Warranty Questions (Mack/Phillips/OEM)

[shadowfayre]

Looking at purchasing the Yami RX-V2500. The only B&M store in my area that seem to have this model is Goodguys. There current price is 1K with a 10% back. Add in taxes, here in WA, that still comes up to nearly 1K. Online several retailers (Un-authorized) sale the same model for around 650 + either a Mack or Phillips warranty. Some offer 2 day shipping the one I am looking at etronics.com cost 72bucks. Comes to around 800 bucks. My question is, what kind of differences are there between the Mack, Phillips, and the OEM warranty. Phillips seem to be cheaper than Mack but at what cost?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

They are all good warranties. What they do is charge $80 to everyone for the warranty, and when one out of 100 comes back, they have $8000 to get the broken one repaired. Big money in it for the warranty companies, but everyone saves doing it that way. The 2500 models have been very solid, so I doubt you will have any problems with it no matter which etailer you buy it from. I actually think you should be able to get that reciever for under $700 right now. Here...

www.shopzilla.com/12--Yamaha_RX_V2500_6.1_CH_Receiver_-_cat_id--11070000__prod_id--260804071

 

[jimmit]

I can't comment on the actual warranties; I trust buckeyefan 1 knows what he's talking about regarding the warranties. However, there are other potential problems inherent in purchasing electronic gear from an unauthorized dealer. The main problem is that you don't know what you're getting for your money. If you do some research on the Internet, you will find many examples of folks just like yourself who expect to receive a new-in-box unit, factory-sealed unit and instead receive a unit which has been opened, used, damaged, refurbished or worse yet, counterfeit. Then you are faced with the hassle of dealing with rude and inconsiderate people in an effort to resolve the situation.

Here's what the New York Better Business Bureau had to say about etronics.com: BBB.

Note the number and type of complaints. That is only for the folks who took the time to file a formal complaint with the BBB; it doesn't include those who had problems and either resolved them or did not take the time or effort to contact the BBB.

With respect to each of the unauthorized dealers listed at shopzilla.com, run each through the BBB (most are Brooklyn-based electronics stores). Also do some on-line research, i.e., Google, etc.

Not everyone who buys from an unauthorized dealer has problems, but enough of them do that it behooves you to go into this with your eyes open. There are advantages to purchasing from an authorized dealer not the least of which is that you will have the peace of mind knowing that the manufacturer is the one standing behind your gear. If there's something wrong with your unit, who will be the one to actually work on it? Someone you trust to use the correct parts, etc. You have to decide if the price difference is worth the possibility of buying counterfeit/used/damaged/dead-on-arrival/refurbished gear. It's your money.

Good luck!

 

[JeffreyDJ]

I happened to have ordered from etronics without an issue. My 2500 arrived in factory sealed condition with everything in tact.

Place me firmly in the camp of an "Authorized Dealer" is simply a way to have price controls and to artificially keep prices high.

The fact that they participate in the BBB is a good sign, and the fact they follow through on complaints is as well. The fact that all consumers weren't happy is an unfortunate fact of life.

In fact, I'd say 78 complaints from a company that probably handles thousands of transactions a day isn't that bad, and in fact is probably righ up there with well respcted companies. In fact, thats only about 6 complaints a month.

Not that I am trying to sell anyone on ordering from them, but it's only fair to point out both sides of a story and to look at those facts logically.

 

[jimmit]

Jeffrey - I agree with you; shadowfayre should see both sides of the story. I was merely trying to show him the side he may not have seen up to that point. I don't see anything wrong with that?

The fact that etronics.com is a member of the BBB is better than if they weren't a member, but it's no guarantee that they will always adhere to good business practices. Yes, it's good for them that they follow through on complaints. They have to; it's a condition of their BBB membership-in-good-standing.

Regarding the number of complaints, I don't know if that's a good number or a bad number. You're right, it depends on their volume of business. But just to give one some perspective, of 22 Good Guys stores in the Los Angeles metropolitan area which are listed in the L.A. BBB on-line records, there were only 50 complaints for all 22 stores in the last three years.

Good Guys: Twenty-two stores; three years; 50 complaints.

Etronics: One store; one year; 78 complaints.

With respect to follow-through, Good Guys gets mixed reviews. Their respective BBB ratings, depending on the individual store, varied from F (the worst) to AA (next to best). Failure to respond to one complaint garners an F.

Again, the thrust of my posting was that buying from unauthorized dealers may result in unexpected consequences, specifically not getting what you paid for. That is less likely to happen when buying from an authorized dealer. I stand by my posting.

 

[shadowfayre]

It is a tough card to play. Every dealer, online or B&M will have complaints. Some will be noted in reviews and customer comments... others not. As the previous posted mentioned, it is a given fact that very few people will compliment on a store or purchase or for that factor anything else. I work in an industry where I deal with people everyday. It is a given, that complaints will out weigh compliments. It is a good thing that bosses does not see that as a factor in rather or not to keep employees on board.

I believe no matter where you choose the buy, you take a chance. The question is, do we chance more online or do we just take the safety blanket with us to the store? Similar to the battle of online purchase safety vs store safety (credit card sales)

 

[sjdgpt]

You have to decide if the price difference is worth the possibility of buying counterfeit/used/damaged/dead-on-arrival/refurbished gear.

You also forgot to mention "off the back of the truck" equipment . These days, equipment stolen by an employee of the business is typically sold on the 'net. It is soooo easy.

What else is sold by online companies? Excess inventory. Legitimate equipment that is either not desired or needed by the B&M stores. Which is why some people will seem to get "primo" equipment. It really is "primo" equipment. It just lacks the factory warranty, support and assurance that it really wasnt purchased from the back of the delivery truck.


Unfortunately, online consumers seem to hold the feet of B&M companies to the proverbial price fire, while allowing online companies to grossly overcharge for the products sold the online companies.

What is a fair price for an online, who knows what it might be, without a warranty, piece of equipment? 40% off the B&M price. Less than 40% discount from the B&M, walk away from the deal, it is online robbery.

 

[jimmit]

Well, my contentions are these:

1) In almost all cases, an item of audio gear will cost more at an authorized dealer than from an unauthorized one. Keep this in mind though: with some negotiation, authorized dealers often will discount their prices to less than MSRP. Once you tack on the cost of an off-the-shelf warranty to an unauthorized dealer's price, the total may not be too far off from the negotiated, discounted price of an authorized dealer.

2) The potential for problems of any kind is generally higher with unauthorized dealers than with authorized dealers.

3) It is a personal and individual decision as to whether or not to purchase from an authorized dealer or an unauthorized dealer. However, one should always make every effort to educate one's self and go into the purchase with one's "eyes open."

 

[JeffreyDJ]

I don't disagree with anything posted at all -- except for the 40% rule to shop at Brick and Mortars. I think MSRP only is highway robbery -- though manufacturer sanctioned. In fact, in a free market economy, it's the exact opposite of what one would expect.

I think the percentage would be more likely based on what one feels is worth it. And, on high dollar items, even 20-30% is huge.

I think jimmit's last post made the most sense. It's a personal decision on what to pay, for most people saving $200 is probably more then enough incentive.

I happened to have saved right under 40% in my transaction INCLUDING the extended warranty (and shipping).