Okay I hate the fact that I have to buy Rotel from a Rotel dealer in my area. Here's the prime example of why.
Research
I went into a Home Theater Store to discuss replacing my Pioneer Elite 55TXi and my Integra Research DTR-7.1 Receivers. I spoke to a salesman about the Rotel gear. I've always liked it however I found it pricey and bare bones. After doing a bit of research I decided to look at the RSX-1057. When speaking to the salesman he indicated that I could do a couple things that I liked.
Misinformation
The first was that he stated that the 1057 was the only piece that Rotel had that allowed HDMI and component video inputs as well as outputs. He also told me that it did upsampling however it did not do upscaling. I thought that would be great to run one wire from my receiver to the projector.
The second was that he stated that although the receiver is a 7.1 processor receiver it only had 5 channels built in. He said no problem that if I wanted to upgrade to the 7.1 system all I would have to buy would be a RB-1080 and I could use that 2x200 watt to power my fronts and then reassign the other amps to power the last 2 speakers.
Quality Control Issues
Well I bought the receiver and brought it home. I liked it although it was a bit lacking in features compared to the new Elite models and Denon models. However, I liked the look a lot.
First problem I had was the remote kept freezing up on me and the LCD would go blank. I called the salesman and he said he'd contact Rotel and get me a replacement.
Second problem I had was that I noticed that the HDMI output was VERY loose compared to the two HDMI inputs on the unit. I called the salesman and he stated that he would contact Rotel to find out if that is normal. He was out and stated that he would do that as soon as he got back however the day he was planning on contacting Rotel was the 8th day that I owned it and that I wouldn't be able to return or exchange it since they only have a 7 day return policy.
Exchange and more misinformation
Well I took it in on the 6th day and they exchanged it out no problem. However while I was there I was speaking to them about a couple of items.
First I spoke to them about buying a new amp. Possibly a new RB-1080. After speaking to the manager I found out that even if I bough the amp, I could not reassign the rest of the power supplies so I'd only have a 2x200 +3x75 watt receiver. That greatly pissed me off.
Second I spoke to the salesman about buying the new RLC-1040 and he said that the only one worth buying would be the RLC-1080. I stated that I didn't feel like spending $1500 and that the only differences I knew between the two was that one had battery backup and one didn't. That they both did Auto Voltage Regulating. He stated no. He also told me that Panamax was much better than the APCC brand and that the Rotel wasn't any good. He said that I would do much better buying a $800 Richard Gray power brick.
Dilemma
So after this saga, I feel like I got duped. The reason for non-online sales and for regional dealers is to control that quality and the higher level of information for the buyer. However, I've been told too many things I don't know what to believe anymore. After all of these I only got a 10% discount and a bad taste in my mouth about trusting the dealer. I would continue to buy from them if they gave me more of a discount and I would do my OWN research. What's the normal discount for these types of products?
What do I do? They are the ONLY dealer in the area.
Research
I went into a Home Theater Store to discuss replacing my Pioneer Elite 55TXi and my Integra Research DTR-7.1 Receivers. I spoke to a salesman about the Rotel gear. I've always liked it however I found it pricey and bare bones. After doing a bit of research I decided to look at the RSX-1057. When speaking to the salesman he indicated that I could do a couple things that I liked.
Misinformation
The first was that he stated that the 1057 was the only piece that Rotel had that allowed HDMI and component video inputs as well as outputs. He also told me that it did upsampling however it did not do upscaling. I thought that would be great to run one wire from my receiver to the projector.
The second was that he stated that although the receiver is a 7.1 processor receiver it only had 5 channels built in. He said no problem that if I wanted to upgrade to the 7.1 system all I would have to buy would be a RB-1080 and I could use that 2x200 watt to power my fronts and then reassign the other amps to power the last 2 speakers.
Quality Control Issues
Well I bought the receiver and brought it home. I liked it although it was a bit lacking in features compared to the new Elite models and Denon models. However, I liked the look a lot.
First problem I had was the remote kept freezing up on me and the LCD would go blank. I called the salesman and he said he'd contact Rotel and get me a replacement.
Second problem I had was that I noticed that the HDMI output was VERY loose compared to the two HDMI inputs on the unit. I called the salesman and he stated that he would contact Rotel to find out if that is normal. He was out and stated that he would do that as soon as he got back however the day he was planning on contacting Rotel was the 8th day that I owned it and that I wouldn't be able to return or exchange it since they only have a 7 day return policy.
Exchange and more misinformation
Well I took it in on the 6th day and they exchanged it out no problem. However while I was there I was speaking to them about a couple of items.
First I spoke to them about buying a new amp. Possibly a new RB-1080. After speaking to the manager I found out that even if I bough the amp, I could not reassign the rest of the power supplies so I'd only have a 2x200 +3x75 watt receiver. That greatly pissed me off.
Second I spoke to the salesman about buying the new RLC-1040 and he said that the only one worth buying would be the RLC-1080. I stated that I didn't feel like spending $1500 and that the only differences I knew between the two was that one had battery backup and one didn't. That they both did Auto Voltage Regulating. He stated no. He also told me that Panamax was much better than the APCC brand and that the Rotel wasn't any good. He said that I would do much better buying a $800 Richard Gray power brick.
Dilemma
So after this saga, I feel like I got duped. The reason for non-online sales and for regional dealers is to control that quality and the higher level of information for the buyer. However, I've been told too many things I don't know what to believe anymore. After all of these I only got a 10% discount and a bad taste in my mouth about trusting the dealer. I would continue to buy from them if they gave me more of a discount and I would do my OWN research. What's the normal discount for these types of products?
What do I do? They are the ONLY dealer in the area.
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