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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
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
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.
Post removed 
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Re grey market question. I think, for the most part, authorized dealers create the grey market by selling the product to an 'unauthorized' dealer w/o warranty obligations, in enuf volume to make up the difference in markup from the sale of one locally to the sale of many which would not impact on his local territory.

If this is so, and I think it is, the manufacturer could, if they wanted to, require the dealer to account for all sales. If they really wanted to. But why would the manufacturer really care. Where the product ends up doesn't affect their bottom line, at least to their disadventation. The only one who suffers is a legitimate dealer who loses a sale and the buyer who doesn't get a warranty. I've even heard of (and bought from) manufacturers who will sell product out the back door so long as its done in real green cash and no trail is created. Obviously w/out warranty.

FWIW.
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
My point is (humor aside) that like car manufacturers, stereo equipment makers should stand by their products and warranties regardless of ownership transfer. It's pretty simple to detect abuse, tampering and modifications that can affect performance. And in so doing they will help owners maintain resell value and their own reputations. My experience with several other high end manufacturers has been great- they bent over backwards for me promoting customer satisfaction. And like someone else said- a reputable, longterm, manufacturer keeps records of all the equipment they build.
markphd
667 posts
 
Not doing warranty repairs for resale products is not unusual. I can appreciate that. However, not doing customer paid repairs does not have a lot of justifiable logic behind it. It means that the company does not earn money and it incurs a loss of goodwill. The only argument in favour of the policy is that it might discourage used purchases opposed to new purchases. However, the logic of this position assumes that your products have such market clout that denial of service will actually discourage second hand purchases. I don't believe this to be a reasonable position. There are too many good products on the market for any one brand to command that kind of market power. My response would be one of two things. Either buy different products, or wave your money in front of a repair person. I suspect that there are very few that will turn it down, at least privately.

And if the response of the person was "whatever", as noted in a previous post, then my response to his solicitations that I do business with him or purchase his "new" products is: "No thanks...Have a nice day".
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