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Could I be a Retail Wretch?

I started a discussion here this morning to get some feedback on whether an external DAC would make an appreciable improvement over an internal processor’s DAC. During the discussion, I said that I typically visit a local audio dealer, to experience the equipment and then, comparison shop to find the best deal. The particular dealer I was referring to, emails me weekly, sends postcards monthly and catalogs quarterly. It’s always with an invitation to “see and hear the difference”. So I visit, and occasionally buy some small ticket items. But, when it comes to spending thousands on nationally available equipment, I don’t feel any obligation to limit my shopping to that one location.

When I shared my buying habits with the forum, I received responses that said using any brick and mortar stores to demo and then buying elsewhere “cuzz” it’s cheaper is just plain wrong…

I was surprised at that statement. I’m a value oriented person. I enjoy quality items. But I search for them at the best price - is that wrong? If there’s no competitive pricing or added value, why should I feel obligated?


gwbeers
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,451 posts
 
You’re not offending me, it’s just shitty to do that to dealers. None of whom want customers like you wasting their time and resources.
gwbeers OP
76 posts
 

@oddiofly - I’m not being factious. Please be explicit and explain to me how you perceive my interaction with a retail salesperson has wasted their time and resources.

It may be a difference between urban and rural shopping. I live in Manhattan and East Hampton, Long Island. There are 2 shops close to me on Long Island and 4 within walking distance in Manhattan. Your dealer may display prices in their high end audio rooms, but that’s not the norm and none of these 6 locations do. I have never seen a crowd at any of the 6 shops and more often than not, there’s no more that a half dozen shoppers in any listening room.

So, if the only way to find a price is to engage a salesperson - please tell me what resources I’m depleting and how I’m wasting that salesperson’s time?


jperry
2,430 posts
 
@oddiofyl 

+1

OPs question has been asked and answered, but he doesn't like the answer
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"There are 2 shops close to me on Long Island and 4 within walking distance in Manhattan."

How far is "walking distance"?

Shopping and selling in Manhattan has slightly different reality than shipping from a warehouse in Kansas. Some of the expenses are higher and business model may be aimed more towards people who shop in a different way than you do. In the end, you may be happy you outsmarted the dealer and he may not care about it that much. Win-win situation.

A month or so ago, a dealer with showrooms full of nice/expensive products (along with less esoteric, for sure) responded to a seriously-interested youngish prospective buyer with "If I could get a dollar for every person who came in, got interested, and then said he would be back...". He did not seem dismayed, he simply stated the fact in some way. He actually offered significantly lower price on a $5000 amplifier.
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