Yamaha HTR-5760

[LittleKing]

My wife and I are just starting to piece together our Home Theater equipment. The first thing we are buying is the reciever. We've (or I should I decided and she agreed to let me ) to buy the Yamaha HTR-5760. Now from reading this thread, Yamaha - HTR vs RXV, the HTR-5760 is the same thing as the RX-V650 except a few minor differences and the cosmetics and the fact that the HTR series is sold at more locations and online, while the RXV can only be sold from authorized retailiers to maintaine the warranty.

So I went to find a place to buy it with a good price. Of course the big retail stores price it at the $499.99, however, I've been able to find it online for cheaper. www.bhphotovideo has it for 399.99 and event cheaper at etronics.com for 309.99. So I was going to buy it at Etronics.com since they have a good rating at resellerratings.com and because most people had good experiences with them in this thread, Etronics.com users???.

However, this quote from that thread made be worry.

I don't know about Denon but they aren't an authorized Yamaha dealer so the Yamaha warranty is no good.

I posted a reply in the thread but it wasn't reponsed to so I thought I'd start a new one. My question is, does that mean Yamaha won't honor their warrently if I was to buy the HTR-5760 from etronics.com? I was under the impression that the HTR could be sold online and the warranty would be valid from Yamaha. Did this person just mean the RXV series warranty would not be valid or all Yamaha products warranties would not be Valid?

Clarification on this would be most appreicated.

Thanks,
LK

 

[Nomo]

There are authorized Yamaha E-vendors. I don't believe Etronics is one of them. So no, Yamaha will not honor the warranty. For a list of authorized vendors. http://www.yamaha.com/yec/customer/dealer.aspx From what I've seen their pricing is not much better than what you would find at a BestBuy store.

 

[Swerd]

You are not the only one confused about this. I've heard the same thing that you have heard, that Yamaha is tough about honoring its warranty only if the product was bought from an authorized dealer. Read what Yamaha says: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/customer/warranty/warranty_main.htm

If you click on the Dealer Locator link found in that site, you will see a list of authorized internet dealers. Try a few of those and see what their prices are. I tried one, J & R Music (I have used them in the past and been satisfied with their service), and saw that they would email you a price for the model you want, but would not post it on their site. Maybe that's to satisfy Yamaha.

See what the difference in price is with and without the Yamaha warranty from an authorized dealer. Then you can decide if it is worth it to you.

 

[LittleKing]

Well J&R sells it for $399.99. I know I'll have to make my own decision, but do you guys think it's worth the extra $90 to get Yamaha's warranty?

Thanks,
LK

 

[Swerd]

Well J&R sells it for $399.99. I know I'll have to make my own decision, but do you guys think it's worth the extra $90 to get Yamaha's warranty?

$90 extra for the warranty? I wish it wasn't quite so much, but if it were my choice I would pay for it.

Yamaha is a reputable electronic manufacturer. They are one of the few big home electronics companies that seem to care about both customer satisfaction and profits. Some of the others have been bought and sold so often that their present owners seem to be in the business only for the money.

My argument seems to go both ways… that Yamaha is good enough that you are not likely to need the warranty, or that because Yamaha is good you should be prepared to pay extra for the authorized dealers and USA warranty. Even though I don't like paying for life insurance, nor do I plan on needing it, I do buy life insurance. Which is it for you?

If you order online, get the cheapest shipping - free if available. And by all means buy the least expensive cables from an online dealer like Parts Express http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&DID=7&WebPage_ID=40

 

[Nomo]

Let's not completely forget about the feeling of walking out of a brick and motar establishment with your reciever safely tucked under your arm.
$399.00 is definitly a good price for a 5760. No doubt a better price than Best Buy will give you. However, have you considered it's RXV twin the RXV-650? These are sold by authorized Yamaha dealers. (warranty and all). The ticket price i've seen on these units is usually $499.00 but many times these places have staff working on commision which means it sometimes possible to talk them down in price. I wouldn't be surprised if you could score one for $450.00 or less. What is there to lose?

 

[LittleKing]

What would be the advantage of getting the RXV over the HTR if they are the same unit with a bit of cosmetic differences? Since the HTR can be bought at J&R for $399 w/ warranty (since it is an authorized etailer) and I might be able to get the RXV 650 for $400 to $450 from a store, is it worth the hassle to try to get the 650 instead if they are the same unit?

LK

 

[zumbo]

A Lincoln LS & a Jaguar S-Type are the same car. But the Jaguar is cosmeticly different. Now if you can get the Jag for just a little more, & the resale value is much greater, which would you choose?

 

[LittleKing]

A Lincoln LS & a Jaguar S-Type are the same car. But the Jaguar is cosmeticly different. Now if you can get the Jag for just a little more, & the resale value is much greater, which would you choose?

You make a really strong point. I'll guess I'll have to see what I can talk my local tweater down to . If not at least $425, then I'll probably have to go with the 5760.

I haven't tried to talk prices down before. Any advice on how to approach this. I don't feel to comfortable asking for a lower price if the only thing I'm getting is going to be a reciever. I understand getting price breaks for buying multiple items, but not for one item. Any pointers?

LK

 

[MDS]

A good approach to haggling price is to start with something like 'Is that the best price you can offer?' or 'I'm really interested in this particular receiver but it is a bit over my budget - I would buy it today if I could get it for X' (try 10-20% lower to start).

Another good idea is to use information on similar prices elsewhere. I once bought a 32" TV where the same tv was sold to a friend at work for $350 less than the marked price. I said, "My friend just bought this same tv for X from you the other day. I'll take one right now, if you'll offer me the same price'. He did and I bought it.

If you are reasonable and non-hostile in your approach, some salesmen will work with you.

 

[zumbo]

I have made a hobby out of talking people down on their prices. Just the other day I bought a new $699.00 retail washer for $439.99.

First thing to do is shop around. Look on the internet. Print off prices you can get it for on the net. One thing I love to do is get a price on a floor model from one store, go to another store & see how low they will go. If the price for the floor model is a good deal, and the new store will not come down to that price, just say " well I can get the same unit at ------- ----- for $". 10 times out of 10 they will match the price, and you will get a new one in the box, instead of the floor model you were using as a price referance.