Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Contacting Meridian by phone

I rang Meridian to ask some technical questions of the support people but the electronic voice referred me to my dealer. I don't have a dealer, and a search on post code identified that there are no dealers in NI - the only search result was the Meridian head office address and phone number.

I rang again, and this time my selections led me to an opportunity to leave my name, phone number and message. This is all very well, but it does leave the timing of the contact from Meridian very much at their discretion, and may be at a time that doesn`t suit me or I am not around to take the call.

Call me naïve, but I did sort of expect to be able to speak to somebody when I rang and I do find this approach by Meridian to be a tad strange and not very customer friendly.

Curious.

Hi EJB

That's been the subject of extensive debate over the past year. Meridian were renowned for their superb customer service, and were open to direct calls. Between a revised marketing strategy and staff cuts at HQ, we now have to go via dealers, which, as you note isn't very helpful if you have none locally.

Since you are probably in the position of having to choose one on the mainland, I'd give Loud and Clear in Edinburgh the thumbs up. They seem well connected with the guys at Meridian, and I've found them to be very good to deal with. They also have customers across the UK.

http://www.loud-clear.co.uk/

Cheers

George

Ask your questions here you might get the answers you are looking for.

Blindingly obvious suggestion Jerry, and I have the red face to prove it! Thanks for the common sense answer!



George

I did think of asking my questions here, but I thought that it would be quicker to talk to Meridian direct - and I didn't want to burden the forum with my ignorance! Curiously enough George I did end up speaking to a very helpful guy at Loud and Clear (Ian?) and I have the answers I was looking for.

EJB

Meridian service desk were a major feature in my opinion of the brand and was worth every penny that they cost Meridian for what they did for the brand. If its the case that they have major money problems with the recession and disapointing sales of their new products, I would hope that if things pick up they would reinstate their customer service desk else I would think twice before buying any new products. Its a shame.

Hi George

I couldn`t agree more with your recommendation of ‘Loud & Clear` in Edinburgh. I think there a great bunch of lads with genuine enthusiasm for what they do and they do it well. I`m slowly trying to get my system fully upgraded and the advice and support I`m receiving means I don`t give it a second thought to travel to see them and their fantastic city.

PS
861 v6, mmmmmmmm.

Its my Opinion that Meridian have had to re organise and consolidate. It just happens.
A knowledgable dealer can just as easily answer questions or find answers for you from the source, and surely they have more time and incentive to do just so.
With this, the best dealers will shine through and profit.
We dont like change, its Human nature. But without it we stagnate.

Just my thoughts, Chris

Totally agree Chris.

I hope someone from Meridian reads my opinion about the service desk. Perhaps those who make the desicisons dont realise how much a part of the whole product the service was. I would have phoned them to let them know but.....

I've paid close to retail over the years with a dealer who has also provided lots of support and I'm headed there Friday for more and a HD621 listen and 800 tune up. He has often called Atlanta while I was in the store, better than me calling for sure. His service seems better than average based on stories here. It's on M to develop their dealer channel, otherwise centralize at UK and ATL HQ. But customers should/will always expect top level support for top level products.

I can understand that Meridian have taken a business decision to deal with queries via the dealer network, and that decision is something all current and prospective Meridian owners have to accept. That doesn`t mean to say that I have to like the decision or agree with it.

My interest lies in the possible purchase of a Meridian 500MkIII transport and it appears that there may be a greater chance of success of finding one in the second hand market than in the dealer marketplace. Before purchasing one I need to have some advice but I am reluctant to seek that advice from a dealer when a. I have no intention of buying from them and b. there is no incentive for them to provide any advice. That is precisely why I rang Meridian.

As a prospective purchaser of a discontinued item in the second hand market I accept that my purchase does not represent any profit for Meridian (or indeed for any dealer whose brains are picked). However I am very likely to be approaching Meridian to have the item serviced, and that represents a potentially useful income stream for them (but not for a dealer).

I think that there are a number of good reasons why Meridian should have a service desk that is readily accesible by the general public and maybe at some stage they will reconsider their decision.