Polk R50s, R15s, R150s, subs & R300s

[ReadMyLips]

Not only am I a huge Polk fan; but I also run a small eBay business. Of late, I have noticed a large influx of people selling new Polk speakers for prices way under retail. Specifically, the models I have been noticing are the R15, R150, R50, R300 & the 10" powered sub. I have to admit, I purchased a pair of the R50s & absolutely LOVE them!! I replaced a 12y/o pair of JBL LX600 monitors - they were superb in their day.

Anyhow, my question to this forum is - where in the hell are these folks aquiring these speakers that they can resell them at such low prices & still, presumably, be turning a profit? Anyone care to divulge this info?

[danger boy]

ReadMyLips welcome to Club Polk. Glad you like your Polks. Stick around

[MSALLA]

Welcome to the site.
I really have no idea how they buy them so cheap.

[nadams]

Well, Outpost.com regularly marks them down to rediculously low prices.... other than that... uh, fell off the back of a truck?

[shack]

Typically authorized retailers will buy large quantities (greater than what they can sell) to take advantage of volume discounts and then dump their overstock out the back door to whoever will buy it. The buyers of the overstock have no contractual agreements to sell at or near the MSRP since they are not dealing with the Mfgr. It is the GREY market and most of the unauthorized net sellers operate this way. Many of the mfgs. try to find out who the dumpers are by tracking the serial numbers. This is why many online products will have the original serial #s removed and/or changed.

The mfgs will also dump excess inventory to places like Frys and Overstock who are able to sell low with the mfgs blessing.

[charliez]

Hehe, this is a difficult question :)

[Refefer]

Typically authorized retailers will buy large quantities (greater than what they can sell) to take advantage of volume discounts and then dump their overstock out the back door to whoever will buy it. The buyers of the overstock have no contractual agreements to sell at or near the MSRP since they are not dealing with the Mfgr. It is the GREY market and most of the unauthorized net sellers operate this way. Many of the mfgs. try to find out who the dumpers are by tracking the serial numbers. This is why many online products will have the original serial #s removed and/or changed.

The mfgs will also dump excess inventory to places like Frys and Overstock who are able to sell low with the mfgs blessing.

Clever... and sad. I don't like the idea that manufacturers are getting cheated out of sales since their speakers are being sold for huge discounts on the bay. I mean, reduced demand in stores means reduced orders later on. A real shame.

[Ron Temple]

I've spoken to Frys management. They have been selling the Rs below cost as a loss leader. It brings folks into to their audio rooms where hopefully sales people can turn the customer to a better speaker. Unfortunately, the value of the Rs is so good at these prices and the sales effort so poor at Frys...well they sell alot of Rs. Polk obviously is aware of it and still strictly controls "authorized sales" of the higher lines.

[MLZ]

This year at Fry's I got a pair of R50's for $139 (MSRP $639.95) and a PSW10 (MSRP $239.95) for $99.

I think these folks just went to Fry's and then listed them on eBay.

[ivansfo]

I bought a brand new R20 from an Ebay seller a few years ago. The box came with a Fry's price tag still attached.