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Well I hope everybody is fat, happy and nappy after all that yard bird and dressing, but just think we have to do it all over again this month. This has been an exciting month as I strolled around from local car audio shop to shop I am excited to see some vehicles being built that next year will set the show circuit on fire. I went to a friends shop to see a 3-time USAC, IASCA world champion car in pieces getting totally rebuilt from the wire up. I think next year will truly be a great year. Well this month I want to talk about something that has become a big problem in the car audio industry "Mail Order Fraud". It seem that at an alarming rate more and more online car audio companies are popping up all over the Internet. I'm seeing more and more customers buy products at to cheap to believe prices on the net only to get ripped off. I have a customer that ordered an amp 6 months ago and has yet to see his money or his amp. I'm not saying that all mail order or online car audio companies are bad, but before you go typing in your credit card number to a company you have never heard of, here are some things to remember and to know.1) It is against most major manufactures police for any company to sell their items on the net. Companies have territory restrictions to protect their local dealers. So if you see name brand car audio being sold on the net beware.2) If and when your new purchase goes on the blink you are going to have to pay shipping and handling to send it back to them for repair. If you purchase locally all you have to do is let the local dealer take care of it for you.
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3) Is the company reputable? If you have never heard of them before they might not even exist. You could be sending you hard earned ducks to somebody that has no intention of ever sending you anything. Ask for a physical address and phone number before you order anything.4) Ask around. See if anyone else has had any problems with this company. By asking around you might find a horror story or two. It's nothing for someone to change the name of a website after they have ripped thousands of people off. It's sad but most people once they get ripped off never report it to anyone and these crooks just keep going.5) If they sell major products then the manufacture will have them listed as an authorized dealer. Check the manufactures website or call them and see if this dealer is legit.6) If you buy something from an unauthorized dealer you will not be able to get it fixed under warranty thought the manufacture if something goes on the blink. I know that there are good and bad companies ever were you go. Just be careful. Money doesn't grow on trees. Hey if you just want to give some money away I can give you my address and you can send it to me. My truck could always use it. Until next time don't eat too much and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Ben HusserSSM: LaynbdyE-mail: Laynbdy247@aol.com
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