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Anyone bought Speakers from outside U.S.A.?

My speaker interest of the moment is Vienna Acoustics. I have noticed recently, several people from Italy advertising Beethovens & Mahlers. (some of them on this site) Would anyone else out there be the least bit worried about sending several thousand dollars overseas? I guess when one gets down to it, It's not too much different than sending money across the country, But it just seems risky(er)to me. The prices ARE attractive, So I can see where one might be tempted tho. Also, What about power & warranty issues? B.T.W. My system consists of The Denon AVR 5803. Pioneer DV-47Ai. Pioneer Pro-710.(64")Vienna Maestro Ctr. Beethoven Mains. 4-Waltz Surrounds. A REL Stadium 3 Sub. Monster AVS 2000 power stabilizer. Monster Surge protector. And various Monster interconnects. Thanks for your input. Phil Griffin...
prgriffinifd
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Pbb brings out some great points.-----Funny;I have a 47ai also. Just bough 2 weeks ago. Factory sealed from a local shop,for a bit more than they sell for here. Guess what ??? I brought it home---DOA--- Naturally my dealer did an immediate exchange. Anybody else and I'd have shipping and worst of all waiting problems. I've read to many broken-in-shipping;threads to buy either speakers (large ones) or tube amps---and then have them shipped. I figgure it's like the lottery-- maybe you feel lucky--??
twl
3,251 posts
 
I bought a reciever from England, and the shipping cost just about killed me. It cost just as much for shipping, as it did to buy the reciever.
endoit
21 posts
 
call me lucky but I have purchased 2 sets of speakers overseas and had no problem with them. The first was Rogers LS3/5A from audio T in England back in 1979. Good transaction, perfect condition and when one woofer went bad in mid 90 a local dealer repaired it no questions asked for US cash. I purchased Audio Physics Virgos from Paulo in Italy through this site 2 years ago and they also arrived in perfect condition. I did read some threads on this site that there is one Italian dealer where people received less than satisfactory service but I do not recall the name.
subaruguru
1,369 posts
 
Certainly makes sense to take a cheap, off-season flight to London to pick up Spendors VAT-free, for example. Or Harbeth, Quad, etc. Dealers can be convinced to give you 20% off, plus that nice -17.5% VAT yields a tidy savings.
Have a nice trip!
dmailer's avatar
dmailer
235 posts
 
I purchased my Vienna Acoustics Mahler's from a dealer in Italy. I had some of the same reservations that you do. The individual had alot of positive feedback with Audiogon and would take credit cards which convinced me to go ahead with the purchase. I must say that everything went very well, the speakers arrived just as advertised. I would definitly be cautious and check feedback or references. Also, I wouldn't have made the purchase if I could not use a credit card.
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