CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

The very short version of the story goes like this.

Mark Schifter (president of AV123) is accused of stealing money from raffles held on his forum for charities (orphanages, ill forum members, Red Cross for Katrina, etc.). Also he is accused of repeatedly taking money from customers for "pre-payment" and either not refunding they money or not delivering product as promised.

My entire theater is AV123 gear and I like it very much but if any of this is true it makes me very sick. I actually participated in a few raffles to the tune of $150 and would feel very bad if that money didn't go to the children's orphanage, fellow ill forum member, etc. Granted the original motivation for the raffles on my end was the speakers being raffled but the good cause made me do it three times.

Just today Mark has commented that the information has been handed to his attorney and he can't comment until the whole thing is figured out.

I know Paw hangs out over there but was curious if anyone was following the saga...pretty interesting to see what unfolds in the open forum.

Bucketfoot · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 698 Location: Centennial, CO

I'm one of the warped individuals who has followed along the whole saga. I too have participated in a couple of raffles and simply find it pathetic that any money would not end up where intended.

I love my rockets and would still look at buying used if I was in the market, but I will not do any direct business with AV123 until all of this drama is resolved.

drice1234 · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1309 Location: Allen, Texas

I have purchased a set of their speakers and have lately been receiving a bunch of e-mails advertising special pricing. They are starting to become the X-10 of speakers

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

The threads are all over the place!

AVS
TCA
AV123
Audioholics
Here (oopsy Embarassed

)

It is amazing what some people are claiming they have found out. They have contacted the Children's Ballet, Red Cross, etc. Someone said that they had contacted the Colorado Attorney General...and someone even mentioned the FBI.

Having a raffle through online forum for charity. Illegal but probably not frowned upon too much since it is hard to track and for a good cause.

Having a raffle through online forum for charity and stealing the money. Definitely illegal, unethical, immoral...etc.

The silence is understandable if there are attorney's involved but I must say this. Only the guilty are told to remain quiet by the lawyers. Those that are innocent usually keep saying it out loud over and over.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

paw · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1176 Location: Arvada, CO

I was away from AV123 forums for an extended period. Just got busy with other things. I popped in a couple of months ago to find almost all of the subforums closed. WOW! Strange! I dug a little deeper and found there had been a major coup. All of this chit floated to the top. I've never had anything but good experiences with AV123 and Mark. I was shocked and saddened. My first time meeting Mark was 2006 or 2007 GTG in Denver. He was so generous and gracious to his partners and employee. I even wrote him a letter letting him know how impressed I was. Just last year, Mark and I had lunch to discuss some business. Super nice guy. These things would have never crossed my mind. I found a posting from a former website owner who total trashed Mark. There were always issues with promising more than could be delievered but this was a whole other level. Mark just locked a thread that got nasty. He's been talking to lawyers and has been advised not to say anything.

Would I buy more AV123 stuff? Sure but it must be IN the warehouse. I'm close enough I just drive up there and pick it up. So, I'm at less of a risk. No speakers, no money.

Now, I think back to the Emotiva period, how it ended and wonder what else went on.

I think I did a couple of the early raffles.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Starting to branch out now...with its own website now!

http://dontschiftermebro.com/forum/index.php

**kal** · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:13 pm Post subject:

It's reasons like this that we never give money to charities through a third party (or people coming to the door). Always donate directly - and get a tax receipt!

Kal

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

I am not going to defend the guy, as I have no dog in this fight. I could see how this could happen. Depending on his circumstance, it could be either greed or he may not make that much money from the business. It does suck, because from every thing I have ever heard the product is very good. IIRC he bought all of the Aircircs a year or two ago to put into a new speaker. The Aircirc is considered one of the best tweeters on the market, so he seemed to be trying to make speakers with quality components.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

The latest...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1230591

[thanks bucketfoot!]

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Holy crap...I just received an email from the Colorado State Attorney General's Office.

A victim impact statement.

I need to call the office to make sure it is legit but they want me to fill out how the crime has affected me financially, physically and emotionally.

This sh*t just got real.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:52 pm Post subject:

I'm hoping this thread won't grow legs here.

I know nothing about av123, but from skimming this, there could be a few possibilities. I won't even list them, but since we here have nothing to do with their products, factual posts here are fine, but hearsay on this thread will be deleted.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Understandable. Delete or close the thread if you like. We wouldn't want this site to get involved in anything.

[But it's not like we haven't bad mouthed people before! Wink

]

I could put it in the club members forum...bet then NO ONE would see it. Twisted Evil

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:04 pm Post subject:

No, people being aware of bad things is good, but the company appears to be gone.

One day I'll post something that I have personal knowledge of, it doesn't involve me directly, but I ended up with first hand info about how some nasty rumors can get spread, causing the implosion of a company. Again, it has nothing to do with me or electronics, but it sure has made me leery about jumping on any bandwagon that slams any one person or any company, despite what internet posts look like.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

I don't know why but I am getting very frustrated by people who are claiming now that they can't be "bothered" to fill out the form and submit it to the AG.

I know there is something to be said for willingness to forgive. But I feel like if you do the crime you should do the time.

How would not submitting the form and letting him get a free pass help him get set straight?!