Trade In, Home Trial & Return Policies
Our fully detailed policies on trading in used gear, arranging for home trials of some products, how we handle returns, and also how we value, test & sell used gear are all outlined in detail below. Just scroll down a bit to view them or click here to go to out Sales Policies page (which also discusses the methods of payment, international sales terms, and why we do not offer on-line ordering/purchasing in addition to the info which is listed below).
Where Is Signature Sound?
Signature Sound is located in a suburb near the city of Syracuse, New York. We are about a 10 minute drive north from exit 38 (Route 57 Liverpool) on the New York State Thruway (I90). Because we are a home based business, demonstrations are by appointment. We are available almost all days, evenings, and weekends. So, even if you are just passing through, chances are we can accommodate you even if it is on short notice. Around holidays, it is recommended to give us a call a few days in advance to see if we are available (we may be closed, traveling, or busy with other customers during those times). Once you make an appointment, we will provide you with detailed directions, our you can just Google Map us to get direction right to our door!
Still don’t have a clue where we are? Maybe these approximate drive times to Signature Sound may help:
- Less than 1.5 hours (east) from Rochester, New York.
- Less than 2.5 hours (east) from Buffalo, New York.
- Less than 2.5 hours (west) from Albany, New York
- About 4.5 hours (north) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- About 5 hours (north-west) from New York City.
- About 5 hours (west) from Boston Massachusetts.
- Less than 1.5 hours (south) from the Canadian Border (I81).
- Less than 1.5 hours (north) from Binghamton, New York.
Who Is Signature Sound?
“Signature Sound was founded in 1990 by owner, operator Rich Brkich. At the time, I was working full time as a System & Project Engineer at Lockheed Martin here in Syracuse New York and Signature Sound was a part time business to help sell some products I thought where very good and needed representation here in upstate New York as well as to help feed my audiophile passion. You see, before I was ever a engineer, I was very interested in music and the gear that focused on quality music reproduction. In large part, the passion was picked up from my dad as I was raised around Dynaco, AR, and other great affordable Hi-End HiFi gear of the age (not to mention my dad’s varied interests in music which is another story 🙂 ). Then there was those early copies of Stereophile Magazine, Audio Magazine and others which where around the house which helped fuel my passion (and interest in electronics). I think i was around 11 years old when I went to my first HiFi show with my Dad!”
“Anyway, getting back to the mid 90’s with the defense industry work on the wain, I made the decision to transition to operating Signature Sound as a full time home based business. Why home based? It is just the reality of the small 2 channel HiFi marketplace here in Central New York. In order to specialize only in great 2 channel HiFi (I was not interested in the burgeoning HT {Home Theater} and custom install HT markets as well), the only way to keep such a HiFi only concern going here was to keep it home based with its low associated overhead if I wanted any hope to continue paying the bills (which Signature Sound has been doing since the mid 90’s). And, despite today’s lean and tough times, I am still here and working at it! We specialize almost completely in good ol great 2-channel Hi-End Audio (dabble in a little HT here and there on occasion) and use my skills as a engineer and a audiophile to carry great gear, show it here for those few local folk or those that pass through the Syracuse New York area, and use my skill as a engineer & enthusiast to help customers wind their way through putting a great system together. I don’t have all the products/solutions for everyone, but I do work for you the customer and always try to get my customers pointed in the right direction to their HiFi needs.” – Rich Brkich (January 2012)
TRADE IN POLICY: Signature Sound does accept used equipment in trade towards purchase of new product(s) and some used products. We do NOT purchase used equipment and we reserve the right to refuse any trade offer. Because we price most of our used products rather aggressively, do not expect large trade in values when you are inquiring about trading in your used product towards one of our used products. When inquiring about a trade, PLEASE provide us with information on the age, condition (operational & cosmetic), factory packaging availability, and manual availability of your equipment. To be blunt, we deduct dollars from what your product is worth if documentation and factory packaging are not available and Signature Sound also reserves the right to reduce the trade in amount allotted if the product does not live up to the condition stated by the customer. On all trade in sales, we will not ship any product to the customer until the product to be traded in has been received and verified to meet the condition of the product stated by the customer. PLEASE REMEMBER to insure your product and package it well when you send it to Signature Sound. We are not liable for any damage that may occur in shipment to us.
TRIALS: If requested, trial periods are allowed on most products or loaner products that are available for evaluation. Items sent/loaned for trial or evaluation must be paid for in advance. You will have 28 days (from the date shipped) to evaluate the product, after which the product can be returned for a full refund less shipping costs. PLEASE NOTE: THE CUSTOMER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY FOR LOANER/TRIAL PRODUCTS AND RETURN SHIPPING/ HANDLING COSTS. If the product is stolen or lost, the customer pays for the cost of the product invoiced to the customer. If the product is damaged (including damage incurred in return shipping if applicable), the customer is responsible for paying all repair or replacement costs. Please note that Signature Sound reserves the right to refuse a trial/loan request on any product (especially on those items we may not have in stock) and the right to limit the quantity of items out on trial/loan to any person at one time (i.e. Don't ask to try several pairs of cables or multiple power amps at the same time. Be realistic with your requests and we will try to work with you the best that we can).
RETURNS: If for some (rare) reason the new product you receive is damaged or not functioning properly upon receipt (i.e. DOA), we will replace (in most cases) or repair it at no cost to you. However, if you receive a product which is functioning properly and are not satisfied with it, we will issue a full refund, less a 15% restocking fee, for the product upon its return (undamaged and in proper working order) less any applicable shipping costs within 28 days of the date of purchase. On trial period sales (see above), the restocking fee is waived. The customer is responsible for properly repackaging and the cost for shipping/returning (including insurance - very important) the product to Signature Sound. Unless explicitly agreed to and stated on your invoice by Signature Sound there are no returns, cash refunds, or store credit on loudspeakers and special order item purchases or on international sales.
USED EQUIPMENT SALES: All of our used equipment is cleaned, inspected, and tested before shipment. Used items are only returnable if they arrive damaged or are not functioning properly (i.e. broken or malfunctioning) upon receipt. In either case, Signature Sound must be notified as soon as possible (within five business days) so return and refund can be arranged. We reserve the right to refuse to refund part or all of the amount of the product if it appears that the product was damaged by the customer while in their possession. We DO NOT over-estimate the condition of our used products. Equipment defined to be in MINT condition will be like brand new and EXCELLENT condition products will only show very little or no cosmetic wear and little mechanical signs of wear. Used equipment does not sit on a shelf here collecting dust. After being cleaned, inspected, and tested (generally for no more than two or three days), it is properly packaged and sealed back into its own box until it is sold. Trials of used equipment are allowed on a case by case basis (some equipment just does not hold up well to repeated handling/shipping). If you wish to try a piece of used equipment, please call or e-mail your specific request.