Bob C writes:
I love Amazon, but have found them to have a lot of issues as far as radios are concerned. It almost seems as if they (or they're affiliated sellers) end up being the dumping ground for early (or bad) runs of certain radio models. For example, because of the diminutive size and excellent performance of the PL-606 (NOT to be confused with the totally different PL-660), I have purchased a few of these radios. All from a top eBay Chinese seller. And all have performed flawlessly.
On the other hand, I've had hit and miss luck with Amazon. I've received a PL-600 with inferior performance, an RCA "Superradio III" that was sold as a GE, and a bad KA-1103. The latter two were sent back. Yes, to be fair, the majority of radios I've ordered from Amazon were as expected. However, the 'lemon' rate from them is far and away the highest of any retailer that I've bought radios from. For the Tecsun DSP models, I'll stick with either a top-rated Chinese/HK seller who tests each one before it goes out OR a premier radio dealer such as Universal Radio.
There are a lot of interesting and good quality things on amazon, but also some things with bad quality especially the ones from China
Posted by: Black Lemon | December 02, 2013 at 12:53 AM
I like Amazon a lot too----but this concerns me. Here's the thing: Why would this be confined to just radios? If Amazon is a dumping ground for defective radios, it would be logical to believe that this extends to all sorts of products---small kitchen appliances, anything electronic, dehumidifiers, you name it. That's a reason for concern because I simply can't believe there is some conspiracy to dump bad radios on Amazon customers and stop with radios.
Posted by: Angelo | December 02, 2013 at 04:38 AM
Speaking as an Amazon employee: Bear in mind that "Amazon" isn't just one retailer anymore, it's a whole lot of storefronts who sell through the site; some are rather shady, but Amazon will enforce their customer satisfaction guarantee and make it right if something goes wrong with your purchase. It's like buying anything else though, if you're trying to buy a $150 radio and someone has it for $70, there's probably something up.
All the radios I've handled on their way through the Amazon warehouse are just the usual new retail packaging, there'd be no way to tell one apart from another seller. The Etons are popular, per usual gift-giving season..
Posted by: StarHalo | December 02, 2013 at 07:05 AM
In our world of radios, I'd classify the purchase of Tecsun and Kaito radios from Amazon as coming from a somewhat shady vendor. In other words, you might get a repackaged used or defective radio. I've never had a problem buying a Sangean radio from Amazon and I've purchased many.
Posted by: Tom Welch | December 02, 2013 at 10:59 AM
To give credit where it's due, Amazon is always top notch as far as customer service is concerned and I've never had a problem returning anything. That said, I tend to think that their sellers seem to get older stock as far as radios are concerned. It may also be how they often offer these items at excellent prices.
Posted by: Bob C. | December 02, 2013 at 05:25 PM