Grado story

[ablaze 0]

thought this was interesting:

joelongwood at head-fi posted his experience here

This afternoon, the UPS guy came to the front door with a package. It was from Grado Labs. The problem is, I wasn't expecting anything. Thinking it might be a gift from my wife ( I only thought that for split second), I opened the package and discovered an RA-1 amp! The invoice inside the package had my name and address and the statement: "RA-1 repair.....no charge"

I quickly checked the shelf to see if my RA-1 was there, and, of course, it was. So now I was looking at two RA-1s. What to do? I'm ashamed to admit that I toyed with the idea of keeping it.....but then my conscience kicked in and I realized I had to return it. I called Grado Labs and got an answering machine. I figured I'd call back tomorrow and explain the situation. Just a few minutes ago, on a whim, I decided to try again. A guy picked up the phone and he was at a loss to explain what was going on.......but he did identify himself as John Grado. He thanked me for my honesty and asked what headphones I listened to.....I listed all the Grados I had, and he chuckled. He said that if I ever needed a favor he owed me one. I then figured I'd ask him for the SR-60s. He said, no problem, he would send me a pair.

While I had him on the phone, I asked him about those giant earpad Grados that were demonstrated with Dolby headphones at the Stereophile Show in NYC. He said that they were kind of on hold because Dolby Headphone systems had not proliferated as much as he had hoped.

He also told me that they have been swamped with business lately, and they have been devoting a lot of time to cables for analog sound.

The one thing I wished I had asked, but didn't think of it until later, was why Grado didn't make the old style pads any more. Oh well, maybe next time. So it's off to the Post Office Saturday to send the RA-1 back, and wait for my SR-60s.........and I can sleep at night.

 

thats quite cool huh. the part I was surprised about was how John Grado picked up the phone? its like calling Microsoft tech support and getting Bill Gates! (okok..Grado's MUCH smaller than microsoft )

[tee 0]

In the past, esp during audi shows, there have been distributors / agents bringing in audio experts and designers to explain to customers and public their products and underlying principles of designs. Do you think this could happen when John or Joseph Grado will one day visit us in Singapore ?

[Mackie 0]

Yeah, I agree. Reminds me of the occasion when Joe Lee invited the inventor of Shun Mook discs to give a lecture on his products.

[N@Z 0]

Cool story. Although I would have asked for closely priced 325 but Joelongwood already has that I think.

 

I doubt it tee but I wouldn't mind being wrong though! After all, Microsoft is a giant compared to Grado.

[Rameish 0]

If I'm not mistaken John actually hosted a head-fi meet. It's nice to know that specialist companies like Grado can still thrive in a world dominated by MNCs.

[tee 0]

Hi Rameish,

 

Yes, i think a good company should pay attention to its customers whether big or small, and in-person attention from senior executives buys long-term supports and commitments from them.

 

I was in Microsoft's campus in Seattle back in late 90s but never got a chance to meet him in person, although we were impressed with his hi-tech home then.