IMHO the return polices are a nice parachute for completely botched purchases. Research should get people close, but nothing replaces acutually exposure to the different sounds. The journey is the fun part.
Member of the Trade: Rudistor Sound Systems US/Canada Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3000 can be shoved down one's throat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by daashford0404
IMHO the return polices are a nice parachute for completely botched purchases. Research should get people close, but nothing replaces actually exposure to the different sounds. The journey is the fun part.
Nobody says that you should not take the journey, but there are other ways of going in that journey without using other's wallets, (at your dime) Just go to a meeting, schedule a mini-meeting at other member's home, go to stores where you can hear the items, and the worst case, if you have no other choice, and still want the ride just pay for it, at least partially...That is why restocking fees exist.
But IMO it is very convenient and abusive, to go to a journey with others picking the tab for you, don't you think?
For completely wrong sales , or defective items, or special cases, well maybe it is a way out, but even though, not the right way...IMO...
Just as an example, I got the HD600, not my cup of tea, and resell it, later on got the SA5000, same case, sold it, MG-head, Perreaux, a list can go on, in any of the cases I have lost a money of my lunch. Buy used, and save money, and in case you do not like it, just sell it again, there is always someone willing to get the items from you, I have pulled the trigger completely blind many times and with success in the majority of the cases, and of course I have sold a lot of stuff here, there is no problems at all...
__________________
I do love the Edition 9, and probably you know what that means, so you have been warned...!!!
Disclaimer: Please assume every single of my statements, to mean: “in my system”, “to my ears”, "in my experience", “in my opinion”, etc...(otherwise stated).
Neutrality, accuracy? OK, just ask yourself first: Do you know for sure how the recording is supposed to sound? So for me euphony is all about!!! Please do yourself a favor, stop listening your gear, and begin to feel the music instead!!!
Home setup: Sony DVP-NC555ES => BJC IC's => RPX-33 MKII/RPX-31 => UE9
"On the go" setup: Panasonic SL-CT570 => FreQ Show ML/Sleek SA6/Klipsch Image X5 and X10
Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3K can be shoved down one's throat...
And how about now the Ultrasone Edition 9?
EQUIPO HEAD-FI HISPANO: DILE ADIOS A TUS AHORROS!!!
I agree, a retail store is not your personal archive to peruse through. A Head-fier suggested that to another Head-fier here, cough, Jag, cough, and it really annoyed me. Someone has to pay for that gear you buy to "try out".
Let me just say this:
I have returned items to futureshop and best buy on more then one ocassion, but none of them have had very high values over a a few hundred dollars, and I have spent thousands of dollars in these stores already, what I have returned is a very small percentile of what I have spent. They resell a lot of stuff returned, and I have bought stuff that was returned. You have to realise a big chain store like best buy is not hit nearly as hard as headroom or another smaller retailer when there are returns. Best buy can wave off returns imho, they take a huge chunk of profit on many products, if you froogle many items they sell, you'll see how high their prices really are in comparison to many online sites and other stores. Hd-600's are 600 CAD at best buy, but closer to 300 CAD from headroom.
__________________
Creative X-fi Elite pro --> Logitech Z-5500 over Coaxial/3 1/8" outputs / Hd-600's w/ 650 upgrade cable through MisterX PPA output, Sirius Satielle Radio (Kenwood Dt-7000S over Optical output to Optical input on my soundcard.)
Coming soon:New cd player, Turntable, Dac, and a few new cables. My feedback:
Team Jerker! Team X-fi! Team Sennheiser!
If I wasn't absolutely sure about something I'd read as much about it as I could and look to demo it locally. If I still was on the fence then I'd inquire about availability of 'B' stock. Let's be fair to the sellers. Also, I think it's important to spend some time and get acquainted with the new purchases - first impressions can very often be misleading.
Some higher-end audio brick and mortar stores I frequent allows one to demo a floor item with a deposit and a credit card on record. I think it would make sense for an online headphone retailer to have the same policy, i.e., rent broken in headphones for xx dollars per week for trial and a credit card on record in case it never returns. The selection would depend on whether it's the current trend or not, I would think. The retailer can then include the packaging (obviously) and a return label (ala Netflix, blockbuster online) as part of the rental fee. This item is then sold off at year end clearances as a floor model, as new models come in. I don't know what you would call it, it can be B-stock depending if it's only used once, etc.
As someone new, I think this is appealing. I can audition on my gear for a modest fee and not have to deal with purchasing and returning. In the end, I may end up getting stuff at a higher price bracket due to the ease of trials. It's not exactly like I can go to a place that stocks a good selection of broken in headphones and set up a lawnchair for a day and order pizza.
I think this could potentially minimize the impact the retailer may see if there is the turnaround that is expressed in this thread.
Linear Mode
