1) There is no indication whatsoever that Alain Courteau filed for bankrupcy. In fact, the evidence indicates otherwise.

1a) Alain Courteau sold Revelation Audio (the brand name) and all speakers and remaining materials to Pierre. The transaction occured between Alain Courteau and Pierre. Alain Courteau received a rather significant payment from Pierre and immediately went on holiday for several weeks. This has been confirmed. That does not reflect a bankrupcy scenario.

2) I was aware that Klaus had decided to change his speaker line, change builders and change the source of his speaker cabinets. I only knew what Klaus indicated on his forum. I should have called Klaus right there and inquired about the change. But I foolishly did not consider that some thing had gone bad with Alain. I thought it was simply a change of direction by Klaus. My mistake.

3) When I initially called Alain to place the order, he told me he had to build me the speakers and that it would take a little time. I sent payment and waited for him to build them. After two months, I started inquiriing about my speakers and that's when the excuses of shortage of materials began. Then claims to a redesign.

Then my mother suffered a serious health emergency and I spent much of the next 6-8 months traveling back and forth between New Jersey and North Carolina. I had little time to focus much on the Alain and my speaker situation. When I did get back to trying to reach him, he did not repsond for two months (because he was allegedly on Holiday).

More excuses, more problems and more material shortages...from Alain. December of 2008, I noticed he had an updated version of the Lyra 2 on the Revelation Audio website. A similar design with new drivers. I called Studio 1006 and asked if they had them in stock and out on display. Pierre confirmed he had both stock and display.

I was fed up and demanded he settle this matter. I requested a refund or that he send me anything of equal value. Even a subwoofer. He swore and promised he would get the speakers (the new Lyra 2) shipped out to me, as soon as the new drivers arrived. Then in February of 2009, he stopped responding or answering the phone.

It's clear he was in fact, designing and building new speakers during this time period that he owed me my speakers or a full refund. I received neither.

This is disingenuous and fraudulent behavior.

Thank you!

I will contact them, immediately.

And Musicware4u, thank you for your support.

I'm not letting go of it till I get satisfaction.

I called the Quebec goverment, in regards to Small Claims. I have all the information to go forward. Thank you.


Evidence of new speaker designs.....a review from January 2009


http://www.revelationaudio.com/pdf/revelation.pdf

edited as I don't see much recourse.....

As a matter of fact, I don't ! And we all are hypocrits when buying anything we can't afford thinking it is always the lender's fault if we can't repay.

Like I said, this matter is quite typical. I don't know Alain Courteau but can witness his case is quite similar to alot encountered every year.

As for collecting agencies (used by banks when calls are not answered back, letters ignored, when all attempt to reach customers have failed), they employ people who are doing their jobs correctly and others not ! Our code of conduct forbids calls at undue hours and especially at work, at least in Quebec, there are laws against these practises. But I can't vouch for collecting agencies and the methods they use although I may say they are employed by many businesses apart from banks. A lot of people lend money in this crazy world, starting from the bank counter, through giant retailers and car makers including your local Future Shop.

You keep talking in the context of bankrupcy, but that's not applicable, here.

Alain Courteau has not filed for banckrupcy. He would have not received payment in the sale of Revelation audio, from Pierre Sweeney; if he was in Bankrupcy.

According to Small Claims of Quebec City, I do have recourse.

I first will send an official Demand Letter to Alain Courteau. If after 14 days I do not receive a response and attempt to settle this matter out of court, from Alain Courteau. I will then file a Small Claims form, which I can do by having it notorized/sworn and then mail it to Small Claims of Quebec City. At a cost of $99.00.

After that, Alain will be officially served with the suit and subpoena to appear in court.

Good Luck to you! There was a similar discussion here about small claims court, and someone commented that even if you win the judgment, it's not all that easy collecting despite the judgment being in your favor. See thread below:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=14127&p=203244#p203244

I don't have any experience with small claims court, someone with experience may chime in and let you know.

Wouldn't it be possible to place a lein on any personal holdings (car, home, etc?)

Good point Rip.....I don't know, after all the plaintiff is from the U.S.

Thanks guys.

Obviously I want my money back.

But it's also important to alert people of this guy, so as to avoid whatever his latest scam is.

I agree. From what I understand the Canadian banks have much better regulation and are some of the most stable banks in the world. If the U.S banks had that same level of regulation it may have well never happened.

Am I to understand that now, I'm one of the good guys !!??

I don't think the banks are completely innocent here either.Just look at the credit card system. Banks here are stable because they answer to someone.I think if allowed the same sort of thing would go on here as well. I lashed out because I saw what a collegue went through( nothing personal towards you). That is why I deleted the post but apparently not before you copied it.

I hope the op gets his money back.I hate hearing stories like this.

Alain is an embarrassment to me as a Canadian. If I was having trouble, a phone call and a pledge to do what it takes to get the money back is the minimum I'd be willing to let myself off with, unless that was completely unreasonable/impossible. I don't think I could sleep at night until I was able to give people's money back.

Good luck!

And thanks very much for posting- it is important to name people like this openly so that they can be avoided- I appreciate your effort, and your humility at being able to admit this loss on a forum.