Byuing Rega RP3 in online store.

[hybridauth_Facebook_10207320540481266]

Hi,

First of all this is my first post on this forum, I may not be aware about all the rules here so please be forgiving.

I'm interested in buying Rega RP3 turntable as a result of a long research. I leave in Cambridge, where I have two audio shops: saven oaks and richer sounds - none of which is offering Rega RP3.

I thought, I will just google it, go to shopping tab, find an online shop with a good reputation, pay with card and get my turntable delivered. Unfortunately all shops that google can find in UK indicate that Rega RP3 is 'click and collect' only.

Now I'm trying to understand why... Is it because the turntable is extremely fragile? Then, I would expect that delivery company who does its job everyday will deliver it better than me. I don't have a car and the closest shop offering the turntable is located in London - I can't imagine myself riding in the tube with the turntable on my laps. Is it because this need some tuning? I feel competent enough to do it myself at home. There is one shop explaining that they should visit my place to fit it. What if I don't want to do this - I just want to get my turntable delivered to my home in a good shape and I'm capable of tuning it myself. Besides, I guess such a visit is not free but I don't know how expensive this can be...

So in conclusion - am I crazy/inexperienced, or I'm missing something? What's the mystery behind not being able to by this turntable in a civilized way?

 

[jamesrfisher]

Try analogueseduction.net

there will be others.

look on eBay, a few reputable dealers sell on there

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10207320540481266]

From analogueseduction.net website (http://www.analogueseduction.net/rega-turntables/rega-rp3-turntable.html):

• Please Note: This product is not available for online purchase. Available in-store only or contact us to order.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10207320540481266]

If you take a look at ebay, there is nothing:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000&_nkw=rega%20rp3&LH_PrefLoc=99&_dcat=48647&rt=nc&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=100&_udhi&_pgn=1&_sadis=200&_stpos=CB1%209YR&_fspt=1

The only option is to buy refurbished item:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rega-RP3-Turntables-in-WHITE-Silver-and-Dark-Grey-/161795968440?hash=item25abca8db8

 

[michael hoy]

Some manufacturers place restrictions on their resellers with certain products, there are quite a few products that cannot be purchased online.

 

[ifor]

Have you asked Sevenoaks whether they would get one in for you?

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10207320540481266]

Hi ifor,

No, not yet as it's Sunday and they are closed now but yes, I'm planning to do this since they have Rega RP1 in their offer.

 

[jjbomber]

Hi,

Now I'm trying to understand why... Is it because the turntable is extremely fragile? Then, I would expect that delivery company who does its job everyday will deliver it better than me...

Given that a delivery company delivers the turntables to the hi-fi shops, it isn't that. In a simple world somebody on the forum could buy one and post it to you.

 

[nopiano]

I think it is simply a manufacturer keen that you get the performance you are paying for. Many folks haven't a clue about setting up even a simple tt like the Rega. If you stick around here you will see some don't even know what to plug one into!

You could find a used one, or take trip to a neighbouring county?!

 

[stevebrock]

Think it's more to do that they like to sell you it via a demo in a shop ???

Rega do not advertise, preferring to sell on word and mouth ?

RP3 best deck for that money IMO

 

[ifor]

Word of mouth?

 

[stevebrock]

User experience, forums etc

 

[dtmark]

Are you experienced with fitting and aligning the cartridge yourself? If not, it's going to involve a trip to a hi-fi shop anyway to get one sorted. The Elys one that comes with the all inclusive package is really very poor indeed and is best avoided.

One option might be to get your nearest hi-fi place to get the turntable and a cartridge for you, fit and test it, and then have it couriered to you.

 

[stevebrock]

I wouldn't say the Elys2 is poor but money would be better spent on the best Nagaoka you could afford.

Call gary at analogue seduction, they will fit whatever cartridge you want, go and collect it and all you will have to do is balance the arm. EASY

 

[daytona600]

1 Xpression Carbon Turntable works straight out the box and sounds excellent

 

[Al ears]

1 Xpression Carbon Turntable works straight out the box and sounds excellent

Jolly good to hear, but the OP wants an RP3.

 

[bigfish786]

http://www.moorgateacoustics.co.uk/store/special-offers-1/rega-rp3-turntable.html

Are selling the rp3 slight seconds, and you can order online, aaaand you can chose your cart, or buy without.

Decent price too. I'd go for the rp6 myself.

http://www.moorgateacoustics.co.uk/store/special-offers-1/rega-rp3-turntable.html

 

[jjbomber]

Hi,

I'm interested in buying Rega RP3 turntable.

Unfortunately all shops that google can find in UK indicate that Rega RP3 is 'click and collect' only.

Now I'm trying to understand why...

As I was in town I popped into my local hi-fi shop to ask. Apparently Rega don't allow it to stop people shopping around and getting a discount. However, the 'no delivery' is not cast in stone, so the shops are able to post them out if people cannot get to a retailler. As this is your case, you can get delivery but you need to explain to the retailler why you can't call in person.

 

[chebby]

As I was in town I popped into my local hi-fi shop to ask. Apparently Rega don't allow it to stop people shopping around and getting a discount.

Is that 'Retail (or Resale) Price Maintenance'?

 

[jjbomber]

Is that 'Retail (or Resale) Price Maintenance'?

You're too kind; it's blatent price fixing.

 

[matthewpiano]

Rega don't allow online selling because they want customers to have a proper buying experience with the opportunity to audition the equipment and discuss set-up and needs with a specialist dealer. Those standards can't be maintained when products are sold all over the place online. It is also the opposite of price fixing, as it is when you have direct contact with a dealer rather than putting a product into a virtual basket that you have the best chance of negotiating a deal. The 'no online sales' set-up is hardly unusual in the hi-fi world. B&W speakers, MA speakers from Silver range upwards, Naim, Linn, and KEF from R-series upwards are just some of the other brands who also do this.

As others have said, if you phone a Rega dealer and explain that you don't have one in your area, they are highly unlikely to turn your business away. I've continued buying my Rega stuff from the dealer I have a long relationship with despite the fact that I moved to a different region at the end of last year, and it has worked out well, so there is some flexibility there in the right circumstances.

 

[paul darwin]

Thanks Matthew that is absolutely correct, we want our potential customers to have a professional demonstration with professional advice and a professional installation if required all provided by a fully trained Rega franchised dealer.

We do allow spare parts and various plug and play smaller items to be sold online and the RP1 turntable which in itself is plug and play.

Other items such as turntables above the RP1 require a dealer set up and it would therefore be inappropriate for them to be distance sold.

We do, however, allow some end of line, discontinued, second hand and seconds products to be sold on line with the caveat that any set up is provided by the dealer prior to dispatch. These items are by definition discounted and the same high levels of customer service provided by our dealers cannot therefore be expected if you happen to live geographically distant from the selling dealer.

Paul Darwin

Rega Research

 

[Cass]

I am after a Rega Brio amp and had problems finding a dealer who would allow me to buy online, presumably for the reasons stated by Matthew and Paul. Luckily I found one in the end - I won't say who in case they get into trouble!

I can't get to a dealer as I'm in Tier 4. My NAD C326BEE has just packed up and I can't face a music-free Christmas, so needed to act quickly.

I get the logic when it comes to something needing expert set-up like a TT, but it seems unnecessary for a budget-ish amp like the Brio.