How safely can I buy a "demo" floor unit synth ? (

[yul]

Hi,

I am thinking of picking up an Alesis Ion at the local shop but the only one they have is the floor unit and he is letting it go for 1000$ canadian which isnt bad.(I think)

I dont feel like waiting another month for this so I wonder if this is safe or I should skip and wait.

Dont feel like ordering from the mail because I dont want it to be beat when it comes in.

I guess I am still covered by the full warranty ?

Thanks

[TechnoWeeniePas]

That seems to be about normal mail-order price here in the states (once you convert the currency)...its about $980 canadian or $800 US here. So I dont think I would pay that for a demo unit. You have to think that those demo units have been poked at by tons of people and left on for long hours...both putting wear on mechanical buttons, knobs, and keys, as well as putting life on LCD screens. I think I would want a more significant price drop to purchase a demo myself.

[sluggo]

Yul, I just looked into some Toronto buy and sell online ads (www.buysellzone.com). Someone is selling a used Ion for $750. That's probably a better deal than a floor unit (possibly less abuse and definitely cheaper).

http://www.buysellzone.com/search/s.asp ... m=s&s=1195

[BONES]

You guys are so lucky. ION has an RRP of A$2195 out here and the cheapest I have seen is A$1500, which is US$1155 and a really big discount [normally I would expect to pay 75-80% of RRP]. And over here you almost invariably are getting the floor stock as very few retailers hold more than one and getting one shipped can take weeks.

Of course, the floor stock will still be sold as a brand new instrument with full warranty whereas most warranties are only valid for the first owner.

[shamann]

Yul, I just looked into some Toronto buy and sell online ads (www.buysellzone.com). Someone is selling a used Ion for $750. That's probably a better deal than a floor unit (possibly less abuse and definitely cheaper).

http://www.buysellzone.com/search/s.asp ... m=s&s=1195

I'd be wary of that ad. The phone number is a fake, and the email address is a hotmail account. Could be legit, but be cautious.

[shamann]

About the floor model, is it in good condition? And can you try talking him down in price?

[yul]

Yul, I just looked into some Toronto buy and sell online ads (www.buysellzone.com). Someone is selling a used Ion for $750. That's probably a better deal than a floor unit (possibly less abuse and definitely cheaper).

http://www.buysellzone.com/search/s.asp ... m=s&s=1195

Thanks mate but theres no chance I'll buy something like this from an individual over the web unless its ebay...even then it might just be in pieces when it gets home.

[yul]

About the floor model, is it in good condition? And can you try talking him down in price?

Actually, the price is 1300$ but I told hiom it was cheaper over the net so he said 1000$ was OK. It seems to be in very good condition.

[bk]

The advantage to buying this unit is that you know the initial bugs are already worked out or non-existent.

The number of brand new keyboards(and other gear for that matter), bad out of the box, that I've seen would probably shock you.

Once it makes it past the unboxing and gets used for a few hours you can be assured that it should be relatively trouble-free from then on, as long as it hasn't been treated too roughly.

Make sure all mechanical parts(keys, buttons, switches, pitch wheel, mod wheel, etc) are functioning correctly, then jump in with both feet if you feel it's a good deal.

[shamann]

You can get it brand new for $1300 at Song Bird Music in Ottawa. I just had a shipment in from the US that arrived in fine condition. I think with Canada Post, insurance is very cheap.