Brother of mine asked me to help research some klipsch rf-280 speakers.

Does one simply order something like this and trust UPS, FedEx, or USPS to deliver undamaged or; should someone just pay for local inventory and not deal with hassle of damaged goods?

My Klipsch floor speakers are 15 years old but I still have the boxes. They are pretty well protected in the box so I would not worry too much about shipping.

My Axiom towers shipped from Canada in well designed boxes. Worked well, and they sound fantastic 10 years later.

I guess it depends on the price diff.
I'd consider a local dealer if you could.

Local is better if you have a nearby dealer and their pricing is reasonable. If buying online assure it's from a Klipsch authorized seller or there's no warranty. Check the seller's policy on shipping damage, some will replace damage right away while others want the customer to wait while they screw around with claims.

OK: http://www.klipsch.com/authorized-online-dealers

Not legit: http://www.klipsch.com/unauthorized

Most good speakers will be double boxed. I have ordered probably a total of 5k worth and haven't had any issues.

I've bought and sold and shipped bunches of speakers over the years with no issues.

I'd say local - not for the shipping concern, but for the service.

There is a local audio shop near me. If you buy from them, they deliver, place and set up in your home.

If you need service, they come out, pick up the unit, and bring a loaner for you. When the repair is completed, they bring the unit back and reinstall it.

IMO, this is well worth the $$ I'd save buying online.

How do you think the speakers make it to the local store? I would be ok with having them shipped UPS/FEDEX.

quote:

I still have the boxes.

This part alone is good advice - recently moved and it was WAY easier and cheaper to drag out my floor standing boxes as well as the two for each large monitor, receivers, etc. Presumes room in an attic of course, but saved me hundreds if not more.

I've had speakers that size shipped with no issue, as well as 65" monitors, etc. Carrier is on the hook if damaged and it will be obvious before opening in most cases.

I have similarly sized speakers, but they aren't Klipsch.

Has your brother tried eBay, Craigslist, etc? The reason that I ask is that I bought my similarly sized front speakers from eBay for a substantial discount. Lots of guys graduate college, get their first job, buy big front speakers, get married, and the lady of the house decides they're too big. The guy sells his speakers in very good condition for a huge discount and then goes out to buy Bose speakers, bookshelf speakers, ceiling/wall speakers, etc.

As far as the shipping, my similarly sized speakers were shipped from another Gulf Coast state to Houston. I can't speak for the Klipsh boxes, but the Definitive Technology boxes are very heavy duty. Additionally, since purchasing them I've used the speaker boxes to protect my speakers in my moves from Houston to Anchorage, Anchorage to Calgary, and Calgary to N. Houston and movers aren't exactly gentle when you're not looking.

Additionally, it looks like most Klipsh speakers are made in China except their really expensive speaker lines are made in the USA. I have some professional background in loads experienced with international shipping (e.g. ships from China) vs domestic shipping (i.e. trucks). The shipping loads experienced are orders of magnitude more likely to be higher from China to the store (regardless of brick & mortar or warehouse for internet store) than from UPS or FEDEX.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
How do you think the speakers make it to the local store? I would be ok with having them shipped UPS/FEDEX.

Precisely, unless they were made locally they've been shipped a time or two already.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Lots of guys graduate college, get their first job, buy big front speakers, get married, and the lady of the house decides they're too big.

I guess it's a good thing I never married. If I had invested in a set of big floor speakers and my new wife decided they were too big, I'd be looking for a new wife.

flashguy