2. amps-preamps
  3. 160032-79

Charging A Fee To Demo An Amplifier In A Brick & Mortar Store

I Saw a pair of pre-owned tube monoblocs for sale on an onlline forum for around $17k.
The seller has a retail store for hiigh end audio. The seller mentioned that there will be an up-front fee for the demo if a prospect comes to the store the amps are not purchased. The demo fee may also be used for credit towards any purchase in the store.

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Is this now a common occurance in high end audio stores? I sent a note to the seller asking what the demo fee amount was....two weeks and I didn’t get a response.

Does anyone know what amount of fees are charged for a demo?
mitch4t

Showing 2 responses by facten

facten
2,937 posts
 
" still hasn't said how much the fee is/was. Why such reluctance? Note he never got back to OP (see beginning of this thread) "
The dealer responded on 8/30 within the question/answer section of the listing "probably $500" .

I have no skin in this game, not a customer, not an employee but calling the dealer a "pig dealer", the transaction a "scam" seems a bit much. It's his business and if he feels like a demo fee is necessary in this case that's his call, he isn't twisting your arm to come in,  and I expect he understands the risk of selling under that term.
facten
2,937 posts
 
@mitch4t

" When I created this post, I was truly curious if high end stores were now charging for an in-store demo. I’d never before heard of such a thing.
I had no intention of being critical of the seller...I just wanted to know if this was now a widespread and common practice in high end audio. "
Might want to read more of the posts on your thread I think things have gone beyond being critical , more like damaging

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