The Lowdown on ProAudioStar: A Trusted Source for Music Gear or Risky Purchase?

Introducing ProAudioStar

ProAudioStar began as a humble eBay store reselling used musical instruments and gear back in the early 2000s. Founder Ron Wolf leveraged his connections in the Brooklyn music scene to source quality secondhand equipment and resell it online at reasonable prices.

Over time, the eBay store gained popularity for its deals and expanded into its own website, ProAudioStar.com. Today, the New York-based company sells both new and used musical instruments, recording equipment, DJ gear, and more. They offer products from leading brands like Fender, Nord, Antares, and Ludwig.

With over 26,000 Facebook followers and largely positive online reviews, ProAudioStar has earned a reputation as a go-to destination for musicians, recording engineers, and DJs looking to save money. But are the deals really as good as they seem? Is ProAudioStar a company you can rely on?

In this comprehensive ProAudioStar review, I‘ll take an in-depth look at their products, prices, policies, and customer feedback to determine if this music gear retailer is legit or too risky for your hard-earned money.

An Abundance of Music Gear at All Budgets

ProAudioStar‘s main draw is its extensive inventory spanning many different product types and price ranges. Simply put, if you‘re looking for musical equipment or audio gear, they likely have it.

You can find high-end items like Nord‘s $2,699 Elector 6D keyboard or Antares‘ $199 Auto-Tune software. But ProAudioStar also stocks affordable options like Ludwig‘s $300 aluminum snare drum and solid beginner instruments from Guild.

They offer new condition gear as well as an ample resale marketplace of used equipment. While the secondhand gear isn‘t as reliably pristine as buying new, you can score instruments in "like new" shape for 30-50% discounts. All resale items over $199 come with a 6 month warranty too.

It’s clear ProAudioStar aims to cater to both novice musicians on a budget and professionals willing to splurge for premium equipment. There should be plenty of quality gear for all needs and price ranges.

Tempting Deals and Discounts Sweeten the Pot

Beyond everyday low prices, ProAudioStar also runs regular promotions that knock prices down even lower. Their latest Smoking Sitewide Sale boasted up to 60% off select items across the website.

The company also frequently offers Open Box specials which discount brand new gear simply because the original packaging was opened to photograph the product or fix an issue. You can find major brands like Native Instruments and PreSonus essentially new but at used prices.

For extra savings, ProAudioStar provides monthly payment plans on purchases over $149 through financing service Affirm. Breaking up your total into low monthly payments helps make that expensive MIDI controller or synth more affordable.

While these tempting deals may lure you in, remember that ultra-low prices can also signal issues with quality or hidden gotchas. We’ll explore that next.

Customer Reviews Express Mixed Experiences

ProAudioStar enjoys largely positive online reviews, although experiences vary:

• Cherry Pick Reviews – 4.6/5 stars (100+ reviews)
• Reseller Ratings – 4.2/5 stars (13,000+ reviews)
• Facebook – 3.9/5 stars (1,700+ reviews)

Positive reviews on Reddit and chat forums highlight the legitimately awesome deals customers have scored:

"Bought an Octatrack MK2 from them and paid almost $400 less than I would in Canada. Shipped right to my front door just like they promised."

"Got 2 synths for B-stock prices but both came upgraded to new condition. So far they haven’t done me wrong."

However, a portion of buyers faced communication issues, slow shipping, inaccurate website stock statuses, and incorrect or damaged orders. Here‘s one miffed 1-star review:

"Horrible place to order from. Took over a week to ship, didn‘t respond to any emails, and sent the wrong item. Now they aren‘t helping resolve the issue. Stay away!"

While negative reviews were a minority, it‘s clear ProAudioStar doesn‘t offer white glove service. The ultra-low pricing seems to come at the cost of communication and service issues potential.

Is ProAudioStar Too Good to Be True?

ProAudioStar built its reputation around unbeatable deals on coveted music gear. But are those tempting offers simply too good to be true?

There are a few factors to consider:

Used and open box discounts can be hit or miss – While you might score big savings on gear that’s basically new, there’s also a risk of receiving more wear and tear than expected. Be prepared to test equipment promptly upon arrival.

Limited customer service – Don’t expect much hand holding or white glove treatment from ProAudioStar‘s customer service team. Be prepared to self-troubleshoot any issues.

Order accuracy issues – There‘s a chance you receive the wrong item or something different than described on the website. Carefully vet any gear upon arrival.

Extra fees – Make sure to calculate shipping costs and any taxes/import fees for your area. These can erode deals, especially on bigger ticket items.

If you set proper expectations going in, the deals can certainly outweigh potential hiccups. But ProAudioStar may disappoint those wanting a premium ordering experience.

Best Suited for Savvy Shoppers Seeking Deals

Considering the mostly decent feedback despite some communicaton issues, I believe ProAudioStar is likely a legitimate company. They genuinely offer musical instruments and audio gear at big discounts compared to most other retailers.

However, because of the elevated risk of receiving wrong or damaged items, their service likely appeals most to budget-focused shoppers who conduct due diligence themselves.

Casual buyers may prefer more premium retailers like Sweetwater or Guitar Center for simpler ordering and returns, even if they pay more.

Meanwhile, seasoned musicians and audio engineers accustomed to vetting used gear should appreciate ProAudioStar‘s savings – provided they closely inspect shipments and test equipment for functionality flaws.

Novices should also make sure to calculate final costs like tax and shipping which can diminish deals. But overall, shoppers comfortable self-vetting can likely save big.

The Verdict: A Legit Reseller Best Suited for Savvy Shoppers

ProAudioStar made a name delivering coveted music gear at highly affordable prices, albeit with mixed experiences regarding order issues. Novices may prefer more premium retailers, but seasoned musicians should appreciate the legit deals.

Carefully inspect any purchases upon arrival and take advantage of open return policies to mitigate risks from inaccurate website listings or flawed open-box gear. As long as you‘re a savvy shopper who sets proper expectations, ProAudioStar can stretch your equipment budget.

Let me know in the comments if this review helped you better understand ProAudioStar as a retailer! Did I miss any key details about the company?