I was given word that the Rockford Fosgate amps you find in Best Buy are not the same you would find in a regular car audio retailer, despite no apparent difference. I was told Rockford has different production lines & distributors, which go out to different locations. Does anyone know if this is true, or just some stupid urban legend? If it is true, anyone know what the difference in the lines of amps are? Thanx.
This is not the same as what you re referring to but I know that there are companies that sell the same brand name items but one is a higher quality item than the other. For instance, the Makita power tools.... you can find the cheap versions at Sears, Candian Tire or Zellers and you can pay about $ 100.00 for a drill at any one of these places. If you go to an actual hardware store or Home Depot , the same drill is about $ 300.00 !! WHY.... I was told that the internal parts are higher in quality and more durable. The 100.00 drill has plastic gears but the $ 300 drill has steel gears that won't wear as easily. I can see if this practice is done for car audio because you do see alot of people selling very cheap equipment everywhere now a days.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
For any product that may seem to fit this scenario, take a VERY close look at the model number on the packaging before you buy it. They can't legally sell a downgraded "lookalike" of a product with the same model name, number, and packaging.
Often the model number will be something like "4008-HHB" versus the real thing with a "4008-HB", so look carefully. Home Depot is famous for this. They get the tool companies to produce cheaper versions of their well-known tools so uneducated consumers think they're getting a great deal.
"Oh, the hardware store is ripping me off - I can buy the same drill for $50 less at Home Depot". Not true at all. Home Depot is the one ripping you off.
Keep a sharp eye. Be a good consumer and support your local, independently owned businesses, like hardware stores and the stereo shop in town. Big chains don't give a damn about customer service or repeat sales, and their profits don't stay local either.
OK, I'll climb down off my soapbox now.
Dave
CT Mobile Media
Thanx a lot guys, I'll keep a closer eye out from now on.
The amps at samller retailers compared to Best Buy are the same amps. The only difference is the color on the model tags (last years model). Smaller retailers had silver, while BBY had gold. If people tell you they are lower qualtiy then they're wrong. RF apparently purchased another DSM machine (@1mil a pop) to accomidate the load for BBY. BBY do not carry the BD classes or anything like that though.
Hope this clears up some rumors.
D