Is it even possible to get a factory authorized dealer to give a discount?


Over the years I run into the same thing over and over. I go to a dealer of my favorite gear and he has a piece that's been on his floor for months. I ask of it can be sold at a discount and he states "My contract with the manufacturer prohibits me from discounting or else I loose my distributorship" . OK, fair enough but the the same gear with about the same hours on it appears on US Audiomart from a private seller and it's 40% off retail. What gives?  I know a dealer has to make an honest markup for the cash he invested in inventory, overhead  and his expertise but why can't the dealer "make a deal" and give a nice little discount to the loyal customer?  

I asked my local dealer audioexcellence.us and he basically said this: "If there were free and fair discounting between dealers there would soon be no dealers as dealers with excess inventory would discount until almost all dealers were gone then the remaining dealers would 200%+ mark up new gear and the entire ecosystem would be wrecked. Consumers would enjoy a windfall discounts for a short time and soon thereafter there would be lost dealers, lost manufacturers and then price inflation like crazy plus crap innovation.  

That made sense to me but can't a guy get a deal?   What are your thoughts?  Is your dealer worth his markup? 

My conclusion was to support the guy who brings gear to my house and sets it up. I like him, he's not getting rich (or else he wouldn't be there sweating the install) and I'm better off having music (a system) that makes my spirits soar. Yes it's really expensive but I think I'm getting a non-diminishing return in joy and happiness. 

What do you think? 

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@secretguy- yep I did. Reason being that posing my need for good data required my post to be phrased as a question and not a statement. Otherwise nobody would weigh in. 

I really appreciate the replies as they have educated me on how to get better pricing on the Audio Research Reference 320ms that are coming out this May without causing my dealer to get in trouble with ARC. Neither of us want that :)

I gave him a 10% deposit on them and I'm in the cue. I'm loosing sleep over this purchase due to excitement and the fact I've never paid so much money for anything except a car and a house. 

@eric_squires  that's a GREAT idea!  I feel the need to buy a full set of Audioquest silver cables for 1 penny! 

 

I've never got less then 15% discount at my local Hi-end store, on anything I've ever bought there. I get more on select items, usually the hi dollar items.

One other Hi end shop here I asked for a discount (15%) and they gave some silly reply about cost to run the business etc., I left and they lost a $15000 sale to the other shop, who I only shop at now.

I'm not paying full retail on a multi thousand dollar purchase sorry. I don't need anything in audio that bad. 

@cleeds  Well, that's a fu#ked-up policy.  Move north where we are free 😆

To @erik_squires point, I owned a retail business for many years and offered in-store credit in lieu of cash discount.  On a $40,000 item I would offer a $4000 in-store credit.  The customer would see a $4000 value but in reality, the credit would be used to buy items where I had a 50% margin, thereby only costing me $2000.

The in-store credit is a win/win situation.  Big value to the customer, lower cost to the retailer.  A solid approach when looking for discounts.   

And you guys thought I was all talk with no useful experience to share.... 🤣

If you establish a relationship with a good dealer and give them repeat business you will get some discounts. You will also likely get better sound overall.