Store auditioning and then buying on-line from others. How do you feel about it ?

Zavato said: “Item X available at a traditional store for $2,000, new with warranty, and available on line, new with warranty, for exactly 1/2 the price.”

Now, you have to remember the online “dealer” is likely a broker that has no stock and will have the unit drop shipped from the distributor or factory with virtually no overhead.

When I was in the business in the 90's, dealer discounts where 40% to 50% in small numbers for electronics + SHIPPING and sometimes up to 60% with cables.

A B&M dealer would loose money if he sold that $2000.00 unit for ½ price.

Also think about that warranty, where would you take the unit if you had a problem? Back to the dealer you did not buy it from to handle the warranty service? Or, send it back and hope for the best.

What I did was, if there was a problem under warranty and I had a demo in stock, I would let the buyer use the demo until the unit was replaced or repaired so he would not be left without.

It is unrealistic for B&M dealers to match online prices, provide demo spaces, pay rent, utilities, wages, taxes, supplies and still make a profit.

" When you audition $20,000 in gear, if it's new, $8,000 or so goes right into the dealer's pocket."

Ok, then you have shipping cost, could be $500.00+, so now we have $7,500. Does the dealer offer home delivery & setup, I did, so we have that cost. Then there is rent, utilities, advertising, insurance, security, store furnishings, employees wages, taxes, computer system, etc.,before he realizes any profit. And, many times the profit goes back into inventory. If one wants to get rich, one is already or chooses another path other than a high-end B&M audio store.

While it might initially go "into the dealers pocket", it doesn't stay there for long.

" Brick and mortar dealers can go straight to Hell."

After reading a good sampling of your posts, it appears to me that your attitude might be the sole reason your journey in high-end audio is less that satisfying for you.