Buy Canadian or US
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 445
Why buy from a local shop rather than EBAY?
I have been installing all types of products into cars for some time now. I LOVE to install gear bought on EBAY. After the product has been purchased, installed, and paid for....it is alway kinda funny to see that the gear does NOT work, (blown channel, flip out screen will not open etc...) When you buy from a local shop and there is ANY issue the local guy will most likely just replace right there (stock allowing)The other thing that most people do not understand if that the product is from the states.....that is the ONLY place you can send for warranty. Most Canadian suppliers will not touch the product if they did not supply it. What kind of security do you have from EBAY when things go wrong???? you need to send it back and wait for your money back?? What happens if you never see your refund?? I always prefer to spend the money right the first time and really like thought of being able to take it back for any issues.
Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
I have been installing all types of products into cars for some time now. I LOVE to install gear bought on EBAY. After the product has been purchased, installed, and paid for....it is alway kinda funny to see that the gear does NOT work, (blown channel, flip out screen will not open etc...) When you buy from a local shop and there is ANY issue the local guy will most likely just replace right there (stock allowing)The other thing that most people do not understand if that the product is from the states.....that is the ONLY place you can send for warranty. Most Canadian suppliers will not touch the product if they did not supply it. What kind of security do you have from EBAY when things go wrong???? you need to send it back and wait for your money back?? What happens if you never see your refund?? I always prefer to spend the money right the first time and really like thought of being able to take it back for any issues.
Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 253
Well let's see. I am a local retailer with lots of experience in the electronics business. When you buy from a store like mine you not only get a product that is warrantied here in Canada but you also get my experience to either do the install for you or to help guide you through the install yourself. Not only that when you call for an issue I will answer the phone. All I can say is you get what you pay for in life. I have even bought from e bay only to regret it.I think someone posted that if you buy from the local retailer prices will come down, I concur. Support Canadians!!!!
500 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 614
you get what you pay for really, and not just in product but the total package. i know its been said on here before but when you buy locally you build friendships and relationships with the people you deal with. sure that online guy gave you a great deal on your gear but is he going to give you tips on how to install it or say hey i can come over and give you a hand with that. he definatley isn't going to help you increase your knowledge base or even help you gain expereince in the industry or hell even give you a job. that you will probably never find in an online retailer and for some people who cares, but for other people thats a huge value and its well worth the extra cost.
i dont just mean in car audio either, my other life is as a photographer. i could have bought my Nikon D70 cheaper online from some us retailer...but then it would be grey market and that means no service for me, that great 2 year warranty on the body and 5 year on the lens that nikon canada offers means nothing, it means i am forking out a grand for a hunk of plastic that other than taking pretty pictures if ever there is a manufacturing defect i am screwed. So I buy my gear new or used from local retailers, hell most of the time they are like retired guys that have some nameless shop inbetween some random stores that charge 5 times more than i could get something at london drugs, some other big box or online for. but the bonus, i go in for a uv filter and i walk out with the filter and a 3 hour converstaion on lighting and compositioning. every time i go in there i walk out with some new knowledge that i can apply to my work and thats something i'd never get from an online retailer. there are benefits to buying local and to buying online, but its not always in the pricetag.
i dont just mean in car audio either, my other life is as a photographer. i could have bought my Nikon D70 cheaper online from some us retailer...but then it would be grey market and that means no service for me, that great 2 year warranty on the body and 5 year on the lens that nikon canada offers means nothing, it means i am forking out a grand for a hunk of plastic that other than taking pretty pictures if ever there is a manufacturing defect i am screwed. So I buy my gear new or used from local retailers, hell most of the time they are like retired guys that have some nameless shop inbetween some random stores that charge 5 times more than i could get something at london drugs, some other big box or online for. but the bonus, i go in for a uv filter and i walk out with the filter and a 3 hour converstaion on lighting and compositioning. every time i go in there i walk out with some new knowledge that i can apply to my work and thats something i'd never get from an online retailer. there are benefits to buying local and to buying online, but its not always in the pricetag.
Guest
Posts: n/a
its interesting that even with the increase in the canadian dollar, 30% or so, that the pricing between the united states and canada hasnt leveled out much, seeing as how most, not all canadian distributors buy their various items from the u.s., why has this increase not filtered down to the canadian retailers? it has for the consumer using his credit card or other means of payment to buy his stuff online, but the filter effect hasnt reached the canadian consumer buying from canadian retailers imo
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 237
I haven't been following this thread, but I agree that the USA seems to have much better deals available on car audio in general. There's just not as many people selling it in Canada, it seems, so high-priced authorized retailers are often the only choice. I just try to shop only during sales, when you might get a decent price...
I've ordered a few things from the States, and the truth is, it sucks. The prices were great, but I was screwed out of almost $100 by customs one time, and I've also had to pay to ship stuff back for warranty repair. Whereas when I buy locally, I'm usually able to just walk into the shop and exchange the item right there, often without even being asked for a receipt.
I've spent a lot at my local dealer, but there's just so much more out there than what they carry...it sucks to be confined to four or five brands...
I've ordered a few things from the States, and the truth is, it sucks. The prices were great, but I was screwed out of almost $100 by customs one time, and I've also had to pay to ship stuff back for warranty repair. Whereas when I buy locally, I'm usually able to just walk into the shop and exchange the item right there, often without even being asked for a receipt.
I've spent a lot at my local dealer, but there's just so much more out there than what they carry...it sucks to be confined to four or five brands...
Originally posted by AudioVault:
Well let's see. I am a local retailer with lots of experience in the electronics business. When you buy from a store like mine you not only get a product that is warrantied here in Canada but you also get my experience to either do the install for you or to help guide you through the install yourself. Not only that when you call for an issue I will answer the phone. All I can say is you get what you pay for in life. I have even bought from e bay only to regret it.I think someone posted that if you buy from the local retailer prices will come down, I concur. Support Canadians!!!!
Well let's see. I am a local retailer with lots of experience in the electronics business. When you buy from a store like mine you not only get a product that is warrantied here in Canada but you also get my experience to either do the install for you or to help guide you through the install yourself. Not only that when you call for an issue I will answer the phone. All I can say is you get what you pay for in life. I have even bought from e bay only to regret it.I think someone posted that if you buy from the local retailer prices will come down, I concur. Support Canadians!!!!
Originally posted by B-Burn:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by AudioVault:
Well let's see. I am a local retailer with lots of experience in the electronics business. When you buy from a store like mine you not only get a product that is warrantied here in Canada but you also get my experience to either do the install for you or to help guide you through the install yourself. Not only that when you call for an issue I will answer the phone. All I can say is you get what you pay for in life. I have even bought from e bay only to regret it.I think someone posted that if you buy from the local retailer prices will come down, I concur. Support Canadians!!!!
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by AudioVault:
Well let's see. I am a local retailer with lots of experience in the electronics business. When you buy from a store like mine you not only get a product that is warrantied here in Canada but you also get my experience to either do the install for you or to help guide you through the install yourself. Not only that when you call for an issue I will answer the phone. All I can say is you get what you pay for in life. I have even bought from e bay only to regret it.I think someone posted that if you buy from the local retailer prices will come down, I concur. Support Canadians!!!!
</font>[/QUOTE]x2States will always be cheaper...10x the population tends to cause this.
honestly, in the last 20 years I have needed nothing repaired under warranty...knock on wood...I've found most good car audio gear to be pretty bullet proof if you can control your thumb and forefinger.
All that said, I still do most of my shopping in Canada since the difference on most items are not worth the effort and I have recently found 1 or 2 retailers that I actually like.
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,770
[quote]Originally posted by B-Burn:
cfib stats are the 69% of the profit stays in the local community from locally owned stores
with foreign store its like 16%
this indicates you need a coure in economics
where do you work and what do you do
im sure most people that are proud to be canadian will boycott you and you can see how the money that supports your *** comes from
[ April 04, 2005, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: pinhead ]
When will you retailers realize what you are offering does not appeal to ALL consumers? I think some of you guys need to take a course on marketing.
with foreign store its like 16%
this indicates you need a coure in economics
where do you work and what do you do
im sure most people that are proud to be canadian will boycott you and you can see how the money that supports your *** comes from
[ April 04, 2005, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: pinhead ]
^^did you read the guy's post before you enlightened us. Are you saying we should buy from retailers that don't offer anything to us just because they are canadian. I don't need support from the dealer, the warranty is from the manufacturer and if I feel it is worthwile to save x amount then I'll purchase from where ever I choose. Do you really think anyone with significant amounts of money just shop in Canada? Ask your grand parents where they go every winter and while you are at it ask your Prime Minister why all his ships are licensed outside of canada? Wake up middle class you are the only suckers left that are paying for all the fat cats to live it up.
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 253
Originally posted by veeman:
^^did you read the guy's post before you enlightened us. Are you saying we should buy from retailers that don't offer anything to us just because they are canadian. I don't need support from the dealer, the warranty is from the manufacturer and if I feel it is worthwile to save x amount then I'll purchase from where ever I choose. Do you really think anyone with significant amounts of money just shop in Canada? Ask your grand parents where they go every winter and while you are at it ask your Prime Minister why all his ships are licensed outside of canada? Wake up middle class you are the only suckers left that are paying for all the fat cats to live it up.
^^did you read the guy's post before you enlightened us. Are you saying we should buy from retailers that don't offer anything to us just because they are canadian. I don't need support from the dealer, the warranty is from the manufacturer and if I feel it is worthwile to save x amount then I'll purchase from where ever I choose. Do you really think anyone with significant amounts of money just shop in Canada? Ask your grand parents where they go every winter and while you are at it ask your Prime Minister why all his ships are licensed outside of canada? Wake up middle class you are the only suckers left that are paying for all the fat cats to live it up.
[ April 04, 2005, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: AudioVault ]
