Disappointed in MCM

[WayneN]

I just received my order of 10 of the 55-1855 woofers from MCM and 5 of them are bent downward along the top frame between the screw holes. I sent emails and tried to call I guess they don’t care about their customers.

The rubber and cone look ok, what is the best way to straighten the pin cushion frames?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

WayneN

[MSaturn]

If the damage is slight and truly cosmetic, AND involves a bend:

you might try a table vice, PADDED with a thick cloth. Gently bend back the frame, being extremely careful not to bend something else!

[WayneN]

Thanks MSaturn
I will keep that in mind.

I added a couple of pictures of 3 of them so everyone can see what I am up against!

WayneN

[depthsounder]

I have had the same exact damage in a shipment from MCM, but with the 55-1870 woofers. They really need to work on their packaging for their woofers.

When I called, they were extremely helpful and promptly sent me replacement woofers (2 in my case), they even let me keep the damaged ones.

Of course a recent parts-express order I placed came with 2 out of 4 woofers damaged too, and they were cast frames! The little cardboard sleeves that PE packs them in don't constrain the woofers well, and two of mine had slid out of one end of the sleeve, and got squashed. PE also responded with quick shipment of replacement woofers, but I had to send back the damaged ones.

-David

[WayneN]

Thanks David

I will have to call again tomorrow, I don’t want to have to pay the shipping from where I am in Alberta if they require them back, the shipping will cost almost as much as the woofers

WayneN

[critofur]

What happens if you screw them down onto a baffle, would that straighten them out?

Was it due to poor packaging more than rough handling by the shipper, you think?

I've seen UPS do serious damage to very well packaged items before - one time, my friend's PC that he shipped had the screws RIPPED out of the CD-ROM they were so rough, incredible.

Anyway, sorry to hear that, particularly if it causes your project to be delayed. I've had better luck with my orders from MCM so far, but then again, I live in the same state (Ohio)

[WayneN]

Hi Critofur,

When I placed my order I specified that I wanted USPS and no other shipping company, MCM shipped as I requested the box came via Canada Post and it was in excellent shape, no buckles, no crunched corners, the surprise was inside?
I just don’t know? It doesn’t make sense for them to be damaged like that?
Maybe the person packing them put them in that way

WayneN

[Ryan_M]

I don't think there's any way they'd get banged enough to bend metal frames and not have the box damaged, either from internal or external forces. I'd have to assume they were packed that way. I've had a few drivers shipped to me from state side too and they've been perfect even though the box had the usual wear and tear.

I have ordered some stuff from MCM and all was OK but none of it was speakers. I'd bee all over them over this one, and I'd think they'd be on the hook for the shipping charges too since I think they were packed that way.

[gc1]

I ordered a box of 18 drivers from MCM not long ago... all was fine with them, but UPS slammed it about real good. The driver even threw the box up on his shoulder while bringing it to me... UPS acts as if they're delivering sacks of potatoes or something.
Some time back, I ordered two boxes of [4] 12" woofers from PE... UPS smashed 'n' crashed them... ended up getting another box of 4 sent, of which I was able to pick the 12 least damaged from. So 4 went back, and one I kept was also slightly damaged. No fault of MCM or PE... just UPS!!!

btw... I have had a couple problems with larger midwoofers/woofers from PE, ebay, etc... and that's when they stack one woofer one top of another... the box getting slammed by the shipper can cause warped baskets/frames...

[WayneN]

Ryan

I tend to agree with you in that they may have been packed that way? I have added a few more pictures of right when I received the box. I work in the IT Department for a school board and we get many parcels everyday and I have gotten into the habit of documenting shipments because of RMA issues and Insurance claims so I guess I take my work practices home with me.

WayneN

[WayneN]

gc1

I never thought of that, if you look at the picture of the box, the 6 woofers were stacked on top of the other woofers in the bottom layer. So maybe force from slamming the box down could have caused the warped baskets/frames? But then the box was in such nice shape and I try and use USPS and Canada Post for all my shipping, I have never had an issue from either one before, I guess they have pride in their work and don’t treat everything like a sack of potatoes

Hopefully I can talk to someone at MCM tomorrow and get this straightened out.
This is going to be my first build and it sure would be nice to have things go right!

WayneN

[Æ]

I experienced something similar with four 5.25 inch woofers I purchased from Electronic Goldmine. I set the woofers face down on my workbench and used a rubber hammer to straighten out the bent frames. Carefully.
If the frames are really bent, hang the bent part of the frames over the edge of your table, then work it with your hammer.

I just received my order of 10 of the 55-1855 woofers from MCM and 5 of them are bent downward along the top frame between the screw holes. I sent emails and tried to call I guess they don’t care about their customers.

The rubber and cone look ok, what is the best way to straighten the pin cushion frames?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

WayneN

[jonpike]

Yep, shipping damage always sucks. And seems to happen way too often...

Just got a big, real toolchest (Sears Craftsman 5 upper 5 lower drawers) to help with my "reclaim my garage" project... got it shipped because it was free, and none of the local stores had the bottom roller.. both boxes were damaged and the upper box wasn't SQUARE anymore!! Top cover was mashed down on it.. I have no idea what they did. Went to the local Sears to hand it over for an exchange... I've had large woofers tweeked to the point the voice coils were rubbing, etc... I can feel your pain...

Anyway, the rubber hammer idea could work... I had a picture in my mind similar to that, maybe make a driver hole in a piece of scrap, surface mount style, and use that as an 'anvil' form to try straightening efforts... screwing, pressing with a flat board, or maybe even that hammer...

OTOH, I'd think if you got to talk to someone at MCM, they'd happily replace them.

[gc1]

gc1

I never thought of that, if you look at the picture of the box, the 6 woofers were stacked on top of the other woofers in the bottom layer. So maybe force from slamming the box down could have caused the warped baskets/frames? But then the box was in such nice shape and I try and use USPS and Canada Post for all my shipping, I have never had an issue from either one before, I guess they have pride in their work and don’t treat everything like a sack of potatoes

Hopefully I can talk to someone at MCM tomorrow and get this straightened out.
This is going to be my first build and it sure would be nice to have things go right!

WayneN

Bingo... I've seen woofers packed/shipped most every way, except the way that would be best; magnet down, and single layered!! Maybe for large orders, several more boxes would be used, but it would cut-down on most of the hassle. Smaller drivers are fine for 2 layers, but not large/heavy magnets seen on most woofers over 8".
I'm sure between MCM and the shipper, it'll get straightened out... just don't let 'em bugger ya around!!
btw... on both of my most recent drivers to be bent, came in boxes that looked near perfect... it almost seemed as if someone picked it up 'n' dropped it on a concrete floor just for the hell-of-it... who knows!!

[critofur]

I've never seen a shipping company as rough as UPS, but, maybe they've gotten a little better over the past couple years? I haven't seen so much damage recently.

But yeah, I would think you should be fine, when you ask for USPS. Well, we'll see what they say on Monday?

[MSaturn]

From the looks of it, vice'll still work.

Rubber mallet will too, but they're cheap woofers so I'm assuming they're fragile.

[cole1]

WTF! I'm a homicide detective and from the evidence I say they were packed that way. I'm sure the DA would sign the warrant on this one. Bad MCM worker.

[djg]

I've received some very poorly packed stuff from MCM. In my experience, MCM is worst, PE okay, Madisound always well packed.

[fish-24_7]

btw... on both of my most recent drivers to be bent, came in boxes that looked near perfect... it almost seemed as if someone picked it up 'n' dropped it on a concrete floor just for the hell-of-it... who knows!! "HiFi doesn't come in bits and pieces"

Your signature is cracking me up. Never have I seen a signature so appropriate to a particular thread. Great irony.

[ocool_15]

I would suggest seeking replacements first before trying to fix them as they may wan't the returns to show the damage.

The best way I found is to use a regular quick grip. Place the driver magnet down in a vice/clamp. Use another quick grip on the damaged edge and use the length as a lever. It gives you alot more control then a mallet. You may want to wrap in the surface in paper to protect the paint. Use some thin mdf/board on the back to pull more of the frame and conform better to the round shape.