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Demos - To Charge a Fee or to Not Charge a Fee?

One common dealer complaint is that customers sometimes use them to audition equipment only to later purchase it elsewhere.

How much of that is true is not known but it must happen. Such is the nature of some folk.

Therefore, how about abandoning the time honoured practice of free demonstrations (also shared by the car industry) and start charging a fee?

Would $10 an hour be sufficient? 

Surely, even in quiet part of a quiet day it must cost the dealer considerably more than that to provide the facilities and staff to facilitate a satisfactory demonstration.

I don't know how others may feel, but I'd be more than happy to pay for the service.
cd318

Showing 1 response by ozzy62

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,869 posts
 
When I was shopping for a pair of speakers a few years ago, a dealer about 50 miles away had a pair. I made the drive and auditioned them. I really liked the speakers and was prepared to buy their demo pair which had been on the floor for a few months. I knew I could get them on the internet at a 25% discount from MSRP. But when I asked about even a 10% discount for this pair, the dealer said absolutely not. Retail or no sale.

So I was fine with buying from the brick n mortar guy. But I walked out and did the internet deal. This is one reason why they can't keep the doors open.

Oz


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