Buy the Denon 3805 from an unauthized dealer?

[free2day33611]

The Dennon 3805 is priced at $1,199, but can be found for $970. I don't have an authorized dealer in my are, so I have to order thru the net. The Denon website only list certain e retailers and of course all of those prices are the 1,199. The Denon website says it will not honor any warrenties from purchases form non authorized dealers. Is the $230 savings worth the risk?

 

[Unregistered]

Its the classic risk adversness question. Its your call. If the unit is bad on delivery or 3 months after you receive it, you will be kicking yourself in the butt. Or maybe you will be able to enjoy your unit for years and years plus take your girl (or guy) out for several nice steak dinners.

I purchased my 2801 unit off of an un-authed dealer online about 4 years back, and I have not had on issue. But, I also made sure the retailer was going to honor the warranty, and they said yes. If the unit had problems, I would ship the unit back to them, and then they would send it on to Denon. I was content with that since I saved a couple 100 bucks too.

Unless the retailer you are going to buy from is willing to shoulder the burden of the unit if its bad, I would not take the chance. You could be stuck with with a non workable unit just to save some money.

Just my two cents.

Lonwa

 

[av_phile]

Try to get as much info about the vendor you are getting this discounted Denon from. If he makes good his promises to honor a customer's warrranty claim, replaces defective ones returned within a few days, and does a good job of having any of his returned goods fully restored within a reasonable time and service cost, then there's a good chance your risk can be minimized.

If you can inspect the unit before getting it, better. If it comes sealed with all the packing materials typical of a brand new unit, better. I am not aware of any fake Denon products foisted as genuine, but I have learned of some less than scrupulous dealers who repack pre-owned or returned defective stuff as new and price them attractively lower.

 

[Unregistered]

If you're tallying votes, I vote no. You're only talking about $229! I'd pay $229 to have some peace of mind.

 

[lynn2c]

check here http://www.hipposaudiovideo.com/den3805.htm
They list it on their site at $1199, but I emailed them and they said they would sell it for $945 and they are an authorized dealer

 

[huey]

That is a great price for people out of state. Did they mention what shipping would cost? I can buy the 3805 locally but I would be lucky to get that price. Even if I did, taxes would put the price back over $1000.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[docferdie]

try ABT Electronics. They are local retailer for the chicagoland area but they also do sales over the phone and on the internet. Depending on which salesman you are lucky enough to talk to, you can get it anywhere from $900-1000. They also have shipping promotions from time to time.

 

[huey]

Abt is a great place. I can drive over there and pick it up. What you said about salesmen is true. Some of the younger ones do not have the experience to offer good deals. I get some really bad advice from time to time as well.

 

[lynn2c]

here is the response I recieved from hippo on shipping. This is to N. Indiana

DENON AVR3805 ---------$946.00 PLUS $38.00 S/H
WE DO HAVE THIS UNIT IN STOCK.
THANKS

 

[free2day33611]

Thanks

Thanks. I'm sold. I double checked with the Denon site and Hippo's is authorized. Makes the decision easy. Thanks again.

 

[huey]

If I buy from an authourized dealer, can I take my receiver to any authorized dealer for repair or will I still need to ship it to the store I purchased it from?

At first I thought I could take it to any authorized dealer but I suddenly began to doubt myself.

If you always have to go to the original store, buying locally may have that much going for it.

 

[lynn2c]

I think I am too. Not quite ready to buy yet, but down to a coin flip over the Denon and the HK 7200. Pretty good pricing right now on the HK.
These what to buy decisions can drive you crazy. Which speaker is even worse.
Hippo's seems like a good place to buy, I'd sure fire the web designer though....hehe

 

[huey]

I have an Infinity HTR-10 speaker package with a 10 year old Pioneer ProLogic receiver. I know the speakers aren't great but the receiver is the prime weak spot of my system. I am anxious to hear my speakers with Dolby Digital. I am sure that will be a huge improvement by itself. After the receiver, and depending on the sound quality of the Infinities, Axioms are next on the list.

 

[annunaki]

I would do the H/K, if for the power advantage alone over the Denon.

As for taking your receiver to any authorized dealer, it would be at the dealer's discretion. They do not have to send it in for you should you have a problem. Usually, you would take it to the place of purchase, as that is a service provided to their customers for buying through them. Many independent dealers have a "service only what we sell" policy. A dealer would be much more apt to take care of you if he got your business.

 

[lynn2c]

I'm running an onkyo610 with infinities now. The speakers aren't bad, but I've outgrown them I think. I need to listen to the HK 7200. I know I'll get more power with it, but it is missing a couple features that I haven't decided if I'll "wish I had" if I buy it. Such as dolby prologic IIx and video up conversion, although I wonder if direct connections would still be the best.

I am also considering axiom's. Buying unheard scares me though, and the frequent word "bright" is shying me away some, but damn, just read the reviews.

Does everyone go thought the "what should I buy blues"??

 

[docferdie]

3805 is a better value. 7200 technology is at least a year older. microprocessors usually cycle every 6 months so its like the 3805 is 2 generations younger.

 

[marklshane1942]

Denon el cheapo purchases

You think youre saving money but the Factory Denon warranty is voided if you buy it from an unauthorized dealer. I bought an AVR 3805 from Ideal Audio/Video. They asked me not to report any warranty info to Denon. They removed the on- box warranty/serial number(there was no warranty to fill out!!) and also placed an unvalid tab with a new serial number on the receiver unit... Then they would not provide me with the name of their repair service if I needed it at any time in the future. This JUST isnt worth all the headache for a few dollars savings. I wish I could do this over I have such regrets. I hope my 3805 is OK and never needs repairs!!..Hippo, for one, has the best prices and they are an authorized dealer.!! Ideal AV never even sent shipping info til after the unit arrived. They lied so much!!.What a frustrating and unprofitable experience friends,...these thieves are so pastey .DONT DO IT FOR A few dollars saved !!.It's a real BUMMER!!

 

[blackpug]

ended up getting mine at tweeter - they knocked 150 off to the 1049 price and sold the mic for 35.

 

[Rob Babcock]

It's a gamble, just like various forms of insurance. JMOHO, but I wouldn't gamble on something that expensive: I'd buy it from an authorized dealer, preferably local. I have my own personal price-point where I'd be comfortable taking my chances- I'd say up to about $450-500. For instance, I've bought Denon CD players from nonauthorized dealers, figuring saving a $100 is worth it. At that price I'd junk it and buy another. But not a $1000+ receiver.

 

[rnb67]

I purchased it from J & R, an authorized dealer here in New York when it first came out for $900 plus tax. Considering the significant mark-off, should I be concerned?

P.S. The serial # looks like it has not ben tampered with. Can I confirm the authenticity with Denon?