New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

White Van Speaker Scams - Page 3

post #61 of 128
9/27/06 at 6:06am

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Seth, maybe all you need is some new RAM. I'm using a 384 Meg/ 500 MHz G3, and this webpage loads fine. Perhaps I'm simply inured to it.
Reply
post #62 of 128
9/27/06 at 8:10am
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

I may need more RAM and the page loads OK, but it is annoying waiting on the pictures. Though now it doesn't matter, we have made it to the third page, yea.
Reply
post #63 of 128
9/28/06 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

I just went through a scam today. Some guy had an extravegant story about his problems and began to cry. He wanted to go to Tire Barn to meet someone, and I figured since we would be in high flow traffic that this guy wasn't going to try anything, none the less, I should not have let him in my car. I made a big mistake there, I know. So I took the guy there and then he asked for help. And I was thinking crap, he wants money, luckily I don't have much. I really wanted him out of my car at this point so I gave him a ten. That got him out of the car, deffinitly wish I wouldn't have picked him up though, NEVER AGAIN, unless it is a drop dead beautiful woman.
Reply
post #64 of 128
9/28/06 at 2:52pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seth=L
I just went through a scam today. Some guy had an extravegant story about his problems and began to cry. He wanted to go to Tire Barn to meet someone, and I figured since we would be in high flow traffic that this guy wasn't going to try anything, none the less, I should not have let him in my car. I made a big mistake there, I know. So I took the guy there and then he asked for help. And I was thinking crap, he wants money, luckily I don't have much. I really wanted him out of my car at this point so I gave him a ten. That got him out of the car, deffinitly wish I wouldn't have picked him up though, NEVER AGAIN, unless it is a drop dead beautiful woman.

That would cost you at least a fifty!
Reply
post #65 of 128
9/29/06 at 11:15am
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

My standards are to high, maybe $100 or maybe even more. I can't resist a pretty face.
Reply
post #66 of 128
9/30/06 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Another scam located: SDAT, I am going to call it Super Dumb Audio Theme.
Reply
post #67 of 128
9/30/06 at 1:21pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

These remind me of a song

Quote:
Stonehenge, where the demons dwell
Where the banshees live and they do live well
Stonehenge
Where a man is a man and the children dance to
the pipes of pan
Stonehenge
Tis a magic place where the moon doth rise
With a dragon's face
Stonehenge
Where the virgins lie
And the prayer of devils fill the midnight sky
And you my love, won't you take my hand
We'll go back in time to that mystic land
Where the dew drops cry and the cats meow
I will take you there
I will show you how
Reply
post #68 of 128
9/30/06 at 1:24pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Pardon my ignorance, but I am not making the connection. Remember I am only but a poor, unknowledgable college student.
Reply
post #69 of 128
9/30/06 at 1:30pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Have you ever seen This is spinal Tap?

Clue: Look at those dimensions again...
Reply
post #70 of 128
9/30/06 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

I haven't seen that, no.

Are you speaking of these dimensions

Dimensions mm 48 x 18 x 12 (H W D)

Millimeters? and that is supposed to be a 6.5 inch driver, huh?
Reply
post #71 of 128
9/30/06 at 2:33pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seth=L
I haven't seen that, no.
It's a classic. At one point in the movie, the band confuses inches and feet, and a diminutive model of stonehenge is the result.
Reply
post #72 of 128
10/1/06 at 2:31pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyErwin
It's a classic. At one point in the movie, the band confuses inches and feet, and a diminutive model of stonehenge is the result.
Sounds like a weird movie, which is my kind of movie.

I decided to add the Technical Pro or what ever that was.
Reply
post #73 of 128
10/1/06 at 3:27pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

The criterion version of that film is long since out of print, (replaced by a satisfactory, if less prestigious mgm release) but the essay remains online
Reply
post #74 of 128
10/1/06 at 4:56pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

I decided to do a little research oon some of the mentioned companies and lo and behold there is this http://www.scamshield.com/Help.asp?id=4 which lists the distributors and such. I decided to compare websites and specs with reputable ID speakers and some main stream brands like Paradigm and Infinity. Most of the sites are very poorly laid out, lots of spelling mistakes, mis/dis/information and lots of holes in the specs. Here is one thing I did notice is that Fluance and Streem which I think are two of the higher brands out of them all have some decent specs. Of course who knows what they sound like but thier specs are similar to Axiom, SVS, Ascend and others. I will say that Fluance's site is pretty poor in its layout and its spelling leaves me scratching my head while Streem's specs, site, etc. leaves me wondering how much "white van" they are. Streems prices also aren't outrageously low like alot of them are but who knows...sound is everything.
Reply
post #75 of 128
10/1/06 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Thank you for that link, there were some at the end that I was missing. As for Streem, they have their stuff listed right with the other scams with the same distributers that make outrageous claims. I am pretty sure they are white van, but I will dig deeper to be sure.
Reply
post #76 of 128
11/15/06 at 8:46pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Well "Black Friday" is coming, the scammers will soon be out in full force. That should be very entertaining.

Another was found, "Elite Audio". They are another one of Theater Research's second names.
Reply
post #77 of 128
11/20/06 at 4:57am

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

I figured out what Bose actually means after all these years...
BOSE actually means:

Everyone
Scammed is
Our
Buddy....

Bose spelled backwards is Satan talking to you. Don't buy speakers from Satan. Your ears will go to hell.
Reply
post #78 of 128
11/26/06 at 3:08pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

What did you do with the Sanyo 20", it seems I have one in my house now. I am not certain were it came from....Huh.
Reply
post #79 of 128
11/27/06 at 1:54pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

I got a 30" HDTV Sammy... and I got the Elite for a 20" Sanyo LOL

I gotta clean the lens... it seems to like to skip for unknown reasons....
Reply
post #80 of 128
11/27/06 at 8:09pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

If there's the slightest concern about any statements in the original post here being libelous in nature, simply change the wording to say "These are the names of the alleged scammers". This way, it's not legally considered a statement of fact, but the reputation of HTF as being a place for trustworthy advice will back the content of the post.

The best rule of thumb here seems to be, NEVER buy from someone you don't know, and have no legal recourse against if you get taken for a ride. On eBay, use Paypal. Even if their speakers have a legitimate brand name on the box, don't fall for this. If you feel intimidated, carry some mode of protection. Or, perhaps, find somewhere else to shop that isn't frequented by these thugs.
Reply
post #81 of 128
11/27/06 at 9:16pm
Thread Starter 

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Thank you, I hadn't thought of that, I will being changing it promptly.
Reply
post #82 of 128
11/27/06 at 9:28pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Seth, I have Fritos. And bean dip. Yummy.
Reply
post #83 of 128
1/6/07 at 3:53pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Prove that they are sold out of the back of vans or prove that they are a ripoff?
Reply
post #84 of 128
1/6/07 at 3:58pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

If I remember correctly, the defining feature of most of these scams is a hugely inflated MSRP, often in the thousand of dollars. The scammer calculates that his mark will not be in the least bit familiar with how far thousands of dollars actually goes, and perhaps not even aware of how far a couple of hundred dollars can go, if spent wisely.

A somewhat charitable review of Theater Research speakers
Reply
post #85 of 128
1/6/07 at 6:09pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Ebay is the new "back of a van".
Reply
post #86 of 128
1/6/07 at 7:26pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Brig:

eBay is not "the" scam. The point of this thread is to identify a shady marketing of certain speaker lines that all fall into the same modus operandi: Very high MSRPs and low overhead.

Historically, these speakers have been pitched out of the back of a white van in the parking lot of a mall near an electronics store or high-end audio outlet. I think Jimi was making the point that some of these speakers are now being marketed as such on eBay.

I believe that many people are happy with these speakers after they have purchased them...and some aren't--as is often the case with most things in life. The point is...the deal is not really as good as is being made out by the guys making the pitch. And...some of the speakers are really junk.
Reply
post #87 of 128
1/6/07 at 7:37pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Psst!

You wanna buy a speaker?

Quote:
Condition: Brand New and Sealed in the Original Box TR-606 DIGITAL 5.1 CHANNEL HOME THEATER SYSTEM Built in Digital AM/FM Receiver- Amplifier system Retail price is $3,599.00 Color: Pure Piano Black lacquer Finsih Digital Series 5.1 CHANNEL SPECIFICATIONS 6 Piece System 1000 Watts Total System Power Sub Woofer : 250 Watts Program Amplifier Satellites & Center : 750 Watts Program Power (5x150w) 10" Long Throw Active Driver Digital Audio Video Input, Digital Output Built in Digital AM/FM Receiver Digital LCD Display Bass, Treble, Full Function Remote Control Finish: Pure Piano Black lacquer Gross weight 122 lbs THIS IS A TOP OF THE LINE SPEAKER SYSTEM. FEATURED IN MAGAZINES SUCH AS THE ROBB REPORT, DVD ETC, MUSICIANS HOTLINE, AND HOME THEATER BUILDER. ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE THE VERY BEST IN SOUND AND QUALITY.*** TR-THEATER RESEARCH'S COMMITMENT TO YOU! People, who know sound, know TR-THEATER RESEARCH it is a name that commands respect because TR-THEATER RESEARCH speakers are ranked among the finest in the world. TR-THEATER RESEARCH has pioneered many internationally acclaimed innovations. No other manufacturer has done more to advance the art of digital loudspeaker engineering. Cutting edge professionals are launching digital loudspeakers and the element is TR-THEATER RESEARCH Professional technology and only the highest quality speaker components are used. Making great speakers is an art, same as a live concert performance. TR-THEATER RESEARCH's standard policy is to never get satisfied. The customer is No.1! We attract more and more satisfied customers by providing them with prompt service, quality products, reasonable prices, and excellent customer service. We are always striving to improve our products and service. BRING THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE HOME! !! THIS HOME THEATER SYSTEM WOULD GO AWESOME WITH YOUR NEW PLAYSTATION 3,X-BOX 360 OR Wii SYSTEMS !!

Starting bid:US $99.99
Shipping costs:US $148.00

Of course, without the "fell off the back of a truck" or "we accidentally ordered too many and the boss won't pay for storage fees", it lacks some of the charm of the original.
Reply
post #88 of 128
1/15/07 at 12:43pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Brig: No need to roll your eyes at me. Read my post carefully. I said some people really like their speakers brought in this fashion. But, I also noted that some of the speakers sold in this manner are junk.

I never once implied that your speakers are junk. I would have no idea.

I was just simply trying to explain Jimi's comment to you about "eBay" and it's connection to the "white van" method of marketing.
Reply
post #89 of 128
1/15/07 at 2:34pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

There are plenty of People who think Bose's little cube systems sound great as well.....

What really hurts is that moment when you realize that you've been suckered, because even with the out of the back of the van deal, they are STILL not worth what you paid. They use the inflated prices to make them seem valid, but I can build a nice looking box, stick some components in it and claim they are worth thousands but you're getting them for a couple of hundred so they are a great deal too. I could do it all day long because there are a lot of people out there who simply don't know any better and the point of this thread is to LET PEOPLE KNOW about these scams.
Reply
post #90 of 128
1/15/07 at 2:48pm

Re: White Van Speaker Scams

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyErwin
If I remember correctly, the defining feature of most of these scams is a hugely inflated MSRP, often in the thousand of dollars. The scammer calculates that his mark will not be in the least bit familiar with how far thousands of dollars actually goes, and perhaps not even aware of how far a couple of hundred dollars can go, if spent wisely.

A somewhat charitable review of Theater Research speakers
The link to Canyon Audio's website in the review goes to a generic site. Looks like they're not in business anymore. Just another fly-by-night operation, it seems.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Speakers and Subwoofers