Supporting Local Audio Stores are we?


I know, money talks, bullshi* walks...
But having owned an audio store for about a dozen years, I know how tough it is to 'make a living' for a mom and pop store, without some sugar daddy/momma in the background funding the enterprize.
So, I am wondering if the nice folks of Audiogon support local businesses?
As I stated, "Money Talks" and I get it, we all want the best 'value' for our money. The question is...when does the price versus local support begin/end. When does the follow up and or service/set up outweigh the raw savings?
To be clear, I am not talking fantastic discounts, but a few percentage points off retail. I remember a painful transaction that I had once, during which a customer had taken home a particular CD player two weekends running, only to purchase elsewhere because he 'saved' $53.00 (on a $500. item). OUCH!
I contended that without the long term audition, he had nothing on which to base his purchase? How does everyone else see this?
Right now, its obviously a tough financial climate out there, but looking to more normal times, I am wondering how many of the readers/writers of Audiogon would forego price for service/set up? OK, forget buying great used pieces for fractions of original retail, everyone must probably assume that that's good for everyone, including the dealers, as this frees up customers who are now, 'back in the hunt'.

It will be interesting to hear back, it's been some time since the Brick and Mortar (at least for me) question was aired out.

Best,
Larry
lrsky

Showing 1 response by buconero117

Would like to, but the high end dealer in my local town, part of the metro NYC area, has never been sales friendly. I have a B&O company storefront in my town and they are sales friendly to a fault. I've often pushed my neighbors to drop into the hi end dealer and they come off with the same issues. But I guess B&O with their margins they can afford top sales people. It is amazing how easy it is to get uneducated listeners to part with huge sums of money.

Over the last forty years I have spent about $300K on two channel audio and very little of that was new from B&M stores. New was mostly cables since they had loaner programs. I have purchased new from the UK, now and before the internet appeared. All else was used, some from B&M stores, mostly in New York City were I could ship and avoid the sales tax and often get a 30 day return accomodation. I've sold equipment to B&M stores, before the internet appeared.

I have been a business broker and are very familiar with the business model needed to operate a successful store front. Only a truly ultra high end audio store that does HT, installations etc. is viable today given the used/new market internet distribution system. Never miss the opportunity on a visit to New York City to drop into the Lyric store on Lexington Avenue. If you are bound for Hell, this will give you a taste of what it is like.

Lastly, looking back I know I would never have joined our craziness if a B&M had not existed, it was the Electronic Workshop on 8th Street in NYC. Hook me they did. It is long gone, as is the Tower Records store around the corner which turned me into a vinyl junkie. So much for the virtual world.

Watch out USA and European equipment manufacturers, China is going to eat you alive.