Is ARC web site still active ?

[SundayNiagara]

ARC has long been lax when it comes to updating the site.

[ehoove]

It is surprising that a high end company like ARC which has a limited distribution chain, would not offer a totally robust online experience for it's current owners, and potential consumers. I'm at a loss to understand this situation at all.

As far as the lack of an online tribute to it's founder, it is a horrific oversight and a sore spot for me as well.
Regards,
Jim

[kev313]

It's hard to dispute that they have been successful, but easy as pie to argue that their current business practice with respect to the website is awful. It is so very easy to address this element (if you are not Audiogon) that the failure to do so is inexcusable. ARC has historically been successful, but the next generation of buyers will come from people who start with web based research. I'm sure that us actually already the case. Especially with the decline in dealers. Heck who wants to get in the car and go to a dealer when you should be able to get answers to basic questions (what products do they have) in a 3 min google search.

Plus, as far as the dealers go, and this should be considered my experience only, the dealer that I bought my Ref 5 from was just cashing checks and placing orders. No value added. I would have greatly preferred to order it on the web and get it shipped directly to me. Frankly, I would have paid more NOT to have to go to a brick and mortar for this particular piece.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Dafos

Not to long ago, the unofficial arc database site, Arcdb.ws, used to "scoop" new arc products before arc listed the new product in their website. Sadly, this is no longer the case. What I find truly sad is that ARC did not even pay a tribute to it's founder, William Zane Johnson, when he passed away last December.

ARC did in fact pay tribute to Bill Johnson in a small gathering of industry colleagues at CES.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by tima

Hmm .... some interesting comments here.

As regards William Johnson's passing, perhaps they honor wishes from him or his family.

Correct.

[Dafos]

Yes, I understand that ARC paid tribute to WZJ at CES and their room had a streamer honoring him. BUt CES took place close to a month after WZJ passed away and how many ARC loyalists were present at CES to participate in this tribute? Besides, the alternate private website, Arcdb.ws, did carry a tribute almost immediately after WZJ's passing so why not ARC? Anyway, I've already raised a minor stir regarding this issue so I suggest we put this topic to rest and allow the great WZJ to rest in peace....amen.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Dafos

Yes, I understand that ARC paid tribute to WZJ at CES and their room had a streamer honoring him. BUt CES took place close to a month after WZJ passed away and how many ARC loyalists were present at CES to participate in this tribute? Besides, the alternate private website, Arcdb.ws, did carry a tribute almost immediately after WZJ's passing so why not ARC? Anyway, I've already raised a minor stir regarding this issue so I suggest we put this topic to rest and allow the great WZJ to rest in peace....amen.

Originally Posted by tima

As regards William Johnson's passing, perhaps they honor wishes from him or his family.

Originally Posted by metaphacts

Correct.

.

[BlueChiaro]

Originally Posted by tima

As regards William Johnson's passing, perhaps they honor wishes from him or his family.

If that be the case, then I rescind my comments.

[Masterlu]

Not for nothing but three years ago... I didn't know squat about an Audio Forum.

Well... You all know the rest.

[Bavarian05]

While I can appreciate and very much respect that ARC likes to focus on their dealer network and protect them as much as possible, I find it odd and honestly short sighted to not take your web presence more seriously. While I have a good relationship with my dealer, they are far from perfect. They are human, have bad days, forget details, and generally don't want to put in the effort some days. Many times I have been given incorrect answers to questions or not been made aware of new products or upgrades. I also appreciate that they may not update the site immediately, as they don't want to put their dealers in a bad position if they have current inventory of the soon to be replaced or updated product. Though in my experience, my dealer does not keep a large inventory. Most, if not all ARC goods will need to be ordered from the factory and delivered within a few business days. While this may assist their dealers in moving old stock, if the buyer isn't given the information (and likely a small discount) it only serves to create bad blood when the buyer finds out they paid for and are stuck unknowingly now with the "old" model. I recently asked my dealer about a new model on the show floor and he stated it was only aesthetic changes - referring to an SE model. I found this hard to believe and went home to verify via their site and there was zero info about it. I ended up calling ARC to find out that the big changes were internal and included (depending on model) power supply updates, new proprietary Teflon coupling caps, and aesthetic changes as well to match the newer models. Needless to say this represents much more than just a change in "look". Point being, dealers are not perfect and a current website (updated maybe monthly) would likely serve them well. To be clear, ARC is wonderful in many ways and I am a big fan. I don't mean to bash them, just something I think they could improve upon in my opinion.