ONLINE AUTHORIZED DEALERS...all $ Hype or A good move?

[Depression 10+ year member]

I am sure this topic has been debated or criticsized on many a post..but aside from your Personal Bias...or Personal Experience. I am VERY curious how many of you will save some money to buy a product that is not sold by an authorized dealer. OR how many just care wether pr not it's the actual product and SCREW the Warranty risk..I wanna save a few bucks....

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[paikiah 5,000+ posts]

so long as the price I purchase from has a reputation to have great service, i'm all for it.

 

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

I am sure this topic has been debated or criticsized on many a post..but aside from your Personal Bias...or Personal Experience. I am VERY curious how many of you will save some money to buy a product that is not sold by an authorized dealer. OR how many just care wether pr not it's the actual product and SCREW the Warranty risk..I wanna save a few bucks....

notice my latest thread http://www.caraudio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=86051

Zapco's, Audio Art, Aura Mobile Reference... Sure some was new (unauthorized) and some was a little used but when's the last time you say a $550 install using Zapco amps //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif (BTW: the Zapco i2100 was $91 shipped BNIB)

 

[Depression 10+ year member]

I am flirting with getting some of the Image Dynamics Stuff from "INAUDIO" on EBAY...But I just ain't so sure saving $100 on a $300 item is worth the risk?

Maybe I will just go to SOUND DOMAIN.....

I just feel OVERALL that sometimes the whole thing about not being an authorized dealer in this business is over blown and exaggerated ...I mean If I bought a pair of IDQ 12 Subs from ID without a Warranty I would still trust it was a good product. I mean are we basically Paying an extra $25% for an Item just because it's gonna be warranty..

Is the only risk for buying "Un authorized"? no warranty?

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Other than warranty theres also risks of being inferior quality products. Could amps,speakers and such be counterfeited? Yes. Have they been in the past? Yes. Its all a risk, whether you want to take it or not is entirely up to you.

 

[eric77 10+ year member]

just go to your local dealer. They almost always are negotiable on their price. Just be a nice guy and if that doesnt work bullshit them on their competitors prices a little. They get the equipment for about ebay prices maybe a little less, so as long as you stay a little over ebay prices they'll ussually accept your offer.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Other than warranty theres also risks of being inferior quality products. Could amps,speakers and such be counterfeited? Yes. Have they been in the past? Yes. Its all a risk, whether you want to take it or not is entirely up to you.

That and the products could be refurbs.....and I'm not talking factory refurbs, I'm talking some guy trying to fix things out of his garage in his free time. And if the product doesn't work when you receive it, you very likely could be out all of your money (since the factory won't fix it for free).

I personally buy authorized whenever I can. The only non-authorized items I've ever bought were when I bought my current system, in which most of the items are used/NOS on ebay, and are not items I could go and pick up at a local dealer if I wanted (since they are mostly from the mid to late-90's). The ONLY time I would consider buying unauthorized is if 1) There were absolutely no local dealers in my area, and 2) The company had no authorized internet sales of any kind. In those circumstances, the only way to get the product is to find one of the many unauthorized sources.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

I like to know my stuff came straight from the manufacturer and i have a physical address to go to when I have technical/warranty issues- worth it IMO