Too Good to be True?

[Mishegoss]

Hi everyone--I recently joined ASR and have been trying to educate myself about the science of audio, after a lifetime of listening to and playing music but having zero background in electronics engineering or anything even remotely close to that field. Part of what's motivated my interest is that I've been thinking about upgrading my existing AV receiver. Among those I've considered are the most recent Pioneer Elite models (vsx-lx 305/505). Today on Amazon I noticed that the price of both has dropped by several hundred dollars. Upon further examination, I noticed that they are being sold not by Amazon itself but by a cosmetics company (!) that, per Amazon, has just launched and for which there is currently no feedback. You know the old expression, "if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is?" That immediately came to mind. Putting aside the question of whether either of these receivers is worthy of consideration on its merits, what are your thoughts about this kind of sales "opportunity"?

 

[GD Fan]

Sounds pretty dubious to me!

Edit: P.S. Welcome to ASR.

 

[AdamG]

Hi everyone--I recently joined ASR and have been trying to educate myself about the science of audio, after a lifetime of listening to and playing music but having zero background in electronics engineering or anything even remotely close to that field. Part of what's motivated my interest is that I've been thinking about upgrading my existing AV receiver. Among those I've considered are the most recent Pioneer Elite models (vsx-lx 305/505). Today on Amazon I noticed that the price of both has dropped by several hundred dollars. Upon further examination, I noticed that they are being sold not by Amazon itself but by a cosmetics company (!) that, per Amazon, has just launched and for which there is currently no feedback. You know the old expression, "if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is?" That immediately came to mind. Putting aside the question of whether either of these receivers is worthy of consideration on its merits, what are your thoughts about this kind of sales "opportunity"?

It would help if you drop a link. Then our resident sleuths will be able to dig into the details.

 

[dshreter]

Definitely a scam, don’t waste your time ordering then filing a claim for a refund. I bet they’re selling all kinds of stuff at prices that are too good to be true.

 

[Mishegoss]

It would help if you drop a link. Then our resident sleuths will be able to dig into the details.

Sorry, should have included this in my post: https://smile.amazon.com/Pioneer-VS...1-4017-a788-7a39703e35db&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi

 

[AdamG]

Sorry, should have included this in my post: https://smile.amazon.com/Pioneer-VS...1-4017-a788-7a39703e35db&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi

You can call Amazon customer service and ask them. I think you still get their A to Z guarantee. If you do purchase it use a credit card not a debit card. Many credit cards offer some form of buyer protection. It does look dubious. I looked for Refurbished or used condition but it seems to be new. If your willing to deal with a chance of a problem purchase to get the possible savings. I would call Amazon Customer Service and ask them if this is legit. If they say it is get their name for future problem resolution.

 

[Killingbeans]

Then our resident sleuths will be able to dig into the details.

I read it as "resident sloths" at first and thought: "Yep! That's me!"

 

[Prana Ferox]

It's the season for scammers on Amazon. Almost every forum I look at has people asking about obviously too good to be true deals.

Your 'seller' is named "élass Cosmetics". They don't appear to sell cosmetics. They do seem to have unusually competitive sales for... hifi audio gear, cameras, uh, kayaks, garden sheds, hmmm, airbrush compressors, concrete cylinders???

The Amazon page has an address that goes to an actual storefront in Germany. It has a website. That web page seems to actually sell cosmetics, and none of the above stuff. I'm going to bet they have no idea they now have an Amazon storefront.

The time you spent reading above is more time than you should have spent considering buying from that seller.

 

[JSmith]

Sorry, should have included this in my post: https://smile.amazon.com/Pioneer-VS...1-4017-a788-7a39703e35db&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi

Well first of all there's this;

Detailed Seller Information​

Business Name: elass Cosmetics
Business Address:
Lortzingstraße
8
Meinerzhagen
58540
DE

élass Cosmetics​

Visit the élass Cosmetics storefront
Just launched No feedback yet

Alarm bells are ringing...


JSmith

 

[AdamG]

You can call Amazon customer service and ask them. I think you still get their A to Z guarantee. If you do purchase it use a credit card not a debit card. Many credit cards offer some form of buyer protection. It does look dubious. I looked for Refurbished or used condition but it seems to be new. If your willing to deal with a chance of a problem purchase to get the possible savings. I would call Amazon Customer Service and ask them if this is legit. If they say it is get their name for future problem resolution.

Follow up slothing: They are not listed as an Authorized Elite Dealer. So another red flag.

U.S. Authorized Online Retailers - Pioneer Home USA

AUTHORIZED PIONEER & ELITE DEALERS

www.pioneerhomeusa.com

 

[Mishegoss]

Thank you, sleuths and sloths alike! You have sadly confirmed my initial reaction, although the prospect of saving tons of money made me stop long enough to at least run it by everyone here. And now, back to my audio education...

 

[amirm]

I wonder if you can Bestbuy or another retailer to match that price.

 

[Mishegoss]

I wonder if you can Bestbuy or another retailer to match that price.

Hmmm...that's an interesting idea.

 

[sam_adams]

Sorry, should have included this in my post: https://smile.amazon.com/Pioneer-VS...1-4017-a788-7a39703e35db&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi

The unsanitized link now shows a different vendor:

"Walts TV". Either a database error or subterfuge on Amazon's part.

Posting Amazon links with all the garbage after the ASN number allows Jeff Bezos to track every posting of the link. Please trim those links when posting.

 

[Mishegoss]

The unsanitized link now shows a different vendor:
View attachment 250083
"Walts TV". Either a database error or subterfuge on Amazon's part.

Posting Amazon links with all the garbage after the ASN number allows Jeff Bezos to track every posting of the link. Please trim those links when posting.

The vsx-lx505 is also now back to its normal price. No mention of the "cosmetics company" previously offering them for sale.