'In Home Dealers' are the future?


Seems there is growing trend for various distributors to be doing business with 'in home dealers'. These appear to be audio hobbyist that are selling factory product from their homes, at 20 to 25 percent off list. Certainly not fair to the dealer network, but it seems to move additional product, especially at these soft purchasing times. Your opinion?
buconero117

Showing 1 response by blindjim

Stan and Chad are onto something with their thoughts of entry fees into the wild and wooly world of audio emporiums.

For clarity’s sake, are we talking GROSS PROFIT margins here, or simple percentages?

There is a pretty big diff as the number rises.

30% simple on $500 cost = $150.00, or a selling price of $650.
30% GPM on the same $500 = $214.00, or a selling price of $714.

That’s over $60 difference. 40 percent GPM is yet a greater disparity.

Another way to see it is GPM percentages are presented in lesser figures while representing the same outcome.

20% simple mark up = 16.67 % GPM
30 % simple mark up = 23.8% GPM.
40 % simple = 28.57% GPM.

Consequently a dealer can level with someone about the markup, yet still remain veiled in actual terms. Saying I’m working on a 30% mark up, by can give you 20% off… his 30% = $214 profit, while the 20 % discount given reveals itself only as $42 off his or her, list.

GPM figures in other items than sheer profit. Most retail outlets use GPM rather than simple percentages. Best Buy, JC Penny’s, etc.

It’s important to know what language is being spoken whenever possible. Albeit this point can remain forever undisclosed or unrevealed and that’s indeed the dealers prerogative. .. yet a pretty good sales tactic.

Just thought I’d share that bit.

No one ever pays more than he or she can justify anyhow. Ever. Regardless the overall value or deal itself. Well perhaps the utmost uninformed and naïve, or wildly desperate.

Around my area it seems all one needs is lots of cash that’s burning a hole in one’s pockets, or a contractors license. Take a look at some makers website if you think otherwise and call a few of their ‘dealerships’. You’ll see what I mean here. The contractor dealers are bountiful around my state and elsewhere. No they don’t stock inventory usually…. They just say they can get what you want if you specify it to them.

No cash outlay, no inventory, no demos, and in some cases no store/office fronts either.

Geeezzz Louise! That way ANYONE could be a dealer! How hard is that?

I wonder how many folks looking for a let’s say medium pricey component for the first time, runs into someone dealing out of their home. Goes there to see or hear one like it, and talk to that ‘dealer’, never having met them before or knowing anyone who has as well.

In the deal itself for an in the box ‘fresh’ device has a waiting period for it to be either drop shipped or for you to return to pick it up or for it to be set up by the seller.

Do you think they would hand over 5K or so just then and there?

Would you?

I believe in home dealers will also have that obstacle to overcome, more so than BM dealers. Though it’s not a biggie if the dealer is on the up & up… for then a fair to each down payment should then suffice to enter into the deal.

Only one BM dealership around here which has stood for the longest has another view on obtaining longevity. They diversified. The McIntosh dealer here also has a Disc sales outlet/store in the store itself, and a high end car audio installation outfit on site. They are also the integra dealership here. They don’t discount as a rule from MSRP, and Ive found them to be above it now and then by as much as a couple hundred bucks.

They’ve been keeping their doors open now for decades though. I suspect it isn’t all by sales of audio gear alone.

That example is why I’m inclined to open a high end shop myself, yet it would be diversified indeed. High end audio, car wash, Laundromat,, pool hall restaurant, and lounge…. In a single high rise building.

Or just get a contractors license instead. Which ever is easier…. Oooh, there’s this… just rent someone’s license instead! That’s done all the time as only one is needed and it doesn’t have to be the principally interested or ‘named’ party in these parts.

regardless how the BM dealers go, we will adapt to some other path, or quit buying stuff altogether.

Depending on how the economy goes, freeze dried food, water, giger counters and guns might be of far more value. ;-))