Arkless Electronics

[Weekender]

I'm new to this Forum - my joining thread: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?40151-Hello-from-Manchester

I understand from reading his posts that Jez of "Arkless Electronics" intends to start offering his phono amp and a new high end version to AoS members. Given that I have now fulfilled my joining obligation re setting out a little bit about myself, I'd like to make AoS Members aware of my, and others, experience with Jez and his phono amp upgrade offered via the Pinkfish Forum.

I would be disturbed if members of this Forum entered into financial dealings with Jez without knowing about past dealings with him. After discussing with Tony L the Pinkfish forum owner, and being given his consent, I have posted details of my experience to the PFM forum here:
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=174778
Jez has also posted a statement here: http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=174858

To summarise - I sent £350 and the 651p in March and was given a "three months-ish" lead time. I enquired as to completion in June and was told "Unfortunately business is so slow at the moment that the ensuing cash flow problem means all work is on hold for the time being. All I can say is that it will be with you as soon as possible. Sorry for the delay." When I said I was not happy about this Jez said "I wasn't expecting business to dry up at the time! I can't give a completion date as it would be purely a guess. I could bullshit you by saying 3 weeks time or whatever but I'd rather be honest. All I can guarantee is that it will be completed and delivered as soon as possible."

I am still waiting eight months later.

If you are considering dealing with Jez I would ask you to read the threads and form your own opinions. At the very least I would caution against Members paying him up front.
Jez has not responded to requests for updates since August. There are still at least four customers waiting on phono amps, despite assurances given on August 23rd (10 weeks ago) when he promised the backlog would be cleared in six weeks. As mentioned in the thread Tony has revoked Jez's trading privileges and they will not be renewed.

Steve.

[take5]

Steve, thank you for posting this here.

I have been following this sorry tale on Pink Fish and am just amazed that anyone in business can conduct themselves in the manner that "JEZ" has. Amazed and appalled.

I totally agree that this should be flagged up to the Hi Fi community, so that others can be warned of his behaviour. Hopefully it will help others from falling into the terrible position that you and others have found yourself in.

Good luck in your efforts to find a positive outcome.

[Audio Al]

Steve

We are all aware , its been ongoing for some time , I will say in Jez's defence that the mods he did on my 640p were great so if you di get a chance too try one , do it
Jez is a very talented man , its just a shame he can't manage the business he had :(

Sorry too here about your situation as well

[Weekender]

Thanks Chaps.

Re Audio Al's point that "we are all aware" I would disagree - there are Members here who are certainly not aware - e.g.:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?41323-Make-my-system-sing

[Wakefield Turntables]

I hate to see these types of thread. Very sad.

[southall-1998]

I hate to see these types of thread. Very sad.

+1

S.

[take5]

Shane and Andrew, yes it is very sad.

But much needed, I feel.

See the link in post 4 above.

JEZ is STILL using this forum to try to obtain business.

Given his recent history, I feel it is VERY important that others be made aware of the situation.

For example in that thread, JEZ interacts with a chap from NORWAY, who is a low post member. He may well be oblivious to the recent history. I think the community should be permitted to flag up to individuals such as this chap.

With respect, I dont feel positives can be given to JEZ until things are resolved.

[Thebiglebowski]

Jez is clearly not a businessman but I'm yet to see a bad review of his phono stage and from his posts on pfm is technically very skilled and knowledgeable. Having had many arguments with him on pfm I suspect that much of this is now stubbornness and he is actually completely gutted and upset that all this is being said and has gone horribly wrong

Yes it is bad that people have been kept waiting but I would rather see offers of help than the bitch fest these types of threads turn into.

There are plenty of small business owners on here who can offer the guidance and mentoring that Jez needs to make a success of his business.

Jez, hopefully you will or have received offers of help and if you will accept them I think the past problems will be quickly forgotten about.

[Tarzan]

I hate to see these types of thread. Very sad.

x2.

[Marco]

Yes it is bad that people have been kept waiting but I would rather see offers of help than the bitch fest these types of threads turn into.

There are plenty of small business owners on here who can offer the guidance and mentoring that Jez needs to make a success of his business.

Jez, hopefully you will or have received offers of help and if you will accept them I think the past problems will be quickly forgotten about.

+1, on all accounts. Rest assured that, whilst Steve is allowed to relate his situation to others, I will ensure that the thread does not turn into a bitch fest!

Marco.

[Patrick Dixon]

Jez has most certainly been offered help on threads elsewhere but is maybe too proud or too stubborn to accept.

One does get the feeling that these disappointed customer's money is being used to fund the development of new products that are being trumpeted on other threads here. But it's hard to see that that Jez's business has any kind of a future whilst the situation remains unresolved to so many's satisfaction.

It's all very sad and so reminiscent of several other small audio businesses. It's so hard to gain the trust and confidence of buyers when you are a one-man band, and trust is so easily lost.

[Weekender]

Jez is clearly not a businessman but I'm yet to see a bad review of his phono stage and from his posts on pfm is technically very skilled and knowledgeable. Having had many arguments with him on pfm I suspect that much of this is now stubbornness and he is actually completely gutted and upset that all this is being said and has gone horribly wrong

Yes it is bad that people have been kept waiting but I would rather see offers of help than the bitch fest these types of threads turn into.

There are plenty of small business owners on here who can offer the guidance and mentoring that Jez needs to make a success of his business.

Jez, hopefully you will or have received offers of help and if you will accept them I think the past problems will be quickly forgotten about.

Les of Avondale offered help via Pinkfish in August:
I'm probably stepping out of line here but if Jez needs a leg up by way of
a sub for some parts to complete orders, I'd be only too pleased to help.

Apologies if I'm out of order or causing embarrassment...

Thanks very much for the kind offer and PM Les but I reckon I'll manage:)

[southall-1998]

Not too long ago. Jez did a great job repairing an Alchemist Kraken amp for me. His service was swift with excellent communication.

The man is packed with full of knowledge and skill!

S.

[banjoman]

I find it quite unfathomable that Jez can spend his time and money on developing 'new products' and touting them here, but not complete his one year old commitments for which he may already have taken money for.

I bought an Arkless phono stage and even though it was a lot longer wait than he promised, it sounded great when I got it.

I would really like to support Jez but he's making it impossible really...
Sad state of affairs...
I really hope Jez sort all his old commitments out eventually and we can close this thread

[Thebiglebowski]

Les of Avondale offered help via Pinkfish in August:

Problem is that Jez has some rather strong political opinions and Les also happens to have rather strong political opinions on the opposite end of the scale.

Didn't know that he is developing new products though, hopefully if he makes a success of it he can pay back what he owes.

Has anyone suggested kickstarter to him?

[chris.j.s]

Thanks Chaps.

Re Audio Al's point that "we are all aware" I would disagree - there are Members here who are certainly not aware - e.g.:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?41323-Make-my-system-sing

I'm famous! Honestly tho i don't like talking about people i don't know anything about so i will just leave it at that except that it was thanks to the all round good reviews of his work that even got me to find and join this very forum so i have no doubt in his capabilities. Best of luck with getting your amp/money and best of luck to you Jez as well to get the business up and going again.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Has anyone actually pointed JEZ towards this thread?

[Marco]

He is fully aware of it, but has chosen not to comment.

Marco.

[Weekender]

He is fully aware of it, but has chosen not to comment.

Marco.Speaks volumes...and yet he is only too happy to use the Forum to advertise new products: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?41370-New-products-in-the-pipeline
Can't be right surely?

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

Myself or AoS are not here to judge anyone with regards to this matter, or to take sides. We're simply providing a platform to allow free speech, where you or anyone else can air your views accordingly. In that respect, I will be making no comment as to whom I consider is right or wrong.

My job here is simply to moderate any unacceptable comments and allow the dispute/discussion to take its natural course. However, if I can help bring the rather sorry situation to an amicable solution between you any sooner than that, then I'm only too willing to help, but I will not be judging anyone here or taking sides.

Marco.

[Thebiglebowski]

Speaks volumes...and yet he is only too happy to use the Forum to advertise new products: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?41370-New-products-in-the-pipeline
Can't be right surely?

Are you suggesting that the guy goes into hiding and never works again because he made a few stupid mistakes. I'm sure most of us have been screwed over whether it ebay or elsewhere and you just have to put it down to shit and move on, there's little point in going on a crusade of revenge and following people around internet forums.

Have you actually spoken to him to try and sort this out, perhaps you could offer to accept £50 a month as a compromise.

[struth]

Hi Steve,

Myself or AoS are not here to judge anyone with regards to this matter, or to take sides. We're simply providing a platform to allow free speech, where you or anyone else can air your views accordingly. In that respect, I will be making no comment as to whom I consider is right or wrong.

My job here is simply to moderate any unacceptable comments and allow the dispute/discussion to take its natural course. However, if I can help bring the rather sorry situation to an amicable solution between you any sooner than that, then I'm only too willing to help, but I will not be judging anyone here or taking sides.

Marco.

+1

[mikeyb]

Hi,

I can offer my services if you like, payment up front, can't promise you'll get anything back in return, but hey ho, doesn't matter does it.

Great to see people who don't care about someone else's money and misfortune, personally think anyone who lets anyone down whether financially or personally should hang their head in shame and not take a penny more until the situation is resolved, the OP's situation is probably repeated a good few times over various Forums.

I wonder if the same would be said if I tried to sell something in the classifieds and didn't bother to send it?

Mike.

[struth]

Hi,

I can offer my services if you like, payment up front, can't promise you'll get anything back in return, but hey ho, doesn't matter does it.

Great to see people who don't care about someone else's money and misfortune, personally think anyone who lets anyone down whether financially or personally should hang their head in shame and not take a penny more until the situation is resolved, the OP's situation is probably repeated a good few times over various Forums.

I wonder if the same would be said if I tried to sell something in the classifieds and didn't bother to send it?

Mike.

It matters Mike. Thats why the thread is here. Im just not in a position to take sides.

[mikeyb]

Hi,

Just to add, might be an idea to have a look over at AvForums and see the stickies as regards using small claims court etc to help resolve the situation.

Taking someone's money and an item without returning it either repaired, modified or cash if not done is theft plain and simple.

And if it happened to me, I think a road trip would be in order, no, correct that I don't 'think' I know.

Easily solved, send the money and the item back, simple.

Mike.

[mikeyb]

It matters Mike. Thats why the thread is here. Im just not in a position to take sides.

Hi Grant,

Sorry wasn't meaning you, just some of the other posters. Live and let live attitude is easy when it's not them involved

Mike.

[walpurgis]

Contributions to this thread should discuss the issue usefully.

[Marco]

Hi,

I can offer my services if you like, payment up front, can't promise you'll get anything back in return, but hey ho, doesn't matter does it.

Great to see people who don't care about someone else's money and misfortune, personally think anyone who lets anyone down whether financially or personally should hang their head in shame and not take a penny more until the situation is resolved, the OP's situation is probably repeated a good few times over various Forums.

I wonder if the same would be said if I tried to sell something in the classifieds and didn't bother to send it?


Hi Mike,

If that were the case, you'd most likely receive the negative feedback you'd deserve, and the associated bad publicity, which is precisely what is happening here with Jez. However, things sometimes happen in life that aren't so clear cut, in terms of where any 'blame' should be attached. In that respect, there's a tendency for outsiders to look at situations like this somewhat too superficially.

As I said, I'm not here to judge who's right or wrong, or where any blame should be placed. All I will say is that, as is usually the case in these types of disputes, better communication and understanding between both parties, in the first place, would most likely have gone some way to resolving the matter, or even preventing any such matter to have arisen at all.

Marco.

[mikeyb]

Contributions to this thread should discuss the issue usefully.

As a guy at work once said "ironicy", we said is that even a word, lol, mind you he did have quite a few quotes in the gibber book.

I've just realised something, I know Grant is a MOD here, but using tapatalk you can't tell, so I've no idea if your post is a slap on wrist or just a comment from a fellow poster, hence the ironicy reply.

Mike.

[mikeyb]

Hi Mike,

If that were the case, you'd most likely receive the negative feedback you'd deserve, and the associated bad publicity, which is precisely what is happening here with Jez. However, things sometimes happen in life that aren't so clear cut, in terms of where any 'blame' should be attached. In that respect, there's a tendency for outsiders to look at matters like this somewhat too superficially.

As I said, I'm not here to judge who's right or wrong, or where any blame should be placed. All I will say is that, as is usually the case in these types of disputes, better communication and understanding between both parties, in the first place, would most likely have gone some way to resolving the matter, or even preventing any such matter to arise at all.

Marco.

Hi Marco,

Totally agree.

The way I look at it, treat others how you would like to be treated yourself, always done that and I always will.

However F*** me over ............ ;)

Communication as you say is key, however email is great isn't it especially when we have a 'bin'. It's amazing how in such a technical age where no one can supposedly hide that some people find it relatively easy (pardon the pun)

Mike.

PS: I do hope this situation can be resolved amicably, but if not then my reference to the stickie on AvForums showing how to resolve these situations legally with examples is pertinent.

[Firebottle]

Having received really excellent customer service from a dealer (not hi-fi), for a brand that had diabolical direct customer support really sharpens the mind to the sort of support you would really want, and provide if you are on the supply side of things.

I do hope Jez can pick up from this situation and regain a good customer reputation.

:)

[TheMooN]

Speaks volumes...and yet he is only too happy to use the Forum to advertise new products: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?41370-New-products-in-the-pipeline
Can't be right surely?


I have to agree with this point, whilst this situation remains unresolved (and as it would appear not to be an isolated incident at this time), should this forum continue to be utilised as a place of advertising for new business, whilst there would seem to be a number of contracts of some longstanding that remain unfulfilled, and with at least one item of property seemingly wilfully withheld from the title owner, What sort of message does that convey.

[Marco]

Hi Roger,

I fully appreciate where you're coming from, but as Chris said earlier:


Are you suggesting that the guy goes into hiding and never works again because he made a few stupid mistakes.


Also, there's a much better chance of Steve (and anyone else owed money or products from Jez) getting what they're owed if he still has the ability to trade. Quite simply, it's not my job to deprive him of that right, regardless of whether I think he's behaved correctly or not.

It's up to Steve to commence court proceedings against Jez (which I believe he has done) and/or engage in any other action he considers might bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion, and we're simply here to help facilitate that process - no more, no less.

Marco.

[Weekender]

Are you suggesting that the guy goes into hiding and never works again because he made a few stupid mistakes. I'm sure most of us have been screwed over whether it ebay or elsewhere and you just have to put it down to shit and move on, there's little point in going on a crusade of revenge and following people around internet forums.

Have you actually spoken to him to try and sort this out, perhaps you could offer to accept £50 a month as a compromise.He's a repeat offender and I'd hardly call it a crusade...

Jez posted on here:
Yes I can fix it no problem..... in spite of some twat on pfm doing his best to put me out of business and who will be waiting till hell freezes over to get his unit after what he did. Try reading the hundreds of good reviews! :)
Jez posted on Pinkfish:
As for weekender well he can go **** himself. He will not get his money back but will get the unit he paid for... after a LONG wait, as I said on AOS.
My opinion of anyone who thinks it justified to try and destroy someone's business, reputation and livelihood because they couldn't be patient in waiting a short while longer for their goods is that they are lower than fleas on a snakes belly.

Fairly cut and dried I'd say...and eight months is not a "short while longer". Four of us have posted to the thread on PFM about being out of pocket and Jez has not responded since August.

[Patrick Dixon]

So how can we help resolve this? It's hard to see how Jez can continue trading whilst he has these disgruntled customer issues hanging over him, so whilst he may resent the way it's being done surely he has to recognise that he needs to sort it out in order to move on? It's just not good business to fall out with your customers no matter how unreasonable you may think they are, because as a small business you are much more vulnerable to the negative publicity and the waste of energy than a stroppy individual customer is.

And as someone who knows that he's always right, there sometimes comes a time when even I have to look at the weight of evidence and accept that the world is not quite ready for my point of view ... yet. So come on Jez, one angry customer might be a rogue but 3 or 4 is a pattern. What do we need to do to resolve things?

[Tarzan]

Please mods close this thread.

[Gordon Steadman]

I don't normally join in threads like this but I think it's a bit late to bolt the stable door now. There has obviously been more than one problem and someone who is out there trying to do business cannot afford to have unfinished stuff like this hanging over him.

Jez has to sort this out. No matter how much he hates the idea of giving satisfaction, for his own sake he needs to bite the bullet and fix the situation. Only then will he be allowed to move on. Ignoring a situation like this is not going to solve anything and I can't see that the aggrieved party, no matter what the rights and wrongs, is going to let this one lie.

[montesquieu]

I don't normally join in threads like this but I think it's a bit late to bolt the stable door now. There has obviously been more than one problem and someone who is out there trying to do business cannot afford to have unfinished stuff like this hanging over him.

Jez has to sort this out. No matter how much he hates the idea of giving satisfaction, for his own sake he needs to bite the bullet and fix the situation. Only then will he be allowed to move on. Ignoring a situation like this is not going to solve anything and I can't see that the aggrieved party, no matter what the rights and wrongs, is going to let this one lie.

+1.

I hate these sorts of threads too but I've been following the saga on PFM with some sadness. Only when sorted will credibility be restored.

I must say if I'd had Weekender's experience I'd be just as dogged in bringing this to people's attention.

Helpful comment: fix the mess and move on, anything else is just perpetuating the reputational damage.

[Puffin]

Why was I singled out to be "Moderated"?

[Marco]

Because your comment wasn't in any way constructive, Rob. If you've got something to say, in reference to this matter, then please make it constructive [non-inflammatory]. Ta :)

Anyone else who makes similar remarks will receive the same treatment.

Marco.

[Joe]

Ignoring a situation like this is not going to solve anything and I can't see that the aggrieved party, no matter what the rights and wrongs, is going to let this one lie.

The rights and wrongs seem fairly clear-cut to me; the customer has paid up-front for something that hasn't been delivered, and he is not alone in this.

[Puffin]

Because your comment wasn't in any way constructive, Rob. If you've got something to say, in reference to this matter, then please make it constructive [non-inflammatory]. Ta :)

Anyone else who makes similar remarks will receive the same treatment.

Marco.

Ok, Feckless Def : lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible. Is this not what he is responsible for? Perhaps this whole thread should be deleted and we leave him to his world.

[Ali Tait]

Fair enough, but the post should be left on with a comment that it has been moderated. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth when posts just disappear.

[struth]

Personally I don't see the point in letting this run much longer if Jez is not going to defend himself and his position. Most folk have made their position clear imo. If nothing constructive is going to come of this then I dont see the point in continuing in a circular motion.
Anyone got any constructive comments that might help?

[Marco]

Personally I don't see the point in letting this run much longer if Jez is not going to defend himself and his position. Most folk have made their position clear imo. If nothing constructive is going to come of this then I dont see the point in continuing in a circular motion.


Good point. In that respect, I'm struggling to see why the thread should remain open.

Marco.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Great close it then!

[Arkless Electronics]

Personally I don't see the point in letting this run much longer if Jez is not going to defend himself and his position. Most folk have made their position clear imo. If nothing constructive is going to come of this then I dont see the point in continuing in a circular motion.
Anyone got any constructive comments that might help?

I wasn't going to enter the fray as I appear to be the only person in the known universe who considers myself the aggrieved party in this.
I have never made a living out of hifi. I scrape by, the minimum wage would be like winning the lottery. I have £1.68 to my name as I type this.
When weekender phoned me to ask why his unit wasn't ready I carefully explained that cash flow issues meant that there was nothing I could do to expedite the return of his unit, modified as agreed, until further work came in to enable me to buy the parts. I profusely apologised. His attitude was "that's not good enough I want it now". I explained again that at that moment in time it was beyond my control to do anything about it. Yes he had paid up front but (many customers volunteered to) due to my financial state I had no choice but to spend the lot on paying the rent to avoid eviction. No it's not the first time I've been in that position and had to do this. Later that afternoon a thread appeared on pfm, started by Weekender, warning people to avoid doing business with me and basically calling me a rogue trader etc. Unsurprisingly this virtually put me out of business. By doing this he ended the trickle of business that was enabling me to complete work such as his own job... and left 4 others in the same position as himself. All of whom have been rather more understanding and patient about the fiasco than Weekender. As I've said previously I am beyond furious at someone feeling they are so "precious", "special" and "no one leaves ME waiting" that they decide to do their damnedest to put someone out of business, end their already meagre income and destroy a reputation that took years to build up.
Electronics, and hi fi in particular, is my life's vocation and, if I say so myself, I'm a bloody good engineer. If I was in this for the money I would have chosen something rather more profitable than hi fi... or at very least have jumped on the bandwagon of rip off foo mains cables, interconnects, pointy wooden feet etc that virtually everyone else sells. Instead I've "done it my way" and tried to succeed through solid engineering. Obviously not much call for that.
Yes he's not the only person who ended up waiting longer than the estimate I had given, for the same reasons as above ie not enough work coming in to fund my delivering product in the time scale I expected to be able to do. The vast majority HAVE received their equipment in a timely fashion and NOBODY has been anything less than delighted with my work.
I continue to trade and will continue to trade and to develop new products to that effect. No money has been spent on the development of new products BTW. I haven't got any! It's all been done with parts in stock already, parts removed from older prototypes etc. I keep on keeping on which is all I can do.
I am as honest a person as anyone could wish to meet and no "rogue trader", "rip off merchant" or anything else I've been accused of here and (mainly) elsewhere.
All I can do is hope people start putting more work my way so I can recover from this... In the past few years (and continuing) I've tried offering mods to Leak valve gear, Naim gear, Quad gear, power supplies to any spec and voltage, turntable PSU's etc etc, to little avail. No one seems to want to buy any of the latter unless it is from a source that ALREADY has a reputation for being some sort of specialist in that field... or it comes from China at a cost (delivered) for less than I could buy the parts for to do a much better, properly engineered job.. sa la vie..
Thats about all I've got to say on the matter... Cue people saying my explanation isn't good enough and I've made matters worse by putting my side of the story across...
And yes if the thread now shuts that obviously suits me

[struth]

Thanks Jez for putting your side of the story. It may help all concerned in understanding what has unfortunately happened. I am sure you would like to put this right, and sure one day you will. Perhaps people may now say, there but for the grace of God, or circumstance go I.

[dantheman91]

You cant blame jez for trying to earn a living , honest crust as we all have to in these hard times i'm sure he's not the only one to be in this position as i'm sure many of us in this hobby have. I do think its unfair warning others of his service when he seem to have a reputable reputation as an engineer :) where would we be if all HI-FI dealers had issues like this its only something that can be sorted i guess some are inpatient point made i think its wise guys to close the thread as its a bad marker to the traders name which is just unfair in the current circumstances:)

But what do i know i have never had dealings with him so i cant say

[struth]

I think on Jez's statement, I will, at least for now, CLOSE this thread. People may now want to think over whats' been said, and perhaps give the man a chance to earn a living and thus finish the outstanding work. If and when there is any more info it can be re-opened

[anthonyTD]

Jez,
I know from previous posts that you will not accept help in the way of money, but if i have parts that you can use, then please get in touch mate, there is no shame in accepting help, many of us have been there at some point, The world of HI Fi is a fickle one at best, and there are less and less genuinely talented people involved in it these days.:(
Anthony,TD...