New repair policy, effective 11/1/06

[tpryan]

What we're doing

Effective immediately, we're instituting a new repair policy. Instead of repairing individual modules and billing for time and and materials, we will now salvage the most valuable components (transformers, switches, etc.) and install them on new circuit boards, with new parts, for a fixed price. The result will be a preamp module that is guaranteed to work as well and look as good as a factory-assembled unit.


Why we're doing it

Though the great majority of modules that find their way back to us require only minor fixes to restore functionality, they almost without exception suffer from unacceptably poor workmanship. Too much solder, cold solder joints, leads not trimmed, components sticking up in the air, transformer leads too long or too short, damaged XLRs, and on and on. Since it usually requires at least as much time to bring these modules up to standards as it does to build a module from scratch, that's exactly what we're going to do.

What you get out of it

You'll get a module that's guaranteed to work as well as one assembled by us, since that's exactly what it will be. You'll also get it back faster, since we can do much of the work in advance and will keep partially assembled boards in stock. Plus, you'll have a module that you can use as a reference for how your next kit should look.

If you're on the fence about whether to build a kit or not, knowing exactly how much it will cost for us to bail you out if you totally screw up should help clarify your decision.

What we get out of it

We'll have more time to develop new products and improve our existing ones. We'll also have a means to guarantee uniform quality of every module that comes through our shop. This helps build confidence in the Seventh Circle Audio brand which benefits both us and our customers.

Exceptions to every rule

If upon inspection your module appears to be perfectly assembled but for some reason still isn't working, we'll find and fix the problem at our standard rate of $50/hr.

How it works

E-mail sales@seventhcircleaudio.com for return authorization.

Send your well-packed module to

Seventh Circle Audio
1234 47th Ave, #9
Oakland, CA 94601

UPS is *greatly* preferred. If you send it via USPS and they attempt a Saturday delivery, it may delay your package for days.

Upon receipt, we'll inspect the module and send you a preliminary diagnosis before we do anything to it.

Prices (tentative)

A12 $165
C84 $175
J99 $185
N72 $185

Initial testing and evaluation is free.

As you can see, the new repair prices are roughly what we charge to assemble a new module.