The Home Theater Doctor - Your Electronics Pharmacy

The Home Theater Doctor Story

I, Shane Sangster, owner of The Home Theater Doctor, have been an audiophile for more than 15 years, completely consumed with trying to faithfully recreate live musical events in my own listening rooms. To that end, I have tirelessly tried to achieve the best possible audio reproduction within the limits of my pocketbook. The amount of time and money that I have spent on this hobby over the years would probably frighten you, me, or just about any sane individual. What makes it worse is that I have been hit with the double whammy. I'm a videophile as well, going through endless different models of televisions and front projectors trying to achieve spectacular video performance.

We enjoy what we do immensely. I personally, and everyone involved with our company, have a passion for great sound and a theater like movie experience in the comforts of home. Given my roots of trying to find the best value products within certain price constraints, I try to carry on that same tradition in our business. We evaluate products very closely. If we don't like it, if we feel it isn't worth the price, we won't sell it. I'm an extremely honest person. I simply can't stand before a potential customer and ask them to purchase a product unless I truly feel it is worth its asking price.

There are literally thousands of audio and video products on the market today. Obviously, we can't carry every one of them in our business. We have tried to offer a range of products to meet varying price points, yet still offer exceedingly good value. We can't please every single customer who walks into our demonstration rooms no matter how hard we try. But we do want to help guide you through the purchase decision, even if that means recommending products we do not sell. We want to make sure you find a system or individual component that meets your needs, that you enjoy its performance and are thrilled to own it, that it offers value beyond the price you paid, and still leaves you money in your pocket for other interests.

Payments Methods

The Home Theater Doctor accepts Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card, Paypal, Money Order, Certified Checks and Personal Checks for USA purchases. All checks MUST clear before product will be released or shipped. Certified checks will be verified with the issuing bank before shipment. ALL International orders MUST pay via direct bank to bank wire transfer. I unfortunately have run into too many situations where I came out on the losing end of a dishonest international "customer"/scam artists. I apologize for the inconvenience. But for my own protection, there can be no exceptions to this policy. Thanks for your understanding and your patronage!

Privacy Policy

This will likely be the shortest privacy policy you will ever read. We do NOT share your information EVER!. Period. We abhore companies that sell your personal information. It won't happen here. We don't track your buying habits. We destroy most of your information once your order is processed. This website gathers general statistics as far as number of unique visitors and bandwidth used, but does not identify you in any way. You will never receive unsolicited email from us unless you specifically ask to be kept informed of any special events.

Order Security

Just as your privacy is extremely important to us, so too is your credit card and personal information. All sales are recorded in accounting software for required record keeping purposes. Your name and address is maintained on the copy of your sales receipt in said software so that we can identify past sales. This information is stored in an encrypted, password protected file not accessible across a network or to the Internet.

No sales receipt or invoice will EVER include your complete credit card number, nor will it include card expiration information. Once your credit card number is processed to complete a transaction, all records of that number (be it email communications and/or paperwork) is destroyed and/or deleted. This can be a headache should you ever need to return an item. But we take these extra steps to ensure that your credit card number is never revealed or stolen.

Shipping

In Stock Items
All items that are in current inventory will be shipped within 48 hours of order receipt. Every attempt will be made on orders received before 3PM Eastern Time to ship the same day.

Non Stock Items
All non-stock or special order items will be shipped within 24 hours of receipt of goods or will be drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer to you in order to avoid long shipping times. Should an item be out of stock, you will be contacted to ensure that you wish your order to remain open. Upon confirmation that you wish the item to be ordered into stock, your order can no longer be cancelled. When the item has been received in stock, you will again be contacted to notify you of your updated order status. Every attempt will be made to expedite completion of your order.

Courier
We ship using UPS and FedEx to destinations across the 50 states and via FedEx to Canada. For those items that exceed the weight restrictions of UPS and Fedex, or for those items that you want to arrive in one piece without damage, Bax Global freight will be used. We will provide a tracking number when your order ships. See international delivery information below.

Shipping Costs
Shipping costs are calculated in real-time when you check out or manually for phone/email orders based on the published shipping weights of products. Shipping charges reflect as closely as we are able the actual cost to ship the package including packing materials. We do NOT attempt to profit on shipping.

International Delivery
For deliveries outside of the United States and Canada we ship via BAX Global or DHL. Typical delivery times (excluding customs delays) are 4-5 business days. A tracking number will be provided when your order is shipped. There may be duties or taxes assessed by your country that are due when you receive your order. These fees are determined by the customs service in your country and are beyond our control. DHL does not assess any customs brokerage fees. Again, for all items that exceed weight restrictions, Bax Global will be used for shipments.

Sales Terms and Conditions

RETURN POLICY

We stand behind the products we sell. Your satisfaction with your purchase is extremely important to us. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase for any reason you may return it in accordance with the terms and conditions below for a refund. We at The Home Theater Doctor understand that product returns are part of the business. There are going to be occasions where the product is not right for the customer or the customer changes their mind. However, unlike other businesses, the costs of returned goods are not factored into our aggressive sales prices (i.e. you get lower prices up front because we try our best through pre-sale conversations to make sure the product is right for you rather than raising the prices to protect against having some items returned). Also, because we are not a large corporation like Best Buy, Circuit City, etc., we simply can't absorb large returns as easily and the costs have to be accounted for somewhere. The end result is the policy below. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

RMA Number
Please contact us to receive an RMA number before returning an item. All returns must be requested within 30 days from the date of order and must be returned to us within 14 calendar days of issuance of an RMA number. You must have an RMA number to retain your right to return an item for any reason. No package will be accepted for a return without a valid RMA number. The RMA number MUST be displayed on the return label. To receive an RMA number write to sales@hometheaterdoc.com

Damaged, Defective or DOA Shipments
Items damaged during shipment or DOA can be returned for a full refund or replacement. All customers are responsible for return shipping expenses. In order to retain your rights under this condition, you must notify us within 72 hours after delivery. Failure to notify The Home Theater Doctor within the 72 hour time window constitutes acceptance of the package regardless of its condition. For items that have obvious damage to the exterior shipping carton, do NOT open the packaging. Please contact The Home Theater Doctor immediately so that the courier can be sent to examine the package. Failure to comply with this directive constitutes acceptance of package contents, whatever their condition may be. For damaged, DOA, or defective units, we will ship a replacement or issue a refund only after the item has been inspected by the courier or The Home Theater Doctor. Replacement items will be sent using a method at least as fast as that used to ship the original item. If you require a faster replacement I recommend you place a new, separate order, and request a refund for the damaged item.

Items that are returned under the "Damaged, Defective or DOA Shipments" policy and that are determined to be in perfect working order when we inspect them will be treated as "Opened Items" returns. You will be responsible for all shipping charges. Please make certain you know how to operate an item before you request a DOA return. We are available to answer any questions you may have about an item's use. Please contact us as we are more than happy to help in any way we can.

Unopened In Stock Items
Items purchased from in stock inventory that are unopened, in the original, sealed box and in resalable condition can be returned for a refund excluding shipping charges within 30 days of purchase. A restocking fee of 10% of the sales price is deducted from the refund amount. Any returns requested beyond 30 days from the date of purchase will be handled on a case by case basis at the full discretion of The Home Theater Doctor.

Opened In Stock Items
Items purchased from in stock inventory whose packaging has been opened can still be returned within 30 days of purchase for a refund excluding shipping charges provided the item is in complete and saleable condition. A restocking fee of 25% of the sales price is deducted from the refund amount. Any returns requested beyond 30 days from the date of purchase will be handled on a case by case basis at the full discretion of The Home Theater Doctor.

Exception to this policy!! Digital front projectors have a 50% restocking fee. We have been encountering FAR too many customers recently who wish to purchase a projector, trial it in their home for close to a month and then try to return for a full refund. The Home Theater Doctor has a sizeable number of digital projectors on display in our showrooms to show each unit's strengths and weaknesses. We sincerely want to avoid a local customer purchasing something they won't be happy with. For our non-local clients, the costs are simply too high for us to continue providing free trials to individuals given the razor thin profit margins of these units. Given how low the pricing typically goes on these units, the minute you open the box and put an hour on the bulb, we're inevitably going to lose money on that item if it is returned and we must resell it. Even a 25% restocking fee isn't adequate to break even in many cases. We're happy to continue providing new projectors for you to try out, but there has to be a cost associated with this. Thanks for your understanding in this matter. Please feel free to call and discuss the merits and features of each projector before making a selection. We're happy to provide non-partial advice.

Open Box or Demonstration Items
Open box or showroom demonstration items in saleable and complete condition can be returned for a refund excluding shipping charges within 30 days of purchase. The Home Theater Doctor charges a 5% restocking fee for these returns to cover lost credit card fees and time to process the transaction and return. Unless otherwise specified, this policy applies to ALL open box or demonstration pieces. However, there are occasions where sale of an open box or demonstration item will be final. NO returns will be accepted on those items. Should that situation arise, all reasonable efforts will be made to fully disclose to the customer prior to the purchase, as well as in writing on the advertisement and on the sales receipt that the sale is final.

Special Order or Custom Made Items
Special Order or Custom Made items can NOT be returned for a refund. All sales are final on these items. Be very sure to work with us BEFORE placing orders for these items. These items are final sale items for us as well. The manufacturer won't allow us to return these items to them either.

Our Mistake
Returns necessitated by an order processing mistake on our part will be accepted for a full refund and we will pay the full return shipping costs. Opening an item's package or using an item signifies your acceptance of that item even if there was an order processing mistake on our part.

Determination of Condition
The final determination of what is "saleable" and "complete" condition is at our sole discretion. Returned items failing to meet these conditions may be subject to a higher return fee, they may be returned to you at your expense, or they may not be returned to you at all. Please do not try to return any item that you have damaged, scratched, has lost pieces or manuals, mutilated packaging or has otherwise been turned into junk. Please check with us before you return items of uncertain condition.

ORDER CANCELLATION

You may cancel your order of in stock items for any reason as long as we receive your notification before the courier accepts your package. In order to ensure your cancellation receives the most prompt attention please e-mail cancel@hometheaterdoc.com. If your cancellation is received too late then your items are subject to the normal return procedures. For all out of stock order items, once confirmation has been received to order an item into stock for you, the order can NOT be cancelled. On an individual basis, at our discretion, every effort will be made to stop the non stock item from being produced and/or shipped to us. If, however, it is already in progress, then the order can not be cancelled.

THE HOME THEATER DOCTOR WARRANTY

Unless otherwise stated in the product description, all items enjoy a 30 day dealer warranty against manufacturing defects in addition to the manufacturer's warranty(if any). Product use in a manor not specified by the manufacturer, or product mis-use, will void this warranty protection. We will, at our discretion, either repair, refund, or replace the warranted item. Warranty does not apply to special order or custom items. Beyond this extra store warranty, The Home Theater Doctor is an authorized dealer or reseller for every single product we sell. Full manufacturer's warranty will apply to any product purchased from us. Beyond the first 30 days of HTDoc warranty, you may contact the product manufacturer directly to receive warranty service. As always, we are here to help you diagnose problems to the best of our ability. Obviously this can prove difficult for our non-local customers. We will do our best to help you over the phone or via email. If we are unsuccessful, we ask that you contact the manufacturer directly to receive prompt repair service.

PRICING POLICY

The price you pay for all items is set at the time of your order (i.e. when money changes hands, either by placing a deposit on a special order item, authorizing the purchase with a credit card, or paying in full in person). Our prices are updated frequently according to market conditions and availability, and we reserve the right to change our current prices without offering any form of price protection to orders already placed.

SHIPPING

We reserve the right to use another carrier or shipping method other then the carrier or method you specify without notice or shipping cost adjustment as long as the carrier or method we use will deliver your order in at least as much time as the carrier or method you specified.

TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

We attempt to keep the information on this site as current and error free as possible. We are not bound by typographical errors resulting in inaccuracies with regard to prices, product specifications or availability.

How To Order

There are several ways you can place an order with us:

Email:

Orders can be placed by sending an email to sales@hometheaterdoc.com. Please be sure to include billing and shipping address information, as well as specific payment information. If you are uncomfortable including credit card information in an email, please feel free to call us.

Phone:

Orders can be placed over the phone by dialing (919) - 632 - 2569. We would be happy to chat with you and answer any questions you may have.

In Person:

You are more than welcome to make arrangements to visit with us and place your order or make purchases in person. Please contact us via email or phone to arrange a meeting time.

Online:

Unfortunately, because this website is currently being completely overhauled, online ordering is not currently functional. Please use one of the other methods listed above to place an order. Soon, the new website will be in full swing and will allow secure, SSL-encrypted order transactions. Thank you very much for your patience during this transitional time!