When I first got into this hobby, store owners would really take care of the customer. THey would work on building a lasting relationship. Then we got into the 90's and they couldn't get product quick enough. I used to stop by my favorite audio stores once or twice a week with coffee and donuts, pizza, or chinese food and just shot the sh--. Then the 90's boom came along and I started getting blown off and they did not want me in the store unless I was buying something. Now that things are getting lean they don't remember how to treat a customer correctly. On top of that they expect you to pay full retail, tax, and freight. Yeah, right, do you have any bridges for sale while I'm here. The last item I bought, a surround sound processor, I had to beat the dealer over the head with a brick to get him to sale it to me. And forget about the local tweeter. The last time I was in there I was the only customer and there were four salespersons. So, How long did I have to wait at the front desk until someone came over to help me? You guess correctly: 20 minutes. Then, they didn't have the product I wished to purchase in stock and said it would take 4-6 weeks to get one. I walked out and ordered it off the net; had it in two days.
Now, here's a product that really gouges the customer. It's a picture frame that goes around a 42" plasma monitor that hides the monitor. It consists of a piece of cheesy artwork that is raised and lowered by an IR controlled motor. It uses the same motor as in my Hunter-Dougles motorized blackout shades that I paid under $400.00 for. A stock russound IR control block is used. The frame consists of some powder coated angle iron and a faux mohogany stained pine frame. I think the total cost of parts has to be between $300-$500 including the "artwork". So, how much do you think these thing cost? $1500.00? $2000.00? How about $7900.00!!!!! That's right, you did not read it wrong. $7900.00!!!! That's more than most 42" plasmas cost! Dealer cost is a little more than $3000.00. I asked the dealer what he was charging for install and he said $500.00. It took him and me about 20 minutes to install the demo unit in his showroom. Now, granted, this is a niche product, but I really think they are taking advantage of the customer. This is where someone chimes in with "It's worth what the market will pay....". Well, he's been a dealer of this product for about 8 months now. Can you guess how many he's sold? 2? 5? 17? That's right, 0!!!!! I told him that he was never going to be able to sell it at that price and he told me I didn't know anything about sales or his customers. Hello, am I not one of your customers? Now here's a prediction: he'll be listing it right here in a few months for a lot less then $7900.00! This is the same dealer that tried to convince me that a Denon 2803 receiver is better than an Anthem AVM20.
Now, here's a product that really gouges the customer. It's a picture frame that goes around a 42" plasma monitor that hides the monitor. It consists of a piece of cheesy artwork that is raised and lowered by an IR controlled motor. It uses the same motor as in my Hunter-Dougles motorized blackout shades that I paid under $400.00 for. A stock russound IR control block is used. The frame consists of some powder coated angle iron and a faux mohogany stained pine frame. I think the total cost of parts has to be between $300-$500 including the "artwork". So, how much do you think these thing cost? $1500.00? $2000.00? How about $7900.00!!!!! That's right, you did not read it wrong. $7900.00!!!! That's more than most 42" plasmas cost! Dealer cost is a little more than $3000.00. I asked the dealer what he was charging for install and he said $500.00. It took him and me about 20 minutes to install the demo unit in his showroom. Now, granted, this is a niche product, but I really think they are taking advantage of the customer. This is where someone chimes in with "It's worth what the market will pay....". Well, he's been a dealer of this product for about 8 months now. Can you guess how many he's sold? 2? 5? 17? That's right, 0!!!!! I told him that he was never going to be able to sell it at that price and he told me I didn't know anything about sales or his customers. Hello, am I not one of your customers? Now here's a prediction: he'll be listing it right here in a few months for a lot less then $7900.00! This is the same dealer that tried to convince me that a Denon 2803 receiver is better than an Anthem AVM20.