I'm a consumer (no ties whatsoever to the industry) that draws the line when it comes to Internet purchases. I have bought a couple of used equipment on eBay, but that's about it. I prefer to buy new equipment from local dealers. I'm brutal sometimes when it comes to getting the best prices (guerilla tactics), but again within the realm of local shops. I install my own system and have a modest amount of knowledge (does anyone know it all?). Because I support local shops, I can ask questions and not feel guilty about taking up their time. Most of the local shops know me by now and they do their best to give me deals.

One thing I've noticed over the years is that the good guys never get rich. I hope Tim does well in his new shop, but that guy is already rich. He has something money can't buy - respect.

It's all about making connections, I think. How can one make connections with some virtual/hidden wharehouse over the Internet?

That's my personal take on all this. It's not just about car audio for me. It's about the people who are into it like me. I can't wait to meet up with many of you. So far, everyone I've met personally from this board are genuinely nice people.

I guess I can't expect everybody to feel like I do. I know there are a lot of people here who just log on to sell their stuff and the hell with anything else. Others are just takers and never givers or appreciate the help - lurkers. Hey, I don't care about them, so no big deal.

At one time, I was so afraid to ask questions on here in fear of sounding stupid, pissing off people, etc. Now that I feel comfortable here,

........... I think I should get an award for being the most off topic poster on here, LOL.

 

One more thing. My other hobby is collecting stamps - been doing so since I was like 10 years old. Canadian mint to be specific. Funny thing is most of my recent purchases of stamps have been from the Internet (1000's of stamps off eBay) and not local stores. So I guess I'm a bit of a hippocrite. I do go to local auctions and know a few local dealers. The other weird thing is that I have gotten to know a few of the sellers on eBay really well. Never met them in person, but again, I think it's the connection thing.

 

Correct!
The retailer is the guy crossing the line here! If caught he should loose his ability to sell the brand in question! Of course how do you know who did the backdoor action? speakers dont have serial numbers, do all (HU, amplifier) manufacturers track which store gets which serial numbered products?
There ARE legit online sales too BTW! They are the authorized retailers! I mean I dont mind not paying sales tax, I dont mind getting a deal, but I have had unethical business practices screw me over and I do not like it.

BTW I am not in any way associated with any car/ home audio products, or retailer.

 

welcome to free enterprise everyone!

 

I'd like to thank everyone for their inputs.....except low/n/hard. Name calling isn't needed.
Keep em coming!~

 

I'll guarentee companies like indo audio and electronic giant (ect) have thier own warehouse and some employees.... You think pioneer or whoever drop ships for them ??

Some of these companies also offer there own warranty... you can decide how good it will be, but if something from ebay shows up DOA almost all of these companies will replace it....(although you may loose on shipping it back)

An individual or a small company is a little different.. but I dont think these are the people offering products at near dealer cost... (althought they still may be alot cheaper then retail)

In this instance they might not have any overhead but they dont get the same prices as someone buying in bulk... ie. they help pay the overhead at the warehouse that holds the stuff they are selling...


On a side note... I wonder how many people in the industry who whine about internet sales eat food ? Does anyone realize how hard the farmers in this country are getting ****ed right now ????

Yea, its cheaper to buy food from the states where farming is heavily subsidized... works out in a way cause the american govt. is supplementing our wallets for us.....

(or at least thats how the liberals see it)

 

I recently purchased an amplifier from a large ebay retailer and they shipped me the wrong one. Was this a problem, a little yes but as soon as I contacted the sales rep he told me to ship it back. I thought he would wait to get it then ship me the correct amp, but no, he shipped the correct one right away and credited my paypal account for the shipping. As it turned out, the price was so good on the amp they sent me, I sold it for a 100.00 profit to my neighbour. By the way the particular brand of amplifier is not available locally, which is typically the stuff I buy from ebay.

 

You are right, I appologize for the comment.

But if you are going to start a thread about why product is sooooo much cheaper down south then Use some accurate info. You are blowing it WAY out of proportion by saying it costs an OBSURD abount for an Xtant 6.1??? 1499? you are using numbers you pulled out of your head.

If you have of use the proper numbers this whole thread doesnt hold anywhere near the weight.

500 compared to getting a good deal on that amp say 700 CDN? now after shipping is it really that bad to support your canadian retailer..??

 

Have you moved to the US yet....kidding dude. Was not trying to provoke you at all just making a very valid point. The day that you are on our side of the fence maybe you will see the issue in a different light. The same thing happens all the times for jobs, you work your way up the line and up in wages earned and then all of a sudden you are let go for someone doing the same job for half the price. But was this person as good as you and did he even know half of what you did or is he relying on what you built and left for him to get the job done?

A retailer is not the only one who sends product out the back door to e-tailers, I know of a Canadian distributor that did just this. It is fact and they are on this forum,it would be unprofessional to mention their name. Some e-tailers make nice cushy agreements with legit retailers in order to increase the sales figures for the retialer. Not a legit way of doing business and entirely un-ethical.

 

Are retailers obligaited by contracts with suppliers or manufacturers they represent to put up the displays and have certain products available for demo?