Help with buying used Sonus Faber Cremona m


What are the risks of buying a very high-end set of Cremona m speakers used from a private party in Poland and shipping them to Texas, US? Maybe for some, this isn't a big risk/investment, but for me, this is huge and I am considering going way over my budget! I was originally looking to buy B&W PM1's (upgrading from my B&W XT2's) but have branched out and am very impressed with the SF Olympica. There's no way for me to budget $6-$10k for a pair of speakers, so I'm looking used for great sounding / looking SF's. If you have any feedback on these, let me know....but also looking for expert guidance on the concerns below.

I have many concerns and looking for some experienced council on how best to proceed.

- how to ensure they are authentic and not black/grey market or copies?
- should I confirm if they were originally purchased at an authorized dealer?
- how do I confirm the production year?
- should I be contacting SF in advance to check serial #?
- should I require a copy of the original receipt?
- how do I know if SF will service them or if there is any warranty and if not, doesn't this drastically reduce their value?
- how do I confirm if they are in perfect condition and perform perfectly?
- how much should it cost to ship from Poland to Texas?
- what is the best way to pay $thousands before I confirm this and before the seller ships (seller won't use PayPal)
- these are the ? I can think of. If you have other insights to share, please do.

Thanks very much for helping with my decision.
caune11
SF discontinued the Cremona line. Look for closeouts. They also show up used in good condition in the classifieds here. You *might* be able to score a pair domestically for $5K. They're worth saving up for and I'm with you about SF Cremonas vis-a-vis the B&Ws.

Here's an entirely different approach you might find attractive. It worked for me: A pair of Magneplanar 1.7s with one or two fast subwoofers to give you linear bass down to 40 Hz (or even below, depending on the sub). I liked Cremona Ms, couldn't afford them, got 1.7s and already had the subs. Couldn't be happier with my setup now.
It is hardly every possible to optimize all needs simultaneously. You want a specific model, specific finish, at a steep discount, in 30 days. Are you in congress?
Why? I want what I want! :) with everyone's focus on the Olympica range, seems like many Cremona m owners would be looking to upgrade, or shops trying to aggressively close out old stock/demo gear. I can wait more than 30 days if necessary. I know there are speakers in the price range that others may sound or perform better, but I can't fall in love with the shape and aesthetics of any of them. Thanks