Do not buy any Sonus Faber used

I would love to see this tested legally. I know that there are some here who think a company has the right to make any condition it wants, but thats not true, and there would be huge problems if it was. Judges like to make rulings based on industry standards. Who reads every document set down before them. Really, think about it. We sign stuff all the time, everywhere, without giving it a thought. What stops companies from taking advantage of that. "Let the buyer beware" is not a legal defense and if it was, the marketplace couldn’t exist. Judges rule against this kind of thing all the time simply because it is unreasonable.

Good point. There can be room for a legal challenge here, I guess.

It must be important for companies to protect their distributors and their territories. It has to be worthwhile to promote and support products that are sold though developed dealer networks.

"It must be important for companies to protect their distributors and their territories.”

Agreed. And if there is a problem, then they need to tighten up their distribution chain. They simply cannot place that burden on the end user. They are the manufacturer. Every speaker out there was originally in their possession. They chose who to sell them to. If the distribution network is not functioning as intended, then it is their problem. Broaden your thinking and really consider the precedence, legal ramifications and potential for abuse. No contract can cover everything. People buy and sell things all the time based on very reasonable assumptions, including that a company's repair facility will offer repair. A buyer has certain rights based on nothing more that the reasonable expectations of “this is the way it’s alway been done”. And I suspect strongly that even if a company was allowed an exception, it would be with the responsibility of making sure that their oddball policy was well understood by every prospective buyer.

Phaelon - Your statement that they have just placed the burden on the end user is just not accurate. Sumiko and Sonus Faber have worked diligently to tighened up the distribution channel. The grey market problem is much less than it was 5+ years ago. They have worked this issue from several angles and seem to have reduced the problem greatly. In addition, they have warned the end user of the potential problems with dealing with the grey market - both on their website and here on Audiogon. Remember, these warning statements have been around for years.

I leave it to you to worry about the potential legal aspects of the issue. I will continue to support the authorized channel.