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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
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
3,073 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.
mg123
192 posts
 
Just for your info, all of the Madrigal product lines: Levinson, Proceed, and Revel come with transferable warranties. You just call them on the phone and tell them your name, address, and the serial numbers. They are very nice about it and stand by their products.
budrew
467 posts
 
That's a good point to ask for the serial number and email the manufacturer and ask if it's valid.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
In any case it's OK to grab a chance for a great discount for NIB product except if it's stolen as mentioned by Budrew. So I guess that the buyer has to ask for serial number first and than call manufacturer(that's what I always do) like a lemon-check.
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