2. amps-preamps
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Why are there so many unopened amps, ect for sale?

I've noticed a lot, lately, especially McIntosh, ads for new amplifiers, preamps, ect in boxes never opened by non-dealers, just "regular" people. Are people hesitant to buy these. I myself was looking at a new McIntosh MC352 amp from a private seller. He said it's new and the box has never been opened. I'm rather hesitant to buy it, because why would someone buy it, never open it, and then turn around and sell it? I'm just curious. If it is truly new, would McIntosh warranty it; I'm assuming not since it's not coming from a dealer even though the warranty cards are supposed to be inside the unopened box. I truly would like to buy this amp, but am hesitant, and I'm wondering if anyone else has wondered why there are so many unopened boxes of stereo equipment for sale by non-dealers. Usually when we buy equipment from this site we know it's used equipment, unless it's coming from a dealer. Just a curious question and wondering if anyone had feelings on this subject. Thanks.
btstrg
rgodin
85 posts
 
I purchased a NIB Conrad-Johnson pre-amp at half the retail price from a private individual who turned out to be a dealer trying to unload excess and discontinued stock. He even included a sales receipt from his store so I could get warranty coverage.
neubilder
129 posts
 
Be sure to ask questions and make sure the seller is legit before you send funds. Get serial #'s and verify them with the manufacturer.
I was inquiring about an 'as new sealed' item that just didn't sound right. I asked for the serial # and for info on where it came fom and he said "somewhere in Asia" - right - a Linn product? He couldn't supply the serial # because the box was sealed. Linn prints the serial #'s clearly on the outside of their boxes.
But oh, it was not a factory box.....Anyhow, this guy was a completely fraudulent Mo%*erf%3cker - soon after he was 'not a registered user' - ie., nailed, or running.

Hopefully this is not the case and he is in fact a dealer clearing out inventory as the last few entries described... :-)

...but be careful!
ivanj
640 posts
 
There were several large scale break-ins of high end audio and home theatre dealers in the Northeast USA this past winter and spring. As I am told the ring is well-organized and professional, so who knows how they distribute their ill-gotten items. Getting a serial number sounds like a good idea in any case. If it sounds too good it probably is, esp. from a member (0).
sid42
244 posts
 
I've wondered about this myself, and about 6 months ago I purchased a NIB, unopened C15 preamp on Ebay. Turns out it was just as advertised and I got a heck of a deal on it. Mac does not warranty anything sold on the Internet, however. As it turns out, I was able to re-buy my old C37 back from the guy I sold it to at the same price I sold it to him for. I should never have sold the C37, it's a great preamp. I sold the C15 and made a nice bundle on it, so I guess everybody won!
mboldda1's avatar
mboldda1
386 posts
 
what happened to me when i was looking for a preamp. a guy out of state was selling a well known $3000 preamp for $1500. he stated that it was a year old and never taken out of the box. nervous, i decided to see if he would ship it to the manufacturer, have him check it out before i paid him then have the manufacturer ship the preamp to me.
when talking to the manufacturer he knew the guy that was selling the preamp. come to find out it was a dealer selling through one of his employees so he could sell into another dealers territory. great deal for me.
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