While I am generally pleased with the progress we are making with Hilton Audio in the USA and most of the rest of the world, we have hit a fairly significant roadblock in Europe. I will detail the issues we are having later in this email, but the bottom line is that ALL Hilton sales to Europe are on hold indefinitely.

What Went Wrong?
Due to my inexperience with international sales, I put the CE certification paperwork required for sales in Europe on the OUTSIDE of the box of a MA-220, instead of the INSIDE. I also didn't put the little CE sticker on the actual unit. Unfortunately, this seemingly small mistake, was enough to "raise a red flag" and have the inspectors take a further look.

Once they investigated further, they found that the CE certification paperwork Hilton has been providing since 2009 does not qualify for newer, more stringent CE standards. They refused the package...sending it back to the United States after a 6+ week delay. Since then, they have given our European representative a hassle even on small parts and microphone cables as well.

What Does The European Union Want?
In a nutshell, they want me to invest in a completely new CE certification that includes new standards that will likely require thousands of dollars worth of up-front costs. Further, any change I make on a unit...even something as small as changing a resistor, would require further re-certification.

What Am I Going To Do?
I'm going to continue to research my options, and consider what to do next. I am proud to be able to provide Hilton products in Europe. That said, the volume of sales in Europe does not justify thousands of dollars worth of certification. If I am not able to recover my investment in certification in 18-24 months, I will not re-certify. The state of the business simply will not allow me to consider a longer term investment.

When Is This Going To Happen?
While I will continue to research the associated costs, I am not prepared to begin the process or invest the money required until I return from CALLERLAB in March 2015. IF things go well at CALLERLAB, and IF the costs are within my forecasted sales, and IF the testing and approval process takes less than 3 months, I would hope to be able to sell to Europe again around the time of the National Square Dance Convention at the end of June 2015. These are a LOT of IF's, and if any one of them does not work out, then there is a very good chance that Hilton has shipped it's last unit to Europe. This is why I say that all European sales are on hold "indefinitely", and this is the best answer I can give you at this time.

What About Bringing A Hilton Product To Europe On Your Own?
What you do on your own is your business, but let me be perfectly clear. Until we can legally ship to and from Europe, Hilton will NOT ship to or from Europe. If you buy a Hilton product in the United States and bring it to Europe, it is AT YOUR OWN RISK. If there is a problem or issue (whether under warranty or not) it will be YOUR responsibility to get the unit to and from the United States. Your warranty will NOT cover shipping to or from Europe until we can do it legally.

In Closing...
I'm very disappointed that this happened the way it did. I have nobody but myself to blame. The fact of the matter is, however, that Hilton products does NOT have the proper certification (and didn't have the proper certification when I bought the company). Unfortunately...I'm the one who got caught.

I am open to your (legal) thoughts and (legal) suggestions to work through this problem. Unfortunately I don't believe that there will be any quick solutions.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Paul Cote
www.hiltonaudio.com

Happy New Year From Hilton Audio Products! – January Newsletter
 Mary Ellen and I hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday season, and that 2015 is a great year for us all. Here is a quick update with what is going on at Hilton Audio Products of Texas.

First Run Of MA-220’s Has Shipped – Positive Feedback All Around
 The first run of 50 MA-220’s shipped in December as promised. Callers, cuers, and dance leaders from around the world received their new MA-220 and we’ve had a lot of great feedback. My lead technician, Steve Chauvin copied the Hilton specs exactly. We used all of the same vendors. The MA-220 you bought from Texas is exactly the same as it was from California.

While feedback was, overall fantastic, we had one unit come back that lost all of its microphone channels. Fortunately, that ended up being a single loose screw. We also had a couple questions about speakers and Ohms. (The MA-220 requires a minimum of 4 Ohms to operate correctly…see details on the www.hiltonaudio.com website.)

ONE LAST CHANCE FOR YOUR MA-220 AT 2014 PRICE – 
FINAL DEADLINE JANUARY 15, 2015
 I had planned one last notice at the end of December to give “fair warning” of the impending price increase for the MA-220 in 2015. I didn’t get that final notice out, and since the first of the year, I have had a couple requests for me to honor the 2014 price. In the interest of fairness to all, I am extending the 2014 price of $1420.00 for a MA-220 until January 15, 2015. This is the absolute final extension. On January 16, 2014, the price will be $1495.00. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is your LAST chance.

Here’s the direct link:
http://www.hiltonaudio.com/store/p47/LAST_CHANCE%21_Hilton_MA-220_-_Mixer%2FAmplifier_at_2014_PRICE%21_%28Thru_January_15%2C_2015_only%21%29.html

Next Run Of MA-220’s Is In Production – January 31, 2015 Delivery
The next run of MA-220’s is underway, and we expect to be able to start delivering by the end of the month. As we complete this run, it is our plan to be able to start building an inventory of amplifiers so that waiting an extended period of time for your amp will be a thing of the past. It is my goal to always have several amplifiers “on the shelf” for same day, or next day shipping.

New Microphone Cables? Not Exactly…
 Many of you may have noticed some travelling callers come through your area with a “new” microphone cable from Hilton. The actual cable itself isn’t new, but we are making several new colors available by using a special flex-coating around the cable. I’m naming these new coatings after some friends and calling heroes of mine.

Keep an eye on the website for a dozen new colors that I hope to have available this month. The coating has to be added manually, so it’ll take a couple days. The cost will be $30.00 more than whichever black cable you choose.

All Hilton European Sales On Hold – Indefinitely
 Unfortunately, due to my inexperience in international sales, particularly in Europe, we have run in to an issue that will prevent Hilton from shipping to Europe indefinitely. The certification for MA-220’s is several years old, and there are new certifications, costing thousands of dollars, now necessary to do business in Europe. The costs appear prohibitive, but we are investigating our options. As of this moment, Hilton will not ship any product to Europe.

I’ve already heard several options for “getting around” the rules, and I’m not interested in that. If we can’t ship legally, we won’t ship. I am not prepared to risk long term ramifications to make a few short term sales.

In the meantime, if you want a Hilton product in Europe, and have a means of getting it there, please understand the following: Your Hilton warranty ends in the United States. If you have a problem, it will be your responsibility to get the product to and from the states.

Hilton Service
 Please remember, if you need service on a MA-220, especially under warranty, that will be handled here in Texas. Any other MA product can be serviced here as well.

If you are looking for service for any TURN-TABLE, contact one of the authorized repair people you’ll find on the “Service/Repair” tab on the www.hiltonaudio.com website.

Hilton Parts
 I’m continuing to struggle with inventory for old Hilton parts. There simply have not been enough hours in the day. I have agreed to complete one final project with my “day job” and that has really slowed me down. That project ends the first week of March, and I’ll be able to focus solely on Hilton.

In the meantime, Mary Ellen and I have set aside the next several Sundays as “Hilton Inventory Sundays”. We’re going to dedicate several hours each Sunday afternoon to digging through this inventory and making it available online. I know it hasn’t been easy on those who are waiting. Please keep an eye on the site for new items as they become available.

CALLERLAB – Springfield, Missouri – March 2015 – Please Visit The Hilton Booth
 We’re planning our trip to Springfield, Missouri for the CALLERLAB convention this March. We’ll have a booth and equipment available for sale. Please make it a point to stop by and visit.

Hilton Audio Products of Texas – We’re A Work In Progress
 Folks, I want to thank you for your patience as we grow in to this business and try to live up to the Hilton name. Those of you who know me personally know that I’m slightly “off-center” and perhaps “an acquired taste”. This is a new venture for me and my wife. This is NOT my background, but with the right people in place to handle the technical aspect of the business, we’ll get things together very soon.

I’m going to make some mistakes along the way. There are going to be issues I’m sure. That said, we’ll do everything we can to make things right, and take care of our customers and friends as best as possible. Thank you for helping us keep this fantastic name and product alive for the next generation.

Thank You,

Paul and Mary Ellen Cote