2. amps-preamps
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Why are there so many unopened amps, ect for sale?

I've noticed a lot, lately, especially McIntosh, ads for new amplifiers, preamps, ect in boxes never opened by non-dealers, just "regular" people. Are people hesitant to buy these. I myself was looking at a new McIntosh MC352 amp from a private seller. He said it's new and the box has never been opened. I'm rather hesitant to buy it, because why would someone buy it, never open it, and then turn around and sell it? I'm just curious. If it is truly new, would McIntosh warranty it; I'm assuming not since it's not coming from a dealer even though the warranty cards are supposed to be inside the unopened box. I truly would like to buy this amp, but am hesitant, and I'm wondering if anyone else has wondered why there are so many unopened boxes of stereo equipment for sale by non-dealers. Usually when we buy equipment from this site we know it's used equipment, unless it's coming from a dealer. Just a curious question and wondering if anyone had feelings on this subject. Thanks.
btstrg
whknopp0713
179 posts
 
Theft does seem a likely explanation. I would definitely check the serial numbers with the manufacturer or distributor. I, for one, want nothing to do with supporting thieves by helping make a market in stolen goods, which is also a crime in itself. Yikes!
soix
9,456 posts
 
I've always been a little concerned that a lot of these "new in box" offers may be B-stock items that have been blown out by either a dealer or the company. B-stock can mean anything from a minor blemish to a unit that was defective and had to be refurbished(or, at least, we hope it was refurbished).

Has anyone bought an item like this and had warranty service refused because it wasn't bought from an authorized dealer? I'm not aware how closely the service centers check or care about this or how closely the manufacturers police it.

Tim
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
I am glad this has been brought up as I look at certain Mac gear when it goes for sale and I too wonder about NIB units. A C42 preamp just sold on eBay that was "Brand New...still in the box". I asked the person if they were a dealer, being it was new, they simply replied back, "No, I am not a dealer". I e-mailed near the end of the listing and by the time I could reply back, it was done, so I never carried the conversation further.
aida_w
308 posts
 
In case of McIntosh many people bought in order to sell again later for higher price - esp. with the Millennium MC2000 of which only 555 have been built. But as with many "collectibles" it turned out that nobody is willing to pay more than the former list price minus a decent discount. So since those people never intended to use the gear themselves they are in a hurry to sell it. Maybe they should wait another 10 years and prices would go up? Anyway, I was a HAPPY seller because of this and I only can encourage you do go for it. With a MAC you never can go wrong!
Best of luck
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
The one instance I know of where I could have sold an item NIB was when I got a replacement from Mission for a continually malfunctioning CD player. Since it was a new model replacing a discontinued model, I paid dealer cost (Mission was more than fair, my older model was a couple of years old), and could have sold it right then as NIB and made a profit. Other legit reasons I could think of might be the person who took equipment in trade for services (photography, marketing brochure) but didn't want the item, or the person who speculated and bought the item as an investment (for example, the Mac 275 reissues). I would be cautious in buying such equipment, though, as I'd have the concern that it was like Budrew's friend's situation. A box should have a serial number on it, though, you could ask for it and then call the manufacturer.
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