Does anyone or does everyone pay retail price?


I've never bought "new" higher end audio (4k-up) , does everyone pay the MRSP or is there a little or alot of $$ to neg. when buying from a local store? Amp.,speakers,etc.

Gary
garypic

Showing 1 response by blindjim

As to the orig Q...

I've paid for new stuff and for used stuff... but I don't think I've paid the list price exactly in any case.

Dealers have ther overhead as Stan said... and every dealer will make or be forced to choose if they let a qualified buyer 'walk' out on them, given the parameters specific to the deal.

There used to be price protection with some lines, geography or regional protection as well. Both of these plans were to protect dealers and provide good profit margins.

Much of this ideology was overseen and enforced on ADV items.... posted pricing.

What happens behind closed doors is a whole other world. Just don't expect the bottom to fall out of the list price, when you go to close a deal in a BM retail outlet with brand new pieces. Then we're back to the relationship, item, overall $$$ being spent, cash, credit, trade, previous business, close out, demo, support, service, etc.

I'd say a 20% discount on new gear is an average to good deal in a flat out, 'see ya later' transaction. So more off would be better of course.

There are too, those dealers that simply won't move off list, begrudgingly (if at all) allow auditions, etc. and let folks walk out on them all day long. I neither waste my time there, or their's and seek out those which are more customer friendly and accomodating. It confounds me how they stay in business.

In fact I'd pay more to those who are attendant to my own needs, than to a jerk selling the same thing for another 10 to 15% off... but that's just me and my ways. I think people matter and are more than just another 'faceless deal'.

My exp in retail showed me looking to genuinely attend to a customer’s needs and providing them a fair deal was sufficient to obtain their return and gain referrals. Nailing someone for at or above retail list price does get ya a couple things… Namely, a one time deal, and most likely a remorseful buyer that can be detrimental to your business reputation., via the best or worst advertising, ‘word of mouth’. Good news travels fast, bad news goes faster.

I think a big problem for many is the level of their expectations following some good experiences in buying preowned gear, here or elsewhere. One can get used to buying quality made components preowned and be pretty happy doing so…. Discounting the items that come with buying new.

There are however some exceptionally positive attributes going with ‘new’ gear. Notably, the prospect another may gain still greater savings buying that piece later on in the preowned market… perhaps.