What's your attitude towards broken packaging seals?

legrevedotcom

legrevedotcom

Veteran
Not only aimed towards audio, but in this case I'm asking because my example involves audio products.

I just received my MixPre-D from proav.co.uk. They were fast to process the order and sent the items.
However I'm always a bit paranoid when ordering online since I can't tell if they just went into the store, picked up the demonstration model and packed that down.
In this case the paper tape seal of my MixPre-D was broken when I opened the delivery package.
I looked inside and couldn't see that anything was missing, but the cardboard holding actually states that it is reusable, and indeed it was very easy to remove the mixer and insert it again without any visible signs.

So no my question... how much does it take for you before you return a package? Normally I would expect ALL products to be sealed and preferably with something like the MixPre-D where you can see if it's been compromised.
I should also note that the Sennheiser kit I ordered along with it had no seal at all, but I can't remember if that is just the case with G3 packages...?

I hope some of you can understand where I'm coming from. We are dealing with electronic items and I don't want some 2nd hand item when I paid for something completely new.

Cheers.
 
Most reputable retailers will market new products which have been removed from their packaging as "open box" , "demonstrator", "floor model" or some other identifying verbiage in the description. Sometimes a package in a retail environment has been opened for display purposes only - never actually handled by anyone. These are typically not identified as other than new.

Be aware that it's also fairly routine for customs or postal inspectors to break seals while verifying content. Some jurisdictions are good about placing a note or other identifying mark with the package, others not so much.

You've got some great gear - I'd say go enjoy it.

Best wishes - must post clips.
 
If it isn't dinged or damaged, and it works flawlessly, there shouldn't be an issue. I had a MixPre before I bought a MixPre-D, and got it as a demo unit from Sweetwater. It had been opened once and unpacked to show a customer, and then repacked in the box. It was in perfect condition.
 
legrevedotcom said:
Not only aimed towards audio, but in this case I'm asking because my example involves audio products.

I just received my MixPre-D from proav.co.uk. They were fast to process the order and sent the items.
However I'm always a bit paranoid when ordering online since I can't tell if they just went into the store, picked up the demonstration model and packed that down.
In this case the paper tape seal of my MixPre-D was broken when I opened the delivery package.
I looked inside and couldn't see that anything was missing, but the cardboard holding actually states that it is reusable, and indeed it was very easy to remove the mixer and insert it again without any visible signs.

So no my question... how much does it take for you before you return a package? Normally I would expect ALL products to be sealed and preferably with something like the MixPre-D where you can see if it's been compromised.
I should also note that the Sennheiser kit I ordered along with it had no seal at all, but I can't remember if that is just the case with G3 packages...?

I hope some of you can understand where I'm coming from. We are dealing with electronic items and I don't want some 2nd hand item when I paid for something completely new.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I would test it, and consider any physical marks/damage.... if it works, and looks pristine and was sold as 'new'... I'd keep it...

When I first got my DVX100A... there was a 'clinking' sound... it so happened that the DVX100 box was shipped inside of a bigger box, with no filler, and so the DVX100 could slip around.

I sent it back... when I go the replacement, I happened on a 'note' that indicated there was a 'clinking sound' with the DVX100 and that was 'normal'...

I don't know if the original shipped item was in good working order, or not... never turned it on... but the second shipment was properly packaged, and with the 'note that'... I was fine...
 
Aside from customs, resellers sometimes open packages if they are including extras or to do a physical inspection. Your more likely to find that in high end or specialty equipment. If there was an actual factory seal that was broken I would ask the seller. SD are very solid pieces but if someone returned it there was probably a reason.
I would also do a very careful check to see if anything shows up out of spec.
 
Having been in the reseller shoes, I can say it's pretty common to open an item to either show someone in the shop, or to put on display. If I'm selling that opened item to a customer as new, I would usually tell them that I had opened it to show someone, or for whatever reason, but that the item is new and never used (unless of course I used it on display). If it's in good working order and there is no physical damage, I say you are most likely good to go.
 
Since it was bought from a UK dealer and the product originated from the US. Customs may have inspected it. And as others have stated, If there's no other signs of previous use or blemishes, just enjoy it.
 
A little follow up post... So far the MixPre-D is working fine. However the Røde Lav I received in the same order does not. I unpacked it today to test it, and I couldn't get a single response through it. Double checked settings and even tried changing batteries. The G3's own lav works fine through the same transmitter though, so I can only conclude that the lav is faulty at delivery.

Bummer... I hate returning items.
 
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