Plinius distributorship in India

hmm....sound very convuluted.....wonder if that is the arrangement.....

Yes I was trying for Plinius, but they decided to give it to a bigger company like soundsmiths that already has many brands for distribution. THey just signed up at the Munich show.

Anyhow as I already represent Soundsmiths for their products, I will naturally represent Plinius(as a dealer) from Soundsmiths.

Great that it went to Soundsmiths. Guys money talks

As soon as Soundsmiths gets Plinius stock, I should be able to give a demo.

Till then we all have to wait.

Hey ,cool move by Soundsmiths,good to see Plinius around.
Regards Deaf.

I would have been happier to have seen AYRE come to India.

I was never a 'great fan' of Peter Thomson's designs.

I love the work of Charlie Hansen.
I think Ayre makes some of the best VFM Amplifiers [electronics] around.

BHAGWAN69

bhagwan69 schrieb:

I would have been happier to have seen AYRE come to India. I was never a 'great fan' of Peter Thomson's designs. I love the work of Charlie Hansen. I think Ayre makes some of the best VFM Amplifiers [electronics] around. BHAGWAN69

Have to agree here Bhagwan69: these days Ayre's gear is sounding dynamite. Charlie Hansen seems to have come into his own using excellent techniques for s.s. gear. His stuff is expensive in the US & might be out-of-reach in India. Maybe that's why he isn't thinking of India right now?

Prithvi schrieb:

Yes I was trying for Plinius, but they decided to give it to a bigger company like soundsmiths that already has many brands for distribution. THey just signed up at the Munich show. Anyhow as I already represent Soundsmiths for their products, I will naturally represent Plinius(as a dealer) from Soundsmiths. Great that it went to Soundsmiths. Guys money talks As soon as Soundsmiths gets Plinius stock, I should be able to give a demo. Till then we all have to wait.

Understood Prithvi. Can you please clarify what's the deal between Soundsmiths and Absolute Phase? Is Absolute phase an official dealer of Plinius? As far as I know the products flow through the channel below.

Manufacturer->Distributor->Dealer->Customer

I am trying to understand where Absolute Phase fits in this channel. Or is there a new link to the chain above?

Manufacturer->Distributor->Dealer->Customer

Manufacturer = Plinius [without PT]

Distributor = The Sound Smiths [Aditya Gupta]

Dealer = Absolute Phase [Prithvi Ved Pathak]

Customer = God Knows ?????

This seems to be the arrangement.

bhagwan69 schrieb:

Manufacturer->Distributor->Dealer->Customer Distributor = The Sound Smiths [Aditya Gupta] Dealer = Absolute Phase [Prithvi Ved Pathak] This seems to be the arrangement.

I totally disagree. Will Plinius oficially state that Absolute Phase is their dealer and Soundsmiths is their distributor? Are they certified dealers and distributors?

I have serious doubts about Absolute Phase being a dealer. It does seem more like a commissioned agent (read "dalaal"). If otherwise, can it be proven?

To the best of my knowledge,Plinius does not have an official distributor in India and never had one.From what I gather, Soundsmiths has changed that equation in the Munich 2006.
However some pieces have sold in the country in the past,and as Daredevil correctly said,it must be commission basis dealings all the way(read Dalal).If Soundsmiths has become official distributors for the brand, as I said good move and best luck.
Deaf

Thanks for the response deaf. I am waiting to hear from Prithvi about the connection between Absolute Phase and Plinius.

As long as I get a bill and a Plinius warrantly when I buy from Plinius, SS or Absolute Phase, as a customer i am satisfied. All 3 will give me that.
Jeeves

As long as I get a bill and a Plinius warrantly when I buy from Plinius, SS or Absolute Phase, as a customer i am satisfied. All 3 will give me that. Jeeves

I TOTALLY agree with you, Jeeves.

However I would like to add 1 more item of support:

'In house demo'

I am waiting to hear from Prithvi about the connection between Absolute Phase and Plinius.

Why are you so specific about these details?

Yes Amp Nut.
I understand Absolute sound is getting stocks of Plinius shortly for auditions.
Jeeves

Jeeves schrieb:

As long as I get a bill and a Plinius warrantly when I buy from Plinius, SS or Absolute Phase, as a customer i am satisfied. All 3 will give me that. Jeeves

What will you do with a warranty my dear friend without a dealership or a service center? Will a bill and a warranty guarantee you service too? What if you end up shipping your product elsewhere for servicing/repair? Try enquiring about the shipping costs and entry taxes in and out of Bangalore that you will have to shell out without a dealer or service center.

buzzer schrieb:

Why are you so specific about these details?

Because Absolute Phase deals in Plinius and I want to understand how. Is there any harm in asking for transparency?

Because Absolute Phase deals in Plinius and I want to understand how. Is there any harm in asking for transparency?

Not at all! Infact they should've written back to you by now and clarified details.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

I TOTALLY agree with you, Jeeves. However I would like to add 1 more item of support: 'In house demo'

What do you mean by in-house demo? Demo in your house or a demo in a garage?

Well I assume that when in warranty I have no hassles.
Also talking specifically about Absolute Phase, I trust them implicitly and have never had any problems for the last 12 years.
Prithvi has gone the last mile whenever needed.
Jeeves

buzzer schrieb:

Not at all! Infact they should've written back to you by now and clarified details.

Please see Prithvi's response to this post. It is obvious that Absolute Phase deals in Plinius. "Deals in" does not mean dealership and that's precisely what I want to know - How is Absolute Phase linked to Plinius if not as a dealer?

What do you mean by in-house demo? Demo in your house or a demo in a garage?

What do you mean by demo in garage.. I never knew audio is sold in garages in India.

Jeeves schrieb:

Well I assume that when in warranty I have no hassles. Also talking specifically about Absolute Phase, I trust them implicitly and have never had any problems for the last 12 years. Prithvi has gone the last mile whenever needed. Jeeves

Can you confirm your assumption with Absolute Phase? If your assumption is right, Absolute Phase should pay for shipping back and forth and repairing costs anywhere in India or world for repair of the product - am I right?

Secondly, I am not concerned about your experience. All I am asking is transparency of the connection between Absolute Phase and Plinius. Is that too much to ask? Yes, if I get a good deal from a grey market vendor over and over again, I will trust the grey market vendor. But atleast I would know from the outset that I am going to a grey market vendor and that there are inherent risks and that I am prepared for the same. The risks could be very similar to your assumption that there would be no problems during warranty. What if your assumption is incorrect?

All I am asking for is if Absolute Phase is a dealer of Plinius or not. If not, then what is the connection and what kind of services are expected. What's the problem in stating the same in black and white?

buzzer schrieb:

What do you mean by demo in garage.. I never knew audio is sold in garages in India.

Precisely. Check Absolute Phase for details. Is that a set-up that can be termed as a dealership?

Precisely. Check Absolute Phase for details. Is that a set-up that can be termed as a dealership?

Gosh! Now tell me is Absolute Phase a branch of Sound Smith run by Prithvi.

Tell me clearly is Prithvi incharge of Sound Smith or Absolute sound?

buzzer schrieb:

I am waiting to hear from Prithvi about the connection between Absolute Phase and Plinius. Why are you so specific about these details?

If I am not wrong, in an earlier post Dare Devil tried to bash Prithvi...(I don't know whether his allegation was valid or not)...He is probably trying that again

buzzer schrieb:

Gosh! Now tell me is Absolute Phase a branch of Sound Smith run by Prithvi. Tell me clearly is Prithvi incharge of Sound Smith or Absolute sound?

As far as I know there is no dealer/distributor relationship between Absolute Phase (not sound) and Soundshiths. They are two different entities. Prithvi is in charge of Absolute Phase and I am interested to know in what capacity is he marketing or selling Plinius products. I am also interested to know how is he assuring after sales service even during warranty. A dealership would have a service center too. Does Absolute Phase have any?

Dare_Devil schrieb:

Please see Prithvi's response to this post. It is obvious that Absolute Phase deals in Plinius. "Deals in" does not mean dealership and that's precisely what I want to know - How is Absolute Phase linked to Plinius if not as a dealer?

When I see Prithvi's post...

Prithvi schrieb:

I will naturally represent Plinius(as a dealer) from Soundsmiths.

Isn't he being clear enough??

diskspinner schrieb:

If I am not wrong, in an earlier post Dare Devil tried to bash Prithvi...(I don't know whether his allegation was valid or not)...He is probably trying that again :L

This is an allegation. Show me where I am trying to bash Prithvi here. Please cite example of the same in this particular post to justify your stance. I am asking a very simple question "In what capacity are Plinius and Absolute Phase liked?". I want transparency.

If you can't justify your stance, please refrain from making false allegations and accusations. I will appreciate if you keep your personal attacks to yourself. We are discussing an issue here and not an individual; prefer you keep your focus that way.

Shahrukh schrieb:

When I see Prithvi's post... Prithvi schrieb: I will naturally represent Plinius(as a dealer) from Soundsmiths. Isn't he being clear enough?? :?

If I say I am a dealer of BMW, will you trust me and take me at face value? If you go to any manufacturer's website, you will find the lists and contacts of all their dealers and distributors. Please show me the same for Absolute Phase on Plinius website.

abhi.pani schrieb:

:? :?

What does this mean? Are you confused? If so, so am I.

I think finally it is upto who trusts a particular dealer or doesn't.If a client is happy with a dealer's service,whatever the product,he will buy it from him.The warranty is upheld by the manufacturer, and if the product gets bad then the distrubutor will have to take care of it via his abilities, the dealer ain't doing jack.So I don't think it matters whether Prithvi has a service centre or not.As far as Plinius goes, Soundsmiths takes care of the warranty if they are the didtributors.As far as their servicing goes, they have a guy in place for servicing.Hence I see no issues as far as warranties go.Garage sales or not.Daredevil how does it matter if he does demos in his loo using the pot for a sub,as long as he is doing business and there are people who trust him, good for him.If you have issues with him, dude see the PM as an option and sort it out.Lastly if you disagree with the above option,then I think you must set an example and exercise transperency first, and tell us of your bad experiences forthwith, instead of raising questions for which none of us have answers.Are you in the market for a Plinius? If yes, get a quote from him or Soundsmiths,if it suits you buy it,after clarifying warranty related topics;if not, how does this whole issue matter, forget it and bury it.
Deaf.

Dare_Devil schrieb:

If I say I am a dealer of BMW, will you trust me and take me at face value?

No, I probably won't.

That said, if I knew you dealt in Mercs, Hondas and Skodas and THEN you told me you were a dealer of BMW, I'd believe you. And if you're selling them openly and honestly without any hush hush, I'd believe you even more.

DD, you seem to have burned your fingers on some purchases earlier. I understand you're trying to caution the forum members, but lets avoid getting petty here, my friend. You should sort out ur troubles privately or if there is a SPECIFIC case, tell us about it so that we avoid making the mistakes you made. Hope you understand.

Dare Devil said: What do you mean by in-house demo? Demo in your house or a demo in a garage?

A piece of stereo equipment's sound depends on:

1. Other equipment it is partnered with.

2. The room acoustics where it is auditioned.

Hence a piece of stereo / Home Theatre equipment may sound RATHER different in your house / room where it will operate, than at the dealer's demo room.

THAT is what I meant...


Garage ? I dont know about that, but I did read an article that suggested listning to equipment in a BATHROOM. The VERY Acoustically hard environment, according to the article, provides an opportunity to listen to equipment without damping of certain parts of the spectrum, as is usual in a living room / bedroom where the stereo resides.

If you can make a case for demoing in the garage, ... do post

deaf schrieb:

I think finally it is upto who trusts a particular dealer or doesn't.If a client is happy with a dealer's service,whatever the product,he will buy it from him.The warranty is upheld by the manufacturer, and if the product gets bad then the distrubutor will have to take care of it via his abilities, the dealer ain't doing jack.So I don't think it matters whether Prithvi has a service centre or not.As far as Plinius goes, Soundsmiths takes care of the warranty if they are the didtributors.As far as their servicing goes, they have a guy in place for servicing.Hence I see no issues as far as warranties go.Garage sales or not.Daredevil how does it matter if he does demos in his loo using the pot for a sub,as long as he is doing business and there are people who trust him, good for him.If you have issues with him, dude see the PM as an option and sort it out.Lastly if you disagree with the above option,then I think you must set an example and exercise transperency first, and tell us of your bad experiences forthwith, instead of raising questions for which none of us have answers.Are you in the market for a Plinius? If yes, get a quote from him or Soundsmiths,if it suits you buy it,after clarifying warranty related topics;if not, how does this whole issue matter, forget it and bury it. Deaf.

I think this kind of attitude that is responsible for the lack of transparency. With your response, I am not sure what stake do you have to take it personally. Whether I am interested in Plinius or not, as a member of the forum, I am interested to know the dealership network of the product. I had wanted transparency on the following.

1) Is Absolute Phase (AP) a dealer of Plinius?
2) If so, does AP have a showroom and a service center?
3) If AP demos, markets and sells Plinius products, what kind of after sales does it provide during and after warranty?

I have never seen a dealer having a showroom in a garage and hence the question to clarify the authenticity of dealership. Why PM about the same when transparency is expected of a dealer. And I am not interested to look for a dealer in a loo with pot as a sub. You may be and that speaks volumes of the quality of products and dealership you are looking at. Sorry for the language, but you don't leave me an option otherwise. Please refrain from taking this issue personally. As I have stated several times earlier, I am interested to know things black and white (transparency). If you do not have an answer, please keep quiet; atleast do not post such nonsense responses which do not have anything to do with the questions asked.

As far as my being transparent, this post was not even meant to share any bad experience. It was started just to have transparency about the Plinius dealership. What made you think that I was not being transparent by not sharing my bad experience? On the contrary, why don't you be transparent and tell us in the forum what problems you have if I ask for transparency of the dealership? Are you a self-acclaimed dealer as well like Absolute Phase with nothing to substantiate, validate and authenticate your claims and conning customers into believing you to be a genuine dealer?

Your post assumes AP to be a genuine dealer. Can you prove it? If so, I will shut my mouth; If not, can you please?

Shahrukh schrieb:

No, I probably won't. That said, if I knew you dealt in Mercs, Hondas and Skodas and THEN you told me you were a dealer of BMW, I'd believe you. And if you're selling them openly and honestly without any hush hush, I'd believe you even more. DD, you seem to have burned your fingers on some purchases earlier. I understand you're trying to caution the forum members, but lets avoid getting petty here, my friend. You should sort out ur troubles privately or if there is a SPECIFIC case, tell us about it so that we avoid making the mistakes you made. Hope you understand.

You are mistaken my dear friend. I am not getting petty here. You just mentioned that a dealer selling products openly, honestly and without any hush hush should be trusted. My very question is "Which Dealer"? I don't think Absolute Phase is a dealer of Plinius as claimed in this forum. If AP is, it needs to be validated. If not, the claim is false and untrustworthy. That's my point of contention.

I do not know why there is so much of resistance in this forum towards transparency. Moreover, I did not know there would be so much resistance towards transparency.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

A piece of stereo equipment's sound depends on: 1. Other equipment it is partnered with. 2. The room acoustics where it is auditioned. Hence a piece of stereo / Home Theatre equipment may sound RATHER different in your house / room where it will operate, than at the dealer's demo room. THAT is what I meant... Garage ? I dont know about that, but I did read an article that suggested listning to equipment in a BATHROOM. The VERY Acoustically hard environment, according to the article, provides an opportunity to listen to equipment without damping of certain parts of the spectrum, as is usual in a living room / bedroom where the stereo resides. If you can make a case for demoing in the garage, ... do post :D

Thanks for the clarification. The case of garage demo is already there; I don't have a problem with that. However, should a genuine Plinius dealer have a showroom or a demo in a garage?

Dare Devil,

First of all let me proclaim that I have NO shared interest with Plinus, Prithvi or Soundsmiths.

I live, and always have lived in Mumbai, so I am NOT Prithvi's customer.

I am interested to know things black and white (transparency)

The Plinus - Soundsmiths alliance has apparently been forged only recently, at the German Hi Fi Show.

The official paperwork may not yet be in place, and that is the reason, I suspect that Soundsmith has refrained from making a difinitive statement.

In Hi Fi circles, I have often seen even companies switch loyalties and make a COMPLETE turn around, when the paper work is not done, and someone else wags a Larger carrot.

Often, the larger offer, does not materialise, and all parties...., Including the end customer loose out.

Very clever Daredevil.Now my turn
A)Why are you so interested in knowing about the Plinius network if you are not interested in the product?
B)How does it serve your interest by raising this issue of tranparency with regards to Plinius and AP?
C)This forum allows me to speak what I can prove.Prithvi is an authentic dealer and Jacob George of Rethm told me so.I have spoken to Linn and they comfirm him as a Linn trained dealer.As far as Plinius goes, he said he will become the dealer once stocks are in.
D)As far as servicing goes please read my post more carefully.
E)If you are in the market for a Plinius product, please give Prithvi a call and ask him your question no3)to satisfy your query if he does not post his response.
As far as garages and audio go, let me tell you that some of the greatest audio businesses, whether it be manufacturing, designing, or dealerships,they have begun their humble roots in garages.So please do not make these kind of remarks again, as you also insult some of the greatest audio minds and businessmen in doing so.
Finally I still haven't understood why you raise this topic after Plinius has seemingly gone to Soundsmiths for distribution.Is there some angle you would transparently like to share with us.
Deaf.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Dare Devil, First of all let me proclaim that I have NO shared interest with Plinus, Prithvi or Soundsmiths. I live, and always have lived in Mumbai, so I am NOT Prithvi's customer. The Plinus - Soundsmiths alliance has apparently been forged only recently, at the German Hi Fi Show. The official paperwork may not yet be in place, and that is the reason, I suspect that Soundsmith has refrained from making a difinitive statement. In Hi Fi circles, I have often seen even companies switch loyalties and make a COMPLETE turn around, when the paper work is not done, and someone else wags a Larger carrot. Often, the larger offer, does not materialise, and all parties...., Including the end customer loose out.

OK, the Plinius-Soundsmiths alliance may be recent and the documentation may be underway. How about the Pliius - Absolute Phase alliance? How and when did AP become a dealer as claimed earlier in the post?

AP is already a dealer in Bangalore for Soundsmiths(SS)a distributor,so once SS distributes Plinius,AP will become a Plinius dealer.Simple.
There is no direct AP-Plinius alliance.Bhagwan puts it so simplisticly in his post.
Deaf.

I guess if the Distributor-ship is not formalised..... the disty cant official say he has appointed a dealer ... Right ?

In a peverse way, it reminds me of what Malvika Singhvi wrote about Woody Allen being accused of sleeping with his 'daughter', a Korean girl adopted by Mia Farrow, whom Woody Allen was living with, but not married to....

It went something like this:

Accused of sleeping with a girl who was not his daughter, by a woman, who is not his wife.... So Where Is The Incest ?

deaf schrieb:

Very clever Daredevil.Now my turn A)Why are you so interested in knowing about the Plinius network if you are not interested in the product?

Interest in a product does not necessarily mean buying. I am sure you don't own or buy all the products you discuss about in this forum.

deaf schrieb:

B)How does it serve your interest by raising this issue of tranparency with regards to Plinius and AP?

How does it hurt anybody's interest to be transparent?

deaf schrieb:

C)This forum allows me to speak what I can prove.Prithvi is an authentic dealer and Jacob George of Rethm told me so.I have spoken to Linn and they comfirm him as a Linn trained dealer.As far as Plinius goes, he said he will become the dealer once stocks are in.

Let's wait and watch. Saying does not make anyone a dealer. Prithvi has been saying for quite sometime (few months) that he is getting Plinius dealership/distributorship since last few months. But the reality is that the dealership went to Soundsmiths.

deaf schrieb:

D)As far as servicing goes please read my post more carefully.

I have read it and I don't believe it. Without a manufacturer certified dealership and service center, even a trained personnel cannot claim to do a servicing that will be approved by the manufacturer. neither the warranty will hold good if a non certified personnel opens a machine.

deaf schrieb:

E)If you are in the market for a Plinius product, please give Prithvi a call and ask him your question no3)to satisfy your query if he does not post his response.

Will do so only if Plinius certifies Absolute Phase as a dealer and I plan to buy a Plinius.

deaf schrieb:

As far as garages and audio go, let me tell you that some of the greatest audio businesses, whether it be manufacturing, designing, or dealerships,they have begun their humble roots in garages.So please do not make these kind of remarks again, as you also insult some of the greatest audio minds and businessmen in doing so.

I respect all the great geniuses who have done so. Please prove that Plinius has its dealership in Absolute Phase garage. I will respect it too. Without being a dealer and claiming to be so is falsehood.

deaf schrieb:

Finally I still haven't understood why you raise this topic after Plinius has seemingly gone to Soundsmiths for distribution.Is there some angle you would transparently like to share with us. Deaf.

Yes, the transparent angle should be the authenticity of Plinius dealership as claimed by Absolute Phase.

Am I being transparent enough if I say Deaf's name is Kushroo. He knows Prithvi very well since a long time ago. Kushroo was a dealer for Cadence in Bombay & Prithvi a dealer for Cadence in Bangalore

Good Night Guys.

Sleep over this.

the messages have been flying fast & furious.

I think, all sides of the argument have been ventilated.

Lets not insult our readers... they can draw their own conclusions from the TONs that have been said.

CHILL


Good Night... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

deaf schrieb:

AP is already a dealer in Bangalore for Soundsmiths(SS)a distributor,so once SS distributes Plinius,AP will become a Plinius dealer.Simple. There is no direct AP-Plinius alliance.Bhagwan puts it so simplisticly in his post. Deaf.

Simple question - "Does Plinius acknowledge this alliance?" If not, it is fake and meant to dupe. If yes, prove it. Bhagwan or deaf cannot award dealership to AP; Plinius can. So claims other than that of Plinius are null and void.

Dare_Devil schrieb:

How about the Pliius - Absolute Phase alliance?

Sir,

As far as I know the dealer has a relationship with the distributor. Not with the manufacturer. Hence, this omits a Plinius - Absolute Phase alliance. It's purely a relationship between SoundSmiths and AP.

Dare_Devil schrieb:

Am I being transparent enough if I say Deaf's name is Kushroo. He knows Prithvi very well since a long time ago. Kushroo was a dealer for Cadence in Bombay & Prithvi a dealer for Cadence in Bangalore

So?

Sure you are correct, and everybody on the mumbai forum knows this.Pritvi and I worked for Cadence in different cities, but never did business together.But I know who you are too, and your entire history from your consultant to BPL days,through your construction material days,and your Danish driver days.I know why you raised this issue,want my transparency about you on the forum DareDevil?
Lots of wishes DD we all know who tou are, so please do not take us for fools.Prithvi works hard for his money just like you, so do not insult someone because you had a sour deal with him in the past,when apperently his garage seemed good enough for you to do business from for selling Plinius.
Deaf.

Shahrukh schrieb:

Sir, As far as I know the dealer has a relationship with the distributor. Not with the manufacturer. Hence, this omits a Plinius - Absolute Phase alliance. It's purely a relationship between SoundSmiths and AP.

Check this out http://www.pliniusaudio.com/availability/index.asp

Plinius has listed all its worldwide dealers and distributors. So the statement that dealers do not have a relationship with the manufacturer is not true. With Plinus listing all its dealers, it makes all the more compelling reason to know the Plinius - Absolute Phase alliance.