Authorized retailer vs non authorized retailer

[Leon1972]

So what is the advantage of buying from an authorized retailer vs an unauthorized retailer? I was told by my local shop their full price vs the Internet discounts is the difference between authorized and unauthorized. Is this true? Is it worth 250 dollar difference for an authorized retailer?

 

[Steve81]

So what is the advantage of buying from an authorized retailer vs an unauthorized retailer?

Manufacturer's warranty.

I was told by my local shop their full price vs the Internet discounts is the difference between authorized and unauthorized. Is this true?

Not necessarily. There are authorized internet retailers, but you'd want to verify with the manufacturer that the website you're looking at is authorized.

Is it worth 250 dollar difference for an authorized retailer?

IMO, absolutely. Of course, you can wheel and deal with the local merchant to potentially cut that down a bit.

 

[Irvrobinson]

So what is the advantage of buying from an authorized retailer vs an unauthorized retailer? I was told by my local shop their full price vs the Internet discounts is the difference between authorized and unauthorized. Is this true? Is it worth 250 dollar difference for an authorized retailer?

It depends on the unauthorized retailer. I can think of one I'd probably trust. Most I might not. For only $250 I'd always go with an authorized one, and you'll get the manufacturer's warranty. Most often manufacturers will not honor their warranty without a receipt form an authorized retailer. The unauthorized guys usually promise to warranty the product themselves. On some products you can save thousands this way, but for $250? I'm not sure it's worth the possible aggravation.

What is the product?

 

[FirstReflection]

Yup, it's pretty much all about the manufacturer's warranty. If you buy a product from an unauthorized retailer, the manufacturer is under no obligation to honor their warranty. If something goes wrong with the product, you can still get it fixed at a repair shop, but you'd have to pay the full cost of the repair yourself. And if parts are unavailable, you're out of luck. The manufacturer has no obligation to offer a replacement model of any kind.

Now, given that many warranties are short (1 year is pretty common), the manufacturer's warranty isn't really worth much to begin with in a lot of cases. Add to that that you often have to ship products to a repair facility, and that the warranty doesn't cover the cost of shipping in many cases, and that warranty is worth even less!

But the problem with unauthorized retailers is that you really have no protection. They're shady to begin with. You don't necessarily know what you're buying. And if they screw you over, good luck trying to sue them! You've got no one to back you.

Plenty of online retailers are authorized. Most electronics manufacturers have a list of authorized retailers - both brick & mortar and online - somewhere on their website, or available if you call them. And while authorized retailers can only ever advertise the MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) as the lowest public price, they are completely free to sell for less if they want to. This is why you should always call on the phone for electronics, rather than just clicking "add to cart"

But my advice, stick to authorized retailers. If you're not sure if a certain website or store is authorized, call the manufacturer. And if you want a lower price than the MAP, call the retailer and haggle. "Grey Market", unauthorized retailers aren't worth it.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...
Of course, you can wheel and deal with the local merchant to potentially cut that down a bit.

And how. Just got making a great deal, I think, this way with my local B&M place. I feel good about it, no real worries, close and keep the $$$ local.

 

[Leon1972]

Well. I got about ten percent off for speakers and a receiver. 3400 before they discounted. 3020 after. Is this pretty good or should I make a counter offer?

 

[Steve81]

should I make a counter offer?

Worst they can do is say no.

 

[Leon1972]

Should I make a bigger discount offer or a throw in a 3d hdmi cable, speaker wire / connectors and sub cable with it all?

 

[templemaners]

Should I make a bigger discount offer or a throw in a 3d hdmi cable, speaker wire / connectors and sub cable with it all?

A bigger discount offer - the HDMI cables, speaker wire, banana plugs, sub cables, all that stuff you can get online for super cheap.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So what is the advantage of buying from an authorized retailer vs an unauthorized retailer? I was told by my local shop their full price vs the Internet discounts is the difference between authorized and unauthorized. Is this true? Is it worth 250 dollar difference for an authorized retailer?

Buying from non-authorized dealers is like buying from AudiogoN or eBay, except the components are new, instead of used. Like most things from AudiogoN & eBay, you get no warranty or support.

If your AVR costs $500, then $250 difference is a BIG deal. If your speakers cost $5,000, then $250 is probably not as big a deal.

The most important thing is to use a credit card with great dispute customer support - the ones with zero liability. Like my Chase Amazon Visa and my Citi MasterCard. My American Express Gold sucks as far as dispute goes.

 

[cpp]

Buying from non-authorized dealers is like buying from AudiogoN or eBay, except the components are new, instead of used. Like most things from AudiogoN & eBay, you get no warranty or support.

If your AVR costs $500, then $250 difference is a BIG deal. If your speakers cost $5,000, then $250 is probably not as big a deal.

The most important thing is to use a credit card with great dispute customer support - the ones with zero liability. Like my Chase Amazon Visa and my Citi MasterCard. My American Express Gold sucks as far as dispute goes.

The best advice is to not take a chance on your hard earned money and buy from a authorized dealer.

 

[Leon1972]

Buying from non-authorized dealers is like buying from AudiogoN or eBay, except the components are new, instead of used. Like most things from AudiogoN & eBay, you get no warranty or support.

If your AVR costs $500, then $250 difference is a BIG deal. If your speakers cost $5,000, then $250 is probably not as big a deal.

The most important thing is to use a credit card with great dispute customer support - the ones with zero liability. Like my Chase Amazon Visa and my Citi MasterCard. My American Express Gold sucks as far as dispute goes.

Well for me it is the difference between 650 and 900

 

[lsiberian]

Well for me it is the difference between 650 and 900

What site is it you are looking at?

Obviously go for the 650 if it's a reputable place.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well. I got about ten percent off for speakers and a receiver. 3400 before they discounted. 3020 after. Is this pretty good or should I make a counter offer?

10% off ? That's it?

I always try to go for at least 20% off even from authorized dealers.

What exact speakers & AVR are you trying to buy?

 

[markw]

In the imortal words of that great philosopher, Dirty Harry...

"You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?"

If you bought at a cheap price and you never need service while under warranty, you've won the bet.

Of course, if it should fail within what would be the warranty period, well...

Doesn't the mlitary offer PX's or BX's anymore? I got lotsa good stuff there real cheap, and with warranties, in the late 60's.

 

[Leon1972]

10% off ? That's it?

I always try to go for at least 20% off even from authorized dealers.

What exact speakers & AVR are you trying to buy?

The monitor audio r270HD10
R270HD10 | Radius HD | Monitor Audio


denon 2313ci
DENON US)

why do you ask?

 

[Rockfish88]

Bottom line here -- the manufacturers control the warranties and won't stand behind a product not sold by an authorized dealer. They want to force us to go to that authorized dealer. Why? So the authorized dealer has enough business from local customers to be able to build the business and not worry about others benefitting from their investments in promoting the line. So where do the grey market goods come from? The manufacturers know; they have the serial numbers. Did the manufacturer sell to unauthorized dealers or did the authorized dealers sell to unauthorized dealers? Had to be one or the other. Therefore the consumer, who just wants the product, who supports the product as a user, who brags about it to others and probably sells as many as the dealer, they get punished. Screw the user if they want your product at the best price.

Thanks for supporting our product, now good luck if it breaks.