For future reference, I don't think ebay(or online dealers) are great for assessing msrp on product. I have seen grossly exaggerated msrps listed on ebay and online dealer's sites so their "low price" seems even better.

You guys do seem to get some outrageously high pricing on stuff in Canada though...ouch.

 

and that is the way to do it, but at some value level, canadian customs would want duty, correct?
What kind of fee does the receiving/storage facility charge you for their service?

 

but some of your pricing is just insane. Certainly a distributor's share wouldn't(or shouldn't) be THAT much.

 

Never have I had to pay duty on any amount of items I brought across at once.

I pay 7 bucks US a month plus a small $1.70 charge per item to have a 4'x2'x2' box. Pales in comparison to what I'd pay otherwise.

 

Thats all good if you goto a shop to get your stuff put in, but Im sure quite a few guys here do their own installs, as I do, and dont really rely on a shop in that manner. Car Audio is a fun enjoyable hobby, THAT DOESNT HAVE TO COST YOU AN ARM OR A LEG!!. Everyone here runs on a budget, and saving money is the name of the game. Buying online or in the states offers one to save a few bucks, so that they can add 1 more component, or afford materials for some fiberglass work ect. Dont bash people for saving money just so they can help save a shop that already makes enough money from people who dont know where to find a deal, and who wont offer a cut in price, knowing that it just might bring a customer back to spend money later. Most stores/ shops only look for the "1" time sale, and dont offer a cut in price. When all shops realize that repeat business is what keeps them going, then you will see a decrease in online or Border shopping, this includes big box stores like FS or BB, where you rarely see a "decent" break on an item, and im not talking 20 bucks off a $200 sub ect, 20 bucks!! BFD, when you can save 75 or 80 online!!. See my point, Im not saying to go buy online, just realize most people want a deal, especially if you doing a promising system, you need to make every penny count.

Its a fair market for one to buy stuff, so local shops need to do more in pricing, and advertising to get the business locally, make it tangable for me to come spend my money there and I will, otherwise I'm going elsewhere. My local shop carries all the equipment I use, and when I told the guy I deal with, the #'s I got online, vs. when he could do for me, He even told me to buy it online, because there was no way he could beat that price.

Its up to you to do what you want with your money, and if buying locally cost you $1000, and you find it online for $500, then that means you suddenly have an extra 500 to spend on another piece!

 

And what might those problems be my supreme car audio god???

Why is it you think there is a problem when you buy something from the states or online, it all comes from there anyway, so i dont see your point. You think that we all should use local shops to do everything?, he mearly asked for an opion on it, and as we have seen, he did buy the pieces he wanted, saved money, and will be able to buy something else with the money he save like power wire, or interconnects from his local shop. So he hasnt cut out the local shop all together. He did what we all want to do, and thats enjoy a hobby that will not empty our bank account. That was the whole point of his post, was to get input from those who may have bought stuff online, and see if it was more affordable to do so.

 

Sorry if this thread stirred up the s*** [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

When I said "a good portion of those prices have *got* to be a markup of some sort", I was not criticizing audio shops for trying to make a honest profit, I was referring to the magnitude of such a markup, which is downright ridiculous IMO, even if a middleman exists between manufacturer and retailer.

I know that buying hardware from the United States is risky, however, there are measures in place to protect me.

(1) eBay Buyer Protection
(2) Paypal Buyer Protection
(3) VISA Buyer Protection

(1) and (2) apply only if I do not receive the item, or if I receive it in a damaged state, or the item is not as described. The 500/1 came securely packed and upon opening the shipping box, the amp was in its factory box with contents undisturbed. If I hook it up and its dead, then I can dispute it and get (almost) all my money back.

I was sure that the retailer I bought it from (ebay ID audio-n-video) was established (three years on eBay) with plenty of positive eBay feedbacks (146 of them in the last six months, 54 in the last seven days). In addition, I have a one-year warranty from the retailer. If something goes wrong, yes, I have to go through the hassle of sending it back over there, but in the end, it will still be cheaper than the conventional route.

But wait! (3) protects me if the product breaks down within one year of acquisition.

I think I am in pretty good shape. Then again, both the amp and the sub could never give me any trouble whatsoever...