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ParisH
11-19-2008, 08:44 AM
I live in Shenzhen in the South of China. As in most chinese cities, there is a place down town that regroups all the Hi-Fi shops. Maybe around 20 shops in the same building.
There are also two second hand shops and last WE they both had in stock several JBL speakers. As I don't speak much chinese, I don't know where they came from, but I guess they may have been imported.
I liked the JBL L222 Disco. The asking price was 25000 CNY, which corresponds to 3660 USD. Is that a good deal? What should I check about them?

BMWCCA
11-19-2008, 09:08 AM
I liked the JBL L222 Disco. The asking price was 25000 CNY, which corresponds to 3660 USD. Is that a good deal? What should I check about them?Good deal for the seller, maybe.

Here's a pair of L220s, essentially the same system with minor mods, with a buy-it-now of $2000 and no action for the past ten days: http://ebayitem.com/250322180461

Of course availability in China will influence the price, but they seem to not bring even a third of your dealer's asking price here in the USA, as you can see in this recent sale at auction for a nice pair of L222s ($1,122.99 for posterity): http://ebayitem.com/170275521123

robertbartsch
11-19-2008, 09:37 AM
I've traveled on business to Asia 34 times in the last 6 years and I pity you for having to live there. You should move to the west immediately.

The price you have been quoted is extremely high.

ParisH
11-20-2008, 06:09 AM
Thanks for your advice. I can now be conforted in the decision not to buy them.
The price offered may have been influenced by my western face, or there may be a real market here in China for overpriced vintage speakers.
Next time I go to the Hi-Fi building, I'll try to find-out where they came from. I would not be surprised if they were recently imported from the US.

BMWCCA
11-20-2008, 07:24 AM
The price offered may have been influenced by my western face, or there may be a real market here in China for overpriced vintage speakers.
Next time I go to the Hi-Fi building, I'll try to find-out where they came from. I would not be surprised if they were recently imported from the US.Could be your face, but aren't there many newly-minted millionaires in China longing for Western goods? There are even some here (http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/member.php?u=10408) who may have participated in sending those overseas! ;)