Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: digitalandanalog on May 19, 2009, 03:45:52 PM
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I'm taking the plunge and going with a A/V receiver that lists around $1000 on the manufacturers website.
I googled for hours (deciding on brands and features) and found a place in NYC that is selling it NIB for $615. No tax and free shipping to boot.
But I still figured I would look around the local stores. We are bit limited here and Best Buy is pretty much the big fish in a little pond.
They can get the same receiver for me. $949 plus 9.25% tax. And it would have to be ordered.
Sorry storefront business. I love ya, but $421 is a lot of money to me and I would be better off not giving it to you.
That kind of savings just paid for my eye exam and new glasses.
I love teh interwebz.
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A) Whadja get?
B) Where is this "place in NYC"? Do some independent checking and make sure it's actually a place, not a scam site to collect your CC data. While not unheard of for places like NewEgg and the like, a full third off the mfg list with no shipping charges is still enough to put the red flag on standby.
Brad
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How would you check? I suppose if they listed a number you could call....
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It could be one of those crappy "electronics" stores in Brooklyn that sell gray market stuff. They're (in)famous in the photography world. Smile Camera is one of the shops.
Chris
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It could be one of those crappy "electronics" stores in Brooklyn that sell gray market stuff. They're (in)famous in the photography world. Smile Camera is one of the shops.
Chris
Grey market?
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legitimate products sold outside their intended market. Example would be a Nikon camera intended for Europe. It's a real nikon, but the warranty isn't valid.
Chris
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Gray market stuff tends to be cheaper, but you frequently won't get any support from the manufacturer if you have problems.
Chris
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Interesting. The price of used, but in new condition? And it's not illegal?
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Yes and yes.
Chris
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Indeed, I did call. I wanted to verify that it was in stock.
I am going with Yamaha in the form of their RX-V863. 105w times seven full bandwidth rated power. Assignable amp sections for versatility like bi-amping. Capable of outputting all video inputs into the component output for a single cable run to the T.V. will be nice. Multiple E.Q. options always push my buttons :laugh:
I have never owned Yamaha before, but I have heard good things about them
Anybody wanna buy a two year old Onkyo TX-RS575? =D
Actually, I think I will put the Onkyo in the office/computer room. It will produce much better sound than the little sub/satellite set I inherited.
It will be nice to have a better than so so receiver again.
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I'd imagine a lot of the Ebay sellers are like that as well, eh? Such as this (http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D60-Digital-SLR-Camera-4-Lenses-16GB-Kit-NEW_W0QQitemZ350199654493QQihZ022QQcategoryZ31388QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) or this (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Canon-EOS-Digital-REBEL-XSi-450D-Camera-4LENS-10GB_W0QQitemZ130303835056QQihZ003QQcategoryZ31388QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), right?
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Nope, both mention a US warranty. "Gray market" stuff usually doesn't have a US warranty. There might be a warranty offered by the seller (at some cost), but not an official manufacturer's warranty.
Chris
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Indeed, I did call. I wanted to verify that it was in stock.
I am going with Yamaha in the form of their RX-V863. 105w times seven full bandwidth rated power. Assignable amp sections for versatility like bi-amping. Capable of outputting all video inputs into the component output for a single cable run to the T.V. will be nice. Multiple E.Q. options always push my buttons :laugh:
I have never owned Yamaha before, but I have heard good things about them
Anybody wanna buy a two year old Onkyo TX-RS575? =D
Actually, I think I will put the Onkyo in the office/computer room. It will produce much better sound than the little sub/satellite set I inherited.
It will be nice to have a better than so so receiver again.
I have an older Yamaha amp (RX-V595a), and it's been great. The sound quality is fantastic, at least to my non-audiophile ears. Mine only delivers 70W per channel, but that gets it more than loud enough for my taste. I don't think I've ever turned the volume beyond the halfway point. Besides that, I've had it for about 10 years of somewhat rough treatment, and it still works as well as when I bought it.
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Hmmmm, so how do the ebay vendors manage those prices? Or are they still higher than grey market?
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No clue. Probably by not having any expenses at all other than the gear. The Gray Market folks frequently have storefronts.
Chris
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There used to be a couple articles online on how these shops did what they did, but I can't find them.
I pretty much stick to places like B&H, Adorama, Amazon, etc.
Chris
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I'm the same way with stores vs. internet. Some people present the case that compared to the internet ordering, the brick-and-mortar store offers convenience, expertise, and instant gratification. In my experience it's more like I have to drive in Dallas traffic, then deal with waiting in line and all, and you still have to research your purchase on the internet anyway because the people in the store are morons, and then they have to order it for you anyway because they don't actually have anything. There are exceptions, but for the most part the brick-and-mortar stores deserve the business lost to the internet.
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I'm the same way with stores vs. internet. Some people present the case that compared to the internet ordering, the brick-and-mortar store offers convenience, expertise, and instant gratification. In my experience it's more like I have to drive in Dallas traffic, then deal with waiting in line and all, and you still have to research your purchase on the internet anyway because the people in the store are morons, and then they have to order it for you anyway because they don't actually have anything. There are exceptions, but for the most part the brick-and-mortar stores deserve the business lost to the internet.
+1. I shop on the internet whenever possible for the same reasons. Store employees (generally) just don't have a clue, and I usually know far more than they do about what I'm buying.
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+1. I shop on the internet whenever possible for the same reasons. Store employees (generally) just don't have a clue, and I usually know far more than they do about what I'm buying.
It's not just that. Store employees will often outright lie to cover their lack of knowledge. I can't count how many times I've had a store employee tell me something that was blatantly untrue just to be able to "answer" my question.
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Best Buy is expensive. Also, have you researched the NYC online store? Are they listed on some ratings sites such as Resellerratings.com?
There are some online retailers who somehow manage to stay in business, although I don't know how. Botach Tactical comes to mind.
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Best Buy is expensive. Also, have you researched the NYC online store? Are they listed on some ratings sites such as Resellerratings.com?
There are some online retailers who somehow manage to stay in business, although I don't know how. Botach Tactical comes to mind.
Resellerratings.com is usually an excellent resource for checking out online vendors.
Digital, what's the name of the vendor?
I buy almost all my electronics online. The B & M's usually don't have it, or it is way overpriced. Most of the time when I do buy something on the web, I can get free shipping and have it in two or three dys.
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I've heard REI has a pretty extensive training program for their employees, but as a general rule most are indeed clueless drones.
Some things (clothes, shoes) it really is better and easier to buy B&M. But generally I online shop these days.
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I'm the same way with stores vs. internet. Some people present the case that compared to the internet ordering, the brick-and-mortar store offers convenience, expertise, and instant gratification. In my experience it's more like I have to drive in Dallas traffic, then deal with waiting in line and all, and you still have to research your purchase on the internet anyway because the people in the store are morons, and then they have to order it for you anyway because they don't actually have anything. There are exceptions, but for the most part the brick-and-mortar stores deserve the business lost to the internet.
A big ol' plus one.
Also, if I want it "as fast as possible," the 'net is usually the way to go. What with two kids a full time+ job, and my wife in nursing school, I rarely have time to shop around locally. It is almost certain that I will get something ordered off the net before i can find the time to hunt it down locally.
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Digital, what's the name of the vendor?
Place called Lorimer Electronics. I called (the second time) and they said that they are an authorized dealer of Yamaha.
I am not feeling too bad about this. I received an order confirmation via email. Being able to actually talk to a real person and everything seeming to be on the up and up in the web world has me at little fear that this is a bad deal.
I contacted an unknown dealer of music and movies in Ohio a few months ago to buy a NIB DVD of "Diary of a Hitman" that they listed for $3. Yes, I said $3.
I called. They had it, I ordered. $3 for the movie and a nominal charge to ship. I had it in less than a week.
Same circumstances this time around too...just a lot bigger and more expensive.
Besides which, it is up to the credit card company to attack a fraudulent business for theft of monies via undelivered product.
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I Googled "Lorimer Electronics". They sure don't have much of a web presence, either for their "store" or from consumers. You'd think someone with that level of price competitiveness would be all over the net, especially from home theater enthusiasts.
I'd still be a little leery.
Brad
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I Googled "Lorimer Electronics". They sure don't have much of a web presence, either for their "store" or from consumers. You'd think someone with that level of price competitiveness would be all over the net, especially from home theater enthusiasts.
I'd still be a little leery.
Brad
As long as digital is paying by credit card the risk he assumes is minimal...
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Well, they are in Brooklyn, and they do carry photography equipment.
Expect a phone call in a day or two to confirm your order. Then they'll start telling you about all the items you need or your equipment won't work--monster cables at an even higher markup than bestbuy, etc etc. Once you refuse them, don't be surprised when your receiver magically becomes out of stock or they just flat out cancel your order and hang up on you.
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legitimate products sold outside their intended market. Example would be a Nikon camera intended for Europe. It's a real nikon, but the warranty isn't valid.
Chris
They've got Sony guts, the guts are Sony.
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You might ask around on AVSForum to see if anyone there has any info on this place.
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Sounds to me like a case of too good to be true. I would check with the manufacturer to ensure they are in fact an authorized dealer and your warranty will be valid. Back about 5 years ago when I was buying home theater equipment many of the high end manufacturers would not honor warranty claims if you did not purchase through an authorized dealer. And some brands had no authorized internet dealers.
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Indeed. I bought my Pioneer stereo receiver brand new through eBay, at about half the price of what I could get it for through a dealer. The warranty card was very clear that you get no warranty if you don't buy it through a dealer.