Polk Speaker Closeout Idea

[Early B.]

The next time Polk decides to reduce its inventory, they should somehow offer Polk forum members the opportunity to purchase them at these incredible closeout prices before they are offered to the general public. I'm sure the mechanism for doing so can easily be worked out.

Why should they do this? Several reasons:

1. What group is more loyal to Polk than the folks on this forum?
2. Who helps their customers find solutions and resolve issues to maximize the use of their Polk speakers?
3. Who provides free, unlimited PR support for the brand?
4. Who provides honest assessments of Polk gear?
5. Who provides feedback about customer service and sales knowledge on salespersons at Polk's distribution outlets (i.e., Circuit City, Tweeter, etc.)?
6. Who are the first people to purchase new Polk speakers?

This idea could be one of the perks for joining the forum. If necessary, this perk could be limited to members who have a certain number of posts. But the point I'm trying to make is that if Polk truly wants to take care of its best customers, they should provide us with incentives to continue to be ambassadors for the company. Wouldn't it have been grand if most forum members were given the first opportunity to take advantage of the discount on the Lsi7's? Instead, the general public benefits and some of them will come to this forum looking for answers to their Polk questions.

Bottom line -- yo Polk, hook us up 'cause we got your back!

[pixiedave]

[i] If necessary, this perk could be limited to members who have a certain number of posts. [/B] Oh so only people who make hundreds or thousands of posts get deals. Thats fair!

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Dang...

I could have 50 - 60 pairs if post count is the case :D

[RuSsMaN]

Believe me, Polk knows NOTHING of the Fry's pricing. The units are NOT refurb (Polk hasn't refurbed any LSi speakers per my conversations with Ken and Micah).

Why they are priced as they are, and deemed 'refurb', Polk knows no more than we do.

Cheers,
Russ

[brettw22]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Believe me, Polk knows NOTHING of the Fry's pricing. The units are NOT refurb (Polk hasn't refurbed any LSi speakers per my conversations with Ken and Micah). There's no markings on the boxes or any altered serial numbers on the speakers that indicate they are a refurb'd product? I would think that the packaging would at a minimum be indicating something to the effect that they are different than their full price counterparts...........

[Early B.]

How could Polk not know about Fry's pricing? Who sold Fry's those Lsi7's at a cost whereby Fry's could discount them for such an astronomically low rate? It's common practice for manufacturers get rid of excess inventory through their distributors. It's also standard practice for retailers to sell brand new speakers as "refurbs".

[brettw22]

Originally posted by Early B.
It's also standard practice for retailers to sell brand new speakers as "refurbs". For what purpose would they do that? I'm confused.......

[TheGrayGhost]

Originally posted by brettw22
For what purpose would they do that? I'm confused.......

To avoid contract problems with the manufacturer over minimum advertised price. It a dealer claims “refurb” they can be advertised for less.

[Zero]

In keeping with the pace of the original topic, it would be pleasant to have first dibs on great close-out deals. As great as that would be, I feel it would be nothing more than a pipe dream. Odds are Polk would not be able to offer their products any less than the retailers would, so besides the warm and fuzzy feeling such an offer would induce – it would do very little in terms of actual savings.

I have always favored the idea of Polk Audio sponsoring something along the lines of “community awards”. This would be to where the Club Polk community nominates the names of members they feel are a great benefit to this forum, a handful of members names would be determined and those winners would be given merchandise from Polk. This is a way of getting both the company, and the community involved.

I presented that idea already - but it has fallen by the wayside. My solo voice seems rather ineffective. :)

[Early B.]

Odds are Polk would not be able to offer their products any less than the retailers would,

Why not? Polk is the manufacturer, so they can do whatever they want with their products.

[madmax]

Originally posted by ATCVenom


I have always favored the idea of Polk Audio sponsoring something along the lines of “community awards”. This would be to where the Club Polk community nominates the names of members they feel are a great benefit to this forum, a handful of members names would be determined and those winners would be given merchandise from Polk. This is a way of getting both the company, and the community involved.

I presented that idea already - but it has fallen by the wayside. My solo voice seems rather ineffective. :)


While this sounds nice it is pure suicide. This is not anything against you ATC, just an example that comes to mind.

I have a good example of this. One year at work our manager gave out a card of thanks to everyone he thought helped us out on a project. Bunches of them. Well, much like the forum, everyone contributes something, no matter how small whether you really know it or not. Well, there was very loud kaos at first. Later it was more silent. It was hard to get anything done for a long time. The half that got cards didn't want to be seen associating with us because they were noted as being the "chosen" and shunned by others and the people who didn't get a card, well, couldn't care less about us. It was a freakin little thankyou card. Who would have thought?? We were all scratching our heads trying to figure it all out.

Maybe a little different than the forum thing but I'll bet it would end up similar.

Just keep in mind, people are crazy in large groups.

madmax

[Zero]

Early B,

First and foremost, I will get this out in the open and state that Polk Audio personally does not owe us what we are asking from them. This large, successful company has done more for its customers than any other I know of. Typically companies of this size do little but provide a service, and a product. Polk has sponsored events, given their customers the chance to go through and meet the people who make it happen, give out free stuff all the time, and usually bend over backwards to ensure their customers are satisfied. That’s all I really need, anything else would just be a great side-dish.

Back on topic – Retailers are very much a customer of Polk, like you and I. Many retailers find means of offering their products at a much lower price than agreed upon in contract. Polk has little control over what happens store to store, as no audio business (bose excluded) has the resources to maintain absolute control.

While it would be great to be part of a group that gets first dibs on inventory that is being pushed out, I cannot see this occurring anytime – period. While it would be an excellent gesture, they are still a business, and still need to make money. Hell, the current deal on the LSi-7’s is absolutely insane, over a hundred dollars less than what employees can get them for.

Yes, I would like to see Polk interact with its powerful online community a bit more, but it doesn’t have to be by give away’s or exclusive offerings on their audio products.

Max,

If I understand this correctly, one person, the boss, was the only one who selected individuals to be recognized and rewarded. He failed in understanding the separation that could incur by consciously making the decision to not recognize everyone involved in the project. A good gesture executed in a very poor manner.

In most large groups, there are certain people that stand out (in a good way). These people contribute quite a bit to the group, and often bend over backwards for them. While there are many who make important contributions to, in this case, the forum, there are only a few who go above and beyond the call of duty for their fellow Polkies. I truly believe such efforts should be rewarded.

With that out of the way, I do agree that such an “election” could create unrest from those not mature enough to handle it. In the end, it may become more trouble than its worth, and do more harm than good.

You know the old saying though, “You can’t please everyone”. With that in mind, I would like to hear more idea’s that could potentially be welcomed and supported by most. In the end, I would just love to see Polk to interact with its community just a tad more, to take full advantage of this incredible resource, even if offers are nothing more than mouse pads, key chains, mugs, or hats.

Sean

[Frank Z]

Polk is a manufacturer not a retailer. Selling speakers direct to end users will do nothing more than piss of the existing retailers.

It won't happen and that's the way it should be.

[madmax]

Actually we all got together as a group and listed everyone we could think of who had anything to do with it. I'm telling you, suicide... :D

madmax

[gregure]

I like the idea of giving club polk members a crack at deals for discontinued lines, but the logic fails when you think about it too much. As previously stated, Polk does not offer direct to consumer selling. So there is no way they could control who buys the disco'd inventory at retailers. Plus, if the argument is that Polk members already have all of the new lines, then why would they need more of the same, even if the price is lowered?
On that note, however, I've noticed a lot of closeouts at Circuit City stores in my area. Rti 4's have been disco'd and are hard to find. I saw a single RTi 100 on sale for 250 an a CC in Orange County too. Not much use as a single tower, tho. They're still out there. I don't think you can find RTi 70's anywhere, unless you want to buy from South America.

[madmax]

I guess they could offer a great deal on the forum, first come first serve at a given price for a given quantity. ??

madmax

[Zero]

Mad,

You know what, screw the pussies. Let them cry! heh

[Shizelbs]

Originally posted by Frank Z
Polk is a manufacturer not a retailer. Selling speakers direct to end users will do nothing more than piss of the existing retailers.

It won't happen and that's the way it should be.

I'm with Frank.

[fgr41]

I think a mail-in rebate for club members would work. Something that is only offered to those who are part of the club.

[red1robin]

is there such a thing as polk replacement parts at a discount rate.........?





Center: Polk CS400
Fronts: Polk RT55
Rear: Bose DualCubes x3
Sub: Velodyne DPS10
AVR: Onkyo SR600
Dvd: Sony DVP ns715
HDTV: Samsung 65 Widescreen

[RSTERN]

Yes there is. I think it is 10% off of parts. Not sure though. When you call tell them you are a member.
Rob

[shack]

is there such a thing as polk replacement parts at a discount rate.........?

Yes, Call Polk customer service to order parts and mention you are a Club Polk member and you will receive a discount.

[ND13]

What I want to know is why Max's quote of Zero's post says it's was ATCVenom's ??? :confused: Have I missed something???

[nadams]

is there such a thing as polk replacement parts at a discount rate.........?





Center: Polk CS400
Fronts: Polk RT55
Rear: Bose DualCubes x3
Sub: Velodyne DPS10
AVR: Onkyo SR600
Dvd: Sony DVP ns715
HDTV: Samsung 65 Widescreen

Yes, when you order replacement parts, mention that you are a club polk member, and you will get discounted parts and free shipping.

[shack]

What I want to know is why Max's quote of Zero's post says it's was ATCVenom's ??? :confused: Have I missed something???
That was Sean's former alter ego. (it was also his former user name)

[nadams]

What I want to know is why Max's quote of Zero's post says it's was ATCVenom's ??? :confused: Have I missed something???

Yes, you have. Zero was ATCVenom at one time :)

[nadams]

damn you shack!

[shack]

Just a little slow on the trigger....aren't we nadams?

[shack]

damn you shack!
What!? NO smiley?

[ND13]

Oh, okay, now it makes sense. I had seen the ATCVenom in the past, just never put two and two together :o

[nadams]

yeah, it's getting late and my neck's been driving me crazy today... I'm about ready for bed. So I'm a bit slow w/ the old keyboard this evening. oh, and :o :eek: :( :mad: :) :rolleyes: ;) :p :cool: :D :confused:

[shack]

oh, and :o :eek: :( :mad: :) :rolleyes: ;) :p :cool: :D :confused:
That's better..... :D