Buying from Amazon

[baybum]

Has anyone on this site bought an SDS100 off Amazon recently?
Was it a good experience and was it a newer version?
Are you glad you did it?
Any problems?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Hit_Factor]

Amazon is a conglomeration of sellers. The sellers signs up to sell. The items are already listed, he's just another seller and he enters the quantity he has for sale. The seller who meets the magic formula gets the buy box. Everyone else is in the also available from category.

It's a lottery on new or old stock, and seller for the most part.

Amazon eats up close to 40% of my selling price. You will save money buying direct from me. I don't sell electronics, only items I make in the machine shop.

The only good thing, is all the sellers have to abide by Amazon rules.

 

[hiegtx]

Has anyone on this site bought an SDS100 off Amazon recently?
Was it a good experience and was it a newer version?
Are you glad you did it?
Any problems?

Thanks,
Mike

I have not purchased either of the SDS series scanners via Amazon, though I did order one of my 436HPs, as well as the 325P2 from their site.

This current listing is from Police Scanner Outlet.

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-SDS100-Performance-Weak-Signal-Construction/dp/B07DK26FDN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JPVI5E1A381B&keywords=sds100+uniden+police+scanner&qid=1683221269&sprefix=SDS100%2Caps%2C1456&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.ac2169a1-b668-44b9-8bd0-5ec63b24bcb5

This is the "Amazon Marketplace" counterpart of Bearcat Warehouse.

 

[RCjim]

Why would you pick Amazon, it’s not there buisness and they don’t sell any cheaper than say Scanner Master who provides free shipping and no tax. It’s there only business! My 2 cents

 

[hiegtx]

Amazon's 'no charge' return policy is more flexible than most dealers, and might be an option if you were "auditioning" a scanner (other than one of the SDS series) on how it performs on your local systems if simulcast is involved. You would pay any local sales taxed though, whereas a dealer such as ScannerMaster or Main Trading, would only add sales taxes if you were in their home state. At the price level of most scanners, Amazon shipping would also be free, even if you do not have an Amazon Prime account.

 

[fxdscon]

Why would you pick Amazon, it’s not there buisness and they don’t sell any cheaper than say Scanner Master who provides free shipping and no tax. It’s there only business! My 2 cents

.
I purchased a brand new BCD996P2 from Amazon a few weeks ago for $350 + $21.88 tax, with free shipping and a 30 day no questions return window with free return shipping. Seller was Police scanner Outlet (AKA Bearcat Warehouse) Total = $371.88.

At the same time, Scanner Master sold it for $399.95 + $25.00 tax (I am in the same state) + $22.62 UPS ground shipping (no free shipping when I was ordering, and no free shipping is shown on the listing for that scanner at the time of this post, and their stated policy is no refund on shipping charges). Total = $445.57.

$73.69 cheaper from Amazon.

 

[iMONITOR]

Why would you pick Amazon, it’s not there buisness and they don’t sell any cheaper than say Scanner Master who provides free shipping and no tax. It’s there only business! My 2 cents

Scanner Master "was" charging shipping on the last four scanners I purchased from them in the last couple of years. Maybe that's changed recently. They have always and still do charge 6% Michigan sales tax on all purchases I've made from them.

 

[hiegtx]

Scanner Master "was" charging shipping on the last four scanners I purchased from them in the last couple of years. Maybe that's changed recently. They have always and still do charge 6% Michigan sales tax on all purchases I've made from them.

I think they "turn" free shipping on and off at various times. Usually free the later months of the year for 'Black Friday' & holiday gift shopping. Occasionally, it's been 'promoted' for, specifically purchases of digital scanners, for a limited time frame.

 

[srpawski]

There isn’t anything special about Scanner Master other than its affiliated with Radio Reference and it will be pushed on here. Main Trading is the only vender I have found that still doesn’t charge sales tax.

 

[KevinC]

Main Trading is the only vender I have found that still doesn’t charge sales tax.

Unless you live in Texas...

 

[srpawski]

Unless you live in Texas...

That’s a given since they are based in Texas. I assumed from all of the other “experts” on the Radio Reference forums they would know that.

 

[KevinC]

That’s a given since they are based in Texas. I assumed from all of the other “experts” on the Radio Reference forums they would know that.

You'd think, but sure enough someone in state would order, get charged tax and come back and complain that you said they didn't charge tax.

 

[baybum]

I am reading all these suggestions and they all help.
Basic question is...why not buy from amazon, with a free, no questions asked, return policy?
Anything wrong with it after that 30 days would have to be handled by uniden anyway.
The seller is an "authorized" seller.
I guess I'm asking, who can do better, and how?

Thank you all for inputs.

 

[ProScan]

I am reading all these suggestions and they all help.
Basic question is...why not buy from amazon, with a free, no questions asked, return policy?
Anything wrong with it after that 30 days would have to be handled by uniden anyway.
The seller is an "authorized" seller.
I guess I'm asking, who can do better, and how?

Thank you all for inputs.

I never had a problem with Amazon and I purchased somewhere around 120 to 150 items from them in the last 8 years or so including two scanners. Never had an open box. The last time I needed to do a return is because I didn't like the Logitech mechanical type of keyboard. It was easy, I just clicked the "Return" button and got an email with the UPC (or the one that looks funny) and took the product to the UPS store.

If I'm not mistaken, doesn't the scanner vendors charge a restocking fee, or store credit only. Shipping is non refundable.

 

[iMONITOR]

I am reading all these suggestions and they all help.
Basic question is...why not buy from amazon, with a free, no questions asked, return policy?
Anything wrong with it after that 30 days would have to be handled by uniden anyway.
The seller is an "authorized" seller.
I guess I'm asking, who can do better, and how?

Thank you all for inputs.

I fully agree with the points you make. The difference is that buying from a reputable dealer that's in the business is technical support should you have problems or need help. Rich Carlson, N9JIG (a RR member here) used to work at Scanner Master, and it was fantastic being able to talk to him here on RR before and after your purchases! Other dealers like Bearcat Warehouse, and Ham Radio Outlet, are also great for support! Try calling Amazon to get any help in any form...they'll tell you to go to Hellen Wait!

 

[hiegtx]

I fully agree with the points you make. The difference is that buying from a reputable dealer that's in the business is technical support should you have problems or need help. Rich Carlson, N9JIG (a RR member here) used to work at Scanner Master, and it was fantastic being able to talk to him here on RR before and after your purchases! Other dealers like Bearcat Warehouse, and Ham Radio Outlet, are also great for support! Try calling Amazon to get any help in any form...they'll tell you to go to Hellen Wait!

That is the drawback to ordering from Amazon, but if you are confident in what you are ordering, and don't need to purchase programming or other 'hand-holding', there's no reason not to at least consider Amazon.

Many of the dealers do charge a restocking fee, some a substantial fee, and you often are paying for shipping twice- once for shipping initially to you, as well as for the return.

In the price range for most scanners, Amazon shipping is free. Prime members also get pre-paid, no fault, return shipping.

 

[TGuelker]

I bought my SDS200 from Amazon and saved $100.00 by opening a credit card with them. The card is a VISA, and I earn points both from VISA and Amazon for using the card.

 

[ProScan]

Another advantage of Amazon is next day arrival with free shipping. Probably if it's a common item that they have in a warehouse nearby. May have to sign up for Prime but that can be canceled within 30 days.

{edit}
I like tracking the Amazon delivery trucks. It will show the current location on a map. 4 stops away...3 stops away.

{edit2}
Reminds me that I have to cancel Prime. Did see Top Gun: Maverick for free on Prime.
Canceled. 4 days left in your trial

 

[iMONITOR]

Another advantage of Amazon is next day arrival with free shipping. Probably if it's a common item that they have in a warehouse nearby. May have to sign up for Prime but that can be canceled within 30 days.

Oh absolutely! There is nothing better than ordering a new scanner and having it in your hands withing 4-8 hours! Yes, it can happen! I have an Amazon warehouse only about 8 miles from my home and I think they must actually stock some scanners right there!

 

[sallen07]

Yes that's one big reason people buy from Amazon: rack up all those 'points' using the credit card, and things are "free".

It's worth noting that AFAIK there are three types of sales "on" Amazon:

1) Purchases *from* Amazon. They sell you the item, and it comes from one of their warehouses.
2) Purchases fulfilled by Amazon. You are actually buying the item from another seller, but it comes from an Amazon warehouse and is delivered by Amazon either directly or by UPS or USPS.
3) Purchases *through* Amazon. You pay Amazon, but you are actually buying it from someone else and it comes from their store or warehouse, not from Amazon.

You can tell which category an item is by looking at the "Sold By:" and "Ships From:" fields if you pul up a list of sellers for an item.

Note that (3) may not have the same delivery or refund terms as (1). (I think (2) does.) For example, if you look at some of the current listings you may get two-day free delivery but it's not coming from Amazon. Some of them offer free delivery but it will take longer.

I just looked quick (so might have missed something) but ALL of the SDS100s for sale on Amazon fall into (3). Amazon charges your credit card, but you are actually buying from a third party and it will be shipped to you by that third party.

I think someone already mentioned that Police Scanner Outlet is the Amazon persona of Bearcat Warehouse. Webtron-x is also a real store that sells scanners and other electronics. So you can still support a "real" scanner vendor but still go through Amazon.