Sony denies Internet Sales?

tw · 05-16-2002, 12:38 AM

Been looking at some small, portable SW receievers. Sony has one (ICF-SW7600GR) that is 'out of stock' everywhere - an upgraded design that has been very successful. However one site (J & R Music World if I remember) says that Sony asked them to niether sell it nor advertise the price on the Internet. Then J&R lists the MSRP on their site. Amazon and Yahoo, for example, just say 'out of stock' with no restocking date and no other information.

What goes on here? Are some companies now forbidding Internet sales because the Internet is such a market equalizer? I noticed the same receiver is available in UK - but at higher prices.

MaggieL · 05-16-2002, 10:32 AM

You might try Ham Radio Outlet. http://www.hamradio.com

They have no problem with Internet sales, and when I was last in their Wilmington strore, they has a Sony ICF-2010 (a damn fine radio for it's time, I still have one) in the display case ready to sell. They have a number of other shortwave radios, including Sonys, too.

Of course when *I* want to listen to shortwave I just fire up my Yaesu FT-847 transceiver...:-)

tw · 05-17-2002, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaggieL
You might try Ham Radio Outlet. http://www.hamradio.com

Their catalog lists only ADI, Alinco, Icom, Japan Radio Corp, Kenwood, and Yaesu - not Sony. Are you suggesting that the Wilmington store carries items not available in by Internet? Would that Sony ICF-SW7600GR be available in Wilmington?

The Sony receiver is the short term question. However the bigger question is about how the internet may be changing. If the Wilmington store carries Sony products, then again we have an example of products not permitted for sale on the internet. This would be another recession by the internet from international free markets. Is that the new trend for the Internet of post 2002?

MaggieL · 05-18-2002, 12:51 AM

Hmmm. That's interesting. They definatly had an ICF-2010 when I was there last; perhpas it's used. And if I remeber corredctly, I bought *my* 2010 from them many years ago.

Hmmm...I have their paper catalog here. They list the ICF-SW7600GR for $199 on page 41 of the Summer 2002 catalog. They have several other Sony SWL recievers on that page, including the ICF-2010.

But you're right, they don't list it on-line.

Nic Name · 05-18-2002, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Sony has asked that we not post prices on the web. This item is not available for online ordering. Please call. We apologize for the inconvenience.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...0360.html#note

ASQ! why?

verbatim · 05-18-2002, 01:39 PM

Offtopic, but you also cant buy Bauer ice hockey equiptment online either. They say its a "company policy". Its bullshit, thats what it is.

Nic Name · 05-18-2002, 02:18 PM

Quote:

First post by tw

Are some companies now forbidding Internet sales because the Internet is such a market equalizer?

Right on topic, verbatim.

Anyone else found other companies boycotting the Internet?

Griff · 05-18-2002, 08:08 PM

I worked in a bike shop years ago and most bike companies at that time were not keen on having an internet presence. They wanted to protect brick and mortar shops because of assembly and service issues (bikes need cable adjustments after break- in). I guess they assumed customers were idiots. The attitude appears to be changing, starting with high end bikes by smaller outfits now followed by low end mega brands, in the mid range I think it varies brand to brand. Side note our main brand GT was run into the ground a couple years ago.... related?

SteveDallas · 05-22-2002, 10:22 AM

Heh. Nice thread.

Well, first of all, I will highly recommend the Sony 7600GR. I have one and it's very nice. There are better shortwave radios, but they are not as small and much more expensive.

Secondly, I will highly recommend Universal Radio. Both of my radios (the Sony and the radio it replaced, a Sangean ATS-803A) were acquired there. A nice place, they've been in business a long time, helpful advice, etc.

Thirdly, I will highly recommend Sony and some of their reseller. Specifically, I will recommend that they be taken out back and smacked around a bit. I don't know what's up with this. There are certainly no problems buying some Sony items online, like cameras--though as I went to Amazon to back this up, some Sony cameras are listed as "price too low to display". I once bought my wife a portable cassette recorder. I was very picky about what I wanted, and I only found one that had a feature that I really wanted, a fine-tuning control for the tape speed. And it was a Sony. And I wanted it quickly, so I went to a local store that had it in stock. (This was not an item likely to show up in Circuit City!)

I ended up at Nathan Muchniks, in the 1700 block of Chestnut St. in Center City Philadelphia. I was familiar from this place from years back when they had the most extensive, best-priced selection of classical music on compact disc in Philadelphia and probably several other cities. (I was told they killed it because they couldn't find somebody to manage it, which sounds like a copout, but I digress.) Anyway, they also sold, and still sell, video and stereo equipment. The prices will never compete with mail-order, but they carry quality stuff and the staff knows what they're doing. I did not expect a steep bargain off the Sony MSRP which I saw on the web site. I also did not expect to pay MORE than the MSRP, but sure enough, that's what the price was. Or the regular price, I should say.. it was on sale for $30 off so I bought it. If I had had time to track down one at J&R or something like that, I would have passed.

Irony time: my wife actually got the Sony radio for me, as a birthday present last year... literally the first thing I heard when I turned it on & started tuning around, was the BBC World Service announcing its plans to discontinue shortwave broadcasts aimed at North America.

05-16-2002, 12:38 AM	#1
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	Sony denies Internet Sales? Been looking at some small, portable SW receievers. Sony has one (ICF-SW7600GR) that is 'out of stock' everywhere - an upgraded design that has been very successful. However one site (J & R Music World if I remember) says that Sony asked them to niether sell it nor advertise the price on the Internet. Then J&R lists the MSRP on their site. Amazon and Yahoo, for example, just say 'out of stock' with no restocking date and no other information. What goes on here? Are some companies now forbidding Internet sales because the Internet is such a market equalizer? I noticed the same receiver is available in UK - but at higher prices.

05-16-2002, 10:32 AM	#2
MaggieL in the Hour of Scampering Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jeffersonville PA (15 mi NW of Philadelphia) Posts: 4,060	You might try Ham Radio Outlet. http://www.hamradio.com They have no problem with Internet sales, and when I was last in their Wilmington strore, they has a Sony ICF-2010 (a damn fine radio for it's time, I still have one) in the display case ready to sell. They have a number of other shortwave radios, including Sonys, too. Of course when I want to listen to shortwave I just fire up my Yaesu FT-847 transceiver...:-) __________________ "Neither can his Mind be thought to be in Tune,whose words do jarre; nor his reason In frame, whose sentence is preposterous..."

05-18-2002, 12:51 AM	#4
MaggieL in the Hour of Scampering Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jeffersonville PA (15 mi NW of Philadelphia) Posts: 4,060	Hmmm. That's interesting. They definatly had an ICF-2010 when I was there last; perhpas it's used. And if I remeber corredctly, I bought my 2010 from them many years ago. Hmmm...I have their paper catalog here. They list the ICF-SW7600GR for $199 on page 41 of the Summer 2002 catalog. They have several other Sony SWL recievers on that page, including the ICF-2010. But you're right, they don't list it on-line. __________________ "Neither can his Mind be thought to be in Tune,whose words do jarre; nor his reason In frame, whose sentence is preposterous..."

05-18-2002, 01:39 PM	#6
verbatim Vice-President of Resentment Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Pennsultucky Posts: 199	Offtopic, but you also cant buy Bauer ice hockey equiptment online either. They say its a "company policy". Its bullshit, thats what it is. __________________ <-- I'm with stupid

05-18-2002, 08:08 PM	#8
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	I worked in a bike shop years ago and most bike companies at that time were not keen on having an internet presence. They wanted to protect brick and mortar shops because of assembly and service issues (bikes need cable adjustments after break- in). I guess they assumed customers were idiots. The attitude appears to be changing, starting with high end bikes by smaller outfits now followed by low end mega brands, in the mid range I think it varies brand to brand. Side note our main brand GT was run into the ground a couple years ago.... related? __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

05-22-2002, 10:22 AM	#9
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Heh. Nice thread. Well, first of all, I will highly recommend the Sony 7600GR. I have one and it's very nice. There are better shortwave radios, but they are not as small and much more expensive. Secondly, I will highly recommend Universal Radio. Both of my radios (the Sony and the radio it replaced, a Sangean ATS-803A) were acquired there. A nice place, they've been in business a long time, helpful advice, etc. Thirdly, I will highly recommend Sony and some of their reseller. Specifically, I will recommend that they be taken out back and smacked around a bit. I don't know what's up with this. There are certainly no problems buying some Sony items online, like cameras--though as I went to Amazon to back this up, some Sony cameras are listed as "price too low to display". I once bought my wife a portable cassette recorder. I was very picky about what I wanted, and I only found one that had a feature that I really wanted, a fine-tuning control for the tape speed. And it was a Sony. And I wanted it quickly, so I went to a local store that had it in stock. (This was not an item likely to show up in Circuit City!) I ended up at Nathan Muchniks, in the 1700 block of Chestnut St. in Center City Philadelphia. I was familiar from this place from years back when they had the most extensive, best-priced selection of classical music on compact disc in Philadelphia and probably several other cities. (I was told they killed it because they couldn't find somebody to manage it, which sounds like a copout, but I digress.) Anyway, they also sold, and still sell, video and stereo equipment. The prices will never compete with mail-order, but they carry quality stuff and the staff knows what they're doing. I did not expect a steep bargain off the Sony MSRP which I saw on the web site. I also did not expect to pay MORE than the MSRP, but sure enough, that's what the price was. Or the regular price, I should say.. it was on sale for $30 off so I bought it. If I had had time to track down one at J&R or something like that, I would have passed. Irony time: my wife actually got the Sony radio for me, as a birthday present last year... literally the first thing I heard when I turned it on & started tuning around, was the BBC World Service announcing its plans to discontinue shortwave broadcasts aimed at North America.

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