since they charged my card and they can't send me anything. Either what I originally ordered (which I have now bought elsewhere for half the price) or the more expensive item I agreed to buy months ago. Nothing!"

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4/5

posted Jul-13-2011

"I had a good experience with Audio Lines. I ordered my mixer last week, and I got it today. No hassle, no problems. The box looked sort of roughed up when I got it, but there was no damage to the mixer so it wasn't a problem. The product works great, and it was shipped quickly. I'd buy from them again."

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1/5

posted Jun-03-2011

"I too was lured in with by a low price and a sweet discount code. No less than 24 hours after I placed my order my credit card info and billing address were used to make purchases at several online retailers. I inquired with audiolines and received no reply. I've since had to cancel my card, undergo all the hassle inherent with resolving fraudulent credit card charges, and file a complaint with the BBB.

these guys are the absolute worst.

I've currently got a case open with the Chicago BBB. If you've been mistreated or had your card information compromised by these guys, I suggest you file a complaint with the BBB. https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/getstarted.aspx"

This review was modified by Bluurg on June 04 2011 11:13:33 PM

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1/5

posted Mar-07-2011

"DO NOT GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION TO AUDIOLINES.COM, you will see fraudulent charges exactly 2 to 3 days after your order. It happen to me twice already and there will certainly not be a third. Bank of America is investigating this company based on numerous claims all consisting of fraudulent charges after placing online and over the phone orders. You have been warned. Just take a look at all the reviews, they speak for themselves. "

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1/5

posted Feb-24-2011

"Found a good price on an item I was looking for from them and ordered it. Didn't notice then that it wasn't in stock, but when the order was queued and sat there for 10 days I started to investigate further. Discovered that the reviews weren't good and figured that I wasn't ever going to see the equipment.

Well, I was going to call, but instead figured out that I could use their web form to send a message, so I wrote them and canceled the order. No phone call and no email from them, so I figured I was going to have to call and raise hell anyway.

Seems that two days later I get a call from Bank of America's fraud department, and in checking I found two fraudulent charges on the card that I used. Funny thing is that this card hasn't been used anywhere else in months, I've been getting it paid off and moving to a different card.

After having seen in the reviews that this has happened to other people I can only say one thing:

DO NOT DEAL WITH THESE PEOPLE!"

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1/5

posted Jan-08-2011

"I took my motif rack to audio lines because the data dial was loose. They told me the repair guy was out but would give me a call the next day before 5pm. After 2 days of receiving no call, I had to call them.

Anyway, they gave me a quote of $180 and said it was for "parts, shipping, and labor". So I went to yamaha's website, and found they sell the part for $6.08 with $7 shipping (which means I would be paying some guy an extra $165 just to do a 15-minute repair) Anyway, I looked on craigslist and found a guy that can fix it for $30. Boy am I glad I didn't do business with audiolines.

These big corporations over charge to pay their staff. It's best to go with the small guy. Not to mention their customer service is HORRIBLE. I walked in their office and 4 guys are just sitting at their desks as if I wasn't standing their. I can see if I was on the store side looking around...but obviously if I'm in your office that means I need help...you can at least say "how can I help you?" I'll admit, they do have a lot of great equipment, but nothing you can't find elsewhere at much lower prices."

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1/5

posted Jan-07-2011

"AudioLines staff was very friendly when I called to place my order. After one month however, I had yet to receive my PA. I called and was told they would "look into it and get back to me". I heard nothing, and another month went by so I emailed them, twice. Again I heard nothing, so I called and cancelled my order. Got transferred around three times and put on hold forever, then had an icy toned lady say she went ahead and cancelled it, like she was doing me a huge favor. No apology, no nothing. I'll take my $1300 elsewhere. I do NOT recommend this company."

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1/5

posted Jan-05-2011

"Ordered a Technics turntable. Site said the order was queued. Called in within a week or two, item was unavailable. Company killed order. No problem, but I was wrong. Within two weeks credit card company called with fraud issues. Only place I used that card was AudioLines. Buyer Beware."

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2/5

posted Dec-08-2010

"Placed an order for an item listed as in stock. Three days later I had heard nothing except a generic "thanks for the order" reply. Their website listed my order as "queued" which tells you nothing. I contacted support. To their credit they replied quickly, but informed me the order was not in stock, and would I care to purchase something else instead. I haven't had a clear reply yet to requests to cancel the order.

*** Update: I was successfully able to cancel my order without any further delay."

This review was modified by wideblacksky on December 08 2010 01:54:49 PM

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1/5

posted Nov-04-2010

"I've never had such an awful experience with a online retailer! I ordered a pair of Martin Mania lights from Audiolines two weeks before I needed them. A week after placing the order I still hadn't heard a thing and gave them a call. It was at that point that they informed me they were on back order and they would be in in 2 weeks. After two weeks still no word. I called, same story. I shopped around intending to cancel my order but didn't find anything so decided to be patient. Today, 6 weeks after placing the order I called again. This time the sales person told me that he lights had never been ordered from the manufacturer! When asked how long he wouldn't tell me nor would he transfer me to a supervisor. The person was rude and arrogant and needless to say I had him cancel my order. This is a very low class company that treats its customers like trash and doesn't fulfill it's orders. "

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1/5

posted Apr-16-2008

"Audiolines. com are run by a bunch of CROOKS with a capital C!! Out to con those who don't know better, myself included for being 'naive' in believing that your company is ethical in your business dealings.

1) Option B is a 'con job', switch and bait and by basically telling your customers that opted for the B grade that it's no longer available but the option for a new one at a discounted price is available.

2) Having to return a wrong item sent at my own expense when the mistake was on their side. Delivery charges is atrocious even when delivering within US itself. In total shipping was 30% of the cost of the items purchased. it was $29 for items costing $100.

3) The correct item was NOT sent to me despite the fact that i have returned the incorrect item and was promised by Audiolines. This happened even though verification was done with a staff (jeff) who said that the correct item WILL be sent to my current address. No reason was given and the person in charge was NOT willing to disclose name or even speak to me on the phone despite my repeated calls.

It is obvious that Audiolines.com is a company out to con the public. Obviously I was not the only victim as there's several such stories pertaining to Audiolines that happened. They are a bunch of ass and con man with no morals who thinks that they can get away with all this bullshit business of theirs. I cant wait for the day when they offend the wrong people who will take all action to take them down and even burn down their store in Chicago.
"

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1/5

posted Mar-01-2008

"Another victim of bait and switch. Didn't realize it until I read similar reviews. Tried to order a BCD3000, open-box with a great price. Got a call rather quickly telling me that they were testing the product out, it was defective, but they'd offer me a deal on a new one. I took it, thinking they were doing me a nice favour. Shows how little I knew."

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1/5

posted Feb-20-2008

"I didn't purchase anything, but I received a similar bait and switch from this store when I called about an open box item. They tried to charge me sales tax even though they did not have operations in california, AND they wanted to charge me 20 bucks for shipping a small laptop stand. This was ridiculous, at this point they told me they could give me the stand new for 79 and then later dropped the price to 65, INSTEAD of just charging me a cheaper amount of shipping on the other one. This is very much a bait and switch operation toget you to buy the new items."

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1/5

posted Dec-07-2007

"Beware! This store advertises really good prices on "B stock" merchandise. Their website explains that "B-Stock items may have been used by a manufacturer at a factory demo, trade show, or similar use. These items look and function like new."

So I ordered a Tascam US-144 in "B Stock" condition. At 10 a.m., Audiolines called me and said that they wouldn't be filling my order, because they've been having trouble with those particular B Stock items. The also said that accessories like bundled software are often missing from B Stock packages. Now how can an item "function like new" if the bundled software is missing??

During this phonecall, they offered me a $20 discount on a new unit instead. I acquiesced to this, but about 2 hours later I learned that even with the discount, it wasn't a particularly good price. So I called back to cancel the order. Sorry, they said, UPS had already picked up the shipment.

I see two bits of dishonesty here:

1) Later when I checked the UPS tracking number, it said the package was first scanned at 8:51 p.m. (inconsistent with their telling me that the shipment had been picked up at noon).

2) Right now (5 days later), their web site is still advertising the low-priced "B Stock" units which they told me are not reliable enough to sell.

I'm pretty sure I am a bait-and-switch victim of Audiolines.com.

Bill Hicks has an Audiolines bait-and-switch story very similar to mine:

__________________________
Here's my horror story.

I attempted to purchase the following from this purveyor of musical goods:

http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=12906#

(Yes, unbelievably, it's a Behringer. I've done some research, and this amp has gotten high marks all around.)

I figured I'd buy the B stock - even if it sucks, at $119, I can't go wrong.

I select the "B stock" option, hit check out, give them my credit card info, get a CONFIRMATION of purchase and a RECEIPT. I hope the thing arrives in time for a show I have the following week.

A week comes and goes, then 10 days. At 12 days, I check my new "audiolines account" to find out what's up. All it says for this transaction is a bunch of cryptic stuff like "bad tracking #" and "Total $0.00".

I email them to find out what's up.

Get an email back from their customer service saying they have been trying to contact me (yeah right). The B stock amp I PURCHASED was NO LONGER IN STOCK, and they had no idea if/when another one would be in. How I was able to purchase it to BEGIN with if that was indeed the case, they fail to tell me.

THEN, they offer to give me a "really good deal" on a NEW one, which runs about $60 more. Even stranger, the radio button for the B Stock item is STILL on their website.

Sorry, I wasn't born yesterday; I can spot a "bait and switch" when I see one. I email them and say that they had better FIND one or give me a NEW one at the agreed upon price, or I will be contacting their local BBB. After a few tries with no response whatsoever, I filed a complaint with the Chicago BBB. It's about all I can do, legally. That and this rant : D

No response from the complaint either.

Do I think they were purposely trying to defraud me? The jury's out on that one.

Part of me just thinks they're a very incompetent, 2 man operation who thinks they can just unilaterally cancel transactions after the fact when the price or their crappy internal inventory program doesn't suit them - and consider that to be an ethical business practice.

Part of me just thinks they're a very incompetent, 2 man operation who thinks they can just put a bunch of haphazard "loss leaders" on their website as a ruse to hook consumers on the more profitable items. The fact that they are STILL advertising this B Stock item is what leads me to believe this.

To their credit, they actually did not charge my card for the purchase. However, the fact remains that I DID complete the transaction, and I have the RECEIPT to prove it. That they chose not to process the transaction has no bearing on my end.

Had they given me a definite time frame for new B stock, I would have waited.

Had they apologized and offered me some rock bottom price on a new one, I might have taken it. Actually, had these dumbasses offered me a 15% discount on a NEW amp with FREE shipping, it would have been just about the same price as the B stock. A very small price to pay for a satisfied customer....

Had they emailed me immediately afterwards, explained their mistake and apologized, I would maybe have been OK with it.

But the whole thing just gives me the "used car salesman" vibe, so I feel I should warn other interweb shoppers about these guys."

This review was modified by GPSpilot on December 07 2007 09:07:15 PM

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