|   Purchasing Demo/Display Models. Opinions? | gladtrix
Aug 14, 2001 8:08 AM | | Although I appreciate all the thoughtful responses to my earlier posting, I wanted to revisit and especially refocus the topic to my primary concern, which is purchasing a demo/display model from a retailer. I am apprehensive about purchasing any display item (TV, Reciever, Speakers, etc.), especially a receiver that may have been abused by various customers.
So, at a marco level, are my concerns about display models warranted? Or, am I making a big deal out of nothing?
Specifically, at a micro level, I am interested in purchasing a demo/display Denon AVR-3801 for $600-$700.
Cheers |
| re: Purchasing Demo/Display Models. Opinions? | paulbl
Aug 14, 2001 8:28 AM | | I've purchased a CD player, receiver, and speakers as display/open box purchases, and never had a problem with any of them. |
| re: Purchasing Demo/Display Models. Opinions? | Audio Video Fan
Aug 16, 2001 11:39 AM | | Depends on the dealer. I used to work for Monkey Wards & kids would trash the display equipment 'sometimes' I have bought demo models from the local high end audio store because of the low usage their demo gear gets. They have four seperate home theater / audio demo rooms and a dedicated RPTV display area. Kinda intimidating, keeps the customers from abusing the equipment, they basicly only turn it on if you request a demo which they control. When they do closeout a product they run some killer final prices ! Way Over 50% off. If you can catch the price cuts before they get down to floor dispalys you can get the price on items new in the box. (both come with full Mfrs wrty) I have also purchased Marantz factory refurbs from accessories4less which come with 1yr P-L rather than 3yr warranty and discontinued AR speakers (full 5yr wrnty) & have had no problems at all with the equipment.
My system
50in.Toshiba RPTV $1250(new)
Outlaw 1050 DTS/6.1DD Reciever $550(new)
Marantz MM9000 5x150 THX amp $650(refurb)
SONY CDP-CX90es CD $240(demo)
SONY DVP-S7700 DVD $125(demo)
Marantz VC8100 300+1 THX DVD $800(refurb)
Boston-Acoustic VR-970 Front-Main $600pr(demo)
Boston-Acoustic VR-12 Center $225 (demo)
Acoustic Research AR-11`s/pr. $375 (disco)
GOOD LUCK / GOOD SHOPPING ! |
| re: Purchasing Demo/Display Models. Opinions? | Keith from Canada
Aug 14, 2001 8:32 AM | | From my time working in an A/V shop I would advise the following: TV's -- never, ever purchase a display model unless you know for a FACT that they only put it on display a short time ago (in other words, you saw them bring it on to the floor a week before). They are on the entire day and cleaned with harsh cleansers...definitely not worth it IMO.
Receivers -- kind of iffy. If it's a bulk unit (e.g. JVC, Pioneer, Sony etc), they usually have a few hundred models in the back room and will keep a display on the floor until all boxed units are sold (can be on the floor a LONG time). For other brands that are more difficult to stock (e.g. Denon, Onkyo, Marantz), they generally have trouble keeping back-room stock and will sell their floor displays every month or so depending on quantities. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Denon IF it looks well taken care of and IF you're getting a sizable discount.
Speakers -- since most speakers are designed to last for many years, I would generally go by the exterior condition of them. If there are no scuff marks or scratches on the outside and the woofer and tweeter haven't obviously been played with, I see no reason not to go for them.
Those have been my experiences...I hope they come in handy! |
| re: Purchasing Demo/Display Models. Opinions? | woodman
Aug 14, 2001 8:45 AM | | Glad:
This is where things other than product performance become a real issue. Things like:
1. warranty protection from the manufacturer
2. warranty protection from the dealer
3. good "customer relations" policies of the dealer
IF all three of the above are satisfactory (which often requires some "homework" on your part) then, there's little reason to not take advantage of display models/closeout/open box merchandise, except for one product - TV sets. I don't recommend open box or display model TV purchases due to the simple fact that the CRT(s) in a TV has a finite life expectancy, and when dealing with a display or open box set, you have no idea just how much of that life-span has already been "used up". But for receivers, loudspeakers, VCRs, DVD players and such - go for 'em. Just be sure that you have protection in case of trouble.
good luck
woodman |
| Got my mains, center and sub floor models... | Josh Studrawa
Aug 14, 2001 9:15 AM | | Saved $650 total ($1750 retail vs. $1100 out of pocket). Figured the store did me a favor by "breaking them in" for me :) Joking.
No performance problems at all, though the sub had a very small scratch on the back corner that a black magic marker fixed right up. |
| re: Purchasing Demo/Display Models. Opinions? | Woochifer
Aug 14, 2001 11:01 AM | | You should also consider where you buy your display model. I would NEVER buy a display model at a large superstore like Best Buy, for example. Too many greasy hands playing around with the buttons, even though the receivers at those stores are hardly ever hooked up to anything! And the prices for display models aren't all that great either. For example, I saw Best Buy trying to pawn off a Yamaha HTR-5280 (RX-V800) display model that looked it had taken a vacation in a demilitarized zone for $650. I bought mine BRAND NEW for under $600. What a ripoff.
At a local specialty store, I would consider buying a display model since those stores have less traffic, and because the employees AND the customers probably treat the equipment with more respect. |
| If Tweeter is equivalent to Good Guys... | Woochifer
Aug 14, 2001 5:15 PM | | then I'd at least consider it. My jab was more directed at the big box superstores like Best Buy and Fry's whose demo units look like they just got back from a tour of duty, and don't get much of a markdown anyway. (Fry's doesn't even discount their open box items; they just slap an inspection tag on it, reseal it, and stick it back into inventory.) |
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