Quote Originally Posted by PaBowHunter340 View Post
So now I battle with the retailer who I now found out is NOT an authorized Yamaha dealer thus voiding any warranty. Even though the ad stated otherwise. I have been duped and I am a fool.
Make sure you pass along the name of said retailer to any and all consumer watchdog groups and BBB. Also, depending on where this retailer conducts business you may yet have recourse through local, state, etc., consumer protection agencies. Clearly they sold you a defective product. Unless your receipt is stamped "All Sales Final: No Returns" you may yet be able to recover your money or get an exchange. Even with an "all sales final" receipt, your credit card company (or Googlepay, or Paypal) may be able to intervene as well. Heck, I'd probably even go as far as contacting my local news depending on the dollar amount, since some of the Bay Area networks all have a consumer advocacy segment aimed at shining the brightest light on these shady retailers.Sometimes you have to shame businesses into doing right by you. Research your options. Even if it's nothing more than a little internet justice, it's worth it.


This now leads me to a new but somewhat exciting problem. What should I buy to replace my mistake? I really need some ideas. I mostly use the unit for Home Theatre movie watching, but I do listen to the occasional classic rock station. Denon? Onkyo? Marantz? Harmon Kardon? I know earlier I said I'd like to stay under $1,200.00, but I've decided I'd like to stay under $800.00. Thanks again.......
What really sucks about all of this is that the retailer ruined the chances of you ever buying a Yamaha product ever again. While I haven't owned Yammie in years, some of their recent crop of AVRs have earned solid reviews for their performance.

I won't tell you what to buy. I will tell you to research and expand your knowledge base and read equipment reviews. Whether it's whathifi.com, dolby.com, stereophile.com, avsforum.com, audioreview.com, or simply hopping into your car and driving to your nearest audiophile boutique to audition gear in person and pick the local guru's brain, there are countless ways to go about making an informed decision. And trust me, if you're anything like the rest of us, once you truly delve in, you'll be glad that you did.

Don't be discouraged by your budget. For $800 you can still get everything that you need in an AVR. Ordinarily, I'd suggest used gear or equipment that has been renewed by the manufacturer to original specifications, but having been burned once, I don't expect you to take any chances this time around. You need to hit a home run here, so I'll leave that discussion for another day.

If you choose to buy from the internet again, be sure to go to the manufacturer's website first to confirm the authorized sellers list. There is only one aspect of your relationship to an internet retailer that you can absolutely trust: the part where your money leaves your wallet once you click "Pay Now." Safeguard yourself.