I've known about resellerratings.com for many years but I've had great online buying experiences and don't check before buying anymore. I'm a dumbass and a cheapass...not a good combo.
So I buy a Pioneer head unit from hotbuyselectronics.com for the cheapest price I found anyway. YAY for cheap prices!
They call me and inform me that the price I paid is for the import version, I could get the American version for like $18 more. I asked what the difference was and he told me the American one would be shipped to an American company for any warranty issues and the import, obviously, shipped overseas. That was the only difference. I, still being a cheapass, said gimme the import if that's the only difference. This was 6.17.05.
Still hasn't shown up. They said to allow 6-10 days for delivery. I'm a patient guy. So today I start to get the feeling I'm being screwed (and not in a good way). I go back to my old friend resellerratings.com and now I not only have egg on my face but a whole lotta other stuff! I'm so pissed.
So I call the company and the guy gets my order number and puts me on hold. He comes back and says he will send me an e-mail with the tracking number. I asked when it was shipped. He said today. I said..It was just shipped today? He said yes.

So now I wanna kick his ***..and mine for not checking the place out first. word to the wise, learn from my mistake. Check resellerratings.com FIRST...

 

never heard of the site...thanks for the heads up, will for sure check it

 

i steer away from those electronics sites from what i hear alot of its refurbed stuff. And usually car audio stuff doesnt last to long refurbed.

 

Awww Bryan, don't make me smack ya on the head. You know better than that.
Any place that tries to pull a stunt like "import version" is full of poop. Keep a close watch on your credit card, and cancel payment if necessary.

 

I'm kind of like that to...

 

I had a similar situation happen, and i knew about rr.com before that too.. we all have stupid moments I guess.

I bought a LCD screen a few years ago when they had just gone big, and I found a really cheap one online. I emailed em and they responded fast and so I figured they'd be a decent company. I ordered and then checked out their reviews, nothing but bad stuff for the 6 months they've been around.. eek! 2 months later I got the screen, no documentation- just kinda wrapped up. No damage, one of the pixels won't light up but I was expecting much worse so I wasn't too disappointed, except for the wait. I've since decided that piece of mind is definately worth something, maybe not crutchfield prices.. but I do some major homework now..

 

you were gonna put an IMPORT! in a FORD!!!!

you BAD BOY!

 

thus why i dont buy from ALOT of internet sites they look really shady

 

Some reputable businesses sell 'import' stuff as well. B&H Photo/Video comes to mind. They sell photo equipment both through the official, US importer (Canon USA) AND 'gray market' stuff they import through other means. The difference can be as much as a few hundred dollars. The only problem is that these non-USA products go w/o a manufacturer's warranty. Also things are sometimes branded differently. For example my digital camera is called the 'Digital Rebel' and is painted silver here in the US. In Europe it is called '300D' and painted black. There is a third, Japanese market-only model called 'Kiss Digital' as well. Otherwise they are identical. I could potentially buy a Japanese or European market product and have it shipped or imported to the US, possibly for a savings. But I would be exempt from any Canon USA promotions or warranty service.

Some reputable retailers (like B&H) sell both domestic and import products. Usually they make it very clear which item you are being quoted a price for though. Any company that misrepresents the product they sell (ie not making it very clear it is a 'gray market' item) is shady.

Moral of the story here is that you might still be okay. 'Import' items by themselves are not necessarily bad news. The resellerratings.com reviews are discouraging though..

 

BrYan - Um well Um let me think Um I'm gonna kick you................................ Do understand me now?

 

*hangs head in shame* I forgot to mention the domestic model was, of course, more expensive which is why my cheapass chose import. Geez..I hate myself now. I'll have rice in my console..assuming it shows up. The money was taken out that day but Bank of America has protection blah blah which might be a bunch of smoke up my *** but it's worth a shot.

Gary: I KNOW Geez...no natty for me next time I see you..which will probably sometime 2008 since you don't come see us :)

Kelly: I'm pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy that :(

I've had a LOT of good luck with refurb stuff to the point that I prefer it but for this particular item I wanted new, untouched..and this is what I get myself into.

 

Oh heck, I'm not mad at ya. Natties for everyone.

I'll actually be in Orlando on July the 17, but won't have the truck. The wife booked us into the Omni for a quiet weekend. After spending this wekkend on my deathbed, I could use a vacation.

I still want to see Daytona again, but the last time summoned up hurricanes. Nothing worse than being trapped in another city when a storm is coming.

 

where's the import model coming from?? it's gonna have the correct radio frequency bandwidth, right?

 

Deathbed eh? That's not good. Glad you made it back to the land of the living..until Dennis has his way with us. (Have you seen this beast? holy crap)

Hope you have a great time! Don't let the traffic get you down.

 

According to the asshat..er..guy the ONLY difference is that for repairs the import would have to be shipped out of the country. I verified multiple times that that was the ONLY difference.

I have no idea if he was telling the truth and if I've been 100% scammed I may fly to NY and kick his **** in person.