What is going on with Polk Audio Direct ?

2

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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited February 2010
    i don't get it. Honestly its still a discounted price big deal. If you don't like it then don't buy it. I will still probably pick up some stuff even at the prices they are seeing it still saves money here and there. Big deal the price went up, if you don't like it, then don't buy it. Other people will feel its a fair deal seeing you know where they are coming from, who they are coming from, and not just a crappy ebay place that is going to send you crap.
    but whatever.
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  • GTB
    GTB Posts: 87
    edited February 2010
    LSi FX and LSi 9 pricing has gone down, and I'm happy. :p
    Home Theater
    Polk RTi8
    Polk Monitor 40
    Polk CSi5
    Polk MicroPro 2000
    Visio 42 LCD
    Denon AVR 790
    Samsung BD 1600

    Two Channel
    Polk SDA 2B
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited February 2010
    You see what happens when a great company like Polk Audio opens up opportunities for customers to make some great purchases. These people think there is an endless supply of these opportunities and its just a matter of putting a price tag on some item.
    I was told a long time ago, you have to keep a "stash of cash" to make great deals/purchases. For some its easier said than done but don't complain when you miss out and blame others. It's just my feeling but thats what is going on here.
    If I hurt anyones feeling I don't not apologize.
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  • Leon S.
    Leon S. Posts: 25
    edited February 2010
    domflane wrote: »
    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.

    Guess I'll also just have to be patient for now and try to wait it out. I will continue to watch Polk Audio Direct, and a couple of other dealers, but, I would rather buy from Polk Audio Direct to support them. I currently own Polk RTi A5's, Polk CSi A4, Polk FXi A6, all of which I purchased from them. The Polk DSW pro 500, I purchased from a Polk authorized dealer. Was just looking to upgrade soon, and was really surprised by the new pricing !
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Leon S. wrote: »
    Guess I'll also just have to be patient for now and try to wait it out. I will continue to watch Polk Audio Direct, and a couple of other dealers, but, I would rather buy from Polk Audio Direct to support them. I currently own Polk RTi A5's, Polk CSi A4, Polk FXi A6, all of which I purchased from them. The Polk DSW pro 500, I purchased from a Polk authorized dealer. Was just looking to upgrade soon, and was really surprised by the new pricing !

    That's what Doro meant when he said to go to the back of the line. Be patient, as your patience will be rewarded.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2010
    PolkDirect got loaded up with tons of sweet speakers recently!
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,056
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    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!

    You could say the same for people that sneer at a perfectly reasonable question. The OP was pointing out some interesting facts. Facts that are useful for people shopping for Polk equipment.
    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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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    You could say the same for people that sneer at a perfectly reasonable question. The OP was pointing out some interesting facts. Facts that are useful for people shopping for Polk equipment.

    .....
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  • superjunior
    superjunior Posts: 1,632
    edited February 2010
    its pretty simple really. polk directs prices flucuate just like the market does. why they do I have no idea nor do I care. when the prices are low - time to buy. easy. I bought my dsw 600, fxi a6s and csi a6 all from polk direct at a very low cost. I waited till the prices dropped and saved a bunch. my eyes and ears couldn't tell the difference from brand new, and with a 2 year warrenty works for me
    panasonic th-50pz85u
    pioneer elite vsx-92txh
    pioneer elite bdp-05fd
    emotiva xpa-3
    monster power hdp 2550
    sa 8300 hd dvr
    sda 2b's
    fronts - rti a9's
    center - csi a6
    surrounds - fxi a6's
    sub - polk dsw pro 600
    harmony one
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,814
    edited February 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    You could say the same for people that sneer at a perfectly reasonable question. The OP was pointing out some interesting facts. Facts that are useful for people shopping for Polk equipment.

    Really?
    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.

    Looks more like whining to me, but hey that's just my take.
    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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  • 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.

    You do realize the refurbs are like new and come with a 2 year Polk warranty and based on Polk's stellar Customer Service I'd bet in year 3 or 4 if you still have your sales receipt they would honor the warranty. So save yourself $200 and buy at Polk Direct or take your chances with some other "unauthorized" seller on Ebay and hope you don;t need warranty work.

    If PRICE is your ONLY criteria there are lots of sellers out there willing to charge less and take your money, are you willing to take a chance for a couple hundred bucks?

    Just rational food for thought

    H9
    "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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  • lumpy
    lumpy Posts: 113
    edited February 2010
    it appears to me that the prices are still lower than store retail. Could it be that Polk has found a better way to sell than at a retail chain. I just snagged a pair of LSifx's at a great price.
    pop

    media room: Lsi25 mains driven by an audiosource amp300, LSi9's driven by another amp300, LsiC drivin by an audiosourcAmp200, Lsi7 rear channels driven by receiver - Yamaha 863, Panamax 5300, epson 6100 w/ 106" elite cinatension2 screen, HPz555 media center, oppo 980, techniques SLbd3 turntable,xbox and ps3,

    living room: VM30 mains driven by a niles 2125, VM20 center and VM10 surrounds, velodyne dsp10, yamaha rxv661, cambridge audio dvd89, panamax5300, philips 42" plasma
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    You do realize the refurbs are like new and come with a 2 year Polk warranty and based on Polk's stellar Customer Service I'd bet in year 3 or 4 if you still have your sales receipt they would honor the warranty. So save yourself $200 and buy at Polk Direct or take your chances with some other "unauthorized" seller on Ebay and hope you don;t need warranty work.

    If PRICE is your ONLY criteria there are lots of sellers out there willing to charge less and take your money, are you willing to take a chance for a couple hundred bucks?

    Just rational food for thought

    H9

    +1000


    Yes, some of those speakers can be found across the web for much less than the refurb prices. Those low prices are also coming from unauthorized dealers, with no warranty.

    Buying from Polk direct, you're basically getting a BRAND NEW product, with a 2 year warranty...and you're helping to support the company that we all love.

    Believe it or not, Polk is not in the business of providing you with speakers as cheaply as they possibly can. They're in it to make money. That is kind of the concept of business. The way some of you are talking, it sounds like you feel that Polk is ripping you off. If you don't like it, go buy some Klipsch speakers and enjoy your bleeding ear drums.

    These refurb prices are well below MSRP, and well below any price you're going to get at Amazon or Crutchfield.

    The economy is tough right now, and it's affecting companies like Polk as well.

    I fully plan to buy a pair of LSi9's from Polk Direct( assuming they still have them when I'm ready) for $700...and I'm going to be damn excited about it too.
    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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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,056
    edited February 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Looks more like whining to me, but hey that's just my take.

    Well, yeah... there was tad of whinyness there. ;)
    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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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited February 2010
    I would have to think that Polk got some angry feedback from its retailer network...

    If I was a Polk retailer and I saw sales walking out of my showroom because people were jumping online and buying direct from Polk and undercutting me, I would be pissed off.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I would have to think that Polk got some angry feedback from its retailer network...

    If I was a Polk retailer and I saw sales walking out of my showroom because people were jumping online and buying direct from Polk and undercutting me, I would be pissed off.

    I'd guess that's a big part of it too.

    When I was originally looking at the RTi's, I was considering some A5's. Through my local Polk dealer, they would have cost nearly twice as much as the refurbs from Polk Direct.
    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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I would have to think that Polk got some angry feedback from its retailer network...

    Nope.
    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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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    You could say the same for people that sneer at a perfectly reasonable question. The OP was pointing out some interesting facts. Facts that are useful for people shopping for Polk equipment.
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    Well, yeah... there was tad of whinyness there. ;)

    It seems to me the OP was given a lot of useful facts and theorys. I for one try to help out everyone (mainly newbs too) on this forum as much as I can but I've seen and experienced a lot of people not liking what they hear or not getting the answer they wanted to hear or misunderstand the meaning of a post (ya know internet persona) and go off half bent about it and start railing against it with personal attacks or snide remarks. That was the crux of my post.

    I'm glad to see you've had a change of heart. It really isn't hard to get along here and this is the best audio club on the internet full of helpful knoweldgable people who will bend over backwards to help other Polkies both on the forum and behind the scenes.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,056
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    ...misunderstand the meaning of a post (ya know internet persona) and go off half bent about it ...

    Yep... I think that's the root of many a flame war! :cool:
    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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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    Yep... I think that's the root of many a flame war! :cool:

    Yeah man. If you don't put in a bunch of various smiley faces in your post you're at the mercy of one's perception or misperception.:) Unless of course you are throwing out explicatives!:D
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  • zeppage2
    zeppage2 Posts: 196
    edited February 2010
    Just won a Polk Audio DSW microPRO 2000 (Originally $1099.95) for $358.55 USD.

    That seems like a good deal to me :)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2010
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I would have to think that Polk got some angry feedback from its retailer network...

    If I was a Polk retailer and I saw sales walking out of my showroom because people were jumping online and buying direct from Polk and undercutting me, I would be pissed off.

    I can't name a single Polk retailer within 100 miles. Who is getting undercut? There are barely any audio retailers left, let alone mom and pop type stores. All the big box stores sell at a discount as well as on-line.

    Your gripe really has no meaning. 10 years ago I would agree.......today no way.

    H9
    "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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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I can't name a single Polk retailer within 100 miles. Who is getting undercut? There are barely any audio retailers left, let alone mom and pop type stores. All the big box stores sell at a discount as well as on-line.

    Your gripe really has no meaning. 10 years ago I would agree.......today no way.

    H9

    Not that it really matters, but there's a Polk dealer in Dixon. The Audio/Video Connection. All they ever really have in stock is the Monitor/TSi series though. They've had RTi's before, but not lately.

    That being said, that store is mainly an HDTV outlet/installer, and car audio installer. They deal with audio, but mainly from a HT perspective.
    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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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I can't name a single Polk retailer within 100 miles. Who is getting undercut? There are barely any audio retailers left, let alone mom and pop type stores. All the big box stores sell at a discount as well as on-line.

    Your gripe really has no meaning. 10 years ago I would agree.......today no way.

    H9

    Big box or not, they can't be happy to have to compete with a manufacturer for sales...

    I have seen first hand how much it sucks to have to compete with a manufacturer for sales in my industry. I think local retailers being pushed out is a huge shame. Your only option is to buy online without ever hearing the speakers, or walk into best-buy and deal with that bullcrap (and I think they only really carry the TSi line)...

    I am just a fan of a business model that supports a local retail network... I learned the value of this from cycling. They support local retail, you want a bike from Specialized? You HAVE to walk into a local dealer, zero internet sales and zero shipping of bikes...


    I just find it unsettling that if i want to jump on some LSi towers, I have to drop over $1,000 on them and hope that I like the sound. I have ZERO dealers in my area that carry them...

    Because of that, I will most likely never buy them... I will find other speakers that I can test at a local shop and go with one of them. Nothing against Polk, I LOVE my Polks. But, if I am going to drop larger sums of money on my system, I want to hear them first.

    I am just ranting now... I know internet sales is where the money is now, I just don't have to like it.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Well...the retailers are who hold up the in-store items, not the manufacturer. Perhaps you should express your disgruntlement with the establishment and not so much with the host...just a thought.

    If you emailed the folks that you wish carried the product, perhaps they would actually do so. The problem isn't here on Club Polk.
    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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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    Big box or not, they can't be happy to have to compete with a manufacturer for sales...

    I have seen first hand how much it sucks to have to compete with a manufacturer for sales in my industry. I think local retailers being pushed out is a huge shame. Your only option is to buy online without ever hearing the speakers, or walk into best-buy and deal with that bullcrap (and I think they only really carry the TSi line)...

    I am just a fan of a business model that supports a local retail network... I learned the value of this from cycling. They support local retail, you want a bike from Specialized? You HAVE to walk into a local dealer, zero internet sales and zero shipping of bikes...


    I just find it unsettling that if i want to jump on some LSi towers, I have to drop over $1,000 on them and hope that I like the sound. I have ZERO dealers in my area that carry them...

    Because of that, I will most likely never buy them... I will find other speakers that I can test at a local shop and go with one of them. Nothing against Polk, I LOVE my Polks. But, if I am going to drop larger sums of money on my system, I want to hear them first.

    I am just ranting now... I know internet sales is where the money is now, I just don't have to like it.

    The fact remains, that the retailers are the ones who decide what stock to carry. For the most part, the TSi series is going to far outsell the LSi series, just because of the price differences.
    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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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    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.

    Hmmm... now, 2 days later, less than 300 items... Apparently quite a few people still thought it was a good deal!! :)
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  • holt
    holt Posts: 131
    edited February 2010
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Hmmm... now, 2 days later, less than 300 items... Apparently quite a few people still thought it was a good deal!! :)

    Yeah, noticed that when I went to look at the LSi f/x's ............ gone.
    Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
    Anthem Pre2L SE
    Marantz cd5003
    Proceed amp 3
    Sherwood Newcastle A-965
    Signal ll IC's
    Polk lsi-15s
    Polk lsic
    PSW505
    Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
    PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
    Samsung ln52a650
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  • Cpyder
    Cpyder Posts: 514
    edited February 2010
    Delete
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Cpyder wrote: »
    Delete

    Ha ha ha, I saw your original post before you deleted it in my notification email . . . you should have left it as it was. LOL!!!
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