I am looking at the Alpine IVA D300 head unit--I am also checking some out from Kenwood and Eclipse. My question is this--how in the heck are some people selling the Alpine "new in box" on Ebay for 500 bucks? I mean the prices vary from 500 to 1200 (around retail) and I am wondering way the huge difference. I know on cameras, video cameras, and other electronics that if you buy the "Japan" version, then you don't get the warranty, support, etc. that you get when you buy the imported USA version--thus alot of vendors will sell you this version much cheaper without stating this fact. I don't remeber seeing that much of a difference in pricing though. I know alot of you have installed aftermarket head units, so just wanting some opinions on where to buy.....I don't mind paying a couple of hundred extra for good service and support, but I might be willing to throw the dice for $700 if the only difference is the warranty. Thanks for your opinions.

 

rhyno1,
I'm looking at the same thing right now on a Pioneer Avic-N2 system. There are a couple reasons why you are seeing such a price difference on ebay vs. your local shop.

1. Some of the stuff off of ebay is graymarket stuff. According to my dealer, you may or may not get a warranty if you buy on line.

2. Volumn. Some of the ebay power sellers move hundreds of head units a month. That allows them to lower their price.

3. Overstock. Some of the power sellers simply bought too many units and have got to get them moving in order to pay the rent. Keep in mind that even power sellers may be "small time" guys who may or may not even have a store front. They may simply have a small place and stock a lot of a few items.

4. Factory rebuilds. Be careful here...sometimes this is a good deal, and sometimes it is not. I bought a rebuilt phone system for my home in 2000...it still works. Would I trust a rebuilt head system? Probably not because they are pretty complex IMHO.

5. Stolen items. You can bet stolen equipment is on ebay, so be careful. Personally, I usually only buy from power sellers who have an actual pic of the item I'm buying. Even so, power sellers are $500-$700 below MSRP on the head unit I want.

6. The item just isn't popular. For example, I want an AVIC-N2 system. My local dealer said that many guys don't like this system because you can't watch video while driving unless you mod the recommended install...which his shop WILL NOT do because of local law. Some shops (like West Coast Customs) have gotten hit with fines for doing something similiar (as I understand it, they removed an airbag to put in a video screen into the steering wheel). According to my local shop owner, the old AVIC-N1 allows you to watch video while moving with a standard install. So, many guys are going with the older system.

Here's my advice: Talk to your local dealer. When I talked to mine, I told him that I didn't necessarily expect him to meet the ebay prices, but I did expect him to come close. He responded that he would meet or beat ebay sellers provided that they were authorized internet dealers. The local guys are feeling the cruntch of ebay and have gotten aggressive in their pricing.

Plus, going with a local dealer will give you someone to come back to if you have a problem. Many of these systems can and will break.

Just my 0.02 cents worth...

Paul

 

I have to disagree with you. Factory Rebuilds are the same quality as any other head unit that leaves the factory. The company isn't going to lose their reputation for a $500 head unit. My current head unit was a factory rebuild and it functions just as it should. Its kind of scary buying one I understand but there is nothing to worry about.

Headunits have an amazing mark-up. A $2000 headunit most shops and distributors get for $1000 or less thats why you can see such good prices.

I found a Alpine D-901 which is the best headunit on the market right now which retails at $2300 on Ebay from a dealer for $900. Which included a store warranty for 5 years. If it came up on Ebay again, I'd buy it in a secound.

 

Thumper,
Good post, and I agree with you. I'd buy a rebuild IF the price difference was large enough between that unit and a non-rebuild unit. Like I said, I bought a rebuilt phone system for my home 5 years ago and it still works.

However, I'd pass on it if the price wasn't big enough to warrant the risk. You are right, though, about the quality. Generally, the rebuilds get a lot of attention at the factory because they want to make sure they work before going out the front door and back into the market.

One bonus I forgot to add about rebuilds is that they sometimes come with a BETTER warranty because the factory want them to sell, so they offer this as an incentive.

Paul

 

Here in Southern California we have more sound shops per square mile than anywhere else in the world. There are a dozen in my small town, and within 50 miles are more than a thousand.

They do a lot of advertising, then high pressure sales. Not one of them has less than a 100% markup, even on the cheap stuff.

Electronics equipment costs less to make than ship, for most products. The prices have huge markups built in at every level.

I made my living in computers for ten years, and dealt directly with Asian suppliers.
If you buy in 1000 quanities, expect to pay 10% of 'retail' for components. In 10,000 quanities, they get cheap.

Buying on e-bay, watch your brand, and part number. Don't buy off brand unless it's for almost nothing. Don't buy from guys that only have 'one' and it's 'like new' but missing parts. You know where that came from, 90% of the time. Watch feedback, and read the feedback comments.
Look at the products the guy sold and got feedback on. Watch out for guys that buy a bunch of nickel and dime items, to build their feedback. Beware guys who sell nickel and dime items, then pop up with 1000 dollar items....

I have gotten some killer deals on e-bay, and some not so good deals. Worst still cheaper than local shops, best was 10% of local shops prices.

Chris