Can I trust the retailers on amazon.com selling me discounted car audio components?

March 4, 2009 11:50 AM

Can I trust the retailers on amazon.com selling me discounted car audio components?

I'm putting a new audio system in my car and researching prices and components. I've come across some great deals at amazon.com, but they almost seem too good to be true. For example, some Alpine 6x9's and front door component speakers cost ~$200 through 'DiscountCentralOnline' and 'DiscountJungle,' while the same two pieces cost >$350 on crutchfield.

While I'm inclined to go with the conventional wisdom that if it's too good to be true, it probably is, I've purchased electronics through amazon before and always been extremely satisfied. But I know that grey market retailers are all over teh internets, hence this question for you all. Any insight is appreciated.

posted by skechada to shopping (9 comments total)

As someone who's bought boatloads of stuff from amazon, these 3rd party vendors selling new components on amazon never passed the sniff test for me.
I always look for "available from amazon" when it comes to high ticket items like those you are mentioning.
That way I know the stuff is guaranteed, I can return it, no questions asked.
I don't know if this kind of iron-clad guarantee is extended to these vendors.

I would explore the feedback and reviews on these items pretty thoroughly.
Also, there is a way to contact each vendor through amazon. It would only be due diligence to write them, ask them pertinent and specific questions on the items, the return and refund policy, etc.

That way, you can have amazon send you a copy of each email, and if something goes south, you can use it as evidence to get amazon ensure your final satisfaction with the gear.

Having said all this, I'm a BIG Crutchfield fan. Never, ever had a problem with anything that I've bought from them.
posted by willmize at 11:58 AM on March 4

Are you sure those prices are for new, US products? Often, you can get pretty good discounts on stuff that is either refurbished (although I have not heard of speaker being refurbished) or originally for a foreign market.

That said, I have bought all kinds of these kinds of products from 3rd party vendors on Amazon, and it's always been exactly what I expected.
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 12:23 PM on March 4

I can't speak to audio components, but I have experience as a marketplace seller. willmize is right - check the feedback and reviews carefully and email the seller with specific questions. Keep in mind that the sellers who are legitimately able to offer products at significant discounts often engage in price wars - undercutting each other by a small (1c) or larger ($10) amount (sometimes using bots) to ensure they're at the top of the page with the 'low price' tick. This can add up, particularly if you get two sellers with similarly good feedback in a battle. Check through the first few sellers listed (if sorted according to price) and you will often find a few clustered together with similarly low prices - go with the one with the best feedback, even if it's a little bit more expensive.

I trust marketplace sellers if they pass my feedback and email tests, and would charge the purchase back on my credit card if I didn't receive the item as I expected it and they wouldn't refund it, but this has never happened to me.

Also, check your MeMail!
posted by goo at 12:24 PM on March 4

It was my experience that those retailers will gladly accept your money and ship the product, but forget about any kind of support or service after the sale. I bought a receiver from antonline for a good price, but they would not respond at all when I wanted to return it. I ended up selling the unit on Craigslist at a loss.
One commonsense approach is to avoid dealers that don't have an actual office address and phone # you can use to contact a real person. Folks with only an email and online presence- avoid 'em.
posted by TDIpod at 12:45 PM on March 4

Crutchfield is fairly well known to charge way more than most other vendors. (I've seen over 2x in some instances). That said, I wouldn't buy anything from an Amazon marketplace vendor.
posted by wongcorgi at 2:48 PM on March 4

I just purchased sunglasses that retail for $400 but were going for $200 on Amazon via a 3rd party retailer. I was worried they would be counterfeit, but they are real. The company had a phone line that I called which made me feel better, and I also hoped that Amazon or at least Amex would help me if things went sour. Lastly, the store had great reviews.
posted by avex at 3:26 PM on March 4

I've bought lots and lots of stuff from 3rd party Amazon merchants. Much of it expensive.

I've never had any problems. I did go with sites that had good reviews and ratings, though.
posted by Netzapper at 4:32 PM on March 4

Thanks everyone for the advice and feedback. I ended up going with a few retailers that had 98%+ positive feedback and lots of reviews. I also verified that their phone numbers and addresses were in fact real. I ended up saving over $350 on a $1000 system - no small amount. I'll post my experience with the products here after they're installed.
posted by skechada at 7:28 AM on March 5

As a follow up in case anyone in the future looks here - everything arrived as advertised from a collection of highly rated retailers, and works perfectly. I couldn't be happier with saving almost $600 on a $1400 system. :)
posted by skechada at 2:45 PM on April 13