Online Purchasing of Components

[renfronics]

Hi all,

My Axiom M80 speaker set was shipped yesterday, and with summer and trips and softball all going on at once, I have forgotten to purchase the receiver to drive them. I know they're 4 ohm driven, and have picked out the receiver that I would like - the Yamaha RX-V4600 - (I've read lots of good things) - the only issue now is where to get it. I've called all the dealers mentioned on Yamaha's website and few have it in stock....so, I turned to the next semi-logical choice ---- EBAY ---- and found these two.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39801&item=5787964404&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39801&item=5787808833&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I am leaning towards the second guy instead of the first one - let me know if you think I'm off here.

Question is how and why are these models selling for so much less than anything a dealer has - we're talking about $350 - $450 depending on who you talk to. I know Dealers have costs to cover, and are probably better to deal with because you have a "person or store" you can go back to. I've looked at all the feedback, auction "claims" that these are BRAND NEW - and I even called and asked whether full warranty/serial numbers are intact and if models are in stock ---- of course they said yes...

Main question - is there any significant reason not to buy from either of these sources? I'm not against spending the $1700 but if there is no significant reason that I can't spend $1350 for the same darn thing, is there a reason not to??? I of course already know to pay with credit card no matter what - (we're near the beginning of month, so have plenty of time to reverse if anything goes wrong or doesn't measure up). Just want to know if I'm missing something obvious here!

Just a curious mind - please don't be too harsh!!!

P.S. - The Axioms are coming from the factory and I seriously cannot wait -

 

[godfober]

I am also debating online purchase vs. retailer. I am looking into Yamaha RXV2500 which I could get online for $656.91 including shipping. That's hundreds cheaper than any retailer in my city. But I am worried about the warranty issue. I have read in some threads of Yamaha not recognizing any product purchased from unauthorized dealers. So I might try to just print out the online deal to a local retailer and ask them to match the price. My friend and I did that when we were getting our DLP TV so it might work.

 

[oscar6036]

A lot of what you're going to sacrifice is the warranty of the item. Having a little security to match something that you're paying $2K for helps ya sleep at night.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39801&item=5787808833&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I am leaning towards the second guy instead of the first one - let me know if you think I'm off here.

Some of the negative replies:
I had to pay 2 times for the delivery because the first stereo came broken.

Send a refurbished item when it was sold as brand new.
Buyer myb_star ( 17) May-03-05 10:04 5766105925
Reply by onlysales: refurbished? it's open box merchandise as stated on ebay only new can get rebate

received damaged item, then received incorrect order, unable to get full refund

Finally received item Customer service hostile unprofessional Will not buy agian

Item was DOA. CS guy was nice, but would've made me pay shipping on return.

Seller ignorant or lied about a warranty being valid in Canada. Ok otherwise.

sold camera that didn't work; they steal 15% if you try to return item
Buyer haruepurple ( 12) Mar-28-05 08:51 3874670490
Reply by onlysales: we agreed to exchange the camera after 6 weeks for free he only wanted refund?!?

Ordered wrong item- a 15% fee, refused 1st return, after much bs- a $135 mistake
Buyer stebunn ( 83) Mar-26-05 23:41 3865300764
Reply by onlysales: it was your mistake we were kind enough to take it back at all this is gratitude Mar-27-05 09:24
Follow-up by stebunn: All I asked was 2nd ship cost from your staff's error. Will withdraw for my $20.

good delivery ..... it was not made clear to me that the item was refurbished

Transaction was fast unit works but has a dented volume knob & chip on the side

 

[agarwalro]

look at feedback and how long the seller is on Ebay

I never buy from any seller who has less than 99% feedback. Also look at how long the person has been selling. Eg. say someone who has been selling for 2 years and still has > 99% feedback should be pretty reliable.

I have used this mantra and all my Ebay purchases have been good.

Cheers.

 

[renfronics]

So Yamaha won't honor a warranty if it's not sold by a dealer? If the item is brand new and still in original sealed box...does it matter? I understand the security piece as well - don't want to get stuck with the 1 of 100 that goes bad.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

So Yamaha won't honor a warranty if it's not sold by a dealer? If the item is brand new and still in original sealed box...does it matter? I understand the security piece as well - don't want to get stuck with the 1 of 100 that goes bad.

I think the reason they don't is because a lot of these online retailers sell refurbs, and package them as "new" when they really aren't. If these ebayers/etailers would just come out and say "refurb/return" and discount the price, and offer a third party warranty for $150, they'd sure do a lot more biz IMHO. You can't beat the price of these Yammy 4600's, but you have to wonder, are they really "new" ??

 

[XtremeAV]

The reason they don't honor the warranty is because these ebay sellers have no training on the product and no service after the sell.
I don't sell Yamaha products however I do sell many high-end brands that are the same way and have ask the manufacturer that exact question.

 

[msmith855]

Actually the reason Yamaha doesn't warranty their products except through "authorized" retailers is because in order to be an "authorized" retailer you must agree to a minimum selling price for the equipment. In other words you wouldn't be allowed to sell the RX-V2500 for anything less than say $799 for example. This maintains their image of an upscale product line.

Check with the seller though, often if they are not authorized resellers they will offer some kind of warranty of their own. If not (or if the warranty is very limited), I would be careful. One of the reasons I eventually chose Pioneer over Yamaha was for this very reason.

 

[Jacin]

As with alot of you here, I am also in the same boat trying to decide if buying a RX-2500 online is the right way to go.....Between shipping and most possibly a 3 year extended warranty from Phillips or Mack, I might save $200 which is stilll quite a bit of money. Pays for my wires...lol..............Even so, still flipping a quarter here.....Any help deciding where to buy would be appreciated...