Dirty tricks. The ZYX sorry saga seems to continue, even as I try to end it.

Over a month ago, SORAsound started representing Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machines. In my conversations with Jonathan Monks of KM, I was very open about the ZYX soap opera, encouraging him to look at SORAsound website. I emphasized that I do not want to pick a line, promote it, and after a few months or a year, go our separate ways. This type of business is bad for everyone involved. Jonathan agreed and gave me assurances this would not happen.

Never say never.
Starting a couple of weeks ago, in what appears to be a concerted effort, Jonathan received a series of (co-ordinated) emails and calls from two of his agents in Asia, one in Europe, a UK manufacturer with a US West Coast Sales Manager, and couple of dealers he was courting to represent KM. All urged him to drop SORAsound or they would withdraw their existing purchase orders and drop KM.

According to Jonathan, these people have offered him no specifics. In the absence of specifics, both he and I were shooting in the dark. In all likelihood this whole thing is directly or indirectly ZYX related.

Even the best among us may re-think their promises and their words of honor when subjected to what Jonathan admittedly referred to as emotional and business blackmail by these people whose despicable actions talk louder than any words I can put here.

While submitting to blackmail can become a vicious cycle, and changing word of honor is not to be respected under any circumstances, the selfishness of putting a small business between a rock and hard place is equally wrong. As such, SORAsound supports KM’s reluctant decision to withdraw its commitment to us. The silver lining in this is that I think Jonathan and I will come better friends out of this.

SORAsound continues to recommend Keith Monks products to its customers. I sincerely wish Jonathan Monks and Keith Monks Company the best.

Tags: dealers, distributors, keith monks, record cleaners, ZYX, ZYX chats, ZYX Company

SORAsound is pleased to announce that we now represent Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machines. Yes, the record cleaners made famous by the legendary Keith Monks, and now even more improved by his son, Jonathan.

Keith Monk record cleaners are the best, quietest, and most effective record cleaners I know of. They are fully handmade. Pictured to the left is the limited edition Ruby 40th Anniversary version of this world famous record cleaner. This is 40 years after Keith Monks defined modern record care with the launch of  the world’s first Record Cleaning Machine. Of course SORAsound ordered this one for our showroom.

Tags: keith monks, record cleaners