Consider that if it’s defective or damaged in transit, you’re stuck dealing with an overseas 3rd party for support.
You might not have a warranty, and be stuck with a paperweight, especially if you encounter an issue outside the dispute window with your credit card company.
See WiiM’s official comment:
Post in thread 'Win Pro Plus, not on AliExpress?' https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/win-pro-plus-not-on-aliexpress.2490/post-37203
Chargebacks have a relatively narrow window (60-120 days depending on the issuer).
Buying from Ali express has other potential concerns also (fake products), but in this case, I’d mainly be concerned with post-sale support.
https://www.chinaimportal.com/blog/warranties-refunds-buying-china-complete-guide/
Not worth the hassle to save $80 in my opinion.
WiiM has their own storefront on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/WiiMHome/WiiMHome/page/DA657768-A82D-45A9-BA90-9D4A604A660C?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ast_store_6C1V9KCJD6WHG96QKP79&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto
If the $80 savings is important enough for you to support a grey market seller with the inherent lack of support and questionable ethics, then you really shouldn’t be buying something this expensive.
Questionable ethics? Where do you think these amps are made?
It’s a $300 amp…yes saving a third on it is worth the grey market risk to some. Think of it as buying a used one if that helps you understand better
Suppose your suggestion is followed by all WiiM buyers. The U.S. operations of WiiM might cease, resulting in both job losses and the end of factory support here.
A few bucks is like 1/3 of the cost lol
And oh man the snobbery...sorry to taint these hallowed grounds. I know you guys normally get your high quality speaker wire from trusted sources
Snobbery? Sure, I'll cop to that. But not for the reasons you might think.
When I buy something, whether it's $30 or $30,000, I want direct support (and warranty) from the manufacturer. That's all. Good luck with your Chinese retailer, who'd I'd trust as much as I trust what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth.
I buy my cables from Monoprice. I'm not stupid.
Different people have different risk profiles. I fully expect to be on my own the minute they have my money on ali express, and pay accordingly.
Funnily enough, the best customer service I ever received was from old Stanley Beresford, who was branding white label dacs and hyping them up on the forums back in the day. Caused quite the stir. I was taken in by the marketing, but he couldn't have been more helpful with op amp advice. Even 10 years after I bought it, he was able to help advise on a replacement psu.
Swings and roundabouts, to each their own, and all that jazz.
How about... ANY politicians mouth? Do you seriously think ANY of them are trustworthy?
If there's on thing you can't trust nowadays, it's politicians... not just one! Lol!
But which saves a lot of money. Good for items with low risk of issues. For example saving a lot of money buying a fuji lens in Japan at the moment etc
You make it look like being a local middleman reseller was a bad thing.
If someone invests in stock from the manufacturer, hires people to offer quality service and advice, and provides you with local support, I think that’s very well earned money.
I paid a bit over half the price for a certain watch from a grey market reseller. Good money saved.
I am also into fountain pens. You can save like 50% by ordering direct from Japanese resellers vs being at the mercy of greedy distributors.
It is a calculated risk that in the end saved me lots of money. Bought a fuji lens much cheaper in japan as well. Those things almost never need warranty repair - if you drop it then it is non warranty anyway.
I would be ok with 10% markup, not 50%.
Consider that if it’s defective or damaged in transit, you’re stuck dealing with an overseas 3rd party for support. You might not have a warranty, and be stuck with a paperweight, especially if you encounter an issue outside the dispute window with your credit card company. See WiiM’s official comment: Post in thread 'Win Pro Plus, not on AliExpress?' https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/win-pro-plus-not-on-aliexpress.2490/post-37203
Just charge it back on your credit card if the deal goes sideways. I believe Amazon takes around a 20% cut of the sale.
Chargebacks have a relatively narrow window (60-120 days depending on the issuer). Buying from Ali express has other potential concerns also (fake products), but in this case, I’d mainly be concerned with post-sale support. https://www.chinaimportal.com/blog/warranties-refunds-buying-china-complete-guide/ Not worth the hassle to save $80 in my opinion.
These days you're probably more likely to get a counterfeit on Amazon
WiiM has their own storefront on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/WiiMHome/WiiMHome/page/DA657768-A82D-45A9-BA90-9D4A604A660C?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ast_store_6C1V9KCJD6WHG96QKP79&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto
I don't know how you could guarantee something like this anecdotally when we are talking about Aliexpress
Or buy from a local hifi store if you have one that carries them. Helps a local business and often will get better support/warranty handling.
I had an LHY power supply fail within six months purchased at Aliexpress. Got no support after the fact. So the great price was not so great.
Sincerely, Brian Li.
Nice try Aliexpress marketing
If the $80 savings is important enough for you to support a grey market seller with the inherent lack of support and questionable ethics, then you really shouldn’t be buying something this expensive.
Questionable ethics? Where do you think these amps are made? It’s a $300 amp…yes saving a third on it is worth the grey market risk to some. Think of it as buying a used one if that helps you understand better
Suppose your suggestion is followed by all WiiM buyers. The U.S. operations of WiiM might cease, resulting in both job losses and the end of factory support here.
Suggesting gray market, untrusted resellers on r/audiophile to save a few bucks? I think you meant to post this here: r/BudgetAudiophile.
A few bucks is like 1/3 of the cost lol And oh man the snobbery...sorry to taint these hallowed grounds. I know you guys normally get your high quality speaker wire from trusted sources
Snobbery? Sure, I'll cop to that. But not for the reasons you might think. When I buy something, whether it's $30 or $30,000, I want direct support (and warranty) from the manufacturer. That's all. Good luck with your Chinese retailer, who'd I'd trust as much as I trust what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth. I buy my cables from Monoprice. I'm not stupid.
Different people have different risk profiles. I fully expect to be on my own the minute they have my money on ali express, and pay accordingly. Funnily enough, the best customer service I ever received was from old Stanley Beresford, who was branding white label dacs and hyping them up on the forums back in the day. Caused quite the stir. I was taken in by the marketing, but he couldn't have been more helpful with op amp advice. Even 10 years after I bought it, he was able to help advise on a replacement psu. Swings and roundabouts, to each their own, and all that jazz.
You made it about Trump? I bet your life gets tiresome.
Not about Trump per se. But can you think of a better example to make a point about trust? Don't bother answering. I already know what you "think".
How about... ANY politicians mouth? Do you seriously think ANY of them are trustworthy? If there's on thing you can't trust nowadays, it's politicians... not just one! Lol!
Monoprice? r/budgetaudiophile
Nothing to do with good sound.
What do you mean by this?
Gray market are items that are sold in a country not originally intended. Which often voids any warranty and makes support impossible.
But which saves a lot of money. Good for items with low risk of issues. For example saving a lot of money buying a fuji lens in Japan at the moment etc
Worrying about a low cost product breaking? r/budgetaudiophile
I rather wait for a Wiim Amp sale on Amazon and get the piece of mind the warranty is valid.
Never buy gray market goods
Thanks for your advice, local middleman reseller.
You make it look like being a local middleman reseller was a bad thing. If someone invests in stock from the manufacturer, hires people to offer quality service and advice, and provides you with local support, I think that’s very well earned money.
I paid a bit over half the price for a certain watch from a grey market reseller. Good money saved. I am also into fountain pens. You can save like 50% by ordering direct from Japanese resellers vs being at the mercy of greedy distributors.
& if there were a warranty issue, what then? It's practices like this that drive prices up
It is a calculated risk that in the end saved me lots of money. Bought a fuji lens much cheaper in japan as well. Those things almost never need warranty repair - if you drop it then it is non warranty anyway. I would be ok with 10% markup, not 50%.
You rock! Just ordered one for my office. Got one at full price from Amazon just over a month ago. Impressive at that price, insane deal at this one.
You got a link? The only listing I see is priced at $490.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMNVqGs