Note for those who buy used equipment...


I have obtained most of my equipment on the used market, and will continue to do so. However, today I ran into an issue that I had previously not encountered.

I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a used piece of Accustic Arts equipment when, in response to an inquiry about how to obtain any needed future service should that be needed, I received the following message from the Accustic Arts distributor in the U.S.:

"Thank you very much for your interest in ACCUSTIC ARTS products. My firm represents and distributes the brand in the USA and all responsibilities as it relates to repairs are through our firm.
We ONLY service products that are either bought from our firm or through an authorized dealer (similar policy to other manufacturers)".

After letting the distributor know that his policy ruled out any further consideration of Accustic Arts equipment for me, he sent the following:

"Our service policy is really no different than the vast majority of other manufacturer’s – in fact, just about nobody services or supports products bought and sold in the used market since we have no idea of how old the products are, where they were bought, how many times the items were bought and sold and how they were packaged etc. It would ultimately cause a huge liability for no reason. I suppose that is probably why most manufacturers will not support items bought and sold in the used market.
We carry ten (10) brands and we have one policy applicable to all."

So... before investing in something which may have very little re-sale value, and/or which has the potential to morph into a door-stop; do check on the manufacturer's/distributor's policy towards servicing used pieces of their equipment.

Rupe
rupertdacat
I've always dealt directly with the manufacturers of my equipment, and have yet to be asked about how it was obtained. Never have had a problem with support. Then again; Everything I have in my system was built in this country(except the tubes and fuses).
The Sumiko announcement is interesting in view of the fact that there are currently 26 Sonus Faber speakers listed for sale in the Audiogon classified ads. Do these sellers have any obligation to disclose the Sumiko policy or is it totally "buyer beware". I'll bet that almost none of these sellers even know about the policy.

What about authorized Sonus Faber dealers - do they have an obligation to disclose the Sumiko policy?

The wording of the Sumiko statement also raises this question: does the person who wants the repair made have to be the person who purchased the unit from an authorized dealer? What if an Audiogon seller provides his buyer with a copy of a receipt from an authorized Sonus Faber dealer that bears the serial number of the unit and the Audiogon seller's name? This shows that the speaker was purchased new through an authorized dealer.

If the answer to the last question is "yes", then the Sumiko policy not only impairs the resale of the unit to another user but also impairs trade-ins to dealers that are not authorized Sonus Faber dealers.

It boils down to what the purpose of the policy is. Is Sumiko just trying to stamp out gray market products or is it trying to force buyers to deal with only authorized dealers, not only when they buy originally but when they dispose of the products.
Tvad-

You wrote: "The distributor is undoubtedly trying to quash discounted grey market sales by refusing to offer service."

That may well be the case. Can you or anyone else clarify for me how it is that pieces reach the grey market without the manufacturer's knowledge?

The remedy you propose sounds just so right and easy that one wonders how it is that Accustic Arts et al have not thought of it?

Thanks...
Oops! A hasty addition to my prior post.

I just noticed a "Sumiko" warning on the Sonus Faber page of the Audiogon classifieds. The warning statement is more ample than the one reproduced by Sogood51 in his post. Its wording would seem not to exclude a private sale buyer who can establish that the speaker was initially bought from an authorized dealer. However, I wouldn't buy a Sonus Faber speaker on a resale unless I first got that interpretation confirmed by Sumiko in writing.

I'm of two minds on a seller having to document the origin of the item he's selling. On the one hand, it's an extra paperwork burden and punishes a seller who is not good at keeping records. On the other hand, with products that can be counterfeited, it offers some assurance of genuineness to the buyer.
How can you put foreign tubes in your American made gear? That's like putting Kuhmo tires on your BMW! btw, the BMW service manager always ask if I bought the car at their dealership. I have to say no because I moved after buying the car- so I don't get a courtesy car but at least they repair it.