The World of Online Purchasing...
PoweredByDodge
Posts: 4,185
My 2-cents on online purchases:
A word to the wise...
We all buy things online, some from Crutchfield, Sounddomain, or one of the very few other legit Authorized Dealers, some from shady characters, eBay, or heaven only knows where.
However, we do so knowingly.
When you purchase an item from Crutchfield, Sounddomain, or a physical retail store (such as Circuit City or Tweeter), then you are paying for not only the product, but the technical advice of installers at the store, the benefits of a full factory backed warranty, and the assurance that if you don't like it, you can bring it back in 30 days.
Is it worth it? Sometimes, yes.
For products that you've not dealt with before (for example, when Satellite Radio first came out a few years back), brands that you would like to try out but have not used their product before, or when you just would simply feel that it is more convenient or more comfortable to deal with a real store. Then God bless you, and take advantage of that resource.
Other times, it's not worth it.
If you have purchased the same or similar products from the same company at a previous time, then you may already be well versed in the 'ins and outs' of installing, troubleshooting, and even repairing the item. If you feel confident that you can handle any obstacles that may come into your way, then there is no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of buying from an online source. Just keep in mind that most of these people are shady characters. There are a few legitimate ones out there... places like IkeSound that sell mainly 'last year's product' (aka old stock), factory refurbished units (which are labeled as refurbished), and the like. But, in the end, you're still taking some sort of a risk. If you can't deal with it, then buy retail, or try and wait until Sounddomain or Crutchfield have their 'end of the year clearance' type sales (that's usually a good blend between a somewhat good discount and factory backed product).
In the end, don't cry about it. If you bought something on the cheap, and its busted or you can't figure it out, tough luck. The best you can do is hope that someone out there is going to try and help you out.
- Vinnie bag of Donuts.
A word to the wise...
We all buy things online, some from Crutchfield, Sounddomain, or one of the very few other legit Authorized Dealers, some from shady characters, eBay, or heaven only knows where.
However, we do so knowingly.
When you purchase an item from Crutchfield, Sounddomain, or a physical retail store (such as Circuit City or Tweeter), then you are paying for not only the product, but the technical advice of installers at the store, the benefits of a full factory backed warranty, and the assurance that if you don't like it, you can bring it back in 30 days.
Is it worth it? Sometimes, yes.
For products that you've not dealt with before (for example, when Satellite Radio first came out a few years back), brands that you would like to try out but have not used their product before, or when you just would simply feel that it is more convenient or more comfortable to deal with a real store. Then God bless you, and take advantage of that resource.
Other times, it's not worth it.
If you have purchased the same or similar products from the same company at a previous time, then you may already be well versed in the 'ins and outs' of installing, troubleshooting, and even repairing the item. If you feel confident that you can handle any obstacles that may come into your way, then there is no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of buying from an online source. Just keep in mind that most of these people are shady characters. There are a few legitimate ones out there... places like IkeSound that sell mainly 'last year's product' (aka old stock), factory refurbished units (which are labeled as refurbished), and the like. But, in the end, you're still taking some sort of a risk. If you can't deal with it, then buy retail, or try and wait until Sounddomain or Crutchfield have their 'end of the year clearance' type sales (that's usually a good blend between a somewhat good discount and factory backed product).
In the end, don't cry about it. If you bought something on the cheap, and its busted or you can't figure it out, tough luck. The best you can do is hope that someone out there is going to try and help you out.
- Vinnie bag of Donuts.
The Artist formerly known as PoweredByDodge
Post edited by PoweredByDodge on
Comments
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Nice "My Cousin Vinny" reference.
I agree 100%.
I personally think that its better to pay some extra to get the peace of mind from knowing you not only got brand spankin new in box gear straight from the manufacturer, but that you also have the full blessing and backing of said manufacturer.
Going one step further, I prefer to buy from local shops. Not only do you get all the benefits mentioned above but you also have somebody to go back to and look in the eye if you ever have a problem.polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st
polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D -
Well I generally buy new stuff from dealers. But I lucked up on ebay and bought a set of the polkmomo 6500 component sets. Picked them up last summer from millionbuy.com for 160 bucks. They were brand new in the box. Have not had one minutes trouble with them. Best buy ever for me on speakers.
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Most local shops around here are restricted with the type of products they carry (like mtx, rockford, alpine HU's, kenwood...). Not to say that I dont like those companies, they all have awesome stuff but when i'm specifically looking for Polk audio, JL or Alpine's amps, they're much harder to come by unless you're willing to pay a lot of money (like a LOT). I purchased nearly all of my equipment from the US online. Mainly from cardomian and sonic electronix. I still have warranty but i'll have to pay for shipping. I guess its like you said, its not the best idea to do that for a company you're not too familiar with, but when i'm confident in the products that are manufactured by lets say Alpine and Polk, I have no problem buying them online.
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I still buy stuff online. Not many shops around here that sell DLS...much less sell them around cost...Amps I bought from a dealer:D Only because that dealer was me. If not, I wouldve bought them online. I still buy stuff on ebay from time to time because every now and then I can get them cheaper on ebay than I can at my shop...
The only problem I ever had online was with thezeb.com. They WERE authorized dealers. Ive blown a tweeter from a set i bought from onlinecarstereo.com. Theyre not authorized dealers. They didnt have what a replacement in stock so they gave me FULL TRADE IN VALUE for what I paid on the components which were almost a year old...and I could put that towards anything else. Now thats customer service.
-CodyMusic is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it -
I guess being older...and starting out with car Audio before the internet was as popular as changing underwear.... I like the local stores myself. Granted- I know I'm paying more for it... however - Ive never had a problem returning or getting warranty work- I ordered some subs on line and one was good ..other bad... ended up costin me more in the long run. Sad thing was. No body localy sold the sub ...that is why I did online.
I'm out of Car Audio pretty much- much more into home audio- and 98% of that was done at at a brick and morter store.
I guess it comes down too how much of a gambler you are.
I dont have the funds for crap shoots myself.
nice post vinnie!.
