jrh@inuxd.UUCP (05/25/83)
Has anyone had experience with mail order audio discounters? I'd like the names and numbers of some reputable ones. I am specifically looking for a discount on Hafler, NAD, and Polk equipment. I've done some calling (to numbers I found in the back of Audio magazine) and have got some pretty good prices - but I don't want to take a chance. So, I turn to you, net.audio readers for help and ask: 1. Has anyone had personal dealings with any of these outfits? 2. It sounds like Polk and especially NAD have a pretty strict franchising policy to prevent discounting - but I have got discounted quotes. Is there a way around a franchising policy? Are these discounters illegal or simply unethical? What kind of trouble might I get into if I buy from them? 3. Can you give me any hints to ensure that I don't get stung? It's been recommended that I use a credit card, ask for the serial numbers of the equipment ordered, and establish some sort of satisfaction guarantee. Would the better business bureau know about these people? ... 4. Specifically, has anybody heard of: Audio Discount in Maryland Direct Sound Marketing in Atlanta The Thirsty Ear in Montana 5. I live in Indianapolis. Can any recommend a retail store within 200 miles (say Chicago or Cincinnati) that I should try? Thanks in advance. I anxiously await your replies. J. R. Holliday ABI-Indy inuxd!jrh
ark@rabbit.UUCP (05/26/83)
Relay-Version:version B 2.10 5/3/83; site alice.UUCP Posting-Version:version B 2.10 5/3/83; site rabbit.UUCP Message-ID:<1519@rabbit.UUCP> Date:Wed, 25-May-83 22:10:24 EDT Organization:Bell Labs, Murray Hill A few useful things to know: 1. If you order something using a credit card and it doesn't come and they charge your credit card anyway, you don't have to pay the bill. I'm pretty sure there's a Federal law about that. 2. Though some of them try pretty hard, I think it is illegal for a manufacturer to control the price at which his products are sold. The only thing they can possibly do is lift a franchise. In other words, they can refuse to sell to a particular retailer. But if that retailer thinks that the manufacturer has lifted the franchise in an effort to fix retail prices, he can sue the manufacturer. There was a big suit of this nature between Cuisinart and Zabar's (a large deli in New York) a number of years ago. Zabar's started discounting Cuisinarts and advertising the fact. Cuisinart stopped selling to Zabar's. Zabar's sued and won. They are now selling Cuisinarts at a discount again. 3. I think it is illegal for a merchant to charge your credit card until they ship the merchandise. Of course, it's pretty hard to detect.