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Dealer Bias: Do They Really Add Value?

Many posts refer questions to a "dealer you trust", "get advice from a qualified dealer" etc. Maybe I have lived in big cities for too long, but these posts strike me as very naive or possibly written by local dealers masquerading as members on this board. Do you really think that dealers aren't biased, often ill informed or motivated primarily by profit? I dont' want to take away from the sincere people and genuine enthusiasts in the business, but I can't even count the number of times a "reputable high end dealer" has suddenly decided that Levinson is actually better than Krell, or Burmester blows Audio Research away, or we started having problems with Martin Logan, Audio Research etc. only months after they were touting the very same brands as the best thing in the history of the universe. Brands of equipment that work well together are often not sold by the same dealer, or even in the same state. I don't know but it seems that hotly competing lines are rarely represented by the same dealer. I agree that we should reward and give business to dealers who genuinely provide an excellent service, build long term relationships, give good advice and really go the extra mile, but all too often dealers seem to whine about , a shrinking market, customers who don't appreciate their service and value added etc when they need to look in the mirror and ask how much value they really add. I go OUT OF MY WAY to give business to people who try to get to know me and really take care of me, but when I perceive a mediocre, biased, commodity service, I am more than happy to get my advice from all of you and shop for my electrostatics, exotic cables and monoblocks on the internet at the lowest possible price.
cwlondon
danvetc
527 posts
 
You sound like the kind of customer a good dealer would love. I define a "good" dealer as one who allows home trials and does not discourage you from your preferences as you find them in your listening environment. This is, I fear, becoming harder to find because the general population has become more likely to take advantage of business owners. (How many posts have you seen where folks audition the local dealer and then go buy elsewhere at the lowest price. When you have your own business, this is one of the most disappointing realities to face. That being said, you are of course, right on about those who put profit over honesty. Let them feed on the naive. What goes around comes around.
Charlie.
perfectimage
406 posts
 
The dealer I go to has spent countless hours with me, let me take home equipment to audition, and has even sent me to other dealers for particuar items that I wanted to hear that they didnt carry. I have spent a lot more money for items I could have bought here cheaper but with out their expert advice, patience, and help I never could have built what I did. I of course gave them my business for it and have always considered the little extra money well spent.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Yes,it's not the quality of the pieces,it's the quality of the music.I find I have to read between the lines,here and with the dealers. I guess it's the "uphill" struggle we enjoy.--?? I mean;do we want it to be that easy? "Winning" against the odds gives satisfaction. Do you want to do the maze?(Mt. road) /Or do you want to take the freeway? One is boring!!
angela100
435 posts
 
Here's my perception - please help me understand if it's *true* or not.
I think (don't know this for a fact) that the high-end brick and mortar dealers do most of their business with people that find themselves with the $ to spend, but don't want to really "get into" this hobby. They want a nice system (I would think thatWAF is very high consideration in these deals), but don't want to invest the time into understanding it. "I want the best you got" (oooh, there's a line to drool over….) I assume these types of customers help the dealers to pay the bills, because I don't think they make their money from people like us - fairly savvy and into this hobby.
The Internet dealers have got to be putting a huge dent into the brick and mortar businesses. I mean when you can find dealers offering - 40% off - new in box gear, why would you pay full retail?
I find it difficult to pay full retail for ANYTHING, anymore.
Does my theory hold water?
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