Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    Have no fear about DAK - they are one of the most pleasant and
    reputable mail order firms I have ever come across.  Not all of
    their merchandise is worthwhile, but some is and they are prompt
    and courteous, plus their 30-day money-back guarantee is for real.
    				Steve

    one thing -- DAK deals in discontinued items, slightly defective
    items (usually cosmetic defects?), and overstocks.  They buy stuff
    like this for cheap, and resell it.  They're (as far as I know)
    pretty up-front about it, but be aware that you may well be 
    buying a machine that for one reason or another was a flop in
    the market place, and accordingly may be difficult to get serviced.
    
    	George

    I disagree slightly.  I have never seen DAK advertise "slightly
    defective" items.  In many cases, indeed, the item is something
    that the manufacturer just couldn't sell in sufficient volume, but
    much of it is by name brands (Sharp, Emerson, BSR, etc.) and you
    should be able to get it serviced just like anything else.  Sometimes
    they even have items slightly in advance of the market - I first
    saw the Emerson VCRs in the DAK catalog.
    
    A lot of their telephones are Taiwanese junk, but some are pretty
    good.  I've bought a few of the better ones.
    
    You have to wade through the verbiage in the ads to find out what
    is being offered.  DAK is very honest and describes EXACTLY what
    you'll get, but read carefully.  They even now have a toll-free
    number for asking technical questions about the merchandise, as
    well as a toll-free order and customer service line.  If you don't
    like what you get - send it back and they'll refund the purchase
    price.  (You eat the postage, though, not unreasonably.)
    
    I find the DAK catalog to be great entertainment and there are usually
    a half-dozen or more things I'd love to order if I had the cash.
    (That remote-controlled graphic equalizer with spectrum analyzer
    looks nifty!)  I've now ordered about 5 telephones, a "walkperson"
    and a TV tuner from DAK.  I'm thrilled with all of them.
    					Steve

    DAK is known for elaborate copy that really says nothing. Some of theis
    merchandise is overstock, or some sort of 'defect' (those speakers they
    always seem to have?) Others are normal items that you may find
    elsewhere for less, sh check before buying. They do have the reputation
    of standing behind what they sell, and I haven't heard any rip-off
    claims.
    
    In the under $200 price range, you should also check out the various
    Magnavoxen, which can be found at discount houses like Service
    Merchandise. Last I checked, they were in the $170-180 range. They
    are likely the best of the <$200 CD players, and may actually sound
    better than units costing 3-4 times as much. See elsewhere in this
    file for more on Magnavox.

    DAK sells so much stuff from BSR, ADC, and dbx (which are all part
    of the same organization these days) that I wonder about their
    independence.  I've also heard the warning not to buy their tape
    (iron filings on duct tape). But some of their prices are good
    enough to be worth the trial, provided you decide up front to be
    willing to send it back if you don't like it. 

    FYI,
    
    A couple of months ago I was in Manufacturers Marketplace in Watertown
    and saw the Emerson and/or the ADC and/or the Sharp (I forget exactly
    which). I think the prices were roughly comparable and they have
    a 14 day money back policy so if you wanted you could pick one up
    (and for that matter pick up a Magnavox at Service Merchandise 
     - 10 day money back policy) and decide which one you liked. The
    ads I have seen lately for ADC (which might be the same as the BSR)
    make a big deal out of their metal construction, which Magnavox
    has gotten away from. Let us know what you get, from where, and
    if you like it.
    
    				Dick Rosenberg

I will report back on what I find out here. BTW, Zare has a Sharpe on sale 
this week for $159.

	Mike

Ordered the BSR Saturday around 4:30pm. Fast, efficient and courteous.

Now the wait...

	Mike

Sure didn't have to wait long. The thing was waiting for me when I got home 
last night. It took a couple of minutes to get it hooked up.

I have what could be called an `inexpensive' piece of audio gear. (Cheap 
stereo if you really must know.) That doesn't change the fact that the quality 
of the sound from the CD is better and no background or system noise!

A cheap stereo seems to best amplified tape and record noise. At least it 
doesn't manufacture noise where there is none.

Now what else has DAK got that I might be interested in...

	Mike

    2 month ago I purchased one of their niffty gizmos and when it arrived
    it had a European power cord on it. I called them up and the lady
    was very apologetic and said she'd have one sent out immediately.
    That was 2 month ago. Since that time I have lost the number to
    call for help. 
    
    If any one has a copy of their receipt laying around could you tell
    me what the phone number is to call if you have trouble with the
    order.
    
    thanks,
    John

    
    
    	re .10
    
    	ORDER NUMBER  1-800-325-0800
    
    	CUSTOMER SERVICE  1-800-423-2866
    
    						/MIKE
    

    re .11
    
    		Thanks a bunch.
    
    JC

    In the past year I have purchased 2 Emerson Hi-Fi VCR's and an Emerson
    CD palyer from DAK. In every case I was pleasantly surprised by
    the quality of the equipment ( I didn't expect too much at those
    prices!) and the responsiveness of the organization. They do honor
    the 30 day return policy without any question.
    
    I see no indication that any of the equipment is defective or "used".
    All shipped in factory sealed cartons. The CD player is remote control
    and cost $169. They offer a non-remote control version for about
    $117. The sound is "awsome". I can't see how it could get much better.
    
    All in all, I'm a very satisfied DAK customer. I have referred several
    friends to them who have made equally satisfying purchases.
    

    Has anyone gotten the BSR, ADC, dbx Endangered Colossus speakers?
    I just receiver them a few days ago, and I must say, I am VERY
    pleased with them.  I use a JVC RX450 to power them, and there is
    plenty of power to spare to blow one of my walls off!!
    
    				-=*>Jason<*=-

    
    >>    Has anyone gotten the BSR, ADC, dbx Endangered Colossus speakers?

    My room-mate bought these "endangered" speakers from DAK about a year
    ago.  He is very happy with them.  I especially enjoyed the warning
    in DAK "...not recommended for apartment dwellers.". 

    I have to mildly disagree with everybody who is so thrilled with
    DAK. I recently bought their Citizen CBM1000 portable CD player.
    It took what seemd to be an inordinately long time to arrived (~
    4 weeks), so much time htat I had to call them up to find out what
    was going on. I called after about 3 weeks and they said it had
    been shipped a week ago, and yet it still took another week to arrive.
    Anf the UPS label said the thing was shipped from New Jersey (I
    live in Mass). Anyway, I didn't like it (see note 1220). It cost
    be $7.24 to send it back and, as an earlier note said, I'm sure
    they won't reimburse me the shipping charge ($4). So it cost me
    $11.24 and a month's time to find out it was a piece of junk.
    
    Caveat Emptor.