Buyer Beware: WoofersEtc.com and ACarAudio.com

chuyler1

goes to eleven
:
2013 CX-9
From Zapco's website

Zapco Buyers Beware It has come to our attention again that a company known as Woofers etc. and acaraudio.com is selling Zapco products on the Internet. We emphatically say Woofers etc. and acaraudio.com are not authorized Zapco dealer. Also, we don't exactly know how it's happening but amplifiers bought from the two companies and sent to us for repair have lost their original Zapco serial numbers, even the serial numbers we carefully hide inside each unit. This removal or defacement of the official Zapco serial number voids Zapco's product warranty completely and borders on legally questionable action. We once again warn all of you out there to make absolutely certain you are buying a fully warrantable Zapco product by asking to see the original ARPA of America Warranty Registration Card originally shipped with the unit (a serial number is always affixed to this card) or ask for the actual serial number and call us to verify its authenticity. Tampered products hurt you and damage the reputation you've come to expect from Zapco products. Beware and check for an original Zapco serial number every time you buy Zapco.

A World Wide Problem

Yes they are everywhere making claims. For example, www.caraudiosa in South Africa is not a Zapco distributor, and they are not a Zapco dealer. The pictures on their web site were stolen directly from our 2002 catalog. Most of the products on the site are at least 3 model years old. Remember, if you buy product from this type of company you will receive no support from Zapco or from our representative in your country. If you you have questions about finding our current products at a legitimate reseller, you can check our International Distributor list or mail us at sales@zapco.com

Needless to say both companies are getting equipment from shady sources. Although most of the people on this board aren't going to fork over the $$$ for Zapco products (even at discount prices) this leads me to believe that they are obtaining equipment from other manufacturers in a similar fashion.

As always, only buy from authorized internet retailers or your local brick-and-mortar store.
 
There are a whole bunch that do not sell online. I'm pretty sure these manufacturers which are listed on WoofersEtc do not authorize any online retailers...

AudioControl
Boston Acoustics
Dynaudio
Eclipse
Focal
JL Audio
Precision Power
Zapco

If you buy any of those brands from them, I'm willing to bet they have shaved serial numbers.

Is it worth the discount if you get an open-box amplifier that has been disassembled to remove serial numbers and then reassembled by some punk sales associate at a shady car audio store who is trying to make a few bucks profit?

WoofersEtc and ACarAudio may have connections that do not do this for certain brands but I assure you the above brands care about their customers and they do not want their products being sold below market value.
 
Wow, shadyness, I'd thought woofersetc had a semi-decent track record even...

Oh, and Crutchfield is selling a few of those (even eclipse, sans the 3yrwarranty) but they are a very trustworthy and proven source. (albeit full retail pricing)
 
Oh yeah. Forgot about Crutchfield. They are one of the few exceptions...and I forgot they now sell Eclipse.
 
I am suprised EVERY online merchant wouldn't have that problem now. The reality is that almost no decent brand allows online sales so those people that sell to online stores individualy either get fired and prosecuted or the companies that do it get the lines pulled. So it only makes sense that before they ship the product off to online vendor, that they scrape off the serial numbers first. Its the only way to cover there own asses.


Boston, JL, Focal, Alpine, and many other companies will actualy buy from online vendors specificly to trace the serial numbers. JL has shut down several JL dealers for doing this crap.

If you buy online, you should expect this.
 
cardomain and crutchfield are the only online stores to really trust.

of course, keep in mind that there are manufacturers that look the other way with the grey market goods because when it comes down to it, they still make money on it.
 
ah yes, i forgot about them. they do carry some decent lesser know equipment, like scanspeak. when they had the revalators, their price was pretty decent.
 
Cartoys.com claims to be authorized to sell and ship Eclipse online. Bought an Eclipse amp from them and they price matched me at 110% of the difference of woofersetc price. Very good customer service too....I ended up returning the amp < 30 days later and they paid for return shipping and gave me a full refund without question.

Did you guys hear that Circuit City will be carrying Eclipse too (boom07)
 
Ugh. Circuit City? Does Eclipse have a mid-level line up ready for them? For the brands they sell, they don't even carry all the gear. They sell MTX but only the s*** Road Thunder line and a few Thunder subwoofers. Nothing I would buy.

I'm still patiently searching eBay for a pair of old-school Eclipse 8" aluminum subs or a 3rd 87081.4 to go with the two I currently have (Picture a trio of 8"s in the spare tire well centered around the hump that the tire usually mounts to).
 
hmmm... and i was considering this from woofersetc.com:
1492.jpg

Focal Car Audio 27TwinLux - Focal Dual 11" Access Enclosed Subwoofers

Ready to use subwoofer enclosure.
Dual 27cm (11") subwoofers.
16mm (5/8") MDF.
Includes nickel-plated spring terminals,
Internal damping material, and a tapered port.
Height: 319mm (12-9/16")
Base Width: 350mm (13-3/4")
Length: 465mm (36-5/16")
Max. power handling: 1000W.
Nominal, power handling: 500W.
Sensitivity (2.83 V/1m): 90dB.
Frequency response:
36Hz-500kHz.
Mounting hardware included.
 
Just go to your local Focal dealer instead. Tell them you're thinking about buying online but if they give you a little incentive you'll buy it from them.
 
chuyler1 said:
Just go to your local Focal dealer instead. Tell them you're thinking about buying online but if they give you a little incentive you'll buy it from them.
ahh... there ya go...

thanks chuyler
 

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