Note for those who buy used equipment...

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.

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.

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".

I always thought that a serial number on a unit was the confirmation that the product was manufactured by the company with and including a build and sale date. Why is there a grey market anyway? To sell refurbished gear or companies who make make a large purchase? Or selling discontinued items at a reduced price. The issue is always to so called "protect the Dealer". You know, those retail stores that sometimes sell at retail plus, another mark up. I have a problem with retail sellers who always complain about other retailers who give customers some kind of discount.

So lets do the math. You are a retailer who gives a discount to a customer who does hundreds if not thousands of dollars in sales. That promotes a return business. Lets face it. Everyone likes to save a little if possible.

If the issue is profit margin. That is the manufactures fault. If it's profit margins for the retailer. Then selling one unit at full retail is not as good as turning your inventory 5 times or more. Simple math. The discount put more money in the bank.

The crying retailer is where all this started. But the truth is a small private owned business does not really mean he or she is a good business person. That is why they go out of business.

Some manufactures like to be able to control the "sale/ Price" at retail. The internet is a prime example. Which is here to stay.

The manufacture gets it's price/ profit margin. Or can discount it's price at will. So it's my opinion to let the free market have fair competition.

Any manufacture that does not service it's own product is not to be trusted and should get bad press. Lets do the math here. Service costs pay for the repair. So there is no loss. In fact it's done at a profit.

Customer satisfaction and trust is what our free market is built on. There is not ( or at least few ) products that some competitor can't replace.

I am all for retail stores. The people who run them should be smart and not run away customers because they find products at a lower price.

Customer service on the retail and manufacture end is sometimes lacking.... even in high end gear. Cary Audio has only one tech that works after 1:00 pm. I even called Mogami Cable company and only one person had the knowledge to help people. This is a business flaw. Nothing makes for loosing customers more than bad customer service. On the flip side... good customer service and people who have "people skills" are worth the money they make ( if not under paid...LOL )

Dealing with the public can be a pain. But it's a job...LOL! Nothing gets to me worse than to call a company and the person who answers the phone is woman with a bad hair day or a man who is just getting through the day.

I asked to speak to one of the owners of a high end company ( small ) and was told they do not take calls. Not the best answer. I would have felt better if the "person" would have said maybe "John" could help you because the owner is not in.

It's OUR money. So we can choose how WE spend it. There is more power in that and the pen than most believe.