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 grannyring

One can buy new, direct from the builder in many cases. No retailer needed. Some of these direct from builder items are sold without the crazy, inflated retail prices often seen in this industry.

It is MOSTLY these inflated retail prices that make many used Agon buys look so good. Example,

One shops for a brand new set of speakers with a $12,000 suggested retail price. Dealers, especially those that do both internet and store, sell the speakers for a discounted price of say $6300-$6900. They call them "demos" but we all know they are not. The buyer pays $6300 and can now sell them on Agon for $5900 - $6300 in time. This is a real example as an FYI.

Look at the retail prices of this stuff folks! Very little of it sells for anything near it for the most part. In one case I purchased speakers new from the builder and sold them for a $1000 profit a year later. (yes, these speakers also sold through a dealer network)

I recently puchased amps and a preamp direct from a builder. They are sold at real world prices with no silly, inflated suggested retail price. These amps and pre simply don't show up used for the most part. When and if they do one may save $10-20% tops. Why save that little, when in my case I get free upgrades and killer service for years!
I paid the price - the only price these amps will sell for.
The price was outstanding as the performance of the pieces far surpasses anything else I have heard.

There are many small companies selling direct and making killer gear for real world prices. I am finding this to be the current sweet spot in high end audio. This is the sweet spot for us the high end consumer based on my recent experience.

So, go ahead and get to know some of these these smaller audio companies that sell direct. Talk the owner/builder and find your way to killer gear at reasonable prices. Many of them are on the cutting edge of technology and make gear that sounds well - world class!

Guess what, no need to deal with used items that show up DOA, broken or modified in ways you may never know.

I will always use Agon to buy used gear so get me wrong, but boy do we have some nice direct options today.