what's the difference between a grey market purchase and a B&W purchase

sixthsense · 12th August 2006, 15:19

Here is the latest in the Grey Market prices i could get today in B'lore :

Pioneer 4850 5700/- actual 8700/-
Pioneer 3850 5200/-

JBL GTO607 4500/- actual 6500/-
JBL GTO637 2600/- actual 3700/-

navin · 12th August 2006, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb100

I am told the distributor and retailer margins in the US and other countries almost three times that prevailing in India??.

the grey market forces official dealers to work on wafer thin margins. even some grey market operators work on small margins (compared to the risk and taxes they dodge).

now you guys know why I did not make audio a business. Dont get me wrong I saw and still see some niches where India can compete and there are a few local players who are doing quite well (relatively) but not as well as most US based companies. Richard Vandersteen (who runs a small speaker company ( for example drives a Jaguar (at least he did the last time I saw him).

low_bass_makker · 13th August 2006, 13:01

some times this happen also a very rich guy goes to buy a system he is charged 35k for a 27k stuff and the 27k is a MRP of the product on which some times a dealer gives a 5-10% discount .....

Now in this case who is the loser the buyer or the seller.......and this happens I have seen it.....

kb100 · 13th August 2006, 14:07

LBM Sir.... I am sure everyone gets cheated once in a while.... it has nothing to do with the buyers wealth or the products origin....

wolfinstein · 13th August 2006, 14:24

well, Since ICE HU are available in wide ranges, Its always recommended to choose warranty over cost..however like when I got my Sony Xplod HU it was some 4000 rupees and same with the Orignal Sony 2 Yr warranty was for 8000 + Tax..It made more sense in buying the Grey one and just incase it goes Kaput in a year I can purchase another in the same cost...So why pay the difference now..! But this would not apply If had to choose an expensive ICE setup..Def would go for B&W..!

kb100 · 13th August 2006, 14:40

I guess this still applies... for eg the Alpine 9255 is avilable for about 17k grey... but officially at 38k or so...

wolfinstein · 13th August 2006, 14:46

Yes , IMHO..Anything above Rs.10,000 should be purchased with Bill and Warranty and anything less than the amount is your choice..!

wannabelean · 14th August 2006, 07:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb100

I guess this still applies... for eg the Alpine 9255 is avilable for about 17k grey... but officially at 38k or so...

I think its the Alpine 9855 HU you're talking about

kb100 · 14th August 2006, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabelean

I think its the Alpine 9855 HU you're talking about

Oops sorry!!!. YUP YUP... It is 9855... I am so fixated with the CLARION DRZ9255 - the HX-D2!!

s0uljah · 15th August 2006, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamerno1

well, i bought my Pioneer 7650 in 2004 for 10k (grey)
haven't faced a single problem till today!

I bought it in Jan 2005 for marginally lesser....

O/T : How much would I get approx if I sold the deh7650mp ?
Just toying with the idea if 6850 is a worthwhile upgrade

low_bass_makker · 15th August 2006, 12:26

the 6850 comes for 9.5k approx and 7650 depends on the condition go to a shop and ask it u like the deal do it else keep the 7650 it is also a nice HU.....

s0uljah · 15th August 2006, 12:35

Actually the 7650 was originally bought and used in our lancer, was driving a sub etc etc... bought then my cousin put a double din and I am using the 7650 since then. It surely is a great HU.

Your right LBM, most likely i will find that im better off retaining the HU!! Here i am saving for install and why do i toy wiht idea's thats only going to increase my cost. heheh.. kb ka DB!!!!!!!!!!!

jinu_joseph · 28th August 2006, 16:06

Thought I must share this with the group regarding the difference between grey and white Pioneers. I found this when I went to install my ICE to the installer. He is the official dealer for Pioneer but said if i wanted he could get the grey version from a nearby shop. I asked him whats the difference between white and grey. This is what he had to say:

White units are assembled at Pioneer factories under strict quality control and then imported into India. Grey peices on the other hand are assembled in India in questionable conditions. They are brought into india as spareparts in parts and pieces and then the parts are put together to form the whole unit. He also said that in many cases, the assemblers replace the original lens and even some other original components with cheap Chinese ones.

This convinced me to get the white units.

jkdas · 28th August 2006, 16:13

Grey one can be smuggled products too right?

low_bass_makker · 28th August 2006, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinu_joseph

White units are assembled at Pioneer factories under strict quality control and then imported into India. Grey peices on the other hand are assembled in India in questionable conditions. They are brought into india as spareparts in parts and pieces and then the parts are put together to form the whole unit. He also said that in many cases, the assemblers replace the original lens and even some other original components with cheap Chinese ones

this is normal story told by ever shop keeper but I dont think it is true....

12th August 2006, 15:19	#46
sixthsense BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 115 Thanked: 185 Times	Here is the latest in the Grey Market prices i could get today in B'lore : Pioneer 4850 5700/- actual 8700/- Pioneer 3850 5200/- JBL GTO607 4500/- actual 6500/- JBL GTO637 2600/- actual 3700/-
	() Thanks

13th August 2006, 13:01	#48
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	some times this happen also a very rich guy goes to buy a system he is charged 35k for a 27k stuff and the 27k is a MRP of the product on which some times a dealer gives a 5-10% discount ..... Now in this case who is the loser the buyer or the seller.......and this happens I have seen it.....
	() Thanks

13th August 2006, 14:07	#49
kb100 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangy Boy! Posts: 1,555 Thanked: 21 Times	LBM Sir.... I am sure everyone gets cheated once in a while.... it has nothing to do with the buyers wealth or the products origin....
	() Thanks

13th August 2006, 14:24	#50
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	well, Since ICE HU are available in wide ranges, Its always recommended to choose warranty over cost..however like when I got my Sony Xplod HU it was some 4000 rupees and same with the Orignal Sony 2 Yr warranty was for 8000 + Tax..It made more sense in buying the Grey one and just incase it goes Kaput in a year I can purchase another in the same cost...So why pay the difference now..! But this would not apply If had to choose an expensive ICE setup..Def would go for B&W..! Last edited by wolfinstein : 13th August 2006 at 14:43.
	() Thanks

13th August 2006, 14:40	#51
kb100 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangy Boy! Posts: 1,555 Thanked: 21 Times	I guess this still applies... for eg the Alpine 9255 is avilable for about 17k grey... but officially at 38k or so...
	() Thanks

13th August 2006, 14:46	#52
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	Yes , IMHO..Anything above Rs.10,000 should be purchased with Bill and Warranty and anything less than the amount is your choice..!
	() Thanks

15th August 2006, 12:26	#56
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	the 6850 comes for 9.5k approx and 7650 depends on the condition go to a shop and ask it u like the deal do it else keep the 7650 it is also a nice HU.....
	() Thanks

15th August 2006, 12:35	#57
s0uljah Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 2,222 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	Actually the 7650 was originally bought and used in our lancer, was driving a sub etc etc... bought then my cousin put a double din and I am using the 7650 since then. It surely is a great HU. Your right LBM, most likely i will find that im better off retaining the HU!! Here i am saving for install and why do i toy wiht idea's thats only going to increase my cost. heheh.. kb ka DB!!!!!!!!!!!
	() Thanks

28th August 2006, 16:06	#58
jinu_joseph BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 421 Thanked: 188 Times	Thought I must share this with the group regarding the difference between grey and white Pioneers. I found this when I went to install my ICE to the installer. He is the official dealer for Pioneer but said if i wanted he could get the grey version from a nearby shop. I asked him whats the difference between white and grey. This is what he had to say: White units are assembled at Pioneer factories under strict quality control and then imported into India. Grey peices on the other hand are assembled in India in questionable conditions. They are brought into india as spareparts in parts and pieces and then the parts are put together to form the whole unit. He also said that in many cases, the assemblers replace the original lens and even some other original components with cheap Chinese ones. This convinced me to get the white units.
	() Thanks

28th August 2006, 16:13	#59
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Grey one can be smuggled products too right?
	() Thanks