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Note for those who buy used equipment...

I have obtained most of my equipment on the used market, and will continue to do so. However, today I ran into an issue that I had previously not encountered.

I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a used piece of Accustic Arts equipment when, in response to an inquiry about how to obtain any needed future service should that be needed, I received the following message from the Accustic Arts distributor in the U.S.:

"Thank you very much for your interest in ACCUSTIC ARTS products. My firm represents and distributes the brand in the USA and all responsibilities as it relates to repairs are through our firm.
We ONLY service products that are either bought from our firm or through an authorized dealer (similar policy to other manufacturers)".

After letting the distributor know that his policy ruled out any further consideration of Accustic Arts equipment for me, he sent the following:

"Our service policy is really no different than the vast majority of other manufacturer’s – in fact, just about nobody services or supports products bought and sold in the used market since we have no idea of how old the products are, where they were bought, how many times the items were bought and sold and how they were packaged etc. It would ultimately cause a huge liability for no reason. I suppose that is probably why most manufacturers will not support items bought and sold in the used market.
We carry ten (10) brands and we have one policy applicable to all."

So... before investing in something which may have very little re-sale value, and/or which has the potential to morph into a door-stop; do check on the manufacturer's/distributor's policy towards servicing used pieces of their equipment.

Rupe
rupertdacat
rupertdacat OP
25 posts
 
Tvad-

You wrote: "The distributor is undoubtedly trying to quash discounted grey market sales by refusing to offer service."

That may well be the case. Can you or anyone else clarify for me how it is that pieces reach the grey market without the manufacturer's knowledge?

The remedy you propose sounds just so right and easy that one wonders how it is that Accustic Arts et al have not thought of it?

Thanks...
dougmc
105 posts
 
Oops! A hasty addition to my prior post.

I just noticed a "Sumiko" warning on the Sonus Faber page of the Audiogon classifieds. The warning statement is more ample than the one reproduced by Sogood51 in his post. Its wording would seem not to exclude a private sale buyer who can establish that the speaker was initially bought from an authorized dealer. However, I wouldn't buy a Sonus Faber speaker on a resale unless I first got that interpretation confirmed by Sumiko in writing.

I'm of two minds on a seller having to document the origin of the item he's selling. On the one hand, it's an extra paperwork burden and punishes a seller who is not good at keeping records. On the other hand, with products that can be counterfeited, it offers some assurance of genuineness to the buyer.
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
How can you put foreign tubes in your American made gear? That's like putting Kuhmo tires on your BMW! btw, the BMW service manager always ask if I bought the car at their dealership. I have to say no because I moved after buying the car- so I don't get a courtesy car but at least they repair it.
Post removed 
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Re grey market question. I think, for the most part, authorized dealers create the grey market by selling the product to an 'unauthorized' dealer w/o warranty obligations, in enuf volume to make up the difference in markup from the sale of one locally to the sale of many which would not impact on his local territory.

If this is so, and I think it is, the manufacturer could, if they wanted to, require the dealer to account for all sales. If they really wanted to. But why would the manufacturer really care. Where the product ends up doesn't affect their bottom line, at least to their disadventation. The only one who suffers is a legitimate dealer who loses a sale and the buyer who doesn't get a warranty. I've even heard of (and bought from) manufacturers who will sell product out the back door so long as its done in real green cash and no trail is created. Obviously w/out warranty.

FWIW.
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