Fake Audio Products on eBay?

[Centropolis]

I am amazed at how stores on eBay can sell a unit for 2/3 of the price you have to pay at a store such as Audio Heaven or Selective Sound. I am wondering if there are such things as imitations on car audio...like fake Alpine decks or Eclipse speakers.....

I want to get my parts on the internet but worry about the surprisingly much cheaper. For example, a $300 Kenwood deck at Audio Heaven may sell for $200 INCLUDING shipping on eBay.

[cwp_sedan]

I got my Amp back in 2003 or so on Ebay and it was almost 1/2 the price that FutureShop or BestBuy was selling it for at the time. It's still going strong. I guess it depends on the unit and if you have any problems with it, what kind of customer service you will get for having it repaired.

[doughboyr6]

just remember us to cdn currency exchange and duties/taxes...

but yes, you tend to save a lot, my amp/components/coaxials were all bought off ebay...

[S.F.W.]

just make sure you are buying from ebay stores or people with a lot of good feedback.

[doughboyr6]

all my items were bought from big reputable ebay stores....with that said....i was upset/surprised to find the serial #s were removed.....there was no mention of that on the listing.

[S.F.W.]

all my items were bought from big reputable ebay stores....with that said....i was upset/surprised to find the serial #s were removed.....there was no mention of that on the listing.

They would never mention that in the listing. It violates ebay's terms. Means they are either hot, or refurb. Most likely the former.

[chinsterr]

I love ebay .

I'd be more weary of the clothes than the electronics .

If it says "Ponasonic" or "Sonly" ... :chuckle

[ds2chan]

I love ebay .

I'd be more weary of the clothes than the electronics .

If it says "Ponasonic" or "Sonly" ... :chuckle


I think it's more like "I know a genuine panafonic when I see one." or Sorny and Magnetbox.. lol..

[Centropolis]

Yeah, I almost bought a new Eclipse CD3100 HU off eBay cuz it was $200 with shipping...which is $100 less than in stores.

But then I've heard from a couple of people at work that the Eclipse products has gone a bit downhill in the last two years because they started making stuff in Asian.

Now looking at Kenwood HUs.....cuz everyone carries them.....so maybe there is a reason for it.

[S.F.W.]

Kenwood is good. So are Clarion, Pioneer, Alipine, among others.

[Centropolis]

Kenwood is good. So are Clarion, Pioneer, Alipine, among others.

Well, I've kind of changed my plans a bit. I think I can look for cheap eBay buys and find myself four decent speakers for less than $100. Then I am going to buy a okay level 4-channel amp for about $100 to $150 used and install them in my car with the stock HU and see how good or bad...it will sound. If these investments are not good....then I will sell the amp and get a new HU.

I am also really skeptical in how much different in SQ will be if I get a cheapy $200 Pioneer HU VS. a $350 Kenwood Excelon HU. I don't think it'll be $150 worth of difference. haha

Anyways...let's see how first plan works out before I work with the custom install.

[selective sound]

Yeah, I almost bought a new Eclipse CD3100 HU off eBay cuz it was $200 with shipping...which is $100 less than in stores.

But then I've heard from a couple of people at work that the Eclipse products has gone a bit downhill in the last two years because they started making stuff in Asian.

Now looking at Kenwood HUs.....cuz everyone carries them.....so maybe there is a reason for it.Whoever told you Eclipse is not good has no clue what he is talking about, does he own an Eclipse or used one of the new Eclipse's? Like I explained to you if you want good sq you will get it from your stock deck unless you get get a high end loc. Start at your deck and go from there. Kenwoods are amazing decks but nothing sounds like an Eclipse.

[dentinger]

how safe is it to buy large/expensive items on ebay tho??'

i found a pair of Alpine 12" type X's for $400 on one of the ebay stores.
around here, a singe typeX 12 is ~$800.
so im getting them for 1/4 of the price.

i just really cautious about shelling out $400 (nearly one paycheck) and then never getting my subs....

[doughboyr6]

if you're buying off a reputable seller, i dont' think you should have a problem....i've been using ebay since 2000 and no problems....i've purchased items up to $800USD before and everything turned out good.

[dentinger]

sweet.

i tihnk most of the stores have like, 99% or better feedback..

the only problem is that the shipping gets expensive

[Centropolis]

if you're buying off a reputable seller, i dont' think you should have a problem....i've been using ebay since 2000 and no problems....i've purchased items up to $800USD before and everything turned out good.

Most of the reputable stores on eBay....even with lots of positive feedbacks.....are nto authorized dealers of the product you're buying. I've emailed a couple of the stores and they both came back telling me that they're not authorizaed dealers. I guess it means that if the products fails...there is not warranty.....especially if the serial numbers are removed.