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New buy, no return policy

I am negotiating a sale with a reputable, but small dealer for a pair of new Acora SRC-2 speakers. I have heard them in the showroom with comparable electronics to my own and loved the sound and design. The show room was only slightly acoustically treated.

I'm ready to throw down, but the dealer does not have any kind of return policy if, for some reason, they dont work out in my own space. I dont feel comfortable with this policy but wondering if I am just being too entitled?  Other dealers from which I have purchased new speakers  have had 30 or 60 day returns, no questions asked. 

I also have the opportunity to buy a used set of these speakers from TMR with a return policy (minus 5% ,restock) if not satisfied. Of course the used price is considerably cheaper but there is no factory warranty and although they are stated to have had own owner, their age and provenance are unknown.

Any guidance, opinions or advice?

mintakax
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,200 posts
 

Shipping them back will be $$$ but i have had good dealings with TMR.   I like to buy locally but that's the risk your dealer takes for not letting you do a home demo. 

I just bought a pair of speakers direct from the manufacturer,  30 day return policy.  I knew very early in that they were keepers.    

If you liked them in the store , the risk for him is low.   I would go with TMR.  Their condition rating is usually very accurate.   If they say something looks new, it does.   

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,863 posts
 

Hi, I’ve gotten to know a couple local dealers and pricing that we’ve developed over time, money and trust has givin me options. If I want the best price I buy with the understanding that I can’t return the item. If they have a demo they swipe my card and I take it home for a few days to help me decide if I want to go forward with the purchase. Dealers have honored the factory warranty on these and I did have a $10k electronic product fail on one of these ‘cash’ deals and I got a BNIN replacement. 
 

Just talk to the dealer, get a clear understanding of his terms so you’re making an informed decision. 

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,232 posts
 

A $50K speaker is a different ballgame than $5K. That’s "special order" territory, and a small dealer is going to have a hard time eating the loss of a return. I don’t blame him for sticking on that point.

The TMR deal doesn’t look too bad. This model isn’t that old, and what could go wrong other than over-driven drivers (damaged voice coil), which would be immediately apparent on a test listen. TMR would be my route, in your shoes. Only Acora or TMR would attempt to ship these beasts. You won’t find them for sale used often, on shipping logistics alone. 

The SRC-2 is a very nice speaker. That said, think I preferred the smaller SRC-1 based on a listen to both at my dealer’s. It has the silk dome tweeter. Musical as hell! Of course it depends on the room and equipment - the SRC-1 was in a smaller room with lower ranked (but still quite spectacular) gear behind it. 

rsf507
2,448 posts
 

Curious what are the shipping charges from TMR to and back if needed? Seems if that cost is reasonable then buy from TMR. Or why will your local dealer not bring over his in-store pair to your home for a short demo. If you like them maybe work out a deal to keep them and the dealer can buy a new set for the store.

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