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?
128x128mitch4t
pgaulke60
299 posts
 
Don't walk, RUN.  They should be developing a relationship with you.  It is not your first purchase that counts.  It is the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and so on.  It is important to develop a relationship, a rapport, and trust with your dealer.  That is not accomplished by charging you for a demo.
facten
2,878 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.
bcarter79
1 posts
 
 What is happening is that consumers to a store and spend a lot of time talking to store staff asking questions and listening. Then the customer goes and buys online at a discounted price. The store online does not have the overhead an staff costs the brick and mortar store has. If you are a serious customer then you shouldn't have an issue paying to demo. More and more stores are charging to demo because of the online competitive problem. Brick and mortar stores simply have way more cost to absorb.
fatdaddy2
381 posts
 
The fee is to pay his chiropractor after having to schlep around those damn heavy amps!  Although if his chiropractor visit is $500, he ought to seek another chiropractor!
trevanian
23 posts
 
The time wasted on people that don't buy is included in the markup and always has been with stores.   With todays online shopping, these sales people need to make themselves valuable and show why you buy a high price item locally.  
More to discover