I'm not one to go and buy tons of stuff off of ebay -- I've actually only bought one item years ago. But I'm wondering about all those car audio items that say "new" or "factory sealed"; indicating there to be no usage on the unit at all.

To my knowledge (admittedly, little compared to many on this forum; and thanks for making me more knowledgable over the years), no manufacturer grants a licence for an ebay dealer. So where are these sellers getting 16 Alpine MP3 head units?? I fully expect that many of the 'used' goods ought to be advertised correctly as 'stolen' goods, unfortunatly (a reason why I stay away from buying stuff from ebay), but when it says there's 16 or 20 units available in new condition, in the box; I wonder where the hell it came from.

Someone with the answer, please??

Jay

 

I can't really see Alpine giving warranty on these items... they are grey market, if I'm not mistaken. Tim T, any input??

 

i myself have done a pickup through one of the ebay sellers in cali, he had a legitimate storefront, and i paid less than the local guy here's cost.

i dunno, theres probably a lot of guys on ebay selling stolen, but it cant always be the case.
They probably only make like 30 bucks each sale, plus whatever they rip you off with shipping.

 

Wholesale lots come up all the time forsale.. usually end of year clearance for the manufacturer/supplier..

 

There is also some shady inventory reduction done on eBay, also factory sealed can mean “repaired” and B stock items. It torques off the other legit retailers (you can’t compete with the price) and it torques the manufacturer off too. Warranty claims are next to nil on internet deals in general (a few legit e-tailers out there but their prices are more in line with what you see in a store). Bottom line it is caveat emptor

 

If you buy at ebay prices expect ebay service. Warranty is not free.

 

No but you have to consider how much that warrenty is worth. FOr example you can get a PG titanium amp (600.2 or 500.4) to your door for around $600 after shipping and duties $700 tops. In stores you would do well to get one after taxes for $1400 and that would be doing well. Is a warrenty worth te pricfe of a replacement? Nope neither is some guy telling me about the item in a store.
Granted most items are not that extreme when it comes down to $100 differance or even 25% of the value of the item it can be a tough choice.

 

My entire system was bought off Ebay!!

No kidding...........

 

store fronts sell on ebay to. And so do some direct distrubtors. It's a quick and easy way to reach a customer that would not normally be able to reach.