Edgar Horns and other websites that don't work

[homebuilder]

I don't want to get on anyone's case with this post, but I have to say that it is really disappointing to go to a site like Bruce Edgar's, and two years later there is still the tired old excuse that the site is under construction.

I got some good advice on another site about his horn scoops; went to his site. No help. It does not work. Sent emails...he finally sent me a price...no details what-so-ever. A year later, the site is still the same. My comment? If you want to be successful in business today, you have to at least take care of some of these tasks. How else are people going to find out about you, and make good decisions?

Another case in point is AE speakers...they have a decent website, but it takes forever to get an answer. I called for a week straight to reach them to place an order for two woofers, and only got an answering machine. Sorry guys, I'm not leaving a credit card number on anyone's answering machine! John is trying his best, and I understand the problems of running a business. I really do. But, this is not the way to be successful.

They always say that with every problem you raise, you should offer a solution....so here is one to consider: a lot of time is wasted by people who never get around to making any purchases. They just talk about it, and go on forever about their ideas. They waste the precious time of the guys who are trying to make a living. I'm all for a free exchange of ideas. But, I would be willing to pay a fee to someone like Dr. Edgar to send me a piece of paper or email telling me what I want to know about his horn scoops. Especially if that fee could be applied against a purchase made within a specific amount of time, say 3 months. I don't call my lawyer, accountant or architect for free, why should it be any different for someone like Dr. Edgar?

IMHO

[Pano]

Odd, I was looking at some old audio magazines from the 70's and 80's. Mostly you had to pay for a catalog back then!

Imagine that.....


I get dozens of emails a day asking for advise and help. I try to answer as many as I can. I did put a donation link on my website long ago. Got almost $15 in 3 years. (2 people out of >1 million hits)

Most other free audio advice sites and software will tell you the same tale. There may be no easy answer.

[Moondog55]

Send me that link Pano, I'll send a dollar.
All jokes aside free advice is usually worth what you pay for it.
I don;t charge for advice as
1/ I'm not an expert

2/ I don't have professional indemnity insurance

but I do sympathize with both points of view

[nickmckinney]

I seem to remember once figuring about an average of 20 different contacts would give a single sale when I was running Lambda. This then doesn't include multiple emails/calls from each of these contacts. Its definitely the toughest business to be in that I have been involved with. Selling a product that is really not "needed" only "wanted" to a highly critical small market base at 10X the price of imported street stuff is not a way to get rich. Rather if it wasn't a labor of love there wouldn't be many speaker companies outside of Asia, and the way its headed there will be fewer and fewer left as time moves on.

[Moondog55]

Hi Nick. I would say the same thing about people who will do repairs, or modifications I know of only 3 people like that here in Australia.
One was a expert tradesman but poor businessman and has gone bust, one is a good businessman and tradesman so charges like a wounded bull as he has very little competition and the other is a mediocre tradesman.

[homebuilder]

Nick and Moondog:

All good points. It is sad when you want to talk to someone so you can spend money, but you know they are swamped with trying to respond to things that never pan out. I read the long, long post about AE, and the testing for Klippel. Talk about a lot of work! I hope that results in more sales!

I just started a new job, taking over a US operation for a company based in Moondogs backyard. We are updating the website in the first week. At least it will work, and people can get answers. Hint, hint Dr.Edgar. To the point about AE, since you are back with them Nick...they have had that stuff on the site about the new 6.5" and 18", but no Website updates since December. Just one line would do the trick. I would also think about just putting some simple data up with the driver...like this 18" will be -3db at 39 hz in an xxx size enclosure sealed, and xxx in a vented box. What-ever. I am just making up numbers here. That might answer many of the calls you get otherwise.

Take me for example..I am trying to down-select to the 15x, or the 18H for my project. I've bought $2600 worth of drivers in the last 8 months, and just need 2 more. So, I'm not wasting anyones' time. I would like to know simple things like if the TD18 can have the Apollo upgrade? Do Bruce Edgars' horn flares for the TAD 1201 midbass come assembled, or does he ship you flat parts? How low will those horn flares go realistically?

I don't know the answer to fix all of this, but I sure don't want to see our options shrink more because good people cannot survive the business climate.