Do not buy any Sonus Faber used

The day may soon arrive when we buy direct from the manufacturer or an arms-length specialized mail/internet dealer. They will demo their gear at trade shows near big cities, or through small, home-based hobbyists, advertise on sites like this on the net and in some paper magazines, and then sell direct and offer great service. Forums will discuss the quality of the components and level of customer service.

Wait a minute, this is already happening. There is one really good dealer in my area and many good quality, carefully assembled home systems where I have heard some great components. Specialist set-up guys go around charging a fee to set up systems and consult with audiophiles. The industry is changing.

I've also had multiple dealings with Sumiko and they have been positive. If interested in purchasing used SF speakers, I agree with the other poster about calling Sumiko firsthand to obtain clarification from the "horse's mouth." So to speak.

If the policy quoted is verbatim, I think it will be interested to see the impact, if any, on SF sales, both new and used.

Fortunately for me, I guess, when I demo'd SF speakers they did not connect with me.

Why should Sumiko (the distributor) support the grey marketer's activities?
Larryi (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Why not? After all, they support the company that makes the grey merchandise.

Here's another angle on this discussion. What's a person who bought new SF product supposed to do with it if they buy another SF product? Stick it in the closet? Are all SF dealers willing to take used equipment bought from them back in on trade? What do they then do with the used equipment; sell it used? Will SF warranty it then?

I understand protecting your dealer network by prohibiting gray-market goods but the used market in legitimately-purchased product is different. I have said before that the used market can actually HELP equipment companies. There is a certain segment of the audiophile population that prefers to buy new. What do they do with their current equipment if they want to buy again and the dealer won't take trades? Toss it? The closet again? The dealers will sell more new equipment if the prospective buyer can recoup some of their investment in the equipment they have by selling it on the used market. There is a synergism between the new and used markets that shouldn't be ignored. If not for the used market, the market for new equipment would be substantially smaller.

12-03-11: Djohnson54
Here's another angle on this discussion. What's a person who bought new SF product supposed to do with it if they buy another SF product? Stick it in the closet? Are all SF dealers willing to take used equipment bought from them back in on trade? What do they then do with the used equipment; sell it used? Will SF warranty it then?

I imagine if they can't supply the receipt from the person that made the original purchase, it may be grey merchandise. They may resell grey merchandise providing their own receipt.

They may like the idea if you throw your present gear away. I guess they don't see it as free advertising having a lot of products out there, with people talking about it.

It sounds like they want us to buy their products, make the profit, and do their police work. This isn't counterfeit merchandise. The company that makes the products should do some work helping out. They are a big part of this problem.