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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:	* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:	Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:	DYPSS1::SCHAFER

Created:	Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:	Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2852
Total number of notes:	33157

526.0. "Mail Order Warranties" by AKOV68::EATON () Wed Oct 01 1986 13:52

    	The recent note on suggestions on new equipment prompts me to
    ask about this.  Someone mentioned buying from mail-order companies
    as found in KEYBOARD magazine (Sam Ash, Manny's...).  When I was
    pricing various keyboards, I called one of these and was pleasantly
    surprised, too.
    
    	The problem that arises, in my mind, is what do you do if this
    equipment needs repair?  Do you ship it back to New York and go
    without for a while?  Do you have a local repair it and send the
    bill out?  Do you eat the costs of repairs simply to avoid the hassle?
    
    	I'd be interested in hearing other's experiences.
    
    	Dan

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
526.1	You too can save BIG bucks	GNERIC::ROSS	bozons unite!	`Thu Oct 02 1986 17:15`	33
	I think it's back to the factory service center. Similar situation to that of VCR's etc. The deal that the dealer makes is: 1. "We can repair it right here" 2. "We will loan you a loaner for your gig while it's being fixed" Well, A: They may or may not be able to repair it there. Diagnosing problems with micro-based and VLSI designs today is beyond many small operations, so they send it to the factory service center. If they can diagnose, often the fix requires parts they dont have and will have to order from the factory service center anyway. If it's REALLY broke it goes to the factory. B: You're really gigging these days? Lucky you. You can rent one for your gig many times with the money you save. Most have a limit to the time that you can have their loner. The loner is subject to AVAILIBILITY ("Gee, we dont have a Kurzweil 250 loner, how bout this Rhodes?"). If you get one that resembles your broken beast, Lets hope you can program it to with your patches. Sure there's a risk with mail-order. Check what their return policy is. Some say if you get it and it's broke they exchange it. And if it does break after a while, you're counting on the factory service center just like a dealer will be. Ron_totaly_unbiased_and_fair_who_trys_repairing_it_himself_first.
526.2	Watch out for Grey market Equipment	CLOVAX::RATASKI	Tom Rataski SWS Akron,Oh.	`Fri Oct 03 1986 14:35`	17
	Fly-By-Night-Enterprises might be selling imported synths at a real good price, but I would suggest you ask them about their warranty. There is some grey market dealers out there. You buy the equipment with warranty, but whose warranty. There are 2 types of warranty. The one that comes with the equipment if the dealer buy from the US importer of the equipment (ex: Yamaha US, CASIO,US. etc.). The 2nd type is the warranty you get if you buy the equipment from a dealer that imports it himself. Yes it has a warranty - return it to Japan for repair. This type of warranty is not honored by the american importers. So buyer beware. This type of dealing happens on cameras, stereo, video and I would also guess music equipment. Ask before you buy.
526.3		BARNUM::RHODES		`Fri Oct 03 1986 15:29`	6
	Aren't retailers required to tell the consumers that their products are gray market products? Now that I think of it, my TR505 didn't come with a Warentee card... Todd.
526.4	Don't Worry, They Don't Break...	ERLANG::FEHSKENS		`Tue Oct 07 1986 18:25`	7
	Roland gear no longer comes with warranty cards. All there is is a "put me on your mailing list" thing. It's usually packaged in a clear plastic envelope glued to the outside of the packing box. It's also got an order blank for Roland T-shirts and such. len.