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"Are you kidding? Audiogon allows 40-50% off of retail. Brick and Mortar if your lucky 10-20%. These people are not going to buy there no matter how nice the salesperson talks."
Well, then I would say the B&M shop is doomed and nothing will change that. |
My how times in retail; sales have changed, not for the better either if any indicator. |
Id say retail sales is a two way street.
My experience back in the day was when both customer and salesperson were thoughtful and considerate of each other, things tended to work out for the best. I had very few cases personally where that was not the case over the years in that I was formally trained (by Tandy Corporation/Radio Shack) to always focus on the needs of the customer.
We were taught that anyone who came into the store had some problem that they were looking to solve and our job was to solve it. That included the many "potential customers" who were "just looking". If you focus on their needs, they often become actual customers.
PErsonal face to face customer service is the ONLY thing a B&M store can offer people these days.
With the attitude that if you come into my store not intending to buy you are a nuisance, I fear one is doomed to eventual failure.
Just my two cents as a former retail guy back in the day no longer involved but perhaps with some useful perspective. |
ALl this protocol for what to do or not in any store is a load of crap.
Go ahead and kill off B&M stores all the faster if that is what people want by making rules about when to go or not and how to act.
Just don't complain when the tables are turned and others do the same to you!!!!
Total stupidity!!!! I don't think I've ever been inclined to say that about anything I read here until now.
Customers have their needs and that is what the store should be concerned about period in order to suceed.
I'd encourage everyone to go to as many B&M stores as they can but of course be forthright in why you are there when asked. Then the sales guys can decide what to do or not from there.
It's that simple. Good honest communications. Then just let the cards fall where they may. |
THis thread and the anti-customer opinions expressed by some is just another thing that would seem to make it evident that high end audio is totally out of touch with the modern world and needs to either change or face eminent extinction. At least in the case of B&M audio stores.
I do NOT want to see that happen but fear for it even more after reading this thread. |
"Mithc4t, I'm talking about those people who only buy on the internet or just like to waste time without ever buying"
How about giving them a reason to maybe do otherwise, like just talk with them to see how you might help when they come in with no strings attached?
If the topic of buying off internet should come up, give them a reason to consider otherwise. A little kindness and attention might just help. |
Fact is the internet is the biggest competition for any B&M store these days.
So B&M stores need to "know your enemy" and figure out a strategy to compete. The economics of scale with a mom and pop B&M shop surely cannot compete on price, so the only thing left is SERVICE!!!!!
Discouraging customers from coming in unless they are going to buy is the worst form of customer service. THat's all about the what the dealer wants, not the customer.
Guess what? No dealers/stores without customers. No customers without a reason to come in.
Customer service is THE ONLY ANSWER!!!!
Talk as in most things is not only the cheapest form of customer service, but possibly also the most valuable.
People long to talk to others about their problems. The internet tries to provide this sometimes via chat sessions, etc. but it can only happen best face to face.
Smart businesses will talk to their customers and listen to what they say to help improve the business. If they do not or cannot.....well good riddance. |
When one is eminently doomed, it is probably a good idea to revisit ones strategy and priorities, at a minimum. |
+++++Bcgator!!! Thank you for such candor from "the enemy". |
Whoops, I meant to say "imminently", not "eminently" doomed.
Wrong word. Now I now how to spell the right one properly as well! :^) |
"So, my opinion is to establish good relations with the B&M stores and dealers."
No doubt always a good idea to operate with good faith.
There are limits though. Good relationships are a two way street and can be hard to accomplish when goals and priorities are different.
Personally, I have bought recently both online and from a couple local B&M stores. I am willing to pay a premium for good customer service. Good sound in home audio is not easy. Most people need the kind of help that only someone knowledgeable in the area can provide. That has value.
It would not be proper for one to go into a store, spend considerable amount of time with a consultant there, end up liking the product being proposed, and then buying elsewhere for less.
Thing is there are many reasons why a particular sale might not occur and the seller will never know the reason for sure. SO best to just invest their time wisely if truly so busy, and let the cards fall where they may.
Many times these days when I go into audio stores, the stores are mostly empty and salespeople not busy helping others and seem more than happy to spend some time chatting on whatever topic I might have in mind. |
I've been in Lyric twice, both times when the shop was near empty on CHristmas Eve, and the person there, who appeared to be a manager or owner, was very accommodating and courteous. HE greeted me immediately, asked if he could help me, and I told him I was visiting from out of town and mostly just looking but had general interest in good audio gear. He proceeded to demonstrate his top of teh line big rigs in the back rooms. Very nice! I appreciated it and always try to go back when in NYC.
I've also been to Sound By SInger in NYC twice while visiting under similar circumstances and had more mixed results there. I think they closed up shop shortly after that for whatever reason. |
"It's only controversial to a small number of audiophiles, in other words .01% of the general population."
That's probably true. Best to learn to better just ignore this kind of noise I suppose. |
It's really funny to me how controversial someone walking into a store is around here. Also somewhat sad.
I thought audiophiles at least had an appreciation for the way things used to be, but times have changed it seems. |
