I have been buying audio equipment since the mid sixties.In those days you did not get any discounts from the very few high end dealers,the seventies minimal discounts however service was impecable you could borrow equipment for home audition,the dealers were knowledgable.They came to your house set it up for you,you did not like the sound they would exchange for full value of your original purchase etc.
well in the ninties minimal or no discount,but NO service,delivery charges set up charges.Set up people had no idea about the equipment they stil charged like experts $60/hr or more.That is when I started using audiogon to purchase equipment.I am willing to pay a fair price for good service.The Audio store that will provide that MAY survive.
I beleive that the future of high end audio retail will be based on direct on more direct purchase from manufactures,direct manufactures show rooms(like in the furniture business design centers) and most important speciallity services for home set ups charging by the job or by the hour.I would hire that expert in the washington DC area in a minute and pay premium.Under this set up everyone will win the maker of equipment that sells for 4X could sell for 1.5x and the user/hobbiest could afford more high end and the qualified specialist could make a good living without the huge investment of starting an audio retail outlet.these are my 2 cents.
well in the ninties minimal or no discount,but NO service,delivery charges set up charges.Set up people had no idea about the equipment they stil charged like experts $60/hr or more.That is when I started using audiogon to purchase equipment.I am willing to pay a fair price for good service.The Audio store that will provide that MAY survive.
I beleive that the future of high end audio retail will be based on direct on more direct purchase from manufactures,direct manufactures show rooms(like in the furniture business design centers) and most important speciallity services for home set ups charging by the job or by the hour.I would hire that expert in the washington DC area in a minute and pay premium.Under this set up everyone will win the maker of equipment that sells for 4X could sell for 1.5x and the user/hobbiest could afford more high end and the qualified specialist could make a good living without the huge investment of starting an audio retail outlet.these are my 2 cents.