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Original Box VS No Box...does it matter?

I purchased an older CD player off of Audiogon to use as a transport. The ad said it had the original box and remote. When I called about the unit, I was told it was in near mint shape. However, when it arrived it was not in the original box and did not have a remote. The unit worked but looked like it had never been cleaned. The drawer also was stuck. They did find the remote but said they had lost the box.
I place a higher value on a unit with the original box -- I always feel like the unit was probably taken better care of and it does make for better shipping. The owner of the store said the only reason people worry about the box is for shipping. He also said they packed it as well as if it had been the original box (however, it was not double boxed).
Bottom line after three weeks the unit has malfunctioned 50% to 75% of the time and will not read the disc. Am I way off base about being upset about the false advertising (original box)? Thanks for your input.
patriot
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I like the box if I can get it, but some people like apartment dwellers in cities do not have the storage for lots of boxes. Your case is different (misrepresented quality). I agree that I rarely have problems with the quality of a used item that comes in the original box. Sign of a careful owner. I bought some Sitech cables that were suppose to have the attractive boxes they came in, but didn't. I like the cables, so whatever. Some companies like Conrad Johnson will will sell you a new box and foam inserts. I brought my amp there once for a checkup in the original box that was still OK. They gave it back to me in a new box!
kweifi
46 posts
 
I really don't feel that the original description provided by the seller was adequate and that this should be sufficient reason for revoking the sale.
rute1
71 posts
 
Sorry, I Missed spelling "would not think about the box".
gerryn's avatar
gerryn
143 posts
 
I don't believe you're out of line about being upset. The seller falsely advertised the product and misrepresented the sale. In addition, I agree with you. The original box is important. It does show a seller who has taken the time and care of the piece and wants to sell it as close to "as new" as possible. No remote? This is false advertising in my humble opinion.
john_l
782 posts
 
To me, the original box is always a very good thing but may be offset by a trustworthy seller. With lighter, or older items like CD players and cables, I don't care as much. It really depends. The bad thing is when the seller makeshifts inadequate packing material. You just have no way of knowing.
When I ship without the original box, I just make sure it is 1) in plastic all around for dust 2) bubble wrapped on top of that, and 3) padded with 4-5 inches foam/buble on all sides with a sturdy, sized box. It costs $20-40 for this much material and I think most people just don't want to spend it. It's impossible to guage if a seller will pack something that well. Another big problem can be 'how' do you pack a 200lb amp ? Most of the commercial packing material and boxes I've seen are not rated to protect something that heavy. A last point is that I am much more comfortable handing over $X,XXX dollars for a box that actually says 'audio research' on it rather than 'bobs fig farm'.
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