would you buy a "new" or refurb receiver off ebay ?

[just-some-guy]

i want a new or refurb pioneer 7.1 reciever. true hd, hdmi audio (what is hdmi 1.3?), pre-outs, some other things i can't think of now. anyway. i want to stay under $600. under $500 would be nice as its probably going to be about worthless in 4-5 years.

anyway. seems ebay is the only way to stay under $600. but i worry about the warranty, and perhaps the unit not being 100% (for whatever reason).

and i don't know if i should hold off for any new tech coming out.

watcha think ? tia

and i am HOPING to get an amp for it. work is slow, so i'l have to see about that.

 

[MidnightSensi]

eBay is always a bit of a risk, although I've had fairly good luck with it, but there are a few things you can do to stay a bit safer:

-Buy through PayPal, and only buy through bank verified people. Getting bank verified isn't hard, but if someone goes through the trouble it at least means they aren't inept. That will weed out a lot of people.

-People with a lot of good reputation will generally be better.

-Watch the shipping, people make some extra cash with flat rates and such. It doesn't mean you need to avoid the flat rates, but, just remember to account for shipping in the price. UPS or FedEX calculator can help you get an idea, and also allow them some room for handling and shipping material (they have to drive to a UPS or FedEX stop maybe, or have to package it, etc.)

eBay is a bit of a process, to really buy something right on there it takes a few weeks of watching things. You'll see the same people selling groups of items and such, and its interesting to see how much people really sell on there. I go back and forth on the value of eBay, because when you factor in your time for using it sometimes the discount doesn't seem to make as much sense. Also, people fall in love with stuff on there. I've sold some things on there and a few of them I couldn't believe how much people bid it up, I've sold somethings on there that went for more than you would buy them new. I couldn't believe it. It's people falling in love with something in the last moments of the auction and not thinking.

Just some things to keep in mind if you go the eBay route. There can be some good finds on there if you keep the right attitude and enjoy the process.

 

[jcilforever]

under $500

i want a new or refurb pioneer 7.1 reciever. true hd, hdmi audio (what is hdmi 1.3?), pre-outs, some other things i can't think of now. anyway. i want to stay under $600. under $500 would be nice as its probably going to be about worthless in 4-5 years.

anyway. seems ebay is the only way to stay under $600. but i worry about the warranty, and perhaps the unit not being 100% (for whatever reason).

and i don't know if i should hold off for any new tech coming out.

watcha think ? tia

and i am HOPING to get an amp for it. work is slow, so i'l have to see about that.

I bought mine for under $500 2 year Wrty, double boxed, and shipped check sig PM me

 

[markw]

Yes, but only from certain retailers.

I'd only buy from a factory authorized reseller that offers a factory warranty. Dunno about Pioneer but I've had extremely good luck with Marantz and Onkyo stuff from Accessories4less.

As far as waiting for the "new tech", unless there's something there you absotivelutly, positively need that the current version lacks, why bother? It'll be "obsolete" in six months anyway.

These are not simple devices. Stuff does happen on occasion and odds are they already happened once to the unit in question.

 

[CraigV]

I'd only buy from a factory authorized reseller that offers a factory warranty. Dunno about Pioneer but I've had extremely good luck with Marantz and Onkyo stuff from Accessories4less.

As far as waiting for the "new tech", unless there's something there you absotivelutly, positively need that the current version lacks, why bother? It'll be "obsolete" in six months anyway.

These are not simple devices. Stuff does happen on occasion and odds are they already happened once to the unit in question.

Good advice - beat me to it

 

[GlocksRock]

I have ordered 2 Yamaha receivers from ebay, both have been trouble free. Even though there is no warranty, I figure the amount I save can always pay for the repair and I'll still be saving, should I ever need to have it fixed. There is always a risk, but only you can decide if the savings is worth the potential risk.

 

[jcilforever]

I bought mine for under $500 2 year Wrty, double boxed, and shipped check sig PM me

Yes, quoting myself, the receiver I bought was factory authorized and was going for $550-750 on ebay and I paid under $500 shipped. So in this case it was cheaper to buy direct from the reseller. It depends on the item with ebay, all about supply and demand.

 

[griffinconst]

I know this isn't the brand you mentioned but I got a great deal at the Onkyo web site. I bought a refirb. 805 for less than half of original price and got free shipping and like most internet purchases, no tax. I've had no problems. I'd buy a factory refirb only.
It's a beautiful thing.

 

[jcilforever]

Not to bash Onkyo but they seem to have alot of refurbs available and so does Denon. I can think of three websites that sell refurbs of each brand. I would have gone with a Denon over an Onkyo because of customer satisfaction but thought long and hard about it. I went with Pioneer because I was unable to find a company that sold refurb except ebay and they also had the right features for the right price.

 

[tcarcio]

I bought my Pioneer Elite on Ebay and I saved a good chunk of change and I was very happy with the reciever and the seller. Just do a little homework and you should be fine.

 

[lsiberian]

Not to bash Onkyo but they seem to have alot of refurbs available and so does Denon. I can think of three websites that sell refurbs of each brand. I would have gone with a Denon over an Onkyo because of customer satisfaction but thought long and hard about it. I went with Pioneer because I was unable to find a company that sold refurb except ebay and they also had the right features for the right price.

Refurb is the WTG with receiver IMO. It's more likely to work. Since it was just repaired. If you buy it from a good seller/manufacturer.

HK sells their refurb stuff on ebay. And I think it's probably the easiest way to build a cheap system.

Personally I love ebay and will buy there first. Most folks are honest and those that don't will be pursued by paypal with a vengance. I eventually got money back for one guy issues in June.

Bet accessories 4 less is sometimes cheaper than ebay. Because it's not a well known place in the general public circles.

I suggest you just buy a receiver from them.

 

[dssmith999]

Fleabay

No issues yet other than too many good deals. Watch the item you want for a while as prices tend to change quickly. Also if it is a true auction and the reserve is not met after auction ends they might send you 2nd chance offer for your last bid!! Nice items to be had that way but use caution. Before looking at item check the seller out first.

 

[AndrewLyles]

I purchased a Pioneer Elite from an auction site (u-bid) 8 years ago. It worked perfectly until this year when I burned it out pushing a pair of 4 ohm speakers too hard. If you can find what you want from a good seller I don't see a problem with it.

 

[greggp2]

I agree. I purchased my Panamax line cleaner through e-Bay 2 years ago and it has been trouble free. I saved about 50% off retail too... Buy through a reputable merchant and you should be fine..

 

[MidnightSensi]

I purchased a Pioneer Elite from an auction site (u-bid) 8 years ago. It worked perfectly until this year when I burned it out pushing a pair of 4 ohm speakers too hard. If you can find what you want from a good seller I don't see a problem with it.

My Pioneer Elite suffered the same fate four or five years back. They are for sure not 4-ohm stable haha.

 

[just-some-guy]

thanx, everyone. i am holding off for the moment. work has gotten pretty slow, and i am the low guy on the poll, know what i'm sayin..... i am not too worried about the amp section, as i plan/hope to get an amp for it, if everything works out ok = i don't get layed off.

 

[greggp2]

Keep the faith. Two up days in the market!!!! Yipee.... let's hope it's a turn around.. I'm getting tired of this darn recession already...

 

[TheFactor]

You can find some great deals on ebay but like said previously make sure you only buy when your able to use paypal because they really are your only protection.