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T R Theater Research Inc Paramax Audio Self-proclaimed expensive audio equipment selling out of trunk or van home theater system Huntington Beach California
I got a call from my husband. He asked me to look something up for him and told me there were 2 guys who were selling home theater systems for cheap. He gave me the brand name Paramax and a part number P-6040. He wanted to know what they were worth and perhaps we could buy them and resell them for a profit.
I couldn't find it in google products. I couldn't find it in google at all. I searched for paramax but only got results for panamax. Then the guy gave him a web address to give to me. www.paramaxaudio.com.
I loaded the page and it looked fine at first glance. But that part number wasn't on their website. The guy told him it was a brand new product and was just like this other p-510 that was listed on the site for MSRP $3199. There was another part number, p-6 with an MSRP $2199. We could have them both for $600 each. They showed a magazine or catalog that looked legit enough, and used that to justify their price. The boxes were sealed with tape that had the brand printed on it. It all looked good in the moment.
I said we could spare the money for a while and go ahead.
Something still seemed odd though. I couldn't find that part number anywhere online. So I looked on ebay to find all sorts of completed listings with unsold products. There was a p-510 that sold for $200 once, and there were many other items with 16-25 bids only going up to between $110-$160.
I called my husband back immediately and said we couldn't make any money off them. He told the guys they weren't worth anything to us and they were p***ed.
Upon further research, I noticed that there was no phone number on the website, only a fax number.
I googled the address listed on the website and got an arial view of the building. I couldn't find a spot on that building that matched the picture of the warehouse on the paramaxaudio website. The business listings for that complex do not include paramax audio or theater research inc.
I went to the internic whois page and paramaxaudio.com was created in july of 2008 and was registered to T R theater research inc.
I googled T R Theater Research Inc and found www.trtheaterresearch.com, which is a website selling similar products at similar prices. Neither of those web pages impress me as being truely professional, btw. Looking further at the websites, there is a lot of information missing, a lot of blank "coming soon" pages, and some technical errors in coding that I noticed...
trthearerresearch.com was created in 2002.
I figured if they were incorporated it would be on public record. I went to the california secretary of state and there is a T R Theater Research Inc active and incorporated since 2002.
You can find that public record here: http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C2398443
I also found a rather long discussion about these products on ecoustics.com where many many members are claiming the product is horrible and the "salespeople" are classic scammers. You can read the discussion here: http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/3/76993.html
The reason I am posting this ripoffreport is because it appears to me that T R Theater Research Inc has gotten a strong reputation for selling a horrible product and scamming consumers in parking lots. The name appears to be exhausted, and it also appears that they are trying to continue doing the same thing under this new name, paramax audio. There is an undeniable link between the two company names. Also, it is probably no coincidence that the paramax name is one character different from an actual reputable audio brand.
I couldn't find any information online about paramax audio to make an educated decision in a timely manner, and I think that the name needs to bring this page up when googled. Too many people have overpaid for a cheap product, and I know that they will just change their name again. But in the mean time, I hope that someone will read this and be informed enough to keep their money from being taken.
Amber
Renton, Washington
U.S.A.
14 Updates & Rebuttals
Yep
United States of AmericaCompany Contact info
#15REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, June 23, 2010
Apparently there now in Canada...I was approached today with the same scam.
Amber
Renton,Washington,
U.S.A.
Good point, but...
#15Author of original report
Sun, April 11, 2010
@Inspector:
Point well taken and I agree with you. I totally believe in 'buyer beware' which is why I did the research before it was too late for us. A lot of people might not know how to dig up this kind of information though.
Plus, the fact that they are grossly misrepresenting their product is an issue, isn't it?
They have gone to the trouble to print fake magazines showcasing their product as though it was the cat's meow, when in fact it is a no-name cheap knock off. People may be getting what they pay for, but when you tell someone that you will sell them a diamond at cubic-zirconia prices, and you are in fact selling them a CZ, it is a rip-off in my opinion. You just don't lie about what you are selling and then divert the blame onto the victim because they were looking for a good deal.
I know one would argue that supporting thieves is wrong and I agree with that as well. But these scammers know how most people feel about that and have learned to be very convincing that the product is legit. A lot of people are just not too savvy, and they are the ones that become victims.
weston
United States of Americawell.. I AT LEAST GOT THIER license Plate
#15General Comment
Wed, April 07, 2010
these guys are pretty good at what they do.. and from the looks of it it is pretty legit.. it looks like it started in california, and moved west. Im in colorado. and this incident happend in commerce city. where to gentlemen claimed to be in some home theater system company and pretty much sell you a knock off product worth nothing as much as what it says on the box of the product.. now these scammers i hope do not ever mess with a good citizen of USA again i believe that scamming someone is a crime..
Little Miss Reno
Reno,Nevada,
USA
Paramax is not a scam
#15
Sat, September 05, 2009
I live in Reno, NV and was approached in a similar situation. However I googled the products and they showed up on several websites. I bought the p-6 system for $150 and let me tell you it ROCKS! But like the other gentleman said you can't expect much if you're going to 0buy something out of the back of someones vehicle in a parking lot. I just figured what the heck even at walmart systems retail for $100 so not a big loss as long as it works. A few buddies of mine helped me set it up and were a bit skeptical at first but after hearing the quality of the sound were sold. I've had absolutely no problems with my system and am very happy with it.
Inspector
Tobyhanna,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Wait!
#15Consumer Comment
Wed, June 24, 2009
You buy stereo equipment from the back of a van or truck and you want retribution when they rip you off? Do you reside in a cave? Even if they work, they are probably stolen. You deserve whatever you get.
By the way, the p-6040 is listed on their website and retails for $2499. Maybe it was a new product and just recently added, either way I hope you learn from your mistakes. I am not surprised the number of people still buying from vans and truck. They should make a new TV show 'America's dumbest consumers'.
Californianewbie
San Diego,California,
U.S.A.
Scammed in San Diego
#15Consumer Comment
Wed, June 24, 2009
Aloha Amber,
I just wanted to comment and say that I have just been recently scammed by similar individuals, not in a white van, but a truck, claiming the same story that you were told about the system at unbelievable prices, but unfortunately I was conned into buying the system for $200 cash. What I would like to know is have you done a follow up of any nature, whether through the DA office or through this website, and if so, what responses have you received?
I just sent an email to the "company," but after reading your report, I'm not expecting any form of a genuine response.
Sincerely,
Scammed in San Diego
Uaplumber26
Kelso,Washington,
U.S.A.
Speakers are not junk, they work fine
#15Consumer Comment
Fri, June 19, 2009
I bought a pair of Theater Research speakers from the "white van" in 2006. I paid $200 for Tr-2900's and worth every penny. They have a 200 watt per channel amp and 2 10" subs in them that rumble the house. They run right next to a pair of Klipsch, Infinitys, Magnepans and BIC Venturis and they sound fine and have done so for 3 years. Yeah, it's a bizarre marketing strategy but they're a well built Chinese product. Come by, I'll play them for you and prove it.
What I've read about them since borders on delusional paranoia. Big box retailers have similarly built fiber board box speakers that are no better. And let's not even discuss the little plastic boxes that pass for surround systems. You get what you pay for.
Uaplumber26
Kelso,Washington,
U.S.A.
Speakers are not junk, they work fine
#15Consumer Comment
Fri, June 19, 2009
I bought a pair of Theater Research speakers from the "white van" in 2006. I paid $200 for Tr-2900's and worth every penny. They have a 200 watt per channel amp and 2 10" subs in them that rumble the house. They run right next to a pair of Klipsch, Infinitys, Magnepans and BIC Venturis and they sound fine and have done so for 3 years. Yeah, it's a bizarre marketing strategy but they're a well built Chinese product. Come by, I'll play them for you and prove it.
What I've read about them since borders on delusional paranoia. Big box retailers have similarly built fiber board box speakers that are no better. And let's not even discuss the little plastic boxes that pass for surround systems. You get what you pay for.
Uaplumber26
Kelso,Washington,
U.S.A.
Speakers are not junk, they work fine
#15Consumer Comment
Fri, June 19, 2009
I bought a pair of Theater Research speakers from the "white van" in 2006. I paid $200 for Tr-2900's and worth every penny. They have a 200 watt per channel amp and 2 10" subs in them that rumble the house. They run right next to a pair of Klipsch, Infinitys, Magnepans and BIC Venturis and they sound fine and have done so for 3 years. Yeah, it's a bizarre marketing strategy but they're a well built Chinese product. Come by, I'll play them for you and prove it.
What I've read about them since borders on delusional paranoia. Big box retailers have similarly built fiber board box speakers that are no better. And let's not even discuss the little plastic boxes that pass for surround systems. You get what you pay for.
Uaplumber26
Kelso,Washington,
U.S.A.
Speakers are not junk, they work fine
#15Consumer Comment
Fri, June 19, 2009
I bought a pair of Theater Research speakers from the "white van" in 2006. I paid $200 for Tr-2900's and worth every penny. They have a 200 watt per channel amp and 2 10" subs in them that rumble the house. They run right next to a pair of Klipsch, Infinitys, Magnepans and BIC Venturis and they sound fine and have done so for 3 years. Yeah, it's a bizarre marketing strategy but they're a well built Chinese product. Come by, I'll play them for you and prove it.
What I've read about them since borders on delusional paranoia. Big box retailers have similarly built fiber board box speakers that are no better. And let's not even discuss the little plastic boxes that pass for surround systems. You get what you pay for.
Amber
Renton,Washington,
U.S.A.
Genesis Media Labs Genesis Audio
#15Author of original report
Wed, June 03, 2009
I just discovered that they are also using the name Genesis for their scam. Beware!
Amber
Renton,Washington,
U.S.A.
Genesis Media Labs Genesis Audio
#15Author of original report
Wed, June 03, 2009
I just discovered that they are also using the name Genesis for their scam. Beware!
Amber
Renton,Washington,
U.S.A.
Genesis Media Labs Genesis Audio
#15Author of original report
Wed, June 03, 2009
I just discovered that they are also using the name Genesis for their scam. Beware!
Amber
Renton,Washington,
U.S.A.
Genesis Media Labs Genesis Audio
#15Author of original report
Wed, June 03, 2009
I just discovered that they are also using the name Genesis for their scam. Beware!