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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
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
as manufacturers sell direct to consumers, they take upon themselves the dual role of designer and retailer. if this trend continues, it will decrease the likelihood of continued viability of the "high end" audio store.

as a consumer buying from a manufacturer, with a home trial and return option has a distinct advantage over buying from an audio store, as the manufacturer is a usually a better source of source of information about the product he/she sells than most audio dealers.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

I wonder what will be around longer... this website, other's like it, or local dealers?

Or.... maybe even this thread and other's like it?

In each case we can uncover more opinions, facts, and perspectives, and seller/buyer relationships via the local shops, or simply leave things go whatever way they might of their own volition.

Remember too the dart thrown into the local distribution array by VSA not too long ago, without indicating this new plan to their current dealer force beforehand.

Somewhat contrary to the gloomy atmosphere surrounding local audio entities, is within the past six years two more BM audio stores have sprouted up in my area, making for a total of four independently owned & operated outlets, whilst major chains are reorganizing or dying off.

Two of these are making some presence kknown here.

Another which relocated to this area from a left coast location it previously maintained, fuels it's own web centered buying aspiration.

???
ferrari
617 posts
 
Okay for what its worth here is more fuel for the fire.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/viewpoint/0801/longlive.htm
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
There is another subject on Audiogon in regrads to 'Vandersteen's' new model #7 loudspeaker, it was at the CES and alone costs $45,000, partnered with ancillaries that totalled $300,000, apparently it sounds 'sublime'.
No shit! if you can't make or sell a speaker that sounds good for less than $45,000, then one perhaps is in the wrong business, then again one IS in the wrong business. The Car Industry in the EU
thrives and indeed runs and survives on the fact that the budget cars that the masses buy enables the mid range and luxury cars to be produced, no bottom end means no top end.
Who can afford to pay that much when all the world is going to the dogs?
Instead of a race to see who can produce stupid exotica that only doctors/lawyers/pop stars/actors can buy.
Give us some bread and butter speakers with bread and butter prices,keep the normal waged people happy, and feel free btw to leave the butter off, my cholesterol is high as it is.
Give us cheap but good, I know you designers can do it.
Renault were producing are nice car so sale only to EU's new 400m Eastern Europeans for the princely sum of 3000 euros. I am sure by now they have bazillions.
In fact when I was in Europe I would have flown to where they were selling them (they are not available to the rich west Europeans) and bought one and driven it back.
I would support Johnk of KCS, truly excellent speakers, that put these mega ridiculously priced speakers to shame.
ferrari
617 posts
 
Another insight to the dilemma and I know these folks and this article is very true.

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1997-06-26/news/twilight-of-the-tweaks/1
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