TD30 - My understanding is that Yamaha sells its RX-V series only through a system of authorized dealers. Some of these authorized dealers do sell some of their products online but not the RX-V series. What this means is that, if you want a new unit with a Yamaha factory-backed warranty, you'll have to pay near MSRP prices. Most of these authorized dealers will discount the RX-V line but probably no more than 10 - 15%.
Yes, online unauthorized dealers advertise RX-V2500's for hundreds less than MSRP -- a very tempting proposition. However, you will not get a Yamaha factory-backed warranty. Some of these e-tailers will sell you an "off-the-shelf warranty; whether or not they are as good as the factory warranty is debatable. There are a number of real problems with purchasing from an unauthorized dealer: Many unauthorized e-tailers are merely brokers and, while they'll tell you they have an item in stock, in fact they do not have it in stock. They'll take your credit card information and then begin searching for the item you ordered. Meanwhile, you are waiting; telephoning and e-mailing them asking what the hold up is. They're ignoring your e-mails and being rude with you on the phone. And on and on it goes. Some unauthorized dealers are out-and-out crooks. They'll advertise a "new-in-box" RX-V2500 with a "USA Warranty", whatever that means. You'll order it and they'll send you one of the following: a B-Stock unit, a used unit, a damaged unit, a repaired unit or a counterfeit unit.
There are some unauthorized dealers that are honest enough to advertise that they are an unauthorized dealer for their products and that they do not come with a warranty. These dealers do have their fair share of satisfied customers.
So, it's a crap shoot. I would never buy from an unauthorized dealer but you're not me. If you are determined to buy from an unauthorized dealer, I suggest you do some investigating of the dealer before you give them your credit card number. Google them. Run them through the BBB. Run them through resellerratings.com. Ask about them in this and other audo fora. Then, when you're satisfied you're not dealing with a crook, go ahead.
