Do Dealers think it is sinful..........

It varies from dealer-to-dealer; Some do and some don't. Some dealers allow 100% trades, usually within a year, on something more expensive. Something has to make this do-able. You paying 100% for the item is one way. Also, if you want the item, chances are A LOT of other people do too. The saying is: "In retail electronics you either can't get it or you can't sell it.". This gives the dealer the advantage. The cool thing about a free market economy is that you, the consumer, always have the right shop somewhere else.

I have always been able to negotiate 15 to 25 percent off of retail and as much as 70 percent of for demo models of cables. I make it clear to them that if they dont discount I will take my business elsewhere but I also make sure they get most of my business. I could have bougth almost all of my products cheaper from here but I wouldnt have known hat to buy. They let me borrow equipment for long periods of time and always considered my wants with recommendations. I think the service was worth the extra money. I think dealers will do what you mentioned above but you have to build a reputation with them. If you are always using there equipment for demonstrations and the expertise for buying used equipment from other people why should the dealer put the time into you.

Gentlemen, with all due respect, I used to sell high end audio equipment part time during college. While there is truth in what you are saying, sometimes is beyond the control of the dealer. Some of the manufacturers, and there are quite a few, threaten the dealer with pulling the line, if they discount. While this is highly illegal, it is a common practice in high end audio, and the dealers are pressured to go along with it, for fear of losing their product lines. Some manufacturers that we all hold near and dear, participate in these practices. The dealer I used to work for used to make up for the non discounts by giving the customers accessory credits, based on the ammount spent, that could be used for cables or accessories. The credits usually were about 10% to 15% of the purchase price. Gents, I can tell you with complete confidence that it is not always the dealers fault that a discount is not offered.

in my experience, you can get discounts from virtually every dealer, depending on what you are buying. indeed, i won't buy without at least a 10% discount and usually can obtain at least 25% off. you just need to work at it.

Gmkowal@ix.netcom.com: it is NOT illegal to cut off a retailer for selling below a manufacturer-set price. it IS illegal to threaten a cut off and not follow through; i.e., if a manufacturer has a "no-discount" policy that it enforces uniformly and consisently, the antitrust laws are not thereby violated. fact is, there are very few highend lines left that practice such pricing policies.