In Reply to: is it typical for hifi dealers to allow in home trial periods and returns ...... posted by trioderob on September 8, 2024 at 09:19:08:
Good local dealers will loan equipment out to you for a couple days. I often borrowed equipment over the weekend. They might run your credit card first in case you skip town with the loaner ;-) But I haven't done this in well over a decade preferring to buy online.
Lacking a local dealer I'd turn to an established and reputable online dealer with no hassle returns. Some that come to mind include Music Direct, Audio Advisor, TMR Audio, ListenUp, Crutchfield, and others. Even Amazon offers no-hassle returns. I bought an early Sony music server / DAC via Amazon. Ended up returning it within a week (it was junk) and received my no hassle refund w/o even having to haggle with anyone.
Also, does the manufacturer sell direct with a good return policy? Probably not very convenient if the manufacturer is overseas.
If the item you're considering is so obscure that the manufacturer has virtually no dealer representation (maybe just a couple nationwide) and the dealer hesitates when you ask about returns, I would walk away - more like run away! If the well established online dealers (as mentioned above) don't carry the brand, and there are few mom and pop dealers, it's probably too audiophool obscure for me to take a chance on.
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Follow Ups
- Established online dealers and Amazon have no-hassle returns - AbeCollins 09/11/2410:08:57 09/11/24 (24)
- When I was a Radio Shack manager... - Fat Point Jack 10:43:59 09/12/24 (19)
- Don't some women do that with clothes? - AbeCollins 16:44:04 09/12/24 (4)
- Hah! I had a girlfriend who worked in "the retail 'rag' trade." - John Marks 14:17:39 09/13/24 (3)
- Seinfeld: Elaine Tries To Return A Dress - AbeCollins 08:42:13 09/14/24 (0)
- Indeed RE: Hah! I had a girlfriend who worked in "the retail 'rag' trade." - Ross 06:43:57 09/14/24 (1)
- Someone (really brave) should do that with audio cables... - musetap 12:29:58 09/14/24 (0)
- RE: When I was a Radio Shack manager... - Rod M 11:11:15 09/12/24 (13)
- Remember the red P-Box hobby kits ? - AbeCollins 16:39:05 09/12/24 (12)
- Yeah, lots of ham operators and hobbiest back in the day... - Rod M 18:16:49 09/12/24 (11)
- RE: Yeah, lots of ham operators and hobbiest back in the day... - tomservo 09:13:54 09/13/24 (6)
- RE: Yeah, lots of ham operators and hobbiest back in the day... - AbeCollins 09:47:49 09/13/24 (5)
- RE: Yeah, lots of ham operators and hobbiest back in the day... - tomservo 08:10:07 09/14/24 (4)
- Battery of the Month Club - AbeCollins 08:51:19 09/14/24 (3)
- RE: Battery of the Month Club - tomservo 09:36:18 09/14/24 (2)
- RE: Battery of the Month Club - AbeCollins 10:22:04 09/14/24 (1)
- RE: Battery of the Month Club - Todd A. 10:07:31 09/20/24 (0)
- RE: Yeah, lots of ham operators and hobbiest back in the day... - Fat Point Jack 08:57:07 09/13/24 (2)
- RE: Yeah, lots of ham operators and hobbiest back in the day... - Rod M 11:03:23 09/13/24 (0)
- RE: Yeah, lots of ham operators and hobbiest back in the day... - AbeCollins 09:54:46 09/13/24 (0)
- Exactly right.... - AbeCollins 07:20:27 09/13/24 (0)
- RE: Established online dealers and Amazon have no-hassle returns - dgaapc7 05:33:08 09/12/24 (0)
- RE: Established online dealers and Amazon have no-hassle returns - Inmate51 11:36:25 09/11/24 (0)
- Careful, Abe - 1973shovel 10:22:19 09/11/24 (1)
- I should reword that !! - AbeCollins 14:08:16 09/11/24 (0)