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Is Amazon safe to buy from?

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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:14 PM
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Default Is Amazon safe to buy from?

I am checking out some prices on Amazon.com and many of the products are ALOT cheaper than the ones I saw on Crutchfield. I know Amazon has new and used, but these are the ones listed as new. Is crutchfield just more expensive? What's the deal?

For example:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AVHP...DVD.html?tp=75

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVH-P4...4213874&sr=1-1

Last edited by NewOrleans350z; Feb 9, 2009 at 12:17 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:17 PM
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Amazon is way bigger than Crutchfield, they are very safe, I buy tons of stuff from them
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by wasuber
Amazon is way bigger than Crutchfield, they are very safe, I buy tons of stuff from them
Yea, I have bought all sorts of things from them before, just not car audio/video. Does CF just bump their prices up?
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:24 PM
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Crutchfield is VERY high on their prices compared to others. I have bought a few things off amazon and it went very well.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:26 PM
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amazon is like costco, but on the net
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:37 PM
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That makes things alot easier. I have been looking for a website where I can buy an older model unit, and CF only had the newest ones.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:38 PM
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buying from amazon, from amazon as a seller = YES.
buying from amazon, from a 3rd party store = Most of the time, yes.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:40 PM
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Amazon is the holy-fukin-grail of the internets. Free shipping (in some cases) and sick prices FTMFW!

It's 2009, how have you never ordered anything from Amazon? It almost...doesn't make sense...
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Done Deal DR
Amazon is the holy-fukin-grail of the internets. Free shipping (in some cases) and sick prices FTMFW!

It's 2009, how have you never ordered anything from Amazon? It almost...doesn't make sense...
I stated in my post I have bought many things from them, just not car audio/video stuff. Just wondering why the huge price difference.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:47 PM
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I agree with Jun, it all depends on if you are buying from Amazon or not. If it's a third party then it is no different from buying from someone on eBay.

Crutchfield usually does cost a lot more, but when they are comparable I like Crutchfield better because you get the tech support. I was working on my radio this weekend and called them about something simple that I should have known and the guy walked me through it. If I had posted my question on here I would have gotten my a$$ chewed out for being stupid!
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by NewOrleans350z
I stated in my post I have bought many things from them, just not car audio/video stuff. Just wondering why the huge price difference.
Pretty much everything is safe to buy from Amazon. The one thing you'll want to pay attention to is what Jun said, look to see if it's actually Amazon selling the piece or a 3rd party retailer. Then just make sure if it is a 3rd party retailer that you're not seeing any issues with their past sales, etc. I buy almost all of my electronics off Amazon because either them or their 3rd party retailers have great prices, and almost everything Amazon sells has free shipping available. Do a quick Google Shopping search to make sure you're not seeing lower prices elsewhere and guy it up.

Crutchfield is and has always been expensive. I like getting their catalogs to know whats out and they have nice spec sheets comparing similar products. Then I go online and buy elsewhere for a fraction of their price. I will say that they Crutchfield does their homework though, their price includes in some cases what isn't included if you buy off say, Amazon, like misc adapters and instructions.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 12:50 PM
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Before you buy from Crutchfield, always google up "crutchfield coupons", you will usually find a coupon or two that you can use.

I bought my deck for $50 less thanks to a coupon code, and my ipod HU adapter for half the price thanks to a sale they had at the time of purchase.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 01:04 PM
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if i bought this from them you will be fine ive never had anything but great experiences with amazon.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Get_Zwole
if i bought this from them you will be fine ive never had anything but great experiences with amazon.
Never had any Clarion products, but am finding quite a bit of the DD HU. How are they?
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 01:48 PM
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Buying from Amazon is very safe. But one thing you need to look at carefully is whether the products they carry are covered by the manufacturer. Amazon is not an authorized dealer for many brands (eg. Alpine, Garmin, etc...). They may carry Alpine amps at some crazy reduced prices, but rest assured they won't be covered when you have a problem. Just keep this in mind.

Cheers!
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 02:06 PM
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Amazon is great. I would never spend my working money on purchasing from crutchfield. Unless you really just have the money. I heard great things about there customer service, they send you everything you could possibly need. You buy a head-unit, it has factory warranty, and they send you everything you need to install it I believe (harness, dash kit, instructions) and everything. But for the price I save else-where I don't need all that.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 02:17 PM
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Amazon is great!
Even most of their third party vendors I find are pretty honest because the whole rating system keeps them accountable. The best things is when you find a quick 3rd party near your address. Things get shipped quick.

One time, a vendor sent me the wrong item so I emailed them. They sent the correct item right away and everything necessary for me to return the wrong one. The second item arrived before the projected date for the original delivery. It seems like they were on top of their game when you order through Amazon.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 02:19 PM
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amazon is awesom
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 02:31 PM
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Crutchfield is among the most expensive audio retailers on the net but carry everything, have great technical service, and a good return policy.

Amazon is super but not always the cheapest. I've had good luck with WoofersEtc which some good pricing. I've never had an order go bad nor have to return anything to them so I can not speak of their service there.

They did make a fairly big mistake in my favor once.
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Old Feb 9, 2009 | 04:53 PM
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is this thread for real? Amazon is like the biggest retailer on the web. how would they have become so big if they were shady?
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