Policy changes at The Music Room TMR Audio

as some have mentioned, it is important to see an issue as this from both the consumer and business perspectives

much of the commentary has naturally been from a user perspective - witness @hilde45's calculations

when you have been involved in and run businesses, particularly retail businesses, you have an appreciation of the costs to do that business -- it is not free for a business to provide a return policy to customers... the earnings of the business need to support this valuable offering provided... 

@bill_k 

@jetter - Once a new unit is sold, opened and returned it should then be sold as an open box return.

Thanks for the answer Bill.

If I am purchasing an open box return I would expect to receive a discount of a lot more than 5%.  For example (and not looking up the precise numbers), RenoHiFi was/is selling their like new XA25s for about $1,000 less than their retail price of about $5,000.  So in my book, only paying return shipping and a 5% restocking fee is totally fair and then some.

Being in Canada, the idea of test driving audio gear for free is a foreign concept.

Because of that, I don’t think a 5% "handling" fee is unreasonable.

If you are buying within your budget, 5% is not a huge amount for that privilege.

If both parties feel that they left money on the table, then it is probably a fair deal for both sides.

I have never used The Music Room, but they seem to be a very good company to deal with.

"Doesn't eBay charge 10% on sales?"

Up to 13% now.

Even 10% restocking fee would be fair. A policy to waive the restocking fee if you bought something of equal or higher value might get some traction.

Come the end of the day if you don’t like their new policy don’t buy from them. Nothing is this thread , including math examples of 5% times X prices, is going to change TMR’s or any other dealer’s policy.

Greetings TMR-Audiophiles, we appreciate the continued opportunity to serve you all. I just wanted to pop in and clarify the new policy for anyone who has not read the "fine print."

CPO Products (used): 30 day returns, 90-day warranty, 5% restocking fee.

Factory Authorized (new or open box): 60 day returns, manufacturer warranty, No restocking fee.

We are now factory authorized for over 50 great HiFi brands, so it’s important to make the distinction that the restocking fee only applies to returns of CPO gear, and in those cases only when a product is not defective. Of course, we can always work with a customer when there are unique circumstances or an exchange. We don’t want to take the fun out shopping with us!

Thank you all for your continued support and patronage.

Josh

Too bad the restocking fee is not applied to future purchases. Win-win?

ozzy

I don’t realize you could make an offer on a used item at TMR

I’be been interested in a couple things, but have never used them

How does one make an offer on a piece of gear if that provision isn’t made clear on the product page?

Also, does anyone have experience buying turntables from them?

WOW. This thread has degenerated. Buy whatever you want, from wherever you want.

If 5% restock fee is beyond your means, perhaps you should fish in a smaller pond, or choose another vendor. Amazon gives returns up to like 60 or 90 days, lol.

Who cares?

You folks are not "influencers". Stop it already. Nobody gives a shit what you think, nobody cares what I think......enough already. Support a US business when you can, don’t when you cannot. I don’t care anymore. Audiophiles suck.

Obviously you care. You posted. You took your time to rag on this thread.

"Enough already"? LOG OFF. CLICK AWAY. BEGONE.

Perhaps you don’t understand what a ’discussion forum’ is. I suggest you do so research and try to not be mean to people. This is a hobby, and the forum discussion is for fun.

Don't make your anger our problem.

j andrews, go to TMR's site and you will find a provision for making an offer. I just used it and got  a 15% discount on a slow moving item. FWIW.

I bought a used tube power supply from TMR that was designed and made by a small manufacturer , The Music Room's packaging was far superior to the original manufacturers packaging. They had used a foam machine to encapsulate the entire product before putting it in the box. I've owned this power supply for 5 years with zero problems.

@hilde45 

good job calling out that poster... i have noticed he is especially negative and nasty in most of his comments

perhaps he will grace us with his absence from here forward

It is what it is...

The reason TMR has done well is that they stick to their game plan and don't try and be everything for everybody.  Their return policy is reasonable, particularly compared to some new equipment retail establishments that require up to 15% for restocking fees.  The prices they buy and sell for allow them to stay in business and make a profit while providing a level of service that is above what I have seen from other merchants dealing in used home audio gear.  They are growing their business to include sales of new equipment.  I have purchased from them in the past and would have no hesitation to do so in the future.  

@jetter I think you maybe misunderstood something, or perhaps I am, but the 5% being discussed is a restocking fee for returns of used gear not a discount.

@jond I can see the confusion in reading my post.  And I hope I don't further confuse you.

Now that tmraudio has posted that there is no restocking fee for returns of Factory Authorized (new or open box) gear what I wrote is not accurate.

Before the tmr post I had intended to say that while the person returning new gear pays a 5% restocking fee, I as a buyer of what is now open box gear would expect to pay less for the gear, say at a 20% discount.

Therefore tmr is eating the 15% difference (20%-5%) in lost sale price.

Now that tmr has stated they charge no restocking fee for returns of new gear, they are eating the total difference between the new price of the gear and the now reduced open box gear price.