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Auditioning Used Equipment - Am I crazy ?

I reached out to a well respected dealer to see if I could audition an amp they had advertised on one of the used gear websites.  This amp sells for over $20k and they were asking around $10k.  This mfgr only has 12 dealers nationwide.  I've heard their extreme high end equipment at shows but not this particular line.  To my surprise, the dealer responded No.  The unit was already boxed up to ship (hasn't been sold yet) and they wouldn't set it up for me.  So my questions are:

Am I crazy asking to audition a component priced at $10k ?

For any dealers or dealer salespeople, is there a dollar amount where u turn auditions down at ?  What is it ?

For consumers, is there a dollar amount that you would buy a component and roll the dice without auditioning it ?

Thanks !

 

greenngoldcheesehead
inagroove
102 posts
 

OP - In response to "I do not know their return policy.  It isn't listed in the ad and when I click on RETURN POLICY on their website it just goes to the home page."

Caveat Emptor: Ethical 'bricks-n-mortar' stores have well defined and published transaction policies.  Ask for theirs!  

A.) If their policies ARE NOT published, shop elsewhere - period (If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.).  Weather buying New or Used, work with shops that are transparent and that you can trust...

B.) If their policies ARE published, make a screen-capture of them (just in case...), and those policies include a 30-Day trial, use your credit card for the purchase.  If something goes sideways, your credit card company will want to see those policies before they can provide your buyer-protection.

 

Finally, +1 - Testpliot: "it is incumbent on the dealer to develop relationships." 

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

Dealers are glad to audition equipment when you are paying full retail and they have a huge markup.  May or may not be the same on used equipment.

Jerry

awise1961
47 posts
 

Over the past couple of years I've purchased quite a bit of gear (deep 5 figures) from "The Music Room". In doing so, I've build a very good relationship and my regular sales person as well as those who answer the phone if I call the main number all no me well. As an ecommerce business, their level of service suits me well. They have a  reasonable return policy in that for 30 days and if an item is returned not due to a defect, they charge a 5% fee which is deducted from a refund. Considering that they have to retest, recertify, and restock the item, I consider that to be quite fair. It's not as good as having a local brick an mortar store to touch and carry way from, but I'm satisfied and will continue doing business as long as nothing changes.

cundare2
262 posts
 

...and I think the most constructive thing the OP can do is direct the dealer's attention to this thread.  Just for educational purposes.

inna
7,296 posts
 

I don't think the dealer should've said yes instead of no but he could've done your a favour. He didn't.

What was the probability of you buying that 10K piece ?

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