First impressios

Just exttracted my Karma from it's packaging.

First impressions:

Packaging is a nightmare to open
BLIMEY it's small. Far smaller than I expexted

Once I've (a) plugged it in and acutally used it and (b) sobered up, I'll post a fuilll review.

x

Couldn't wait until I'm sober.

It sounds FANTASTIC

Can't upgrade the firmware yet though because I can't remember the admin password for my work laptop.

One question - I assume the artists of the music that are on the thing out of the box (plastic) are happy with their music being given away? It all sounds good anyway.

And blue neon flashing base station *SPENT*

Totally *spent*

Packaging is a nightmare to open

That'll be the US version then

I assume the artists of the music that are on the thing out of the box (plastic) are happy with their music being given away?

The content owner is certainly happy. I believe it was part of a deal with eMusic.

Rob

Packaging is a nightmare to open

Wise words from Penny Arcade on the subject of packaging.

Question:

furtive (according to his profile) is in London. How are all these US versions of the Karma winding up in UK stores, and aren't there issues with the wrong power adapter and warranty labels?

They're retailing here for around £270.00 that's around $480.00, so there's plenty of resellers importing from the US to sell cheaply (I know because I just returned one)

Paul,

Check Here. You even replied in that thread

That's a tidy profit, well worth the effort, I guess. But I just hope the people buying them will not be surprised when they find the power supply. I know the brick can handle the voltage difference, but the plug is another matter.

...

...okay...

...I need a vacation...

Oh dear. The internet and alcohol really don't mix. I just hope I didn't buy anything I don't need last night.

Anyway, very happy with my Karma, especially at the price I paid for it over here.

And the music that comes on it is pretty good.

They're retailing here for around £270.00 that's around $480.00, so there's plenty of resellers importing from the US to sell cheaply (I know because I just returned one)

That doesn't make a lot of sense. Rio don't charge their UK distributors and retailers any more than their US customers. US outlets just seem to be more competitive. I suppose the exchange rate might make it tempting to import stock, but I can't imagine it is cheaper to buy from a US retailer than direct from Rio in the UK.

Our UK SKU's use cardboard packaging and come with an appropriate AC adapter (with interchangeable heads I think).

Rob

That doesn't make a lot of sense. Rio don't charge their UK distributors and retailers any more than their US customers. US outlets just seem to be more competitive. I suppose the exchange rate might make it tempting to import stock, but I can't imagine it is cheaper to buy from a US retailer than direct from Rio in the UK.

Our UK SKU's use cardboard packaging and come with an appropriate AC adapter (with interchangeable heads I think).

Rob

Well, it's always been one of life's great mysteries, it doesn't matter what the exchange rate is US to UK usually works out on a 1 to 1 rate, even on big items like cars.

spent?
like... youre pooped and ready to go to bed?
*confused*

I've read that the car prices are fixed to prevent sticker shock. Cars in Canada are cheaper than in the US if you do the exchange rate even though they're the same car. Special restrictions are now in place because people used to drive over there, but a car, and drive back. Now it's a lot harder. I think they do that here too. I've seen reviews of cars only available in the UK and they'll estimate the price to be "$30,000" based on the exchange rate, but then the car will come here it'll be $25,000. I think they do it to prevent sticker shock.

>Cars in Canada are cheaper than in the US if you do the exchange rate even though they're the same car.

Eh? Since when? I live up here, and cars have almost always been cheaper south of the border. Maybe not now that our currency isn't as bad as it has been in the past, but.. Also, cars up here tend to be less well equipped with extras than those in the USA, so they damn well should be less expensive than they actually are in practice.

It used to be very common practice to buy in the USA and drive it north.

Cheers

Wow, that's odd. At least here in Detroit, people would drive to Ontario all the time and buy cars with the US dollar in Canada, bring them to the US and save a money compared to buying the same car in the US. Since it's the same car, and the same exchange rate, the car people were bringing to the US must have been cheaper lol.