There are, I think certain rules to follow in dealing with dealers.
1) No requests for dems if you have no intention of buying from the shop. A dealer friend says that there is a special place in hell for guys spending hours deming an item, then driving 50miles to a discount store to save 5 bucks.
2) A dem does'nt mean you will buy, you may want to look elsewhere too, but you should have the intention of buying at a retail price, at some point.
3) If you make a decision, bargaining over a discount is fair, if your expectation is fair. If you have taken 30 minutes of his time, it may be more than a 3 hour trawl through different gear. He has to make a living, but your cash did'nt grow on trees, its what is known as a free market.
4) Be open about what you are after, he can't advise if he does'nt know. Many dealers I know are frustrated by guys bringing in a HiFi mag demanding product X, not interested or suspicious of advise. assume these guys know a bit about HiFi and have your interests at heart. A happy customer will come back. If in doubt about this or you feel pressured to a product or price that is not for you, walk away.
Following these rules is a problem for me. most of my gear is 2nd user, so I don't feel I can seek dealer dems, I feel you must follow the rule to be fair. Unless you have a relationship with a dealer and are upfront about the reason for the dem, he may accomodate you to build up a relationship with you.
This seems common sense to me
1) No requests for dems if you have no intention of buying from the shop. A dealer friend says that there is a special place in hell for guys spending hours deming an item, then driving 50miles to a discount store to save 5 bucks.
2) A dem does'nt mean you will buy, you may want to look elsewhere too, but you should have the intention of buying at a retail price, at some point.
3) If you make a decision, bargaining over a discount is fair, if your expectation is fair. If you have taken 30 minutes of his time, it may be more than a 3 hour trawl through different gear. He has to make a living, but your cash did'nt grow on trees, its what is known as a free market.
4) Be open about what you are after, he can't advise if he does'nt know. Many dealers I know are frustrated by guys bringing in a HiFi mag demanding product X, not interested or suspicious of advise. assume these guys know a bit about HiFi and have your interests at heart. A happy customer will come back. If in doubt about this or you feel pressured to a product or price that is not for you, walk away.
Following these rules is a problem for me. most of my gear is 2nd user, so I don't feel I can seek dealer dems, I feel you must follow the rule to be fair. Unless you have a relationship with a dealer and are upfront about the reason for the dem, he may accomodate you to build up a relationship with you.
This seems common sense to me