I am considering buying a Clarion CD/MP3 player for my car. I have check with local stores and are selling for around $300 - $400.
Ebay sells them for under $200.
For example. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...18798

Is it a good idea to buy it on EBay or is it safer to buy from a store? Anyone have advice for me?

 

As long as you buy from someone with about 99% positive feedback your safe as far as getting the item. Most on ebay dont come with valid warranties though, they must be "Authorized distributors" to come with the manufacturers warranty. Ebay has they're own warranty service now you can use though. And be sure to check shipping, some jack the shipping up to $30.00 just for UPS ground.

 

The warrenty thing is a good idea to think about. I've bought 20+ things for my car on Ebay $1500 of stuff, retails for over $4000 never got screwed once. Make sure they take pay pal, you have leverage with pay pal if you are not satisfyed with the product.

 

i personally try to avoid eBay for electronics, simply because of shipping costs - your seller is charging $19 for ground, for a total of $204....
now on the otherhand, ikesound.com has this unit for $189 shipped. ikesound has been around for along time, and is a retail shop. they admit theyre not an authorized distributor for all the products they sell, but all their products come with a 1 year replacement warranty from ikesound.com - they wont be going anywhere as they have an established business....anyways, ive never had a problem with ike, theyre oh, and here's a link to your deck.

http://www.ikesound.com/Prod_D...=1232

 

IkeSound.com is Scala1 on eBay. The prices are usually a little bit lower when you go through ebay. I purchased my Clarion HU from them 3 years ago and I haven't had a problem yet. As long as you stick with a reputable seller (1500+feedback), you'll be fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by t0p_sh0tta &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IkeSound.com is Scala1 on eBay. The prices are usually a little bit lower when you go through ebay. I purchased my Clarion HU from them 3 years ago and I haven't had a problem yet. As long as you stick with a reputable seller (1500+feedback), you'll be fine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ive found the INITIAL prices to be cheaper- but they DO charge shipping on their ebay auctions, as well, im not sure if they offer the ikesound warranty either...

 

Nothing in that auction raises any alarms with me. Just remember, there will be no followup customer service with this auction, and probably no warranty.

When buying used stereos (not the case with that auction), be sure to see if they include the box, instruction manual, etc. If not, and if they have sold or are selling more than a couple stereos, they may be hot.

 

Stuff I buy on Ebay are things like discontinued or ol school amps and speakers.. Because you can't find em nowhere else.. But for things like new head units i'd much rather shop around at stores... or internet dealers..

 

u can buy from me, im an authorized dealer for almost everything i sell, and since i give u a valid reciept, u will get a full warranty.

 

Thanks for all the info guys.

Thanks haloseven, I'll probably buy from ikesound.com. $189 shipped is the best I've seen.
ATF Kuk, what kind of price can you get?

Are warranties something I sould worry about? I've owned tons of electronics and have never had to use a warranty. Things always break after the warranty expires.

 

i cant beat $189 shipped. but sometimes warranty's are great. ive had **** break on me all the time. my pioneer hu is getting fixed right now, ive had my jls blow, rf amps die, and right now vteg's amp died for no reason. he bought from my store and his warranty covers it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BagelW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks haloseven, I'll probably buy from ikesound.com. $189 shipped is the best I've seen.
ATF Kuk, what kind of price can you get?
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no problem, love helping another cheapass out