It is a good question - what is the "right price" to buy retail. I am not a frequent buyer of equipment but have always been able to get 10-15% off MSRP. My sense is that many "more frequent" buyers that post on this site get better deals from retailers which troubles me to some extent (i.e. jealousy mostly that they can buy cheaper) but for the help I get and the convenience of local service, I generally don't mind.
But "MSRP plus" for what they don't have in stock, and particularly if you can't audition it, is obscene IMHO. Comparing new against used equipent on Agon, on the other hand, is somewhat unfair - there clearly should be some premium for new. However, when was the last time anyone paid list for a car, boat or any other big ticket item (other than, perhaps, real estate or other one of a kind items)?
While somewhat apples and oranges, I recently solicited quotes for a remodeling project. Bids came in all over the place. I talked to all of the bidders, including the high bidder. He said, among other things, that the other contracters were giving away services and that he had taken a course that said one should get paid for the value provided so he was sticking to his price. I was a bit taken aback - it always thought that the market set the price and "valued" the product - he obviously thought otherwise. If he can get it from others, more power to him, but I feel no need to overpay. Neither should you.
But "MSRP plus" for what they don't have in stock, and particularly if you can't audition it, is obscene IMHO. Comparing new against used equipent on Agon, on the other hand, is somewhat unfair - there clearly should be some premium for new. However, when was the last time anyone paid list for a car, boat or any other big ticket item (other than, perhaps, real estate or other one of a kind items)?
While somewhat apples and oranges, I recently solicited quotes for a remodeling project. Bids came in all over the place. I talked to all of the bidders, including the high bidder. He said, among other things, that the other contracters were giving away services and that he had taken a course that said one should get paid for the value provided so he was sticking to his price. I was a bit taken aback - it always thought that the market set the price and "valued" the product - he obviously thought otherwise. If he can get it from others, more power to him, but I feel no need to overpay. Neither should you.