Posted by Gary on January 02, 2001 at 23:04:25:
In Reply to: Buying a TRV20 - - - (DVM90 for sale) posted by Puemekaw on January 02, 2001 at 09:16:27:
I shopped extensively for a TRV20 and was attracted by the low prices online ($1275 shipped) and by EBay with similar prices. However, talking with local salesman I found out that many of the online sellers are so-called gray market and may sell TRV20 with serial numbers not authorized for the USA. Sony may not honor warranty work on these models and repair shops may refuse to work on them.
I looked at the Sony web site and found the list of Sony Internet Authorized Dealers. None of the online sellers with the lowest prices are Sony authorized. However, 2 Sony authorized dealers list the full price online with the comment to call for their real price; B&H photo and J&R computer in New York City were about $100 higher than the unauthorized online dealers. B&H photo had the lowest price I had seen on a long-life Sony battery and on a video light. Further, an extended 4 year warranty was $150, again the lowest I had seen. I felt that I saved a bundle and have the protection of the Sony warranty without any worry about unauthorized models, etc. Since that purchase I have seen repeated consumer complaints about that dealer with the online $1275 shipped price.
Buyer beware.
Gary