Second Hand Audio: Part 1
Getting a bigger boom for your buck!
As this topic is very big it has been split into two parts. This week we will explain the pros/cons of buying second hand car audio and gives some advice to help you get the most out of your purchase.
Thinking of buying used car audio products? Many people buy used equipment for various reasons, whether they cant afford the same piece of equipment at new prices, or maybe its older stock that shops don’t carry anymore. Whatever your reason for buying, heres some ideas to help you decide whether to go second hand or brand new.
Pros
Cheap prices
- Items can often sell for under half retail price
- Prices often negotiable
- Sellers occasionally have no idea of true value and so bargains can be found
Rare or discontinued items
- Extremely rare items occasionally come up for sale
- Discontinued products and models can be found
Easy to search
- Second hand items grouped together
- Don’t have to go searching around different stores. Second hand items can be searched for from home. Eg. Newspapers or Internet
Cons
No support
- Normally no warranty provided
- Products life span unpredictable
- Products history unknown
- Current physical condition difficult to evaluate
- Not as much information can be provided as from a shop (makes purchasing risky if little knowledge about car audio is held)
- Installation must be sourced out to somewhere/someone else
Scams
- Some sellers will attempt to sell items at near new prices (or even higher)
- People may quote inaccurate product specifications
- May charge extreme shipping costs after purchase price has been agreed to
Particular products may take considerable time to find
- Products still supplied new in shops will take more time to find second hand then purchasing new
- Particular products, even if not available in a shop, may still take many months to locate at a reasonable price.
When buying second hand
If you think the equipment may be ‘hot’ ask for serial numbers. If a seller refuses to give a serial number to you, or it has been removed, this greatly increases the risk of the product being previously stolen.
Note: Some (very few) products are not sold new with serial numbers. i.e. Some newer Rockford Fosgate models.
Search for the product on the Internet for reviews/specifications to see if the info given is accurate. Some people will give overrated specs to make a sale.
Make sure the product you get is compatible with your other gear. For example: take an Alpine Ai-net equaliser, for this to operate you must have an Alpine head unit with Ai-net.
When buying second hand equipment, if you’re unsure about the condition, ask the seller if they can provide a warranty (whether it be 7 days or longer) as an act of good faith. That way you have a safe-guard if the equipment decides to pack it in shortly after you’ve spent your hard earned money on it. If the seller does not agree with these terms request that at a minimum the product can be returned if found to be faulty.
Ask for close up photos of the equipment, or even better go and check it out so you can see what condition its in. While you’re there, request to see the equipment working, the last thing you want to do is spend big bucks on a paperweight
If you know the equipment isn’t working, but are still keen to buy it, get it checked out by a professional and ask for a quote to repair the item. That way you can offer the seller a price accordingly. Alternatively get the seller to have it fixed first. Don’t rely purely on the seller to give you an accurate repair estimate.
If you’re spending a large amount of money on a product from a stranger, you’re best bet is to pick it up so you know for sure your going to get it. Between depositing money into a seller’s bank account and receiving the product there is huge risk of being ripped off.
Test equipment as soon as possible after receiving it. That way if a fault is found you have the largest chance of recovering some of your hard earned cash.
And remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
Next week we will look at good places to buy/sell, some tips on selling second hand car audio, and finally some personal experiences with buying second hand. So come back soon!
