authorized vs un-authorized online dealers

krabby5

Help me understand...How is it that I can get a Pioneer Elite 72txi for about $750 shipped online, but if I go to a local store, it will cost $1199?

Or if I go with an authorized online dealer, it's the same...$1199+tax

you're telling me a warranty is worth an extra $500?

I've personally NEVER used a warranty for electronics, other than for a computer, in my life..

plus, don't these unauthorized dealers have some kind of warranty, anyways...maybe not 2 years but...geez

billbillw

I've used electronics warranties more than once. Its your call on whether its worth it or not. The other benefit of authorized dealers is that you know exactly what you getting and they usually have great return policies if there is a problem right out of the box, which happens more than you would think.

steveinaz

It's risky, sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. It's always made me a little nervous that I bought my Parasound HCA from an "unauthorized" source, but she's 3 years old and running fine. I paid $785 new for it.

Drumingman

Very Risky IMHO, I've had electronics that had problems right out of the sealed box. No warranty? You're stuck.

cmy330go

Keep in mind that the price difference you see is not always the choice of the retailer/dealer. Often the manufacturer sets a minimum price that the retailer is allowed to sell at. This of course is in the best interest of both parties so that neither has to cut too far into their profits.

Just FYI

texastbird

I purchased my Yamaha receiver online and I didn't know about the deal about authorized or unauthorized dealers. I registered my receiver with Yamaha and they haven't told me it couldn't be warranted because who I bought it from wasn't authorized. But I've got my fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong with it. I could buy a lot of repair for the $$$ I saved, though.

WilliamM2

Very Risky IMHO, I've had electronics that had problems right out of the sealed box. No warranty? You're stuck.

No, you are not stuck at all. Even if it's an unauthorized dealer, they will take it back if it's DOA. There are laws governing this kind of thing.

But if you are still paranoid, just buy it with a VISA card, depending on the card issuer, you will have great protection. 6 months with my card.

I have only had to have warranty work once, on an unauthorized purchase, and it was covered with no questions asked.

krabby5

I went to authorizedelectronics.com and I can get the Elite 72tx for $799...then purchase a 5 years warranty for $169 more for a total of $968 shipped

That's still over $200 less than a local B&M...

cmy330go

I don't think I would ever trust an extended warranty from a company that sells unauthorized electronics. All it takes is one or two manufacturers to sue them and they will curl up and die.

As I recall it wasn't long ago that Klipsch went on a rampage and shut down a number of unauthorized dealers. I would think after that it was probably a hassle for anyone to get warranty work.

Just my opinion.

EDIT: BTW I checked Pioneers site and authorizedelectronics.com was not listed as a dealer.

Pablo

It's kind of a crap shoot. If you have a problem with it, you could have a problem. If you don't you saved a bunch of bucks. For me it would depend more on how much I am spending. Saving 40% on a $1200 item, I would probably go to a unauthorized dealer. But if I was spending $5000, I don't think I would unathorized for any amount of money (unless it was like 90%).

You can also try an athorized dealer of b-stock or refurbs (which this could possibly be). You can probably get about the same price, and the full warranty as well.

*Seby*-Polk-

Very..very...risk. If you don't have warranty, you can't protest at some problem of the system. Take carefull.

FicmanS

Not worth the risk in my book...

SuperDave

:cool: Some of the unauthorized dealers purchase from authorized dealers and would handle any DOA problems you might have. You can save significant money buying unauthorized, but I would need to see really good feedback from the source.