Don't Make This Mistake!!!!!!!

[CHICO2003]

I'm a cheap bastard!!! My MO is to find the BEST possible deal on anything and everything I buy. You've all heard the saying "you get what you pay for" perhaps I'm learning my lesson the hard way.


As some of you may know, I was a bit unhappy with the fact that my stock MSP headunit didn't match the reddish/orange color of my interior lighting. After doing a ridiculous amount of research, I decided to go with the Clarion 835MP because, in addition to its great features and "supposed" reliability, it allowed me to match my interior lighting.

I got it for about $200 off some online retailer. (msrp: $499) After $15 on a wiring harness and about 2 hours (total) wiring everything up/installing and tweaking it... I was satisfied. More than satisfied infact!! I was lovin life!!

Fast forward a mere 2 days and I'm getting an "error 6" message on my display whenever I try to play a CD. The manual says the CD is upside down. (it's not) Clarion says it's a mechanism issue and needs to be repaired. (umm... maybe they should've put THAT in the manual!!)

Anyway, since the "online retailer" was giving me the runaround, I decided to contact Clarion... as if a 2-3 week turnover time wasn't bad enough, since I didn't buy it from an "authorized retailer" I have NO WARRANTY!! (WTF???) So it's gonna cost me $115!!! (in addtion to my shipping costs as well as the aforementioned waiting period!)

I thought Clarion made quality stuff.. obviously I can't base my oppinon on one instance... or maybe I can!! LOL

DO NOT BUY CLARION!!! Brand new (it wasn't refurbished or anything like that) that sells for $500 (supposedly at least) that breaks after 2 days???? PIECE OF s*** PRODUCT!!!!!!

Now I'm not sure what to do!! No matter what action I take, I'm pretty much #$%ed. I'd ask for advice but.. I doubt anyone has any (other than "suck it up you a$$hole!! so what if you have to drive around without a stereo for a month and pay, in the long run, more than you would have if you just went to some retail location and had them install it... saving you a ton of aggrviation!!)

I know it sounds like I'm venting... that's because I am!! But I also want to warn people in case this isn't the "fluke" the people at Clarion insist it is.


anywayz... umm... Happy New Year... or something. L8R

 

[Gbourdon]

do you think they will set you up with some sort of warranty after they take it in and fix it? What if it happens again?

 

[+ friction]

Suck it up you a$$hole!! so what if you have to drive around without a stereo for a month and pay, in the long run, more than you would have if you just went to some retail location and had them install it... saving you a ton of aggrviation!!

j/k Sorry about the bad luck. You can't be faulted for finding a deal.

Who is the online dealer? I think that is who you should warn against.

 

[CHICO2003]

well... I COULD do that but really, what good would it do? I mean, there are a TON of these places out there! Rather than publicly criticize a company that (let's face it) simply sells units at discounted prices. it's not their fault the model is defective. (at least, I don't think so!) They may still call me back so... again, don't want to burn that bridge.

Really, the advice is to make sure you buy from an "authorized dealer". that's where I went wrong... of course I would've paid more but... it would have been worth it.

 

[+ friction]

well... I COULD do that but really, what good would it do? I mean, there are a TON of these places out there! Rather than publicly criticize a company that (let's face it) simply sells units at discounted prices. it's not their fault the model is defective. (at least, I don't think so!) They may still call me back so... again, don't want to burn that bridge.

Really, the advice is to make sure you buy from an "authorized dealer". that's where I went wrong... of course I would've paid more but... it would have been worth it.

You had said that they were giving you the runaround, though. Was there any sort of fine print on the retailer's website about "all sales final" or something similar?

Thanks.

 

[njaremka]

The problem with buying from an unauthorized retailer is that they could be selling you a refurbished or damaged product. That is why manufacturers have authorized retailers, so they don't have to repair stuff under warrantee that was probably busted when it was sold.

 

[CHICO2003]

I just re-read the ebay auction and couldn't find any fine-print about 'all sales being final' or anything like that. here... check it out!! let me know what you guys think! any lawyers on this board????

update: they did write me back! said that, if I send everything back to them exactly how it came (which means I have to de-wire my wiring harness) they'll send me a new one as long as I include a bank check for $25!!! (they're in NY, I'm in CT) I MAY just do it to get a new one and (hopefully) not have this problem... avoid any drama. But that seems pretty messed up!!! Should I fight it??

 

[+ friction]

CHICO2003 I think I'd go with the $25 deal and say screw it. Man, for <$250 you will still have a nice Clarion.

Not sure how they justify the $25.00, but you should still come out ahead.

 

[CHICO2003]

yeah.. I'm thinkin the same thing. of course... if the new one ends up shitting the bed this $25 deal will get old in a hurry!! (already is!) but... I'm with you. rather than fight it (not worth it) I may just cut my losses and keep my fingers crossed on this new one.

still don't recommend anyone get a Clarion though. Had my Kenwood for... like 8 months and never had any problems (like this at least) with it!! I mean... it got caught up while flipping a few times but a simple hit of the reset button fixed that. (setting all the presets again sucked ass though!) it ALWAYS does!!!

 

[chino]

DO NOT BUY CLARION!!! Brand new (it wasn't refurbished or anything like that) that sells for $500 (supposedly at least) that breaks after 2 days???? PIECE OF s*** PRODUCT!!!!!!

I know your just venting but I hate when people buy one product and have problems then say ignorant stuff like this and mean it. EVERY manufacturer is going to have defective equipment. PERIOD. You got one. Sorry. sucks for you.
You also bought from an unauthorized source. Thats your own fault for thinking you were getting a deal. If this were an A/V or Car audio forum you'd get flamed for bitching about something you could have prevented. AND if it was an unauthorized vendor there is NOTHING to say it wasn't refurbed. I am not saying it is, but you have no way of knowing. Those guys are unauthorized for a reason Hope it gets fixed quick till then Suck it up a$$hole

 

[+ friction]

(flame2)

Ouchie!

 

[chino]

I wasn't flaming just venting like chico

 

[+ friction]

I wasn't flaming just venting like chico

Gotcha...just messin' (as they say in S Cackalacki).

 

[CHICO2003]

He's right... I should've thought first before criticizing my (and HIS) headunit. I mean, I got unlucky. case closed! weird how I've never had these problems before.... with ANY of my other headunits... but nonetheless, chalkin it up to coincidence. sorry Clarion!!! lol anyway... still love the unit itself and, once I have one that works, will be back to singin' it's praises!! LOL alright... enough of this s***! L8R all

 

[JDM Sam]

That's what I said to everyone who bought parts or what not off ebay. "Your warranty will be void b/c you bought from an unauthorized source." in some other thread a while back.

 

[CHICO2003]

yeah yeah!! it would be nice if they TOLD us this on their stinkin auctions!! I mean seriously, how is someone supposed to just KNOW this??? In my experience (with things from printers to cameras) it was the manufacturer themself (not the place you bought it at) that covers the warrany issues and references things via the serial #. When my Canon digital camera broke... Canon didn't ask where I bought it they simply wanted my serial # and then refered me to a LOCAL shop that fixes these things under warranty. within 3 days it was all fixed!! Now THAT's good service!!!

 

[+ friction]

CHICO2003: Trust no one (on Ebay, at least).

Still, you are getting the last laugh as long as the replacement works ok. Bravo! (drinks)

 

[CHICO2003]

I got lucky (which is ironic) because my contact at this company mentioned he had bought a Gamecube for his son off ebay and it didn't work!! (can you imagine??? your poor son wants to play Zelda on Christmas day and the stupid thing wont' even work!) I'd be crushed!!

 

[Poseur]

No probs with ANY of my clarions EVER, especially my first one form 5yrs ago that's still going strong in a friends car. My new 835's never been anything but good to me, of course I boughtmine from an authorized dealer. As has been touched on, yes non-authroized dealers VERY often sell refurbs that are factory sealed, etc. but not NEW. I've been through this before with a couple of decks/amps from such dealers. Nowthen All that said, sucks for you, man. Definately the place you bought it from's deal, though. And yea, how much is $25 worth for the simplicity of it all. I'd take it and go. If ithappens again, THEN I'd get nasty if they try to hit you for another $25.

 

[JDM Sam]

One of the reasons for the warranty voiding is the parts are coming from an unauthorized source. Stolen, imported from somewhere else, etc. Another reason is because is to keep the sales to the vendors so they stay in business. Manufacturers, distributors, and dealers can't stay in business b/c someone is whoring out parts on E-bay.