AudiogoN Forums: Supporting Local Audio Stores are we?

Supporting Local Audio Stores are we?

I know, money talks, bullshi* walks...
But having owned an audio store for about a dozen years, I know how tough it is to 'make a living' for a mom and pop store, without some sugar daddy/momma in the background funding the enterprize.
So, I am wondering if the nice folks of Audiogon support local businesses?
As I stated, "Money Talks" and I get it, we all want the best 'value' for our money. The question is...when does the price versus local support begin/end. When does the follow up and or service/set up outweigh the raw savings?
To be clear, I am not talking fantastic discounts, but a few percentage points off retail. I remember a painful transaction that I had once, during which a customer had taken home a particular CD player two weekends running, only to purchase elsewhere because he 'saved' $53.00 (on a $500. item). OUCH!
I contended that without the long term audition, he had nothing on which to base his purchase? How does everyone else see this?
Right now, its obviously a tough financial climate out there, but looking to more normal times, I am wondering how many of the readers/writers of Audiogon would forego price for service/set up? OK, forget buying great used pieces for fractions of original retail, everyone must probably assume that that's good for everyone, including the dealers, as this frees up customers who are now, 'back in the hunt'.

It will be interesting to hear back, it's been some time since the Brick and Mortar (at least for me) question was aired out.

Best,
Larry

Lrsky (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

01-10-09

Responses (51-98 of 98)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

01-11-09 I am feeling quite sea sick with all this boat talk. Gawdbless

01-11-09 But back on topic... my feeling is that it is a small market ... T_bone

01-11-09 There will always be a need, and a clientele for a high end ... Tvad

01-11-09 The uk has an organisation called bada (british audio dealer ... Gawdbless

01-12-09 that might be insulting if it came from a real man, consid ... Jmcgrogan2

01-12-09 I’m pretty sure those folks who can pony up the $$$$$$$$$ fo ... Blindjim

01-12-09 Blindjim, what an interesting perspective...a man of great i ... Lrsky

01-12-09 well, now we're into a discussion of value...the undefinable ... Tvad

01-12-09 Tvad says: "teaching, or demonstrating value takes lo ... Lrsky

01-12-09 most audio nuts are dillitentes to varying degrees, and mos ... Tvad

01-12-09 For what it is worth i continue to support larry at hollywoo ... Ferrari

01-12-09 Jmcgrogan, "that might be insulting if it came from a ... Chadnliz

01-12-09 Hi larry, given the context of your writings, it looks like ... Brimac

01-12-09 Chadnliz, if that wasn't meant for me, i apologize. as i rea ... Jmcgrogan2

01-12-09 Chadnliz, i have noticed your last few threads on audiogon t ... Gawdbless

01-12-09 Gawd with all due respect stay out of it, john and i had an ... Chadnliz

01-12-09: Blindjim
I’ve never inquired as to how much a thing costs to produce. Never have I begrudged any for the differences between presumed or known, production costs and those fees invested in bringing it to point of sale.

As was said, It really is none of my business… unless I’m an investor in that enterprise.

I think some now not too distant inventions have simply changed how we are now able to do business. Regularly. Routinely, and with a bit of safety…. The ‘web’, is just that invention.

It’s changed the face of sales at large. Mighty quickly now folks are turning to it more so every day as a viable instrument for gaining both needs and wants. As familiarity grows and comfort levels increase by it’s presence and use, more dollars will go it’s way. Given the current retail atmosphere in general, B&M retailers are hard pressed to compete with it.

It is solely my preff that IF at all possible I would rather deal face to face than electronically, ‘byte to byte’, as it were. Always. Sadly, such is no longer the regular case… in my area, at least. Mostly.

The web factor has made it’s mark on audio for sure. The days of the affluent, aloof, and erudite high end audio establishments are numbered.

If I want to be ignored, or condescended too, I’ll just go over to my friends house and try to get her cat to come to me when I call it.

The days of sellers ‘catering’ to buyers have been changed. Albeit, this take it or leave it, … it’s not my job…. You want a what? Attitudes are more a sociological fall out, than anything else.

I doubt seriously those who do inventory goods, and have a commitment to service and support for their customers past, present, and future are likely doomed if not already entrenched in a major metro area… for little more reason than current and ongoing social attitudes, as well as the apparent ease of double clicking…. Or reaching out and touching someone across the globe by phone.

Routinely displayed elements of “Class” or it’s absence, also seem in short supply these days…. Or there’s far too much distinction between them, by some…. And adds into the mix of reasons for some of my statements as to why home grown affairs are falling away as of late.

As for value … in a valueless society, price remains king…. And that’s a tremendously sad epitaph.
Blindjim (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

01-13-09 Blindjim has nailed it. 7 words "in a valueless societ ... Swampwalker

01-13-09 I have had the privilege of buying my equipment from audio c ... Blackstonejd

01-13-09 Many in this thread have focused on price. while equipment p ... Mitch2

01-13-09 old school themes in a new age of "me dfirst" & & ... Blindjim

01-13-09 Mitch2 has, imho, presented the history of the demise of b&m ... Newbee

01-13-09 Chadnliz, with all due respects to you to, this is a public ... Gawdbless

01-13-09 Life is too short to let things like that bother me after i ... Chadnliz

01-13-09 As manufacturers sell direct to consumers, they take upon th ... Mrtennis

01-14-09 i wonder what will be around longer... this website, other' ... Blindjim

01-14-09 Okay for what its worth here is more fuel for the fire. htt ... Ferrari

01-14-09 There is another subject on audiogon in regrads to 'vanderst ... Gawdbless

01-14-09 Another insight to the dilemma and i know these folks and th ... Ferrari

01-14-09 Its always possible that larger or more adventuresome ecomme ... Mapman

01-14-09 Gawd, the trouble with cheaper gear is folks like ones in ... Chadnliz

01-14-09 Chadnliz, i agree with you, but i do not want the trumpets ... Gawdbless

01-14-09 Repeating something i posted before...my grandson makes a go ... Eldartford

01-15-09 Brimac et al, great post, and well thought out. "seem ... Lrsky

01-15-09 Gawdbless, years ago, thiel sold more dollar volume, in the ... Lrsky

01-15-09 re vandy's big gun there are, amazingly enough, other mode ... Blindjim

01-15-09 Blindjim, several years ago, when i was involved in retail, ... Lrsky

01-16-09 Larry re "...letting $100k sit around is suicide...&qu ... Blindjim

01-16-09 First and foremost, this is my first post after reading thes ... Rella

01-16-09 Blindjim, first, my perspective, so you'll know how flawed ... Lrsky

01-16-09 Great post rella, and a valid point about the way audio stor ... Jmcgrogan2

01-16-09 Hi john: i'm surprised that you haven't found several compo ... Mrtennis

01-19-09 five years is a lifetime in this hobby, especially with so ... Jmcgrogan2

01-19-09 Five years is not even a blip on the radar. been at this sin ... Ferrari

01-19-09 Back to the thread: manufacturers have disenfranchised deal ... Mrtennis

01-19-09 'us' audiophiles in terms of musical equipment sales are not ... Gawdbless

01-20-09 ferrari, i believe you have misinterpretted the conversati ... Jmcgrogan2

01-21-09 Godbless i'm sure you know this, but i'll say it anyway... ... Blindjim

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