Another Professional Hero - Mark Bartlett at Audiocom.

[twelvebears]

After singing the praises of Dave Cawley at Sound Hi-Fi, I feel that it's only right to recognise another AOS trade member who has gone above and beyond in the name of customer service.

Some of you may have seen that I'm in the process of upgrading my CD replay system, and based on a number of sources inc. Marco and The Vintage Knob, I decided to go after a Sony CDP-777ES, with the intention of then getting Mark at Audiocom to work his magic on it.

So I found a suitable victim via German eBay and got the seller to ship it straight to Mark.....

Unfortunately, while it was in lovely cosmetic condition and the original box, the very nice chap who sold it to me had forgotten to lock the transport locking bolt before sending it on it's way. As a result when it arrived at Audiocom it wouldn't read any CDs and is going to have to be returned.

I just want to let everyone know what a great guy Mark is. Not only was he happy to spend time chatting to me about modifications at length, he has also received, unpacked, carefully examined (with a view to trying to fix) a dud CD player, and will now be arranging for it to be shipped back to Germany. And all this for someone who's not technically even a customer yet!

Anyway, in a world where true customer service sometimes seems like a thing of the past, I just thought it was important to give credit where it's due.

Needless to say, when I DO get a player that works, I know exactly where I'll be sending it! :cool:

[Audiocom AV]

After singing the praises of Dave Cawley at Sound Hi-Fi, I feel that it's only right to recognise another AOS trade member who has gone above and beyond in the name of customer service.

Some of you may have seen that I'm in the process of upgrading my CD replay system, and based on a number of sources inc. Marco and The Vintage Knob, I decided to go after a Sony CDP-777ES, with the intention of then getting Mark at Audiocom to work his magic on it.

So I found a suitable victim via German eBay and got the seller to ship it straight to Mark.....

Unfortunately, while it was in lovely cosmetic condition and the original box, the very nice chap who sold it to me had forgotten to lock the transport locking bolt before sending it on it's way. As a result when it arrived at Audiocom it wouldn't read any CDs and is going to have to be returned.

I just want to let everyone know what a great guy Mark is. Not only was he happy to spend time chatting to me about modifications at length, he has also received, unpacked, carefully examined (with a view to trying to fix) a dud CD player, and will now be arranging for it to be shipped back to Germany. And all this for someone who's not technically even a customer yet!

Anyway, in a world where true customer service sometimes seems like a thing of the past, I just thought it was important to give credit where it's due.

Needless to say, when I DO get a player that works, I know exactly where I'll be sending it! :cool:

Hi Steve

Thanks for your kind comments.

It is a pity about the Sony, frustrating in fact.

I had a customer call today about the Sony CDP-x777ES he purchased and had modified 2 years ago, it is still working perfectly and sounding great.

That player came from Germany too. :)

Best Regards,
Mark

[Mike]

Another vote for Mark from me too! :)

It was a couple (or more) years ago when I bought a superclock and several super-regs from Mark, but he was very helpful and eager to answer queries and to offer advice. Top bloke! :clap:

Cheers...

[John]

Yes agree I dealt with Mark many years ago modding a nu-vista after he finished it was no longer a lamb in wolf clothing

[Marco]

Mark's a top bloke - definitely one of the good guys in the industry, of which on AOS we're fortunate to have many :cool:

Marco.

[DSJR]

Yes agree I dealt with Mark many years ago modding a nu-vista after he finished it was no longer a lamb in wolf clothing

If that was the Nu-Vista preamp - as a lamb in wolf's clothing in stock guise, what does it say about all the top end preamps it significantly bettered????????

[leo]

Yep, top bloke , its good to have him on here.
I've always found his posts interesting and his replies to be polite even to ones from the odd rude post

Also gave me honest and helpful replies to any questions I asked by PM :cool:

[MartinT]

I too was very impressed with Mark's customer service. I had my Sony SCD-1 upgraded twice by Audiocom until it was fairly maxed out and it sounded fantastic. I still miss that beast, always a talking point in my system with its battleship construction and top loading.

[Audiocom AV]

I too was very impressed with Mark's customer service. I had my Sony SCD-1 upgraded twice by Audiocom until it was fairly maxed out and it sounded fantastic. I still miss that beast, always a talking point in my system with its battleship construction and top loading.

Hi Martin

Thanks for your praise.

Yes, the mighty Sony SCD-1, even with the frustratingly long load time it was a pleasure to use. One of these players has arrived this week for mods. It is destined for a major upgrade so I am looking forward to hearing how the player sounds with 2010 mod program.

Cheers,
Mark

[John]

If that was the Nu-Vista preamp - as a lamb in wolf's clothing in stock guise, what does it say about all the top end preamps it significantly bettered????????
It was the CD player which was a bit to nice sounding After Mark finished it bags more resolution If memory serves me right superclock 3 with 5 invistus cards for the choke regulation plus work to op amp

[Steen]

{Post removed for assessment until member complies with joining procedure}

[Marco]

Hi Steen,

Welcome to AoS :)

Before you go any further, did you not read the requirements on your registration email about popping into the Welcome section and introducing yourself to our community, by telling us what system you use and what music you like, before posting on the main areas of the forum?

Kindly do so, before posting any further elsewhere - ta! :cool:

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Ummmm

Firstly on joining AOS you were asked to pop into the Welcome section of the forum and make your fist post there, telling the AOS community, about yourself, system and taste in music.

However instead you post a lot of info regarding a well established and respected member.

Now I can understand you being frustrated for your friends situation but you should know that with no history on AOS and no first post in the welcome section you are not off to a good start as frankly you could be anyone.

I am going to however give you the benefit of the doubt and not view you as a someone here to make trouble for AudioCom. However what happens next is vital as to how AOS deals with this matter.

So please pop into the Welcome section upon your return.


Regards D S D L

[Marco]

Indeed. TBH, as we have a rule of not hosting details of personal disputes between dealers or manufacturers and buyers of their products, I'm not sure we can allow Steen's post to remain.

Therefore, if Steen's only reason for joining AoS was to inform people of this situation with Mark, which with only one side of the story to go on, cannot be corroborated, his stay here will unfortunately be a short one...

I'll delete his post temporarily in the meantime until we find out what Steen's intentions are.

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Indeed. Indeed. TBH, as we have a rule of not hosting details of personal disputes between dealers or manufacturers and buyers of their products, I'm not sure we can allow Steen's post to remain.

Therefore, if Steen's only reason for joining AoS was to inform people of this situation with Mark, which with only one side of the story to go on, cannot be corroborated, his stay here will unfortunately be a short one...

I'll delete his post temporarily in the meantime until we find out what Steen's intentions are.

Marco.

Seems fair enough Marco


Regards D S D L

[Steen]

Hi again - the welcome notice says "please pop into the Welcome area and say 'hello'.." It doesn't say "do so or we will delete your posts".

Yes my purpose was to give this post a second opinion as it seems extremely one sided. I have no audio system hence nothing to write about in the welcome section.

I understand that persons can have ups and downs and that Marks is undoubtly a good technician but I think 7+ months for a "6-7 day" upgrade is not reasonable. Mark is more than welcomed to comment.

[MartinT]

I have no audio system hence nothing to write about in the welcome section.

I think you've said it all there, mate.

This thread only appears 'one-sided' because our combined experience of Mark's service at Audiocom has been excellent.

Note the use of 'experience'. This is not third party hearsay which is what you appear to be posting.

[prestonchipfryer]

Hi again - the welcome notice says "please pop into the Welcome area and say 'hello'.." It doesn't say "do so or we will delete your posts".

Yes my purpose was to give this post a second opinion as it seems extremely one sided. I have no audio system hence nothing to write about in the welcome section.

I understand that persons can have ups and downs and that Marks is undoubtly a good technician but I think 7+ months for a "6-7 day" upgrade is not reasonable. Mark is more than welcomed to comment.

That's because you don't appear to have any manners about you. It's very rude to just to post a comment without a proper introduction.

[Marco]

Hi Steen,


Hi again - the welcome notice says "please pop into the Welcome area and say 'hello'.." It doesn't say "do so or we will delete your posts".


Indeed, but the intention is for new members to act upon the instructions, not ignore them because they don't consider them as relevant in their circumstances. They have been provided for a valid reason.

Anyone who chooses to ignore them will simply be reminded about the registration instructions when they post elsewhere first instead of the Welcome section, so in the end it's best to save time and observe them in the first place ;)

Your post was removed simply because it is hearsay until proven otherwise. It is not our normal procedure. But I'm afraid that as we don't host personal disputes between our trade members and their customers, or friends of their customers, proving who is at fault in this dispute is unlikely to happen.


Yes my purpose was to give this post a second opinion as it seems extremely one sided. I have no audio system hence nothing to write about in the welcome section.


Then as you have no audio system, there's no point in you being here. AoS is a forum for audio enthusiasts and music lovers to discuss subjects of mutual interest. It is not a free platform for people with no interest in those subjects to come and air their personal disputes with our trade members.


I understand that persons can have ups and downs and that Marks is undoubtly a good technician but I think 7+ months for a "6-7 day" upgrade is not reasonable. Mark is more than welcomed to comment.

Unfortunately, that's not going to happen, as we have no wish to host the ins and outs of a dispute, the details of which AoS has no way of proving, therefore your posts will shortly be removed.

Now, if there's nothing else we can help you with, I suggest that we terminate your membership here and wish you well for the future :)

Marco.

[Steen]

Actually I am an audio enthusiast and music lover but due to work and moving around the globe I currently do not own a system worth mentioning in this forum. Well, do what you feel like. I hope for other enthusiast that Audiocom will be their choice of "modder" and the outcome will be great. I am confident that Mark is capable of some great mods but it seems his order processing could use a little tune-up. Great to hear that you guys actually have had good experiences.

Hmm - hearsay - well I was quoting from the mail dialogue that my friend had with this company. The conclusions are all up to you guys.

[Marco]

Actually I am an audio enthusiast and music lover but due to work and moving around the globe I currently do not own a audio system worth mentioning in this forum.

It doesn't matter what system you've got; it's still a system, and you like music, so on that basis why not hang around and get to know folks here a bit better?

You'd be more than welcome to do so :)

As for the other stuff, Steen, your points have been noted, but I'm afraid that I will have to remove all comments about Mark which are currently hearsay.

I hope that you understand my position on this.

Marco.

[Steen]

Hi Marco,
Sure - that's totally OK with me. They might not help my friend in his current situation anyway and I'm sorry if I appeared rude and/or impolite for a first time poster.

[Marco]

No worries - these things happen. If you PM me your friend's details, I'll mention the situation next time I speak with Mark and let you know what he says :)

Marco.

[Steen]

Thanks Marco - sorry if I PM'ed you twice - suddenly couldn't find it in sent items and noticed the small checkmark in "save in sent items" - bare with me - just another beginner