I’m the same. I know how tough it is to make money in a niche service like high end audio. I hate haggling, feeling chintzy and trying to squeeze a dealer out of his earnings. I pay full price.
Typical New Speaker Dealer Discount A Buyer May Expect
I'm searching for new speakers and am willing to spend around $7K to $8K, or so. I'm wondering if that amount generally represents a final discounted cost off MSRP of $9K to $10K, or 15% to 20%? This figure is what I've estimated based on a number of member comments in terms of new equipment discounts. Do discounts vary significantly from dealer to dealer, speaker brand to brand in this price range? This will help me in terms of budgeting and in terms of which speakers to begin the process of narrowing down for final selection, and whether to purchase new or used.
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I sell very high end cameras for a living, Phase One. If a new customer comes out wanting a discount right away my attitude changes. The folks who pay full retail and are nice receive service far beyond my expected duties. Find something you love and see where the sale takes you. Saving a few bucks could cost you in an experience in the end. Happy Hunting! |
I paid list for the last set of speakers I purchased (I did not ask for a discount, and I told the dealer I would not be asking for a discount). The dealer gives above and beyond service to his customers (and the the general populace on this forum) and I believe a salesperson should be compensated for the intangibles they bring to the transaction. |
@ Elizabeth Thanks for your informative response covering a number of aspects in the question I posed. My own recent experience supports those responses. Interestingly, I have found that different authorized dealers for the particular speaker I asked about varied by as much as 15% . I'm betting the dealer selling for list moves a lot of them, where other dealers moved few of them. I was also impressed at how easy it was to discuss discounts without pitfalls often associated with that subject. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask in a diplomatic manner when effectively communicating you are a serious buyer and fully prepared to make a decision. |
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Curiously the Same question was raised also recently http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 The responses there were also similarly predictable it's like asking "how long is a piece of string?", with the logical answer being "it depends"....... |
Curiously the Same question was raised also recently http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 The responses there were also similarly predictable it's like asking "how long is a piece of string?", with the logical answer being "it depends"....... |
My new speakers went for 8500,00 and I got a 500.00 discount. This happened only after I pointed out to the dealer that I had already spent 8000.00 in the past 7 months with no discount. Never hurts to ask but don't expect to buy a Wilson or Magico brand new with a discount. When I sold Audio for a living, we were told that the store had to make at least 30% profit on what we sold. Some items have less markup than speakers which are usually done at 50%. If a dealer sells at full retail, they usually net 40%. |
IMO, it depends on the dealer. Dealers in midtown Manhattan are carrying a lot higher overhead than ones in smaller Midwest cities. Sometimes a dealer will be closing out a line of speakers you happen to want and you may pick up a sizable discount. All that aside, first find a speaker you really love. Then worry about the discount. Really. |