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Buying large audio equipment

Hey Guys,

After purchasing some sweet Polk audio tweeters from Amazon, I'm now one step away from completing our "home theatre" system. Only thing left is a nice woofer but as I was about to get it from Amazon, I literally removed it from the cart. The only thing that's holding me back is the size.

I don't purchase large electronics online. Just because of safety reasons and the annoyance that may come with returning or exchange the product etc.  I trust Amazon and love how they release an invoice right away but still . . .

Have you guys ever bought any large audio equipment online. Is it a safe bet? Or am I better off just walking into a BestBuy, etc.
jumperboy
steakster
720 posts
 
If the item ships from the manufacturer - or the Amazon warehouse, then all should be ok.   If it ships from a private party, I’d pass - unless they prove that they have the original packing materials.  Double-boxing is a good thing.  There are many horror stories of shipping damage.
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
Just look it over top-to-bottom when it arrives. If there is obvious damage, simply refuse delivery and make drive note on receipt.
Also, all Amazon items are returnable if D.O.A., I believe...
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
There's no reason to worry about a purchase and shipping from a manufacturer or dealer. After all, their reputation is on the line.
   When buying from a private seller you need to do your due diligence. I bought a pair of used floorstanders based on the seller's feedback.

BYW, most audio components sold thru Amazon are actually coming from third party sellers, some of them very well known such as Audio Advisor.

  
sfar's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sfar
1,352 posts
 
Whom you buy it from and how they package it is very important but you're still at the mercy of the delivery process. A determined delivery driver can damage anything, regardless of how well it's packed. As dweller indicated, one of the advantages of buying through Amazon is how easy it is to deal with returns. If the item is damaged, doesn't operate properly or you simply don't like it all you have to do is initiate the return process online, print out a free return label and send it back. UPS will even pick it up from you. My experience is that Amazon then sends a replacement or credits your account even before they get the return. 
chayro
1,801 posts
 
No.  But I made a vow I'm not buying anything anymore that I can't lift.  
That's it.  
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