What is going on with Polk Audio Direct ?

Leon S.
Leon S. Posts: 25
edited February 2010 in Speakers
Has anyone noticed what's going on with the pricing at Polk's Ebay store. Prices are skyrocketing - the RTi A7 about a year ago were going for $499.00 at Buy It Now pricing, at times they were only $449.00. Now, they are $699.00 at Buy It Now pricing, an increase of $200.00. The LSi15's were going for $749.00 at Buy It Now pricing, NOW, $1499.00 at Buy It Now pricing, an increase of $750.00 ! ! ! Now, back then, the prices on the Polk Audio web site were actually going down alittle. RTi A7's went from $1149.00 to $1099.00, a DROP of $50.00, the LSi15's had gone from $2199.00 to $1699.00 a DROP of $500.00. Soooo, how can the price of refurbished (USED) components actually go UP ? I was considering upgrading from my Polk RTi A5's to the LSi15's through the Polk Audio Direct EBay store, but, NOT at these prices ! ! ! For only $200.00 more, you can get them brand new, that is INSANE pricing for USED speakers ! ! ! In these economic times, it seems that RAISING prices could only spell disaster.
Post edited by Leon S. on
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  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited February 2010
    No idea why the prices are jumping that much but i also would not bother to buy at that price.
    Maybe it's an error?
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited February 2010
    It goes to show, you snooze you loose :p:D:rolleyes::cool:

    Maybe supply and demand :eek:;)
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2010
    I saw several Lsi15's go at $600ish. Should've got one!!
    _________________________________________________
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Prices will vary according to stock and availability since the stock is created from many different places.

    If it's not the price you feel is fair, move along and go to the end of the line. Eventually something will come your way at a price more in line with your price objective.

    The price listed on the homepage website is simply MSRP.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited February 2010
    Glad i got all my LSI gear several months ago.:cool:
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,056
    edited February 2010
    TouchOfEvil wrote: »
    Glad i got all my LSI gear several months ago.:cool:

    Yeah, me too!

    Also, as of last week they had may 20-something home audio items up on the site. Now there's 700+ items.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2010
    Leon S. wrote: »
    Has anyone noticed what's going on with the pricing at Polk's Ebay store. Prices are skyrocketing - the RTi A7 about a year ago were going for $499.00 at Buy It Now pricing, at times they were only $449.00. Now, they are $699.00 at Buy It Now pricing, an increase of $200.00. The LSi15's were going for $749.00 at Buy It Now pricing, NOW, $1499.00 at Buy It Now pricing, an increase of $750.00 ! ! ! Now, back then, the prices on the Polk Audio web site were actually going down alittle. RTi A7's went from $1149.00 to $1099.00, a DROP of $50.00, the LSi15's had gone from $2199.00 to $1699.00 a DROP of $500.00. Soooo, how can the price of refurbished (USED) components actually go UP ? I was considering upgrading from my Polk RTi A5's to the LSi15's through the Polk Audio Direct EBay store, but, NOT at these prices ! ! ! For only $200.00 more, you can get them brand new, that is INSANE pricing for USED speakers ! ! ! In these economic times, it seems that RAISING prices could only spell disaster.

    Are you sure the higher priced items are refurb's and not new?
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited February 2010
    The price increases are very substantial. I was hoping to pick up a pair of RTiA9's for what they had them on there for a couple months ago, @ $1100 shipped. Looks like I'll have to be patient, I would never pay more for the same used item they had for less mere months ago. I love Polk, but they dropped the ball a little here.
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited February 2010
    They're definately refurb, and they're a lot more expensive. New polkies that don't know any better might pay these prices, but the Polk faithful and people like us that scour the internet looking for deals never will. And Doro, the stock is enormous right now, over 900 items I think.
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited February 2010
    It also could be that they put everything on at this new price and see what sells, Then relist everything that didnt sell overr time at lower prices until the sell for the most proft.

    Keep in mind this is a business and they want to get as much as possible for the product. The A3's that i purchased last year are now only $20 more than i paid for mine.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    domflane wrote: »
    They're definately refurb, and they're a lot more expensive. New polkies that don't know any better might pay these prices, but the Polk faithful and people like us that scour the internet looking for deals never will. And Doro, the stock is enormous right now, over 900 items I think.

    Yea....uh, what's on eBay and what's sitting on a shelf is two different things but thanks.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,056
    edited February 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Yea....uh, what's on eBay and what's sitting on a shelf is two different things but thanks.

    Huh?
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • Leon S.
    Leon S. Posts: 25
    edited February 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Yea....uh, what's on eBay and what's sitting on a shelf is two different things but thanks.

    Move along and go to the end of the line....... LMAO, what the heck is that supposed to mean, are we not feeling to friendly today :mad:, as for as your last post ... I have to go along with Jetmaker737, HUH ????????????
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,814
    edited February 2010
    I thought it was obvious. What Polk is selling on eBay is not what you would find for sale in a retail store, hence the discounted prices.

    One has to realize that it will cost Polk more to refurbish some items verses others, hence a higher end cost. One also has to realize that there isn't an unlimited supply of refurbished items. Finally, one has to realize that Polk doesn't have to offer the refurbished items at all, so maybe one shouldn't complain about getting a like new product with a factory warranty at a discounted price.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited February 2010
    You guys have been a little edgy lately, huh? Call me crazy, but I don't understand what retail stock and whats on the shelves in warehouses has to do with the price of refurb products on polkdirect. Its just that I've never seen so many items on the ebay store, and economics 101 taught me that increased supply leads to decreased prices. Don't get me wrong, polkdirect is a blessing to those of us that can't afford the crazy gear some of you guys have. There's no way I could have afforded to pay retail for my RTiA5's. We kind of count on the awesome deals on polkdirect, because we can get a taste of what you guys have at a price that fits a blue collar budget, and I think we have the right to question why some speakers increased in price by hundreds of dollars. Mark and Jesse, I don't mean to start a fight, but your condescending attitude is a little annoying on this one, and I usually agree with you guys. Just my .02
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • Leon S.
    Leon S. Posts: 25
    edited February 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    I thought it was obvious. What Polk is selling on eBay is not what you would find for sale in a retail store, hence the discounted prices.

    One has to realize that it will cost Polk more to refurbish some items verses others, hence a higher end cost. One also has to realize that there isn't an unlimited supply of refurbished items. Finally, one has to realize that Polk doesn't have to offer the refurbished items at all, so maybe one shouldn't complain about getting a like new product with a factory warranty at a discounted price.

    OK, one has to realize that it doesn't suddenly cost TWICE as much to refurbish an item, it happens gradually. One has to realize that to refurbish a speaker doesn't mean to rebuild it from the ground up. One has to realize that some companys do not throw away a perfectly good product when by performing a simple repair, it can again offer the item at a discounted price, rather than not offer it at all. One has to realize that the refurbishment may consist of only one or two parts, not the entire driver system, crossover network, and cabinet ! ! ! One has to realize that the warranty isn't even half of the new warranty, 2yrs for refurb's, and 5 years for new. So, finally, maybe one should realize such facts before complaining about anothers post. I never thought my post would draw such attitudes from some people, since it is not directed at any one individual !
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  • Leon S.
    Leon S. Posts: 25
    edited February 2010
    domflane wrote: »
    You guys have been a little edgy lately, huh? Call me crazy, but I don't understand what retail stock and whats on the shelves in warehouses has to do with the price of refurb products on polkdirect. Its just that I've never seen so many items on the ebay store, and economics 101 taught me that increased supply leads to decreased prices. Don't get me wrong, polkdirect is a blessing to those of us that can't afford the crazy gear some of you guys have. There's no way I could have afforded to pay retail for my RTiA5's. We kind of count on the awesome deals on polkdirect, because we can get a taste of what you guys have at a price that fits a blue collar budget, and I think we have the right to question why some speakers increased in price by hundreds of dollars. Mark and Jesse, I don't mean to start a fight, but your condescending attitude is a little annoying on this one, and I usually agree with you guys. Just my .02

    I completely agree with you Domflane, hence my post ^ ^ ^ above ! ! !
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,814
    edited February 2010
    Leon S. wrote: »
    OK, one has to realize that it doesn't suddenly cost TWICE as much to refurbish an item, it happens gradually. One has to realize that to refurbish a speaker doesn't mean to rebuild it from the ground up. One has to realize that some companys do not throw away a perfectly good product when by performing a simple repair, it can again offer the item at a discounted price, rather than not offer it at all. One has to realize that the refurbishment may consist of only one or two parts, not the entire driver system, crossover network, and cabinet ! ! ! One has to realize that the warranty isn't even half of the new warranty, 2yrs for refurb's, and 5 years for new. So, finally, maybe one should realize such facts before complaining about anothers post. I never thought my post would draw such attitudes from some people, since it is not directed at any one individual !

    Thanks for your post as you completely removed any doubt in my mind that you completely clueless.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,814
    edited February 2010
    domflane, sorry you found my post to be condescending, I thought I was simply being factual.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Leon S.
    Leon S. Posts: 25
    edited February 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Thanks for your post as you completely removed any doubt in my mind that you completely clueless.

    LMAO, "you ARE completely clueless" LMAO ^ ^ ^ ^
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,814
    edited February 2010
    This message is hidden because Leon S. is on your BOZO list.

    Bye.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Mon40CSMM10
    Mon40CSMM10 Posts: 161
    edited February 2010
    I have two guesses:

    1. The "refurbished" product is actually overstock/brand new, and they want to get a fair price for it.

    2. The Buy It Now price is set that high to de-facto force an actual auction of the product. (The first bid in an auction removes the Buy It Now option.)

    Again, those are both just guesses, but those guesses also make sense to me.
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited February 2010
    No harm here, I love this forum and I sure don't want to make enemies with you guys as you're obviously the big dogs around here. I'm just a little broke, pissed off about prices going up and letting off a little steam. I just wish the A9's were still $1100 so I could have something to save my money for. FWIW, lots of the prices haven't moved and are still fantastic, so maybe the other will settle back out if nobody jumps on them now . . .
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2010
    Yes the price increase sucks but no one's forcing you to buy them. If they're overpriced no one will buy them and maybe they'll realize it and hopefully adjust the price.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,814
    edited February 2010
    Mon40CSMM10 wrote: »
    I have two guesses:

    1. The "refurbished" product is actually overstock/brand new, and they want to get a fair price for it.

    2. The Buy It Now price is set that high to de-facto force an actual auction of the product. (The first bid in an auction removes the Buy It Now option.)

    Again, those are both just guesses, but those guesses also make sense to me.

    Entirely possible. I sure as hell don't know everything. However, the OP seemed a little bent, so I offered reasonable explanations as are yours.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    Hmm...I'm seeing LSi9's on there for $699 BIN...I'm planning on getting some LSi9's this year, and that's a nice price, considering that they're factory inspected/refurbished, and come with a 2 year warranty.:)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Hillbilly61
    Hillbilly61 Posts: 702
    edited February 2010
    Interesting question. I was watching the same store for several weeks for some speakers Polk were selling off. I ended up buying mine elsewhere brand new for less.

    About what Polk has been getting for their refurb speakers on eBay, my opinion about Polk is "Good for them!" Polk is not a charity, but a business. I work for a business that manufactures and sells things. If someone will pay the price for the specific refurb product, then, "hell ,it is sold!" Hats off to Polkf!

    I did not buy direct from Polk's store, as I had did my "homework" and got a better price elsewhere for new equipment. Yet, they are selling things via this store left and right. I respect their business acumen re. the approach taken.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Whatever. Good luck. F1nut, you rule.

    The ebb and flow of Polk Direct has less to do with money then you can imagine. If you base your buying perspective on eBay alone then your already askew.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • BuckeyeTim
    BuckeyeTim Posts: 483
    edited February 2010
    I would almost have to think that a factory refurbished item would be better than an off the line production item. Usually, a refurbished item will go through more testing than a normal production product. On the line, certain specs may be only checked every 100, 200, etc... pieces. All dictated by capability studies. You can't check every spec of every componant and expect to be competetive.

    If I was going to buy a new set...I would go for the factory refurbished first.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Man oh man do some people have tissue paper skin. Almost every thread someone doesn't like a good answer to their question and take offence. UGH!
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