Polk R50s, R15s, R150s, subs & R300s

ReadMyLips
ReadMyLips Posts: 1
edited December 2006 in Speakers
Not only am I a huge Polk fan; but I also run a small eBay business. Of late, I have noticed a large influx of people selling new Polk speakers for prices way under retail. Specifically, the models I have been noticing are the R15, R150, R50, R300 & the 10" powered sub. I have to admit, I purchased a pair of the R50s & absolutely LOVE them!! I replaced a 12y/o pair of JBL LX600 monitors - they were superb in their day.

Anyhow, my question to this forum is - where in the hell are these folks aquiring these speakers that they can resell them at such low prices & still, presumably, be turning a profit? Anyone care to divulge this info?
David W Kelley
"ReadMyLipsAuctions" - an eBay trader

ReadMyLipsAuctions@hotmail.com
Post edited by ReadMyLips on
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Comments

  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2006
    ReadMyLips welcome to Club Polk. Glad you like your Polks. Stick around
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • MSALLA
    MSALLA Posts: 1,602
    edited December 2006
    Welcome to the site.
    I really have no idea how they buy them so cheap.
    Michael


    Samsung 50" HD DLP
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited December 2006
    Well, Outpost.com regularly marks them down to rediculously low prices.... other than that... uh, fell off the back of a truck?
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited December 2006
    Typically authorized retailers will buy large quantities (greater than what they can sell) to take advantage of volume discounts and then dump their overstock out the back door to whoever will buy it. The buyers of the overstock have no contractual agreements to sell at or near the MSRP since they are not dealing with the Mfgr. It is the GREY market and most of the unauthorized net sellers operate this way. Many of the mfgs. try to find out who the dumpers are by tracking the serial numbers. This is why many online products will have the original serial #s removed and/or changed.

    The mfgs will also dump excess inventory to places like Frys and Overstock who are able to sell low with the mfgs blessing.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • charliez
    charliez Posts: 72
    edited December 2006
    Hehe, this is a difficult question :)
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited December 2006
    shack wrote:
    Typically authorized retailers will buy large quantities (greater than what they can sell) to take advantage of volume discounts and then dump their overstock out the back door to whoever will buy it. The buyers of the overstock have no contractual agreements to sell at or near the MSRP since they are not dealing with the Mfgr. It is the GREY market and most of the unauthorized net sellers operate this way. Many of the mfgs. try to find out who the dumpers are by tracking the serial numbers. This is why many online products will have the original serial #s removed and/or changed.

    The mfgs will also dump excess inventory to places like Frys and Overstock who are able to sell low with the mfgs blessing.

    Clever... and sad. I don't like the idea that manufacturers are getting cheated out of sales since their speakers are being sold for huge discounts on the bay. I mean, reduced demand in stores means reduced orders later on. A real shame.
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

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    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited December 2006
    I've spoken to Frys management. They have been selling the Rs below cost as a loss leader. It brings folks into to their audio rooms where hopefully sales people can turn the customer to a better speaker. Unfortunately, the value of the Rs is so good at these prices and the sales effort so poor at Frys...well they sell alot of Rs. Polk obviously is aware of it and still strictly controls "authorized sales" of the higher lines.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • MLZ
    MLZ Posts: 214
    edited December 2006
    This year at Fry's I got a pair of R50's for $139 (MSRP $639.95) and a PSW10 (MSRP $239.95) for $99.

    I think these folks just went to Fry's and then listed them on eBay.
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  • ivansfo
    ivansfo Posts: 145
    edited December 2006
    I bought a brand new R20 from an Ebay seller a few years ago. The box came with a Fry's price tag still attached.
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