Buyer Beware: Becker AutoSound LLC

[Tom]

I recently bought a 'rebuilt' Hirschmann power antenna from Becker Auto Sound LLC in New Jersey. These antennas were used in the 70's and 80's with Porsches, Mercedes, and other West German cars. Becker Auto Sound makes reference to being 'authorized and certified' to repair old Becker radios, but their actual affiliation with the old Harman Becker company, if any, is a mystery to me.

The antenna is listed on their website as a rebuilt unit, with a $50 core if you return your broken original. The link takes you to their eBay store to "Buy it Now." So I bought it. When I got it, it did not work and showed no signs of being 'rebuilt.' I figured there must be a mistake -- someone must have mistakenly send me a core -- so after pestering them for a few days, they agreed to send a replacement. Just got the replacement yesterday and I'd say it's even worse (and also does not work). I had asked how to return the old one, but they never responded, so I currently have two old non-functional antennas for $300 plus $56 (!) shipping. Their communications are slow and cryptic, and when I called them previously they told me to work it out through the eBay system (pursuant to which, to date, I've received 2 messages totaling 11 words). So I'm irked at best, and thought I'd warn my Porsche brethren in case you're tempted to use their services.

Here is an excerpt from the FTC regulations defining what 'rebuilt' means in the context of auto parts, and below that are picture of the non-functional antennas these guys advertise as 'rebuilt' units. You be the judge....

16 CFR §20.3: It is unfair or deceptive to use the word “Rebuilt,” or any word of similar import, to describe an industry product which, since it was last subjected to any use, has not been dismantled and reconstructed as necessary, all of its internal and external parts cleaned and made rust and corrosion free, all impaired, defective or substantially worn parts restored to a sound condition or replaced with new, rebuilt (in accord with the provisions of this paragraph) or unimpaired used parts, all missing parts replaced with new, rebuilt or unimpaired used parts, and such rewinding or machining and other operations performed as are necessary to put the industry product in sound working condition.

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[Larry C]

I recently bought a 'rebuilt' Hirschmann power antenna from Becker Auto Sound LLC in New Jersey. These antennas were used in the 70's and 80's with Porsches, Mercedes, and other West German cars. Becker Auto Sound makes reference to being 'authorized and certified' to repair old Becker radios, but their actual affiliation with the old Harman Becker company, if any, is a mystery to me.

The antenna is listed on their website as a rebuilt unit, with a $50 core if you return your broken original. The link takes you to their eBay store to "Buy it Now." So I bought it. When I got it, it did not work and showed no signs of being 'rebuilt.' I figured there must be a mistake -- someone must have mistakenly send me a core -- so after pestering them for a few days, they agreed to send a replacement. Just got the replacement yesterday and I'd say it's even worse (and also does not work). I had asked how to return the old one, but they never responded, so I currently have two old non-functional antennas for $300 plus $56 (!) shipping. Their communications are slow and cryptic, and when I called them previously they told me to work it out through the eBay system (pursuant to which, to date, I've received 2 messages totaling 11 words). So I'm irked at best, and thought I'd warn my Porsche brethren in case you're tempted to use their services.

Here is an excerpt from the FTC regulations defining what 'rebuilt' means in the context of auto parts, and below that are picture of the non-functional antennas these guys advertise as 'rebuilt' units. You be the judge....

16 CFR §20.3: It is unfair or deceptive to use the word “Rebuilt,” or any word of similar import, to describe an industry product which, since it was last subjected to any use, has not been dismantled and reconstructed as necessary, all of its internal and external parts cleaned and made rust and corrosion free, all impaired, defective or substantially worn parts restored to a sound condition or replaced with new, rebuilt (in accord with the provisions of this paragraph) or unimpaired used parts, all missing parts replaced with new, rebuilt or unimpaired used parts, and such rewinding or machining and other operations performed as are necessary to put the industry product in sound working condition.



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Tom,
Did you file a dispute with your credit card company? I think they’ll err in your favor.

[Tom]

I'll start by asking Becker for a full refund, shipping and all. If they push back, I'll file for PayPal buyer protection and call my card issuer. They were so indifferent about sending a second unit, I'm kind of thinking they'll just process a return without comment, apology or return shipping label, but time will tell. In the meantime, I have two used antennas for $356, which is about what you'd pay for 2 old used ones on eBay...

[Tom]

In fairness to Becker, I was able to get the replacement to work -- or at least show enough signs of life to make me think it will work. May have been dirty connectors not supplying enough juice. Still, they are selling these things as 'rebuilt' and I think the pictures speak for themselves...

[notny41]

I don't see anything in those pictures that would lead me to believe they did anything to them...

They look to have different screws in them between the two as well... One phillips and one slotted.

[walleyworldorbust]

Surprising to see these guys turn out work like this... when Becker Automotive Systems of Upper Saddle River NJ was purchased by Harmon sometime in the late 2000's/ early 10's (can't remember exactly), they took over sales and repair of all things Becker. Before the transition, we were a dealer for Becker aftermarket radios and CD changers and sold a ton of Matsushita 6 disc changers that were modified to communicate Mercedes fiber optic D2B and MOST bus systems OE radios. They also had very nice (and expensive ) cassette and CD radios, amplifiers and speaker systems. Although I've not dealt with them in years, they were the go to guys. I wish them well.

David Shearer
Soundwerk Car Audio
N Richland HIlls, TX 76180
817-281-9381

[WillyDaP]

So, David one might think to ask a couple of things:
1. Do you have a guy to talk to at this company, that might still be there?
2. Is this something you do at your company?
3. So what model Porsche do you own and glad you found the site.

[Tom]

Surprising to see these guys turn out work like this... when Becker Automotive Systems of Upper Saddle River NJ was purchased by Harmon sometime in the late 2000's/ early 10's (can't remember exactly), they took over sales and repair of all things Becker. Before the transition, we were a dealer for Becker aftermarket radios and CD changers and sold a ton of Matsushita 6 disc changers that were modified to communicate Mercedes fiber optic D2B and MOST bus systems OE radios. They also had very nice (and expensive ) cassette and CD radios, amplifiers and speaker systems. Although I've not dealt with them in years, they were the go to guys. I wish them well.

David Shearer
Soundwerk Car Audio
N Richland HIlls, TX 76180
817-281-9381

Thanks for the extra background. If you poke around on the Mercedes forums, these guys get mixed reviews, with most people saying their work is good but their customer relations, timing, and communications are ok at best. My suspicion is that the eBay sales are kind of a separate and detached part of the business. When I called about the antenna, it was like I had called the wrong business and they told me I had to take it up through the eBay system. That's no excuse for advertising and selling pic-n-pull parts as 'rebuilt' -- or being associated with those who are doing that under their banner -- but their core business might be better. They lost me though. I ended up having my Becker Mexico rebuilt at a place in Silicon Valley called Short Circuit Repair. They did a great job on radio and tape deck, even if it took a lot longer than they had estimated.

[RobisonService]

Good morning,
I'm John Robison. I run Robison Service, a Porsche and European service and restoration facility in Springfield MA. I have used Becker Auto Sound in New Jersey for many years, and we probably buy half a dozen of their radios every year, in addition to fixing some number of others. I saw the review about the Hirschmann antenna and thought I might chime in.

These are old antennas and old radios. I depend on Tom to give us working and correct radios for cars from the 1950s into the 1980s, and I count on them to do it. They add Bluetooth, which many clients love, and modify amplifiers and outputs to suit unique situations.

In the thread people talk about what rebuilt means, and in the case of radios and antennas, my experience is that they make things work, and they stand behind them. There are no parts for a real rebuilding operation anymore. For example, I have been waiting two months for a certain model of Becker Gran Prix, and I can't get it because they are not getting any units turned in with good displays. There are no new displays and when there are no good one left in the world . . . they do the best they can

Those Hirschmann antennas are the same. Little plastic parts break, and you can't get them. Do we go to the trouble of 3D printing something or making a metal part on our CNC to allow repair of what was once a $75 antenna? Depends on how bad you want the fix. We work with them on stuff like that for special clients and generally have success.

For a problem with an old radio or antenna, don't use eBay. Call them and ask for Tom. You can even say I referred you.

We don't have many specialists we can count on for fixing old radios and gear, and these guys are worth some patience as they always come through for me.

[Tom]

Good morning,
I'm John Robison. I run Robison Service, a Porsche and European service and restoration facility in Springfield MA. I have used Becker Auto Sound in New Jersey for many years, and we probably buy half a dozen of their radios every year, in addition to fixing some number of others. I saw the review about the Hirschmann antenna and thought I might chime in.

These are old antennas and old radios. I depend on Tom to give us working and correct radios for cars from the 1950s into the 1980s, and I count on them to do it. They add Bluetooth, which many clients love, and modify amplifiers and outputs to suit unique situations.

In the thread people talk about what rebuilt means, and in the case of radios and antennas, my experience is that they make things work, and they stand behind them. There are no parts for a real rebuilding operation anymore. For example, I have been waiting two months for a certain model of Becker Gran Prix, and I can't get it because they are not getting any units turned in with good displays. There are no new displays and when there are no good one left in the world . . . they do the best they can

Those Hirschmann antennas are the same. Little plastic parts break, and you can't get them. Do we go to the trouble of 3D printing something or making a metal part on our CNC to allow repair of what was once a $75 antenna? Depends on how bad you want the fix. We work with them on stuff like that for special clients and generally have success.

For a problem with an old radio or antenna, don't use eBay. Call them and ask for Tom. You can even say I referred you.

We don't have many specialists we can count on for fixing old radios and gear, and these guys are worth some patience as they always come through for me.

Welcome aboard and thanks for chiming in. Perhaps being local and a repeat customer provides you with a better experience? When I called, twice, I was told (in no uncertain terms) to deal with it through the eBay system and I didn't sense a hint of concern about the situation (quite the opposite actually). When I went through the eBay system to say I got a core instead of a rebuilt unit, they just sent me a second core, and didn't ask for the first one back. Neither of them worked right as delivered. I cut my losses at that point and found a 'tested-good' used one on eBay from a different seller, which is in the car now.

I totally get how difficult it can be to rebuild things when parts are not available anywhere and the cost often does not justify trying to make your own. But, it's not right to advertise something as 'rebuilt' when it obviously isn't -- no matter how many you are willing to send until finding one that works. I just checked, and they are still selling them on eBay claiming they are 'rebuilt." Maybe they've changed since I bought mine, or maybe I just had terrible luck, but If you poke around the internet, you'll see plenty of posts complaining about bad communications, etc. and, in fairness, you'll see plenty of posts like yours saying their work-product is good. So, I'm guessing both can be true depending on circumstances. My 'hunch' is that (1) they are old-school electronics junkies who are good with resistors and capacitors, but not so good with people, and (2) they treat the eBay store as an ugly step-sister without realizing the impact it has on their reputation. They lost me though. I'd never allow old used part to be sold as 'rebuilt' under my name, and it makes me not want to go back.