Sorry, I just checked XS Cargo's stock in BC and the entire province is out of stock. So disregard my previous post.

That's a very confusing statement considering where you work. We've all seen the nightmares of e-Bay, customs charges, "extra" charges, UPS, DOA policies. Why would you subject the masses to those issues when they can support local busnesses, like yours and mine. The "price" is not always what it seems online. Even FS has some BS when it comes to buying something off of their shelves. (products around cost, but don't have any in stock)

I'm all about fair pricing, but I still need to pay my bills. Selling things below cost won't cut it for me, so I offer other things, like over the counter warranty, real customer service, follow up after the sale...

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RETAILER, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY!



Sorry for hi-jacking your thread maltesechicken. You did well at XS, my buddy bought the rest of those components out here from them for a steal of a deal!

im sorry that you were unable to spot the obvious sarcasm in my post jordy, i will clear it up for you......i never have, i never will ever support the purchasing of car audio from online retailers.......lets try to keep this thread on track......i suggest that he go to his local retailer as this is a great time of year to purchase car audio as many models are changing and retailers will be anxious to move old models at great sale prices....i would suggest having them installed professionsally because with cold weather its easy to crack a panel if your inexperienced at removing them......the cost to repair or replace a panel that is broken can far exceed the cost of having them installed professionally by someone with experience......im sure there are lots of retailers in your area that would be more than happy to help you out as you will likely be doing them a favor in helping them move through some old inventory....bring some music your familiar with, listen and buy the ones that sound best to you......good luck

I got the sarcasm Dave... guess you didn't catch mine in return. ;)

Oddly enough.. your follow up post is actually filled with great info that people should be aware of (how to work with retailers, why they may want to have a pro install for them and about bringing their own music to listen to)

People overlook the benefits like this when buying online. They see the price as being the bottom line when there's a lot more to the equation especially when they're making such a large purchase and something like speaker selection is really such a personal thing.

Reasons Not To Buy Online
NO WARRANTY – Products purchased online do not have a warranty in Canada. Canadian warranties are often longer than in other countries.
NO REFUND – Buyer is stuck with product whether they like it or not
NO EXCHANGE – If the product is defective or not what you thought, consumer pays freight and insurance and other possible expenses BOTH WAYS.
HIGH SHIPPING COSTS – Shipping and handling costs can add up to more than the product. Shipping costs are an additional form of revenue for the Etailer!
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES – What rate are you paying?
TARIFFS, DUTY AND SALES TAXES – These items are not included in freight costs.
FRAUD – Identity theft and credit card fraud is the fastest growing crime in the world. Why would you give a credit card to someone you have never met with an unknown location?
EXTENDED CREDIT CARD USE – Online retailers retain the right to continue billing you for any unforeseen charges. Consumers regularly report unexpected billing for tariffs, duty and taxes for up to one month after the product has been received.
SHIPPING DAMAGE – Electronic goods are usually fragile and need to be handled with extreme care. If goods are damaged, consumer pays both ways and has hassles with insurance from carrier.
NO TECH SUPPORT – Products from other countries do not qualify for technical support. Long distance charges would apply to support from country of origin if available at all.
CONDITION OF ITEM – Is the product new, refurbished, or previously enjoyed? Does it include all harnesses etc? There are no international laws that dictate truth in advertising.
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE – No guidance regarding fit, modules, harnesses, adapters or any other expertise regarding proper installation is provided.
NO INSTALLATION DISCOUNT – Retailers with storefronts offer better installation labour rates to consumers who purchase from them.
It is not in the consumer’s best interest to purchase on-line when competitive pricing already exists from authorized Canadian dealers who offer the consumer protection on their purchase in the form of Canadian warranty, Canadian customer service and Canadian professional installation services

as much as i dont support online retailing i have to agree with some of what this guy said^^^^^^

well not exactly:

WARRANTY- virtually all online purchases have some type of warranty from the store. It might not be the manufacturer's warranty, but it is a warranty. Some of the warranties are even better than the factory's! Fact is, many products like car audio electronics have no warranty if you install it yourself in Canada...Alpine for example.

REFUND- virtually all online stores have a full refund policy similar to a stores, yes you have to ship it back, and pay for the shipping, but there is a refund process in place. My ex- wife, sister, GF, mom, sister -in -law etc..all shop online at Macy's, Victoria's Secret, and God knows where else...they're very happy with their service.

SHIPPING COST(S)- Again depends on the shopper's ability to seek out deals, many of the e-tailers have specials and deals that include free shipping, discount shipping, cheaper rates for longer services etc..

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES- If you can't do grade 9 math, you have no business shopping online! This includes being able to calculate duties, taxes, shipping etc...

CREDIT CARD ISSUES- The only fraud I've ever had has been at a local retailer!

TECH SUPPORT, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, INSTALL DISCOUNT- Don't need/or want any of them..I can read the manual better than most, I've been installing for 25 years, and I've got a good handle on things electrical/electronic, and audio video related.

CONDITION OF GOODS- Deal with reputable e-tailers, insure your goods,and use Paypal etc.. there are procedures if you have a problem as with any other product.

REASONS TO SHOP ONLINE:

PRICE- this is probably the most popular reason, particularly when you can get the same product delivered to your door overnight for half the price.

SALESPERSONS- Possibly the second biggest reason...maybe first, no jackass of a salesperson to deal with. You don't have to endure their constant berating of you because you don't like their brands. The,"why would you buy that...they suck...I wouldn't use that to throw at my enemies...this is the best...this is what you need!"

SELECTION- All those other lines, and models that you never find locally...you can get online at cheap prices. Try that with the Jerk salesperson...they never have it, can not get it, or can get it at full msrp...and it will take a week or two.

THE MARKET DICTATES WHO WILL WIN IN THE END...IF CONSUMERS FEEL THAT THE VALUE THAT THEY GET ONLINE IS WORTH THE PRICE THEY PAY...THEN THEY WILL SHOP THERE.

NOW THAT I'VE SAID THAT...I ALWAYS SHOP LOCALLY FIRST...IF IT'S WORTH IT(AFTER I DO ALL THAT GRADE 9 MATH), AND THEY HAVE THE PRODUCT OR CAN GET IT AT A GOOD PRICE, AND THE SALESPERSON IS AGREEABLE... I'LL BUY IT HERE. YES, THERE ARE A FEW DECENT RETAILERS, IF YOU FIND ONE, STICK WITH THEM AND GIVE THEM WHATEVER BUSINESS YOU CAN. ULTIMATELY THOUGH, IT'S NOT MY JOB TO LOOK OUT FOR HIS BUSINESS...JUST MY OWN POCKET BOOK. IF HE CAN'T COMPETE, JUST LIKE IN MY BUSINESS, HE'S OUT(AND ME FOR THAT MATTER TOO).

All of you Gentlemen are all obviously way smarter than the literally 1000's of consumers who clog the tech support lines of Canadian Suppliers. We are constantly asked for missing parts, harnesses, manuals and the like. We are asked for firmware updates and install questions. We hear stories of people be charged after the fact ($100's) and horror stories galore. The sad thing is that we didn't make a cent on any of this product and cannot help them. Taxes and duties are going to be charged very soon by legislation. Technology is rapidly changing and one day you will probably need advice as well.
Consumers are getting shafted in droves because they do not have the knowledge that you guys do. In the end I know you will be fine...it is the other 99% that needs a hand.
If that 99% doesn't get that support... what then?

^^then they will choose to shop locally and a new trend will start...maybe they'll call it "onfoot" shopping. Just as many have had it with local stores, price gouging, poor service, etc.. and have gone to online shopping...maybe eventually, as most things are cyclical, a new era of customer service, and value will create "onfoot" shopping!