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Starting my showroom again

 

Hello, audiophiles. I would like to get your honest feedback. Back in 2022, I had to close my business in Nashville owing to a series of unexpected occurrences (several deaths in the family, a rapid move to assist my mother-in-law, and a brain operation); all of this necessitated that I close the store in a matter of weeks. It was now a two-hour trek to Nashville. I worked as a glorified gate operator at a chemical company because that is all was available in our small town. I received an opportunity to become national sales director for an audio company, which would provide some income—not much, but enough to go back into the hifi business at the bottom level.

 

 

 

So now you know the incredibly brief version of the story. Here's the question: there is a little town about 30 minutes away that is booming and gaining more expensive retailers like Ulta and StarBucks. So here's the question.

 

Do you believe a small town like that might support an up-and-coming hifi business that sells receivers, speakers like PS Audio, KEF, and other manufacturers at a lower price point until the store can handle more expensive items? The closest "electronics store," Electronics Express, is nearly an hour and a half away. I have had an audio shop since 2003, beginning in Florida. Thoughts?

 

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Showing 1 response by gdoke

gdoke
6 posts
 

I lurk around in Reddit and see lots of young folks just starting to get into "better audio".  They inherit stuff from grandpa, or are scouring thrift shops and end up not happy or not knowing how to improve their sound. Some of these people thing they have scored a big find with the black plastic department store systems - they need some gentle exposure to real gear.

There are also a bunch of new vinyl fans who only have a bluetooth turntable and powered speakers who wonder how much better an integrated amp (or some old overpriced "silver face" receiver) will make their system sound.

I guess this would lead me to think a store that has reconditioned, or can recondition used equipment, merged with some streamers and quality entry level components could find a niche.  I'm not sure about on line stealing your sales, but if you stick to MAP products would that help?

I'm thinking that the majority of us boomers are happy with our systems, or having to downsize and give away our extra stuff to family - not spending a ton cash  So maybe cater to  the younger demo who spend a lot of time at home gaming, watching movies, and listening to music at their work from home desks.

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