Word of Caution

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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited June 2002
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    Two words: caveat emptor.

    Linda,

    I would be very cautious.
    There are certain individuals that are extremely honest.
    Hoosier21 took care of a bad tweeter after the sale - very reputable. Hoosier21 sells more old Polks than most retailers
    ever did.

    Here is how I like to deal with people.
    1. I like to go visit and pay in cash. This avoids any issues what-so-ever and also eliminates shipping charges and damages that can occur in transit. UPS isn't that great in protecting big boxes.
    2. Maybe once a deal is arranged (privately), a buyer and seller can get together via e-bay and use Paypal with the buy-it-now feature at an agreed upon price. The entire e-bay experience only has to be open for a few minutes - thus, minimizing the risk that somebody can steal the buyers great deal.
    3. Club-Polk sells nearly all replacement parts at very reasonable prices. Don't be so worried about reliability.
    4. Old Polks are going to show some signs of wear. Corners get dinged, etc. Be realistic with your expectations.
    5. Don't be afraid to ask if you somebody privately (via email) if you are getting a fair deal. Many members KNOW the real resale values of old Polks. You can research them yourself via e-bay too.
    6. Don't ever send any electronics away for repair to unknown repair places. This has proven disaster for some Polk fans. Not only did they lose their $$$, they also lost their electronics.

    Here is an idea for Polk Audio. Why don't you (Micah & Justin) establish a program to buy back and re-sell used Polk products after factory inspection with a warranty? Hmmm?
    This could be another excellent marketing tool and an extension of the clubpolk website. Don't be greedy. Just help to facilitate the trading of classic Polk speakers. Its a good idea. Think of it as buying a factory-certified-used-polk-speaker-with warranty.
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  • caseymou
    caseymou Posts: 327
    edited June 2002
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    I think the liability/time/shipping costs that a program would take would make them have to add cost to the speaks and make the deals not sound so good. My speaker range is usually $100-$400 pr for speaks. $50 difference is sometimes the difference between a good deal and bad. I have bought speaks off of ebay just because I knew the seller was in the Indy area and I wouldn't have to pay shipping costs. Being familiar with the people on this forum is the best way to protect yourself. Either know the seller or know someone who can vouch for them. I will be more careful in the future.
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited June 2002
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    Caseymou.... its good to meet a fellow Hoosier with an interest in Polk Speakers. I live in Indy also - near the airport.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,294
    edited June 2002
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    Linda and all you guys,

    The safest way (other than in person) is to use Escrow.com. The buyer puts the money into Escrow's holding account. When the money is verified, the seller is notified to ship the item. The two of you agree to a inspection time frame and if everything is ok, you tell Escrow to release to funds. If the seller never ships the item they won't get paid and if there is a problem you can return it, but you will have to pay for the return shipping cost. If the buyer says they never got it and the seller has the tracking number/proof that they sent it and the shipping company has proof that they delivered it, then Escrow will pay the seller. For there service Escrow charges a small precent of the actual cost of the item. It's simple, safe and it works. I've used them, no problems at all.


    Linda....Welcome, it's always nice to have a woman's touch.
    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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  • caseymou
    caseymou Posts: 327
    edited June 2002
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    Escrow.com? Good idea. What is the cost?

    rskarvan,

    Might have to meet and check out each others setups. I work at Girls School & Morris St. I live just west of Plainfield.


    Ditto, welcome Linda!
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited June 2002
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    caseymou,

    What is your setup? Curious.
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  • caseymou
    caseymou Posts: 327
    edited June 2002
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    Not all that interesting but here goes...

    Denon 1602
    Mon 5+jr's fronts
    CS100 center (replaced someday hopefully)
    Mon 4.6 rears ( still need a single sl 2500 tweet to finish them)
    Velo CT120 from Ron P.
    Crappy Samsung 27" TV

    NAD 7175 PE 2 channel
    OHM Walsh 2's
    SDA 2B's ( I think?) from Scott
    (not used) Mission 732's

    I need... good CD player for 2 channel rig
    a seperate amp/preamp-rec for 2 channel rig
    a better center
    the money to buy all of this
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited June 2002
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    Caseymou,

    I would setup your rig with the SDA2b's as the mains and move the 5Jr's to surround duty. This would be a nice classic setup.

    What do your 2b's look like? Oak tops? I'm not a big fan of 2b's... but, they are pretty ok. I like the CRS's much better.
    Don't ask me why - I don't have a good answer.

    If you want to checkout my system sometime... let me know.
    I live very close to your work.
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  • caseymou
    caseymou Posts: 327
    edited June 2002
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    I don't know if the 1602 has the power to push the 2b's. Maybe I should have bought the 1802 at least.

    My 2b's are veneered with bottom stands. 2 6510 drivers and 1 tweet. Conditon is ok with some slight corner damage. They may not even be 2b's, I don't know. I did get a pretty good deal on them.

    I hate to move them, the sound from the NAD is so much better when listening to music I usually only turn on the Denon for movies.

    Keep in touch I am always looking for a trade or to pick something new. What is your setup?
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited June 2002
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    Caseymou,

    My equipment:
    SRS SDA 3.1TL's
    Monitor 10 series 2
    CRS+
    RT800i
    RT25i
    CS400i
    PSW650
    Denon 3801
    Denon DVD-A3300
    Krell KAV250a and KAV250p

    Maybe you can add an external amp to power your SDA2's from
    your Denon. That would be near ideal.

    I may be willing to sell some extra equipment.
    Let me know what you are interested in.
    I know what my equipment is worth and I'm not
    going to give it away. So, don't expect killer deals -
    just fair ones. No promises though. I really like all my
    equipment and it is all in A1 shape.

    Ciao'

    Ron
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  • Apex
    Apex Posts: 69
    edited June 2002
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    This is why i ship by C.O.D. ,To gain the customers trust.I think this is the way all business should be done over the internet cuz you don't really know who you're dealing with till they rip you off.

    Justin
    H/K AVR7000

    "LSI25's bi-wired with 2.4s

    Mirage OM c2 Center "LSiC soon"

    FX300i rears "LSi15's soon for the rears".


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  • dmeanybean
    dmeanybean Posts: 1
    edited June 2002
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    I'm an attorney and whenever I have this problem on Ebay or elsewhere I just notify them that I'm going to contact their state attorney general and postal authorities. That usually does the trick....no charge for this info..this time...hehehehe:rolleyes:
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2002
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    Over the past five years I've made over 100 internet transactions. Ebay, Polk Forum, Audiogon, even bought several items from individuals who e-mailed me after loosing a bid on ebay. (I know the last one is dumb but it has always paid off) So far I have only had two bad experiences. One time a controller for a piece of car gear was left out of the deal making the $50 item useless. I have to admit the seller did not show it in the pic so what can I say. The other was a $100 loss.
    I have to wonder if it is worth the hassle of COD or escrows or whatever.
    COD is not always that safe. The first high ticket item I bought was a pair of mono blocks. I was notified that my package was waiting for my payment at the local UPS. When I got there they had this huge "Kellogs" cornflake box. They said I could not have access to it until I made payment. The lady was nice enough to pick it up to check the weight but she said "Once you pay for it you own it and if it is not what you want I cannot give you back the money". I don't know if this is common procedure but it was the only way she would do it. Turns out they were in perfect shape but the COD thing sure didn't provide any safety.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,432
    edited June 2002
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    Madmax that is the UPS system, no looksee until you pay, and no refunds
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • flason
    flason Posts: 278
    edited July 2002
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    Here is my last message from Scott. It was sent on June 26th. I have received nothing as yet.

    i just got home from work the money order for $177 went out this morning. let me know when you get it.i get paid every 2 weeks so ill send the other $177 then.

    scott

    I am going to do what dmeanybean wrote if I receive nothing by Friday. I will also call his local PD with the same info. Being nice has gotten me nowhere. Time to call in the big guns. Later
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,124
    edited July 2002
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    Yeah, and Scott's just sitting there spooning Ramen Noodles into his mug, crying about his wife, listening to tunes on flason's Carver amp..........

    You know, it wouldn't really hurt my feelings if someone worked ol' Scott over like a mug. **** I'd pay good money to see that.

    Might be just me but I think that there are some that might owe old G-diddy Grand an apology.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2002
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    This is a bummer! I thought Scott had more to him than that. He never contacted me at all.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • nascarmann
    nascarmann Posts: 1,464
    edited July 2002
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    It's know wonder his wife left him......what a stand up guy:rolleyes:
    Oh, the bottle has been to me, my closes friend, my worse enemy!
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  • flason
    flason Posts: 278
    edited July 2002
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    ****************Weekend Update*******************
    Just received a check in the mail today from Scott. He sent the whole amount. It was a personal check and I won't be able to cash it 'till next Monday as I am leaving tomorrow for a cruise. At least it was sent and I have some relief that he did pay me back. Hopefully it will clear next week when I get back. I also want you all to know I still appreciate your support on this. I know most all of us are working stiffs and $350 wouldn't break us, but it sure help out.
    Do you notice that your fingers hit the keyboard a lot harder after a couple of beers?
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  • ntculenuff
    ntculenuff Posts: 1,146
    edited July 2002
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    Originally posted by flason
    [BDo you notice that your fingers hit the keyboard a lot harder after a couple of beers? [/B]
    i too have noticed this.....:lol:
    Speakers:
    Definitive BP7001sc mains
    Definitive C/L/R 3000 center
    Polk RT800i's rears
    Definitive supercube I Sub
    Audio:
    Onkyo TX-NR3010
    Emotiva XPA five Gen 3
    OPPO BDP-103 CD, SACD, DVD-A
    Video:
    Panasonic TC-P65ZT60
    OPPO BDP-103 Bluray
    Directv x's 2
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,256
    edited July 2002
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    I don't drop in too often. This is bittersweet. I HATE to see anyone get jacked up financially, BUT.....................

    I tried to warn this forum about wangotango a LONG time ago. His "friends" (probably my detractors) came to his defense. One rocket scientist actually gave him "3 out of 4 stars for integrity". Hey Werner, it's either 4 out of 4, or zip (and your boy has ZIP).

    The exact deal with me was:

    "Sure, send me the check, the amp is yours". Well couple days after I send the check, I find him advertising the amp on another site, for more money. He placed the ad in the new site AFTER he told me to send the check. Where's the FREAKIN' INTEGRITY IN THAT? It cost me $20 to put a stop payment on my check, despite all the promises from that scurrilous individual that my check would be returned uncashed. Would you have done any different?

    The best part, is people STILL coming to his defense and owing it all up to misunderstanding. Roll in your own ****.


    George Grand (of the Laughin' Jersey Grand's)
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  • sgtgto
    sgtgto Posts: 310
    edited July 2002
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    Hey George:

    What are you doing now? Fill me in.


    Gary
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,256
    edited July 2002
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    Hi Gary,

    Right now I'm laughing my **** off.


    George Grand (of the Jersey Grand's)
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,637
    edited July 2002
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    Hey George,
    Long time man....how have you been????I see your still out there in NJ.Thats cool dude.

    WELCOME BACK!!!!
    I hope you hang around,I used to enjoy talking to yeah.....
    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,256
    edited July 2002
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    Thanks Dan. I pretty much said all I've got on my mind at this point.


    George Grand (of the Jersey Grand's)
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2002
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    Hi George,
    How are you doing! I have nothing to say about this post other than I lost $100 but I wanted to say Hi while you are around. We have missed you. Hope all is going good!
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • nascarmann
    nascarmann Posts: 1,464
    edited July 2002
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    Hey George

    Wasn't around when you were here before......have heard great things about you from TroyD, Russman and madmax:D
    Oh, the bottle has been to me, my closes friend, my worse enemy!
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  • flason
    flason Posts: 278
    edited August 2002
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    Looks like the check cleared. Although it's paid back, what happened doesn't suck any less. I won't go into the details, but he has no credibility with me.
    Forgot to add: Welcome back George. Although I never spoke with you before, I have read many of your posts. Also I check frequently on e-bay for a set of Carver Platinums, but like me, I think they are too wide.
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