How much of the problem is that people just don't know you and the quality of work it is possible for you to turn out. If someone else knows they couldn't build a first rate piece of equipment why should they think you can? I build furniture in my spare time (Ha!) and people are alwways surprised that it doesn't look homemade or even worse, like crap. Who makes anything anymore. With the mentality of "buy everything" not many people understand quality anymore. Look at the clothes people wear!?! They could make a shirt for five dollars or buy it for fifty. People will keep buying the fifty dollar shirts and name brand mid-fi and think they got a great deal while yours will sound better.
Why do DIY products have less value ?
As many of you know, I do alot of DIY projects and am very happy with them. I have noticed that many folks seem to think that DIY stuff is not as good as store-bought stuff. It seems like they think that DIY is only for people who can't afford to buy something good. For example, when I tell people that I made my own cables, the first thing they suggest is that I buy some "good" cables. Or when I show them my DIY speakers, they say "Wow they're really good for DIY speakers. Imagine how good your system would sound with a pair of XYZ Mark 8 with petrified Jello cones and extruded pasta baskets!" What I'm saying is that there is this preconcieved notion that if it's DIY, it cannot be really good. This disturbs me. And if you try to sell a DIY item, forget it. You MIGHT get parts cost back, if you're lucky. They say "I'm not paying that much for something you cooked up in your garage. I can get the Mark 8 for only twice what you're asking." Performance is not the issue, only the idea that it did not come from a commercial maker so it just can't be as good or better as the Mark 8. All listening evaluations are always prejudiced with this view. Am I destined to be forever viewed as a tinkerer, or will anyone ever give DIY products the respect they deserve for their performance and not their origin?