Obscure Online Electronic Retailers

kevhed72
kevhed72 Posts: 5,161
edited July 2008 in Electronics
I have been looking at a new Yamaha V-RX1800 Receiver. When I Googled the model of Receiver, I came up w/ the following prices at the following sellers:

Preferred Photo.com 819.00 + 55.00 SHIPPING
TVs Depot 819.00 + FREE SHIPPING
FotoConnection.com 799.00 + SHIPPING

This model retails for 1200.00. I called all 3 places and they said 1. These are not refurbed receivers, and 2. They are wholesalers....that's why the prices are so low. My question for the forum folks is:

1. What is the catch? (There has to be a catch, right?)
2. Has anyone ever used one of these sellers (or any similiar "whole-salers")
Post edited by kevhed72 on
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Comments

  • SDA SRS 1.2
    SDA SRS 1.2 Posts: 255
    edited July 2008
    Make sure they offer a USA warranty and not a "grey market" item
    Main System: Polk SDA SRS 1.2 Speakers, Sunfire Signature 600~two Amp, Carver C-16 Preamp, Carver TX-11b Tuner, Marantz 6350Q TT, Philips CDR-775 Recorder, Teac V-707RX Cassette Deck, Signal Cable Double Run Speaker Cable

    Upstairs Den: Marantz 2325 Receiver, Marantz 5220 Cassette Deck, Marantz HD-880 Speakers, Marantz 6370Q TT

    Exercise (Kabuki speaker) Room: Kenwood KR-9600 Receiver, Pioneer CS-99a Speakers, Sansui SP-X9000 Speakers (not pretty, but LOUD! :) )
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited July 2008
    Yeah, are they an "Authorized" seller? From the looks of those names, I'd have to say NO, and they are all based out of somewhere in New York.

    Go check out the Yamaha website, and click on the Authorized retailer list. BTW, have you checked Amazon?
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,808
    edited July 2008
    Fotoconnection and TV's Depot are both pretty well known scammers:

    http://www.resellerratings.com/store/FotoConnection_1

    Preffered Photo is also a scam, from Broadway Photo:

    http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Broadway_Photo

    I avoid any seller in New York, with the exception of J&R , B&H, and 6th Ave.
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  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    edited July 2008
    Call the manufacturer to see if they are an authorized seller. If not, move on. Don't bother asking the seller. Don't fall for the full warranty bait and switch too. This most likely is not a manufacturers warrant but a warranty from them. You'll end up shipping your unit to some noname company for repairs.
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  • unbridled_id
    unbridled_id Posts: 179
    edited July 2008
    If you are going to purchase the item new or as a refurb the best and safest was to go is with an authorized dealer. It may cost more, but if you have any issues you will consider the difference money well spent.
    The greatest enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.

    Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.
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  • hockeyboy
    hockeyboy Posts: 1,428
    edited July 2008
    I use this site quite a bit and take time to READ the reviews before I order. I have not been burned yet using this site because I read about the good or bad experiences before I buy. That has also allowed me to find a variety of trusted on line retailers.

    http://www.pricegrabber.com

    That being said, I have a general disdain for any Yamaha AVR. For the same money I personally would go with this:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120058&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Receivers-_-Onkyo-_-82120058

    or better yet (IMO) this:

    http://www.crutchfield.com/S-iAfMy9Y7eNv/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=642SR7002
    My Main Gear
    Mitsu HC5000 (Proj.)
    Marantz SR8001 (AVR)
    Sunfire TGA7200 (AMP)
    Marantz DV7001 (SACD)
    Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-Ray
    LSi 15's (Front)
    LSiC (Center)
    LSiFx (Surrounds)
    DUAL SVS 20-39 CS Plus     (Passive Subs)
    Marantz IS201 I-Pod Dock[/SIZE]
    Panamax M5300EX
    Carada Criterion 106" Brightwhite Screen
    Sunfire TGA 5200 & (4) B&W 605's in the party room
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