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Are internet sales taking business or not?

I got into a heated discussion with my friend the other day about internet high-end audio sales. He felt that the internet was stealing business from retailers. I argued that retailers are losing business because they offer such poor customer service. By driving hungry customers away, retailers create a market opportunity that internet companies seize. In a 12 year period, my visits to 9 high-end salons in 5 states yielded only 50% satisfaction. 25% of the time the sales was sub-standard (meaning I might buy, but with much reluctance), and the other 25% was incredibly poor (I wouldn't buy, period!) Any comments?
ivory1
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
Maybe if there wasn't so much mark up locally; one wouldn't look to the 'net if they could get it locally for a simliar price. Then again, there will be those that want many services from the local dealer that add to the cost...

Maybe it is a fault of manufacturers for setting high list prices.
prpixel
876 posts
 
I wouldn't mind paying more if I got some service. You don't give me any service; you don't get my money. It's that simple. I walked into a local dealer about three months ago to purhase a pair of B&W N805sigs. He didn't have them hooked up and said he was too busy to do it now. I was the only person in the store. He was really too busy eating lunch. He said that he would call me when he made some time to hook them up. Needless to say, he never called. I took my business down the road and had a pair in my hands the next day.
brauser
519 posts
 
Yes, without question. I should also note that few high-end
retailers have been able to stay solvent (even before the
crush of the Internet). It's a tough business!!
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
Please see my thoughts here.

Brian
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