Onkyo TX-SR605-Buyer Beware?

[Andy D]

Hello-just posting a warning to any potential Onkyo TX-SR605 buyers out there.

Be careful & thoroughly inspect the fascia, as mysteriously on my amplifier, the Radio Text/PTY/TP button has been replaced with a "Dimmer" button with (you've guessed it) Dimmer-only functionality.

After reading the manual, it would indicate the substitution of the button and the RDS Functionality (including station name info) is down to my specific amp being the US Model.

However, the manual also says if it is the US Model, it shouldn't have the "Pure Audio" feature, which mine does!

I must admit, it's taken a while between delivery from the online retailer and setting up/using the amp due to my recent house move (it was a new house treat).

I asked the online retailer if there was a workaround (and got the predictable reply), together with confirmation that "the item has now been in your possesion for a month, and the returns/replacement period has now expired. Had this been brought to our attention earlier we may of been able to assist you".

I've e-mailed Onkyo & I'm waiting on a reply, but I can't help feeling I've been short changed.....

Has anyone else heard of this?

Andy D

 

[Andrew Everard]

New one on us - would suspect the model you have is maybe not a US or European/British model, but what some manufacturers call a 'worldwide' model. It's another reason for caveat emptor when buying online, I guess - make sure the retailer is willing to give you a written assurance that what you're getting is a UK supplied model, unless you're prepared to take a risk on the exact specification.

Also, inspect the product as soon as you receive it, to make sure it's what you were expecting.

Before buying, some online research by downloading instruction manuals will often reveal the presence of multiple versions of the same product, and enable you to ask the reight questions of the retailer.

Care to name and shame the online retailer, and tell us how much you paid for it?

 

[Andy D]

Thanks for your advice Andrew.

The online retailer was PurelyGadgets.co.uk (based in London Docklands), and what annoys is they're still offering the amp with the description in the features list as "40 FM/AM presets with RDS".

Could their description on their website be termed misrepresentation?

http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/prodinfo2.php?prodid=7680&start=1&keyword=onkyo&catsel=all

When I bought the amp from them, the total price was £377.95 including delivery, so I suppose the lack of the RDS feature is basically worth £21.05.

I'd be more annoyed if I'd paid their current web price of £394.45 inc.Del. to get this amp without the RDS, but I wonder how many people would pay a carrier to send it back (or just put up with it).....

I suppose if you listen to the FM tuner, buyer beware PurelyGadgets.co.uk

Andy D

 

[Andrew Everard]

Thanks for the heads-up, and if this retailer is advertising the product as having RDS and it hasn't, I think you have a pretty strong case for asking for your money back.

 

[JoelSim]

That is misrepresentation and you should threaten them with legal action. Take a screen grab of their website before you speak to them though.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="JoelSim"]That is misrepresentation and you should threaten them with legal action. Take a screen grab of their website before you speak to them though.[/quote]

Rather than threaten things you might not want to carry through, first of all point out to the company the fact that item description misrepresented the item you bought and that you would like a refund. If that does not work (and many online sellers do try to hide behind the Distance Selling Act in these cases) then contact your local Trading Standards Office. They sorted out a similar problem for me some years ago with a mis-described router from an online seller.

 

[Andy D]

Thanks for the advice everyone.....it's much appreciated.

I've looked into the source region for this batch of Onkyos. Purelygadgets also have "bling" gold versions of most of the current range on their website. Apparently these are available in the Asia/Oceania, Japanese & Chinese regions only, which would also suggest if they're knocking these gold ones out, thats where my Silver one's come from too (weblink below if you want to see the gold one, but it ain't pretty!)http://www.intl.onkyo.com/products/av_components/av_receivers/tx-sr605/index.html

Currently in the process of composing shirty letter & will keep posted on further developments as & when they happen!

Andy D

 

[Anonymous]

Also if the website has changed you may be able to grab an old copy off one of the web-archive sites.

And this wouldn't be expensive legal action - it would be a small claims court issue that would cost you peanuts and quite possibly them more time that it would be worth their bother. It should still be a last resort however if only to show in court that you'd tried to avoid the case and shown good faith etc.

IANAL!!!!!!!!!