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Why do DIY products have less value ?

As many of you know, I do alot of DIY projects and am very happy with them. I have noticed that many folks seem to think that DIY stuff is not as good as store-bought stuff. It seems like they think that DIY is only for people who can't afford to buy something good. For example, when I tell people that I made my own cables, the first thing they suggest is that I buy some "good" cables. Or when I show them my DIY speakers, they say "Wow they're really good for DIY speakers. Imagine how good your system would sound with a pair of XYZ Mark 8 with petrified Jello cones and extruded pasta baskets!" What I'm saying is that there is this preconcieved notion that if it's DIY, it cannot be really good. This disturbs me. And if you try to sell a DIY item, forget it. You MIGHT get parts cost back, if you're lucky. They say "I'm not paying that much for something you cooked up in your garage. I can get the Mark 8 for only twice what you're asking." Performance is not the issue, only the idea that it did not come from a commercial maker so it just can't be as good or better as the Mark 8. All listening evaluations are always prejudiced with this view. Am I destined to be forever viewed as a tinkerer, or will anyone ever give DIY products the respect they deserve for their performance and not their origin?
twl
blkadr
739 posts
 
Fear of low resale value, catch 22, no? The speakers and preamp I am listening to are both available as a kit, parts quality and sound are far beyond what I have heard for the money at shops. If you are careful (lucky) its like getting the top of the line for the entry level price. Be Not Afraid.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,139 posts
 
I applaud anyone who has the knowledge and ability to design and construct their own hifi equipment. I don't for a second doubt that the resulting product is sonically the equal to anything one could find in a store. However, there's more to product value than sound quality. When I purchase a product I pay attention to warranty, repair service, potential for upgrades and resale value. Rightly or wrongly, home built products don't offer these added value items.
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
I would have no problem buying DIY stuff, I would make my own if I had the time, and knew enough about electronics. The whole thing for me is to know what I'm buying. There are already enough scams online. I could tell you that I have a 7' tall majestic speaker that will *blow away* (I love when people use that term) Legacy Whispers or Dynaudio whatevers, only I'm charging 7500 a pair for mine. What a deal, huh? Maybe, depends on who built them, the quality of workmanship, and the sound quality. I can't test all those things unless I see the product before I buy.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I remember a classic ad for Business Week. A guy is hunched forward looking at you, saying, I don't know you. I don't know your product. I don't know your company. I don't know your company's reputation. Now what is it you're trying to sell me? That's what you're up against.
twl OP
3,251 posts
 
It's not that I'm trying to sell any products. That is just an example of what people think when they look at DIY. By the way, I agree with the ideas expressed above about possibly getting a pig-in-a-poke, with no warranty, no reputation, etc. and those concerns are definitely valid. I guess my main beef is that when someone goes to the extent of trying to do things different or even better than some of the commercial companies, the efforts are looked upon with disdain by many as "tilting with windmills". I suppose that Musicdoc's advise is as good as any, and just not give a damn about the critics and do what needs to be done. I appreciate all the good posts here, and I can see that many of you are pretty cool guys with open minds and good attitudes. So I will forge ahead into new horizons and keep reporting my findings here on the A'gon. Thanks.
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