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 1 response by mammothguy54

I do business with a class-act dealer in La Verne, about a 15 minute drive from the dealer in question in this thread.  Honestly, I didn't realize this guys business even existed.  Just for the heck of it I'll have to stop by his store and get a feel for the mentality and how he treats potential customers.  I'm not a "stroker", I do buy product and I am a loyal customer to those retailers who treat me well.  No matter the category, weather it be hi-fi or another such as the fishing gear or ski gear that I buy, I remain loyal to a quality, class-act retailer.  I see that the dealer is reading and watching this thread, as noted in his comments above.  My suggestion to him is that he probably should pay attention to the amount of comments in this thread that understand his requirement verses those that hold a rather negative disposition about his requirement.  To me, it seems, the negative dispositions far outweigh the understanding ones.  He may want to make some adjustments to his business policies.
Coincidentally, I am in the market for a new set of speakers.  Nothing terribly expensive but still, a good sale, in the $10K to $15K range.  My timeline is now, not months from now, but now.  I will be very interested to see how he does in convincing me that his product selection is right for me and that his business practices and ethics are also right for me.