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Topic:
MX-500
This thread has 17 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Saturday December 11, 2004 at 20:33
KrisB
Lurking Member
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December 2004
2
I would like to purchase the MX-500 from A place in the States Called Etronics but I am Leary of doing this because I live In Canada, has anyone purchased from them? There price is very good.
Post 2 made on Saturday December 11, 2004 at 22:41
pilgram
Loyal Member
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5,684
How good?
Check out surfremote.com or bluedo.com .I know they are authorized and reliable. Plus, they support this industry!!!
Every day is a good day.......some are just better than others!

Proud to say that my property is protected by a high speed wireless device!
Post 3 made on Sunday December 12, 2004 at 02:20
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
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28,779
Etronics isn't authorized so you won't get warranty support.
OP | Post 4 made on Sunday December 12, 2004 at 09:45
KrisB
Lurking Member
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2
Thanks! I will check them out.
Post 5 made on Wednesday December 15, 2004 at 15:49
computerguy
Long Time Member
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27
Kris - I just bought mine from etronics this week. I ordered it on Monday and had it by Tuesday. It still comes with a warranty. The warranty is from the manufacturer, not the reseller. I also bought my dmr-e80h dvd recorder from them. As far as online electronics retailers go, they are pretty good. Prices are good and they actually answer the phone when you call them. That's my first test before I order online. Beware of their return policy. They charge 15% restocking fee and you have to pay to ship it back to them. You also have to pay to ship defective merchandise back. That is how these companies make money. They make it a pain in the ass to return things so they have a very low return rate. You have to know what you want and do not get buyers remorse or it will cost you.
I'm kicking myself for not jumping on this last week when amazon was selling them for $66. I got mine from etronics for $74. But if you want to pay $90, go to bluedo.com.
For some reason a lot of people on this site swear by bluedo.com. I guess it has that sort of radioshack nerdy back room guy feel to it as opposed to the corporate electronics giant feel to it.
Post 6 made on Wednesday December 15, 2004 at 16:47
RWI
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592
You are correct computer guy, the warranty is from the manufacture, however If you do not have a valid receipt from an authorized reseller you will not be covered for warranty. This is why people buy from bluedo and surf remote, plus they help support this forum!
Post 7 made on Wednesday December 15, 2004 at 16:47
RC Geek
Advanced Member
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826
True, the manufacturer provides the warranty. However, many companies - especially high end - have protected distribution. In other words, if you do not purchase from an authorized dealer, you get no warranty from the manufacturer. Quite simple, really, as the manufacturer did not sell to that dealer.
Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense. -----Arnold Bennett
Post 8 made on Thursday December 16, 2004 at 10:16
Spiky
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2,288
Computerguy, what prices are you seeing?

I and my family have bought 3 of these at Surf in the last month. $73 plus a little for shipping.

Probably won't matter, these remotes are pretty hardy and seldom is there a lemon. Unless Etronics is selling B stock, which they often do. That's the other reason to go with an authorized dealer, unauthorized places often have grey market or refurbs and they don't always tell you.

I can't believe this discussion is going on over $6, usually it's a hard sell with people to make them understand that unauthorized sucks because it's $300 or something. For $6 difference buy from a respectible place and bring your lunch to work tomorrow to make up the difference. Geez....
Post 9 made on Thursday December 16, 2004 at 10:17
computerguy
Long Time Member
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27
If you look at the product description on Etronics and other sites, it clearly states that you have a one year warranty. Are you saying that if my MX-500 breaks in 3 weeks and I go to Universal Remote Control, they'll tell me too bad? Isn't that false advertising by the reseller? Anyone had this happen?

FYI - I just checked the URC website and here is a list of authorized dealers.
[Link: universalremote.com]

I also found this disclaimer on their site.

WARNING TO VALUED CONSUMERS:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universal Remote Control warrants to the original purchaser or, for products purchased from an Authorized Reseller, to the original end-user that Universal Remote Control products will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year from the date of original invoice.
This warranty is non-transferable. The warranty on Universal Remote Control products is NOT VALID if the products have been purchased from an unauthorized dealer/on-line E-tailer or Internet auction site.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post 10 made on Thursday December 16, 2004 at 10:35
computerguy
Long Time Member
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27
Spiky - Prices have been going up on these lately. Probably a lot going under the Christmas tree this year. I just checked surfremote.com and they are $95 shipped. With some people every penny counts and its also a good point that these have a very low failure rate.
And if I want to be really skepitcal, I see that surf remote says that they get new shipments from URC every week. So are they like Dunkin Donuts and they throw out any that they do not sell? You could still buy one from 3 months ago.
And being in the computer business I can tell you that having an updated product is not always the best thing either. The latest version of ITUNES on windowsXp is a nightmare from what I have been hearing.
All in all, I understand the point. If I did it over again, I'm not sure which way I would go. But for larger purchases, I will definitely check with the manufacturer to check the terms of the warranty.
Post 11 made on Thursday December 16, 2004 at 18:46
oex
Super Member
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4,177
will your online source answr questions about programming???

BlueDo and Surf will - i would consider supporting those who support this forum. Everyone wins that way. my2
Diplomacy is the art of saying hire a pro without actually saying hire a pro
Post 12 made on Friday December 17, 2004 at 08:25
Trunk-Slammer -Supreme
Loyal Member
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November 2003
7,454
Not going to win this argument.

Some people think that buying at the cheapest price makes more sense than to buy from an authorized dealer. Be it over $6.00 or $60.00, it seems to make no difference.

URC does make a good product, but they too have those units that are BOB. Get one of those and what have you saved?

Or purchase a MX500 and discover that it wont learn the codes for your el cheapo, bought on the net, TV.

Sorry, you don't get the support that could correct this issue. But what the hey, you saved $6.00 didn't you?

Too stupid.........lol
Post 13 made on Friday December 17, 2004 at 09:25
computerguy
Long Time Member
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November 2004
27
I can handle constructive advice and I thought I was giving into the fact that this has been a learning experience for me. That's why I came on a forum like this was to learn. Not to get insulted. Think constructive. Key word there is think.
And yes, I bought a refurbed JVC TV 8 years ago and saved $800 off retail and have not had one problem with it.
You take chances no matter where you buy from. People might say your an idiot from buying from any etailer because you have to ship items back and forth. Why not take it to next level and find the highend electroncs store, walk in and pay the full $189 retail for it. So what, you have to spend an extra $100 for it. You have a store you can walk into and talk to the manager and some place you can bring it back to.
It all a matter of priorities. Mine are no more or less solid than yours.
Post 14 made on Friday December 17, 2004 at 10:48
Spiky
Founding Member
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2,288
On 12/16/04 10:17 ET, computerguy said...
If you look at the product description on Etronics
and other sites, it clearly states that you have
a one year warranty. Are you saying that if my
MX-500 breaks in 3 weeks and I go to Universal
Remote Control, they'll tell me too bad? Isn't
that false advertising by the reseller? Anyone
had this happen?

FYI - I just checked the URC website and here
is a list of authorized dealers.
[Link: universalremote.com]

I also found this disclaimer on their site.

WARNING TO VALUED CONSUMERS:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universal Remote Control warrants to the original
purchaser or, for products purchased from an Authorized
Reseller, to the original end-user that Universal
Remote Control products will be free from defects
in materials and workmanship for 1 year from the
date of original invoice.
This warranty is non-transferable. The warranty
on Universal Remote Control products is NOT VALID
if the products have been purchased from an unauthorized
dealer/on-line E-tailer or Internet auction site.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yep, there are many companies that will refuse warranty service for products purchased from unauthorized dealers. Denon and Klipsch are 2 I'm familiar with which have done this, according to what I've read. Both of these also have obvious or even flashing warnings on their websites with stronger language than URC's that you quoted above.

I have bought many things from unauthorized dealers, but never the most important products. My speakers, good DVDp, receiver, etc. I always purchase from authorized dealers. The extra bit of money is worth it to me. I've had speakers go bad, zero repair cost. I got a lemon Marantz CDR, first attempted to fix it at no charge, then replaced it no charge. I can just imagine how difficult that mess would've been if it had been from a no-name company selling through Amazon.

Sorry, didn't realize they had upped the price. I'm glad we got ours when it was $12 cheaper. But the first one I bought I paid $150 for. It's worth it.
Post 15 made on Friday December 17, 2004 at 10:57
Spiky
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2001
2,288
On 12/17/04 09:25 ET, computerguy said...
I can handle constructive advice and I thought
I was giving into the fact that this has been
a learning experience for me. That's why I came
on a forum like this was to learn. Not to get
insulted. Think constructive. Key word there is
think.

Try not to let some responses bother you. Sometimes people are nasty, sometimes they're just tired of answering the same question over and over. (maybe they should skip) See the bottom for more on this.

And yes, I bought a refurbed JVC TV 8 years ago
and saved $800 off retail and have not had one
problem with it.
You take chances no matter where you buy from.

I hope you can see the difference between "refurb" and "unauthorized". Sometimes they go together, sometimes not. Refurbs are even MORE important to purchase authorized so you can get warranty help if needed. If it's just a dented box, you're perfect and saved money. If it's the CDR that I had to return, you're screwed and better hope YOU can return it, too.

People might say your an idiot from buying from
any etailer because you have to ship items back
and forth. Why not take it to next level and find
the highend electroncs store, walk in and pay
the full $189 retail for it. So what, you have
to spend an extra $100 for it. You have a store
you can walk into and talk to the manager and
some place you can bring it back to.
It all a matter of priorities. Mine are no more
or less solid than yours.

Yep. But some people come to forums like this and cry about the bad dealer they bought xxx broken product from. As if they expect these mfgr companies to fix their problem even if they bought it out of a van in a parking lot. That's not how it works, and some of us try to explain it to people who haven't really dealt with it, yet. Or as much.
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