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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?
128x128mitch4t

Showing 2 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,918 posts
 
I have to agree with George on this one. This is outrageous.

The dealer who has to check things out, clean them off, etc. is merely doing what all shop owners have to do when people browse their merchandise. This is part of the overhead that they add into the purchase price for all their products. The notion that somehow this has changed is completely unbelievable. In my opinion, this is a risky venture by this shop owner to invent an upcharge for people who don't know better.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,918 posts
 
@mitch4t is talking about norms and best practices, here, not about "rights." FWIW.
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