woofersetc.com, anyone ever shop there?
Opinions on perspective purchase
Thanks



http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...Product_ID=246

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=3339

 

Dunno that I would classify myself as a "JL Enthusiast" but I did buy my Focals from Woofers, Etc and it was a very smooth transaction. Also based on my experience a friend bought a couple of JL amps from them and also was a smooth experience. JL is VERY tight on their dealer market so just know that when you buy gray market you are relying entirely on the dealer for any warranty. The amps my buddy bought were perfect and the serial numbers were intact.

 

I purchased my JL sub and MB Quart components from them. I was a little skeptical considering their prices, but it worked out well! I'd buy from them again.

 

i would also be skeptical about the warranty since they are not supposed to sell jl online at a huge discount under msrp like that.

 

This is taken directly from JL Audio's web site.

As a company, we put a tremendous amount of effort into training our authorized dealers to provide you, the end-user, with valuable advice and installation expertise. With automotive speaker systems, the importance of quality system design and installation is paramount. For that reason, we do not believe that Internet retailers can provide the level of service we feel our customers deserve and we do NOT authorize any dealer to sell our mobile audio products via Internet or Mail Order.

JL AUDIO products purchased from unauthorized sources carry no warranty from JL AUDIO, regardless of any claims made by the seller. We have no way of determining whether these products are used, refurbished, counterfeit, stolen or otherwise compromised.


As a customer, you should value the opportunity to audition products and receive face-to-face service from people who will be there for you after the sale. For that reason, we encourage you to support your local, authorized bricks and mortar JL AUDIO retailer. They have made a commitment to personal service and selection that no Internet retailer can match.

Look for the Authorized JL AUDIO Dealer plaque at your dealer. You may also search our Dealer Finder to locate dealers in your area.

There are several local JL Audio dealers in the Tampa area...have you talked to any of them about products?

 

You know, I think every industry has these "statements and disclaimers" .. but at the end of the day these "unauthorized" dealers HAVE and SELL their products openly. How do these "evil" retailers get their products? Do any of us really believe that Woofersetc or any other large online unauthorized retailers are just paying 5% over wholesale to a large chain?
Doubt it seriously. I have to think that JL wants to protect their margin and keep their price structures intact, and maintain their perceived value on the open market, while out the back door they sell to these dealers because at the end of the day, $$$ is $$$, and if these unathorized peeps choose to take a 10% margin vs a 35% margin on their items what does JL care? They still take their portion, whether authorized or not. And you know that woofersetc is not taking it in the hoop when an amp dies in 6 months due to quality control issues or the like. Someone is taking care of them on the manufacturers end.

Oh well just my little side rant, have seen it in every retail industry I have ever worked in.

Fej

 

retail price which includes factory warranty or cheaper online price without warranty. you choose.. if jl audio or any other manufacturer sold their gear w/o a warranty it would probably cost about what on line sells for normally. how much is the warranty worth to you??

 

I bought 2 pairs of Focal 165KF's at $400/pr from Woofers Etc. Sourced at the local authorized dealer (Tweeter around here) they are $600/pr. It wasn't difficult math for me to figure out that even if I completely blow out one pair and have to buy another I'm still no worse than even.

When I supported buying from Woofers I specifically stated "you are relying entirely on the dealer for any warranty" so it is absolutely caveat emptor. If the difference were 5% or 10% then I'd be more than happy to buy "legit", as I did when I bought a Cleansweep as it was only about 10% more than gray market and for the $30 difference I was content to get a full warranty, etc.

When the retail prices are so out of whack that it is a 50% difference then there's a problem in your retail channel. The prices that retailers charge for these high end brands CREATE this gray market and if manufacturers were truly interested in getting rid of that they'd be proactive with their authorized retailers.

/rant

 

I deal daily with consumers who call claiming their amps or speaker arrive DOA from these internet sites. Ask them if the product has serial numbers, ask them why not (because they don't), ask yourself why would a retailer have to break the law to sell product?
In the case of JL Audio, the non-warranty repair charge is roughly half the retail price plus shipping. It's cheaper to buy from the retailer.

 

Heres my rant with this and i agree 100% with what fej has to say. If JL is supposed to be the greatest stuff ever made, etc. Then why is everyone so concerned about no warranty when buying unauthorized. If its so great it shouldnt break unless you abuse it. Im sure ill get flamed for this but think about it.

 

I'm not taking sides either way but wanted to offer a perspective. Nearly anything made today has the risk of being defective from the factory. Businesses strive for quality control and there are measures and redundances to help minimize factory defects....but with human interaction there are going to be flaws from time to time.

So as a buyer, you should determine how much the warranty is worth to you. As the example talked about above showed, TheKomoman found it to be cheaper (or at least even should one pair not work) to buy without a warranty. I like at least having the option of warranty or no warranty.

Honestly I don't know why it is frowned upon to purchase from a non-authorized dealer. If I want to take the risk of no warranty and save some money, then my loss if it breaks.

But then again, we live in the US where people eat McDonald's everyday and then try to sue McD's when they get fat. People want everything for nothing or at least really cheap. So I guess I can see why JL might want to cover their butt.

 

komoman- how do you like the 165kf's. i went to tweeters the other day as well looking at those exact speakers $598.00. the 165v2's are priced at $450.00. i will purchase the better speaker for $50.00 less online. were the serial numbers intact from wooferetc?

 

I love the KF's but I am very partial to Focal Kevlar. The Polyglass (165V's) are also wonderful speakers but it depends on what you listen to and what your ear likes. The polyglass are a more laid back, smooth sounding speaker. The Kevlar are more tight, punchy and in your face. Most of what I listen to in the car is rock so I want more kick.


As far as the serial numbers go.. well I don't even know if Focal serializes their speakers and I certainly didn't look. On the JL amps my buddy bought from Woofers the serial numbers WERE intact. Serial numbers being scratched out only protect the master distributor that sold them to the retailer that they weren't supposed to. Do not think that just because the serial numbers are there it means your warranty is intact because one is not related to the other. If a warranty is important to you then buy from an authorized dealer. Buying gray market is ALWAYS a compromise, serial numbers or no. Be an informed buyer and make your decision based on your comfort level.

 

I am more concerned about buying fakes. I read somewhere that there are some high quality fake focals going around.