Trade up scheme

Man I wish I had the kind of time you people do to argue about dumb stuff like this.  I was just trying to find the answer to my question about how to get around the deactivation of my connect so I could resell it in order to re-coop some of the outrageous amount of money that the Ports cost.  Get jobs sheeple.  Then no one will have to waste time reading your dumb, irrelevant arguments. 

You do realize that you are replying to months old posts that do not even apply today, since the “recycle” program that bricked the old devices is no longer in effect?

No I didn’t - I bought a sound bar for an inconsequential  bedroom TV and the ZP’s (these so called legacy devices) use my Stereo systems. I don’t have Sonos Ones etc.

Haha - I have heard the Sonos Beam and I know how much air the tiny little speakers move. It’s physics. They do an impersonation of larger speakers only.

Dumb!

Ha ha, "re-coop".

:-)

Yeah I know but I’d rather keep the thing I have and then wait for frequent sales where you can buy a Sonos device for 30% off anyway (or close to anyway). 

That way I have more. There is no advantage to their offer nor is it acceptable either to be honest.

Let’s be honest here. Sonos just wants to kill the second hand market. The 30% discount is so that when you upgrade,  someone else also buys new instead of your second hand. Sonos wants to shorten the replacement cycle and kill the second hand market. It’s about $$$.

I read someone saying that 5ghz support was important. Are you kidding me? 5ghz is only short range, it doesn’t go through walls and is only useful for very high bandwith applications. Not audio and certainly not the lo-fi audio Sonos transmits.

There is no reason to stimulate the trading in of my connect:amp for example. It works perfectly and really needs no more updates or anything really. What are you going to add? I bought it to power my built-in bathroom speakers and control it wirelessly, that’s what it does and i don’t need other functionality. There is no functional update that Sonos can give the new AMP that will cause me to switch.

From my perspective, they don’t need to further update the Sonos app either.

How about these technological pioneers add DTS support to their home cinema stuff?

Danny (melvimbe) thanks again.  I hear you with formatting answers for individual responses so won't this time.  Also I do understand where you’re coming from and don’t want to make this forum tennis, boring so many others with over-defensive responses, so (hopefully) won’t.

The performance issue I’m aware of is the wireless connectivity, since Sonos net is a net involving all the units in your system.    In that regard, it’s a chain that’s only as strong as it’s weakest link.  There are some features that available on certain products, but I’m not aware of how old products limit features on new products

Yep I read that too.  But still the quote is from the FAQ on the Trade-Up details, that “because all our products are part of a system, older ones may affect the performance of newer ones”.  That’s Sonos, not me.

where your trade in value does change depending on how you use it. 

Sure, with the 30% thing you can create all sorts of interesting  possibilities - eg trade-in a Connect:amp for 30% of a Sonos One.  That would be a rubbish trade-in.  My point is, to avoid going into a land of weird maths it might be reasonable to assume the “normal” trade-up is like-for-like; ie I’d  give up a Sonos Play:5 gen 1 in order to get a gen 2.  In other words, a comparative price-point.  As you say, you could gain an above average discount, or as I say a below average one too.  (Can we say that sorta evens out?)

You don’t have to trade in both your products.  Only trade in one if you want one new product.  Save the other for the next product you may want to buy. I t sounds like you’re assuming that your old product will be de-supportted and you’ll be forced to buy new effectively …. (etc)

I keep coming back to this but it is important.  Sonos (not me) said: “because all our products are part of a system, older ones may affect the performance of newer ones”.  They also say,  The memory and technology of your device has reached maturation and has a limited lifespan.“  This is in the FAQ on the trade-up page.  And it does sound like writing on the wall...

… which actually I get and don’t particularly have a problem with.  It is a proper pain  having to support so diverse an ecosystem, and I’m sure Sonos would like to move on from those  10-year designs.  And, probably, in a good way - eg two networks without impacting new kit on a new protocol.  But if I have multiple items that are viable for trade-up (I have 4) I’d like  to limit my losses with embracing change within reason, eg allowing a max of two to stack for 60% or just offering a better trade-up discount, possibly even banded by when I bought them.

All the best to you Danny and thanks for the interesting point of view

Simon (senecan)

I think we could both agree that it’s not a very clear statement in that FAQ.  “Performance” is too vague.  I think it only refers to network performance, but I can’t say that for sure since I don’t know what I don’t know.  And I can’t say it doesn’t leave room open for interpretation.

I think we are on the same page here as far as what the discount is.  I just don’t want to say 30% off means $120 (or whatever the median or average means), even though it may be pedantic because I’ve see generalities taken to be exacts in my experience on these forums.    I think it’s important to be clear.  There was another post here today where a guy was thinking his $300 original purchase price resulted in $30 off a new product.  Besides his math off, the original cost of purchase price is irrelevant.

If the writing was on the wall, it was already there before this program came about. I see this as Sonos trying to ease transition for customers with older products into new ones.  Marketing probably also wishes this would push people to buy several new products.

Kind of an aside, but using myself as a customer, I’ve had several mental roadblocks to buying into Sonos through the years.  I liked the product a couple years before I bought anything, but couldn’t pull the trigger until they came with the smart app.  $400 for the CR100 controller was too much for me.  And I also didn’t see the point in buying speakers, I bought the Connect and Connect:amp only. I had my own speakers I wanted to use.  I don’t think I ever would have bought any ever I hadn’t gotten a playbar+sub_2 play:3s as part of the deal when I bout my current house about 4 years ago.  And I didn’t buy a Sonos One until it had been out for a year, as I felt having separate echos was good enough (still do in some cases).  Anyway, point being that sometimes customers can get ‘stuck’ in settling from what they have, and a little push to make the transition to new products is needed.  (And not saying there is something wrong for just keeping what you have)

I can agree that it’s a judgement call on how much trade discount Sonos should offer.  Personally, 30% isn’t quite enough for me to move on some of my units, while I would have moved for 20% on others.

Likewise.  Refreshing conversation.

Atlanta non bias veiw 

  So I've owned a connect amp and play 5 gen1 for awhile now that I picked up at a yard sale. Been serving me well and like my used inexpensive hottub and headset, if they broke today, I would be replacing them tomorrow. I've come to realize I can't live without them.

First world problems!

So my amp acts up a little and thinking it's a dead stick, I call Sonos, get an option of a replacement for $350. Something to consider and cheaper than new model at $600. Hit or miss finding one used. Managed to get up and running again by blowing it out and resetting it, but realizing there is a life expectancy!

I think like many people, I look around my house and see old cell phones, speakers, DVD player. Hell 2 tablets, an old PC, a 2 Gig iPod, and a 21" LCD monitor. 

Now they all work, but some are obsolete, a few are old technology unable to keep up, and some have just been replaced to have the bigger, latest and greatest!

Unlike an old TV or receiver that physically outdates due to connection issues, eg. Cables and or Bluetooth capabilities, the Sonos speakers never required anymore than an update to keep them current. But I'm still thinking about the life expectancy. 

So when Sonos offers a trade up for 30% off. I have to consider the offer for what it is. I can gamble that my amp will last another 2-5 years, or bet it will die in the next year. Either way, it's my choice. A nice sale available for the next three months to think about unrushed is attractive. Now I've found when you're working all the time, you don't have time to spend money, let alone deal with selling things you no longer need. Hence the items mentioned above. (I did recycle my old CRT door stop several years back) So when I do spend money, convenience and saving a buck is something I jump on. Otherwise I'm one of those less fortunate people your wanting to give your old unit to, but can't.

I may trade up to a new amp for Christmas before the old one dies, have the latest and greatest with a Two year warranty ( by using my credit card) while saving $180.00. Nice deal! If it dies tonight, I'm paying full price. And with all the talk about recycling, it may be the push I need to gather up all those things, load up the car and finally dispose of them properly.

Let's face it, you look out for you first. If you want a new amp, sell your old one for a profit (or give it away.) Buy a new one at the present cost, and see how you make out. Chances are it will be a financial decision. Sonos trade up offer (or lack of)will make no difference to you.

I don't see this being the downfall of the company, they will come out just fine. Might even raise the used speaker price due to less availability. Win-Win!

Or you can weigh your options and take advantage of a trade up, betting you will only do it if there is personal and financial gain. Or just enjoy what you have and in four or five years gain some bragging rights about choosing Sonos quality speakers that last longer than the import your driving.

So take it, leave it, but talking about it and complaining about it has no value and definitely has nothing to gain from it.

   Thanks for listening.

P.S. if you've been dropping your old phones in the donation box. Bringing your old items to Goodwill, I commend you! Best intentions here, usually. But I do keep a clear conscience knowing at least a little bit of my taxes go to help others, I think! I hope! But definitely recycle everything you can, eventually. That's 100% on you!

The so called “Connect Amp” has two different models, one of which is obsolete under this program, one is not. At the time when the hardware got rev’d there was a mix of the two Connect Amps in the marketplace, a person could have purchased one of each and inadvertently ended up with an end of life product. I’d call that false advertising, or some sort of violation of consumer laws.

Imagine a car manufacturer bricks your car and it is only 4 years old, that would suck. If Sonos doesn’t go through with this new program. Can I get my Play5 reactivated for a fee, since I purchased new speakers only because they said they would not update the speakers anymore. That would be a good idea.