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Charging A Fee To Demo An Amplifier In A Brick & Mortar Store

I Saw a pair of pre-owned tube monoblocs for sale on an onlline forum for around $17k.
The seller has a retail store for hiigh end audio. The seller mentioned that there will be an up-front fee for the demo if a prospect comes to the store the amps are not purchased. The demo fee may also be used for credit towards any purchase in the store.

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Is this now a common occurance in high end audio stores? I sent a note to the seller asking what the demo fee amount was....two weeks and I didn’t get a response.

Does anyone know what amount of fees are charged for a demo?
128x128mitch4t
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cleeds
5,642 posts
 
If you don’t like a store’s attitude or policies, simply don’t shop there. I don’t understand why anyone would get particularly angry about it, though. It’s not worth it and retail is a competitive business.

I bought a new headphone amp a few years ago and the first dealer I visited - which I had done some business with years earlier - told me they no longer accept any trades. I had a few high-end pieces I wanted to part with, so I found another dealer who carried the same amplifier I was seeking. He was happy to take my trades. Now he has a new customer. That's how it works.
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oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
First rule of acquisition,  "Once you get their money, you never give it back".

Regards
johnto
972 posts
 
If I was a serious buyer I'd feel offended but there are so many tire kickers who have no intention of buying. If a reasonable fee was posted for like a 30 minute demo there is equipment I wouldn't mind paying to hear. I don't think it's fair to take someone's time if I know I'm not buying.

rsf507
2,222 posts
 
Look elsewhere! Not the way I’d do business.
corelli
941 posts
 
Can you imagine as a dealer how many people who might "like a listen" with no intent of buying.  Must drive them nuts.  If you have $17k to burn on amps, an audition fee is not likely to be a big deal.  Furthermore, how do you make an informed decision without hearing it in your system? Especially with a tubed amp.  Paying a fee to hear it in my own system would make a lot more sense
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