Getting the best prices on consumer electronics

[imschur]

I need to replace my home theater receiver. Unfortunately like everything else my needs exceed my budget. I notice on Ebay there is several sellers selling the receiver I want $400-$600 less than online retailers like Amazon. They all state the devices are NIB, full warranty. Anyone know what the deal is on these or of a retailer that is competitive and doesnt follow the manufacturers pricing?

Same question about Nikon FX camera lenses.

[DNP]

Best buy for most of my electronics....especially tv gear. Not for the best price, but for the 18 month same as cash financing.

Be careful with the lenses. I remember reading about canon gear having different prices and a lot of times the warranty was not USA valid or was somehow a lot different.

[SPBCTS]

Check the manufacturers website of the product you are looking at and they will, in some cases, tell you if the online/ ebay retailers are authorized.

Many times you'll find they are not, which makes that warranty deal a lie. The seller offers a "warranty" which may or may not be worth the paper it is written on or more. The truth on consumer electronics is this...the manufacturers set a minumim retail price for their dealers, and they can't/wont' as a general rule go under that price.

Also, remember...very little depreciates or gets outdated as quickly as electronics. I like music as well, am a wanna be audiophile, and have sorta decided to just bite the bullet on home theater stuff. When my good stuff dies, I replace it. I get a lot of use out of it. The new stuff out there in the A/V Reciever lines are amazing "switching centers" for input systems...lots of HDMI inputs, conversions, soundstage options and true 7.1 sound. Do yer reserarch and bite the bullet.

Crutchfield is a great place to get a look at your full-retail number, watch the end of year sales at places like Magnolia and Frys, and any legit online dealer, and pull the trigger when you find a good price. I have had very good luck with Yamaha A/V Recievers.

[imschur]

Yamaha is what Im getting

[EasyEJL]

There are basically 2 ways they do that. One is that they are selling refurb units and claiming them as new, which happens. The other is that they are "grey market" products - ones that although are the same model # in general are not meant for US distribution. So they come in from Asia or South America. The big issue with those is that although they will say "full warranty", the warranty is serviced out of the country that the product is meant for, not the US. So you'd be forced to ship internationally for warranty work. Even so, a $400 variance seems enormous unless you are looking at a $2000 + receiver.

[imschur]

Yeah it's expensive. I need to get the good shit now before we get a house

[EasyEJL]

this one seems legitimate

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RX-A3020-9-2-Surround-Receiver-Aventage-Airplay-Cinema-DSP-HD3-NEW-/290853981668?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item43b83f8de4

 

but this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RX-A3020BL-9-2-Channel-Network-AVENTAGE-AV-Receiver-/271162159380?pt=US_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item3f22863114

even though its listed as "new condition" doesn't state anything about warranty. So it might be either a refurb or a grey market one.

 

this one although open box, does state full manufacturer warranty, so its the cheapest believable one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-AVENTAGE-RX-A3020-Open-Box-9-2-Channel-3D-Home-Theater-Receiver-/151016475244?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item2329488a6c

 

sometimes the cheaper ones are ok, and you can even buy the add on warranty to them.

[Robocop1051]

I'm lazy. I have Fry's and Bestbuy nearby. I loved when Bestbuy had price matching +10%

[DNP]

I won't touch Fry's with a ten foot poll. Ever again. Returning anything there is a nightmare. Won't do it.

And drew, if you want me to crap in a box and mark it guaranteed I will, I have the time.

[unforgiven]

I like Bose.I got the wife the Wave and put MP3 to it or Pandora on Ipod.Back in the day with the guys coming back from Vietnam stop was Okinawa.One of the guys got a reel to reel thru Bose 501's sound was outfukinstanding.Just my 2 mags.

[Robocop1051]

I just use Fry's for price matching when I'm at bestbuy.

For online shopping, NewEgg.com can have some great deals

[unforgiven]

As a side note a brick and mortor joint has the advantage that if you have problemyou just go back.No shipping stuff,as soud systems have some weight.  <dontknow>

[392heminut]

I won't set foot in a Best Buy! Their customer service is some of the worst in the industry and I've experienced it. Many years ago I had a problem with a TV I bought there (WITH an extended warranty) and was basically told to pound sand. I haven't been back in one since then. A lot of folks in forums that I frequented back then were also experiencing the same thing with them, so it wasn't an isolated incident. They may have changed since then, I don't know since I refuse to spend a dime there, but even if they have I won't go back just because of how badly I was treated in that incident. If every store they have burned to the ground tonight I would have several bloody mary's in the morning to celebrate and transition to beer at noon! :banana: :ifly: :hethan:

Edited April 4, 2013 by 392heminut

[shepp]

Best buy for most of my electronics....especially tv gear. Not for the best price, but for the 18 month same as cash financing.

Be careful with the lenses. I remember reading about canon gear having different prices and a lot of times the warranty was not USA valid or was somehow a lot different.

Best buy fucked me on financing, suppose to be one year no payment no interest turns out it was same as cash and I had to make a minimum payment.

As for eBay I bought a Boston acoustic sub and sound bar came with free shipping 200$ cheaper then BB never had an issue with it

[unforgiven]

Not a fan of BB either