E-Bay Sellers Rip Off

[Guangui]

When I started looking for a new speaker and receiver for my HT, I did a lot of research, and auditioning, and decided to compare prices with E-Bay listings to see if I could find a good deal. I did receiver research, and decided for Marantz. In their website found online dealers for new and refurb, and found great pricing from one of them, plus excellent service (acc4less). Then my quest for speakers started, as at first I wanted on walls, and was pretty much decided for Klipsch RVX-42's, but that was before auditioning them for more than 10 minutes.

Anyways, a friend of mine bought locally a set of Klipsch SLX's for $200.00 ea., and another local dealer was asking $279.00 ea. for the RVX's. Both dealers carry a large stock of Klipsch speakers. Trying to find a better deal, I go to E-Bay, and all I found were people selling these speakers at outrageous pricing. SLX's at more than $200.00 plus freight, some at over $250.00 ea. And the RVX's, if you can find them at $325.00 ea. to $400.00 ea. If you find good deals, is liquidators who only have one or two on hand, and God forbid a warranty issue comes in play. Why would I go thru the hassle of buying online, waiting, and paying freight, if I can buy from a reputable dealer.

I know there are deals to be found on E-Bay, but mostly for used equipment being sold by good people that want to upgrade or change. Found out that most liquidators, are just trying to do a quick buck, and don't get me started on wii's found on e-bay, just bought from my local Comp USA store at $250.00...check E-Bay and laugh.

Just blowing off steam!!!

 

[adk highlander]

As an RVX owner I can say that if your dealer in PR is selling them that cheap it is great but around me no Klipsch Reference dealer is selling them for much under $400 each. So to see them on ebay for $325 each would be a decent deal.

I am going to upgrade to towers soon and hope to get around $200 each for my RVX's and I would not at all feel as though I am ripping anyone off.

The SLX is a totally different speaker and does not have the same drivers or enclosure as the RVX.

 

[Guangui]

At $200, even used, I wouldn't consider RVX-42 a rip-off. And, yes one of the Klipsch dealers apparently sells them cheap, as he moves a lot of volume, plus he is more geared to the Pro industry (installers, bands, orchestras, musicians, etc.), and car audio, which is a cut throat market here.

 

[highfihoney]

I dont get why your upset with ebay for not being cheapest,ebay has changed drastically over the last 5 years,if you want a deal from ebay anymore you'll never just pop in & find a deal,people who get deals from ebay put in many hours waiting for the right deal then they jump on it while it lasts.

 

[Guangui]

Not mad at Ebay, just at some sellers. And like I said, just blowing off steam...Yes, it has changed a lot, and I don't know what other people's experience have been, but mine has been that you can find better deals somewhere else. For used equipment, or clearance items, it is still a good place.

 

[highfihoney]

Not mad at Ebay, just at some sellers. And like I said, just blowing off steam...Yes, it has changed a lot, and I don't know what other people's experience have been, but mine has been that you can find better deals somewhere else. For used equipment, or clearance items, it is still a good place.

I agree,i use ebay alot but most auctions are pure crap anymore,the whole auction process has been taken over by sniperware making it very hard to find a deal let alone win an auction at a decent price.And yes,clearance & liquidation items have become a joke,usually selling for 20% above the cost at a brick & mortar store.

When i want audio gear i usually buy from private sellers on Audiogon,no way to sniper a for sale ad.

 

[fmw]

The problem with Ebay really started with the buyers, not the sellers. Buyers were unwilling to let the sellers make a profit. The pro caliber commercial sellers left Ebay. All that is left is individuals selling personal items or amateurs working to make weekend beer money. Occasionally you will find a commercial seller dumping distressed inventory. You can't have professional sellers without letting them make a profit. Ebay is no longer a good place to buy new, name brand products. That's the reason. I'm one of those former commercial sellers myself.

I tried 4 times in the last month to buy my wife an expensive figurine for Christmas on Ebay. I received none of the 4. The first one was not available. The second one was "Oops, I didn't mean to list that." The third one was "order cancelled. No product." And the fourth one was "Thanks for the bid. I'll need an additional $75 for shipping." I cancelled that one. How's that for amateurish sellers? It's a shame. Ebay is such a great business concept. But it only works as a fea market, not as a marketplace for new, name brand products.

There are still some pro caliber commercial sellers on Amazon. But don't expect to be able to buy below cost.

 

[Guangui]

You are so right about buyers being at fault. If you are in business you need to make a profit, but don't try to take me for a ride by charging $75.00 freight on a 2 lbs. item, that probably costs $4.00 via Priority Mail with Tracking and Insurance. I noticed that most of them try to stick it to you by charging insane handling fees, and twice or more what freight costs really are.

 

[fmw]

You're making something out of nothing. As long as the shipping charge is published then you know what it is. Add it to the price of the product and that's what you pay. You accept it or reject it. Retailers deal with landed costs - cost of the product plus whatever costs are involved in getting in the back door. Consumers should do the same thing.