MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!

yeah; who needs another brick and mortal joint right? -nt, posted on June 14, 2012 at 04:58:14
Green Lantern Audiophile Posts: 16952 Location: San Diego, Ca Joined: November 12, 2002	.

Even if it's a whorehouse?, posted on June 14, 2012 at 05:03:52
genungo	The guy was a sleazeball.

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 05:28:03
Jwm Audiophile Posts: 1322 Joined: April 16, 2002	I think he went to the Howard Stern show to replace Boba Boui.

RE: yeah; who needs another brick and mortal joint right? -nt, posted on June 14, 2012 at 05:53:46
abs1	Do you have any idea of what you're talking about?

RE: Like a bad fungus, he will pop up again. nt, posted on June 14, 2012 at 05:58:26
Mercman Audiophile Posts: 6581 Location: So. CA Joined: October 20, 2002	This guy won't quit until he is put in the joint.

evidently not-, posted on June 14, 2012 at 06:14:46
Green Lantern Audiophile Posts: 16952 Location: San Diego, Ca Joined: November 12, 2002	and if this is a Howard Stern reference, I'm not sure why it's on Gen Asylum; sorry I'm not hip-

Google or search here on asylum. Dude has ripped many off..., posted on June 14, 2012 at 06:41:17
2chJunkie Audiophile Posts: 1057 Joined: March 2, 2002	No real loss here. Another dud seller. Never really considered legit by many. Thats the skinny.

BUT, posted on June 14, 2012 at 07:09:54
slapshot Audiophile Posts: 2282 Joined: January 9, 2006	their webpage is still up, so perhaps they've decided to only rip people off online rather than in person.

Holy crap! I'm very lucky I didn't get hosed., posted on June 14, 2012 at 07:25:21
Vic D	I purchased my Velodyne subs from MSS off Ebay at an incredibly low price. The transaction and delivery went so smoothly I bought four more subs and made a few bucks. I'm only just now reading the unbelievable horror stories. Am I missing something or are did most of the issues happen to customers in the New York, New Jersey area?

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 07:25:40
robert920rogers@gmail.com Audiophile Posts: 1068 Location: southern california Joined: February 9, 2010	I do not know anything about his company, but just seeing all that crap he post that I'm sure he thinks is either funny or clever, is enough to drive me away.

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 07:39:19
middleground	We are talking Audio Pimp redux here right?

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 08:01:16
abs1	MSS = Johnny Boey = Audio Pimp

wow; I've been out of touch more than I realized...screw him for sure-nt, posted on June 14, 2012 at 08:05:51
Green Lantern Audiophile Posts: 16952 Location: San Diego, Ca Joined: November 12, 2002	.

In case you want to throw rocks at it, posted on June 14, 2012 at 08:33:48
Chris O

How about a photo of the eviction notice?, posted on June 14, 2012 at 08:38:33
Brian Walsh Audiophile Posts: 10778 Location: IL Joined: December 6, 1999	Metal security shutters prove nothing. Brian Walsh

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 08:45:31
kgturner Audiophile Posts: 537 Location: 36695 Joined: February 15, 2003	I bought a BPT 3.5 signature from him for a good price...well, a good price for 2009. Also sold him a pair of Cary monoblock amplifiers. Both transactions were smooth and without issue. I've read other's horror stories and just consider myself supremely lucky that I never got a dud BPT or got screwed out of the $3000 he paid me for the Cary amps. Kevin T "religion is the opiate of the masses"

Interesting feedback..., posted on June 14, 2012 at 09:57:53

Arvind Kohli
Reviewer

Posts: 609
Joined: January 23, 2002

...we have 2 positive experiences which are first hand, and several negative views which are second hand or hearsay.

Can the real slim shady please stand up...I'd love to hear from someone with first hand negative experiences.

Just to be clear, I am no fan of this guy. But the only problem I have with him is his cheesy ads and cheesier claims. So he had bad taste...but is he really a bad person - let's find out.

Theres been plenty of 1st hand stories here... search... , posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:15:55
2chJunkie Audiophile Posts: 1057 Joined: March 2, 2002	You may want to begin in the "shady" forum. In life, you have to use your better judgment. Learn form peoples testimonies and absorb information. In the web world of today, its often all you have to go off on. Im not advocating web witch hunts. But I also dont need to be shot in the kneecap to know it hurts. Do business as you wish of course. Its your money!

I'd also purchased a number of items from them., posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:19:10

David S.
Audiophile

Posts: 3552
Location: Mountains of WNC
Joined: August 31, 2000

My purchases ranged from about $125 for a pair of MIT MI-330 Shotgun interconnects (that were in perfect shape) to some loudspeakers in the $1500 range (that also arrived in better than stated condition.)

Based on my PERSONAL experiences, I'd given them some praise & leeway in the past. Based on overwhelming evidence to the contrary in the meantime, I've changed my song & would very much say buyer beware!

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:29:23

Inmate51

I don't understand the fascination with some little hole-in-the-wall hifi shop in an apparently not-so-good part of town.

And I certainly don't understand why a "dealer" (Yale dad) decided that it was so important to the world that he felt it was worthy to finally sign up as an asylum member (join date 6/13/2012, post date 6/13/2012) just so he could post his announcement. Very weird.

There's often more to a story than we're told.

------------

Observe, and think.

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:34:25
slapshot Audiophile Posts: 2282 Joined: January 9, 2006	There is a long history of this company on this website; if you do a search, you'll see why this one is a bit more than a "hole-in-the-wall" shop.

Agree..do a search. (nt), posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:35:32
slapshot Audiophile Posts: 2282 Joined: January 9, 2006

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:47:22
Inmate51	Yes, I've seen some threads about it before, with the same positive/negative comments. I still don't get why it's such a big deal. It's one little shop in one city. If it were a B&H Photo/Video or New Egg or Sweet Water, it might be worthy of international discussion. Very odd that it's gotten this much attention.

Rust never sleeps, posted on June 14, 2012 at 13:11:23
Des Audiophile Posts: 2122 Location: Great Barrier Reef Joined: August 3, 2000	Stay Vigilant Des

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 15:13:25

Raiderman
Audiophile

Posts: 2129
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Joined: March 14, 2003

The reason why this is somewhat of a big deal, is that this guy did more business than most B&M stores do, as he was one of the most prolific on-line Audio dealers on Ebay, (and on Audiogon, although I believe that even they eventually banned him due to his poor business practices). He has a reputation for ripping off many of his customers. See his Ebay feedback in the link below. (Most of his sales went okay, but when they went bad, they went bad in a big way.)

But then again, what do you expect from a guy who:
1. Called himself "The Audio Pimp"?;
2. Hung out with strippers and had them at his annual sales?;
3. Used fairly heavy drugs, (and was stupid enough to get caught using them. (I remember seeing a police report that somebody posted here on AA a while back, in which he was busted using cocaine).

His loss is our hobby's gain, IMHO.

MSS HiFi feedback on Ebay

Here's why..., posted on June 14, 2012 at 15:16:08

Steve Parry
Audiophile

Posts: 2520
Location: No. California
Joined: August 19, 2002

People took offense when he showed up on the scene calling himself the "Audio Pimp." People took offense of his ads with women in them and furthering the salacious inference of his "name." Both equipment owners and dealers were not happy with his super low prices for gear. While a buyer might get a great deal, there was potential to reduce resale value for the same item owned by others. Dealer sales were more difficult. And the source of some of this gear was thrown into question. I recall some people had issues with the gear they purchased as well.

All this, in total, made him a rather controversial source for audio gear, and well known on this site.

Steve

Sue baby, sue!, posted on June 14, 2012 at 15:44:25
Byrd69 Audiophile Posts: 2964 Location: East Syracuse, New York Joined: August 23, 2004	...what a...I won't say. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/1-main.pdf Your interest may vary but the results will be same. (Byrd 2020) I can't compete with the dead. (Buck W. 2010) Cowards can't be heroes. (Byrd 2017) Why don't catfish have kittens? (Moe Howard 1937)

Yes, it appears he is gone, posted on June 14, 2012 at 16:35:17
Brian Walsh Audiophile Posts: 10778 Location: IL Joined: December 6, 1999	A friend got confirmation from Boey's landlord's office today of the eviction. Brian Walsh

RE:where do we go to feast on the corpse?, posted on June 14, 2012 at 19:08:25
Jon L5	according to google there's been a warrant for his arrest for a while. maybe he's in jail. Who knows, the real question is, when's the auction? I want a deal. He'd have wanted it that way... wouldn't he?

Don't bet on it, posted on June 14, 2012 at 20:15:30

Brian Walsh
Audiophile

Posts: 10778
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999

As far as Johnny wanting it that way, you're dreaming. The guy has always been a narcissist, always out for #1 while portraying himself as a Robin Hood. To my knowledge he has spent time behind bars, I'd speculate several times, but this time maybe for good. As for arrest warrants -- I heard he was wanted in Louisiana and Pennsylvania -- anyone who might know what the status might be isn't saying. Whatever the case, he's done, one would hope.

I expect if there is anything left it has been seized by authorities to pay his creditors.
Brian Walsh

You left out Florida ! nt, posted on June 14, 2012 at 22:23:28
Des Audiophile Posts: 2122 Location: Great Barrier Reef Joined: August 3, 2000	NT Des

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 15, 2012 at 04:26:15
nairb	Where will those sexy models work now?

I'm another happy buyer, posted on June 15, 2012 at 06:44:28
fin1bxn@msn.com	I have done business with them on a few ocations. It was all strictly business and went as it should. I have no compliants. I will say they let me try any combination of the hundreds of pieces of gear they had around. More than I can say for the other B&M in the area, where you have to listen to what they have set up

Ah, I see, posted on June 15, 2012 at 08:28:53
Inmate51	So, he's not just a tiny shop in NY, he's an online dealer as well. Didn't know that. Thanks.

cockroaches and Mss HIFI, posted on June 15, 2012 at 09:12:37
lokie Audiophile Posts: 2021 Location: Georgia, USA Joined: January 28, 2003	And, oh yea, I should throw in derivative traders.

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 15, 2012 at 15:17:08
velo6 Audiophile Posts: 2 Joined: December 25, 2010	All ebay ads have also been removed, zero transactions since the 12th of June.

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on June 15, 2012 at 17:43:55
Brian Walsh Audiophile Posts: 10778 Location: IL Joined: December 6, 1999	The place is locked up by the landlord and an eviction notice posted. Brian Walsh

Didn't he close a previous electronics business, posted on June 15, 2012 at 23:34:38
Vic D	for similer issues and some time later reopen at this address?

Similar issues?, posted on June 16, 2012 at 05:17:23
Brian Walsh Audiophile Posts: 10778 Location: IL Joined: December 6, 1999	Please share the info. I suspect he has been on the run for a while. Brian Walsh

RE: Similar issues?, posted on June 19, 2012 at 13:31:24

Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1892
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012

Here's the notice.

WW

"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

RE: funny stuff!, posted on July 9, 2012 at 14:28:54

Jon L5

The MSSHIFI website did finally go down but I guess Johnny had a funny blog entry a day or two before it happened. It's been pasted in at audioaficionado for our enjoyment.

He's planning on opening a new store and "It will be a business that moves a lot of boxes simply because that's just how the genius functions, he's successful in everything he does."

http://www.audioaficionado.org/mcintosh-audio/14616-mss-out-

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on July 11, 2012 at 15:40:35
robertd Audiophile Posts: 323 Joined: April 24, 2009	I don't understand the fascination with some little hole-in-the-wall hifi shop in an apparently not-so-good part of town. This seems like a pretty sweet part of town, actually. It's in chelsea, 1br pats can easily go for more than three grand a month. A few long blocks away from awesome art galleries, a nice walk to the village, a good spot. fight the good fight

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on July 12, 2012 at 12:19:30

slippers...
Audiophile

Posts: 340
Location: UNITED STATES
Joined: June 20, 2011

Well this is floating around the web....interesting. In Court with Bel Canto

The guy was a real sleeze ball.

When you click on link below and go to the site, post this in the search bar: Bel Canto Design, Ltd. v. MSS HiFi, Inc. et al - Document 37

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/...126/121397/37/

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on July 12, 2012 at 17:12:20

jtube
Audiophile

Posts: 351
Joined: January 7, 2001

I have had a few dealings with MSS Hifi AKA Johnny Boey. I have had fair dealings with him. I sold him my Levinson amp and then later I purchased a pair of Avalon speakers from him. My dealing were delightful. This did take place a number of years ago however. I have heard the horror stories about MSS HIFI. Obviously he was sourcing gear from questionable sources. He sold a few people some counterfeit Synergistic Research gear. The one question I have is where was he purchasing all his goodies from? Was it From U.S. dealers who were looking to siphon off some of their inventory or was it from overseas where some of the High End manufacturers sell gear at a lower MSRP than in the U.S. Anyhow, Johnny Boey should have figured he was courting trouble when he began selling gear with no serial numbers. NOTE TO ALL BUYERS: ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY!! ask for serial numbers, warranty status, past owners. Ask every question you can think of. Way too many scammers and counterfeiters out there!!

Johnny

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on July 13, 2012 at 06:25:15
slippers... Audiophile Posts: 340 Location: UNITED STATES Joined: June 20, 2011	Well according to court document, he was getting dealers to purchase Bel Canto gear for him. Once such dealer purchased 50k of gear for him. HE was changing serial numbers and all kinda crazy stuff. Bel Canto took his tail to court and sued the mess out of him.

RE: MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!, posted on July 18, 2012 at 21:52:31
stanwal Audiophile Posts: 31 Location: Louisville Joined: December 18, 2007	I got a couple of things from him with no trouble including a pair of GamuT L5s.

General Asylum

MSS HIFI CLOSES Doors!

68.173.4.131