restocking fees

From your initial post:

More high end manufacturers are selling direct and offering home auditions

Not one of the companies you mention in your last post is a high end manufacturer.

Narrod, off the top of my head I believe that Hawaii offers consumers something like 60 days to return non-customizable items with out a restocking fees unless the merchant clearly advertises a different time frame.

Boa2, My point is that those companies I mentioned in my last post create a climate that will make it difficult for high end manufacturers to demand restocking fees. I doubt that consumers willtake the risk when they have so many other options including products from other high end manufacturers that don't ask for a fee. In any case, the horse is long dead, and I'm going to stop beating it now. Thanks

My point is that those companies I mentioned in my last post create a climate that will make it difficult for high end manufacturers to demand restocking fees.

As is aparent from the responses to this post, many here seem to expect service for free. I personally like Mitch2 idea the best: Having a travelling demo piece of equipment with no pressure to purchase would be ideal and I think viable in North America.

Of course, the market will decide, but if restocking fees will help small amnufacturers survive so be it. Maybe we should call these fees rather equipment trial charges as there is a service provided; retocking does not seem the correct term as the items will not (or at least should not) be sold as new again, as it would be if an item in a store is "restocked".

Rene

Jea48:

The two remaining dealers in my area will check out a
piece of demo equipment for a home audition. Screw that waiting for
something that is being shipped. I'll take the local dealer first over mail
order.

I know we have a different "buying philosophy" here. But to be
even more controversial: Yes, I would buy from the small manufacturer rather
than supporting the local dealer, even with a reasonable "equipment
trial charge". At least in that case, I know that 100% of my investment
goes to a person with skills and creativity, who puts all their effort in making
a good product. The point here is not really to save a few bucks. Being in a
"business" where creativity is most important, I would rather
support the source directly, than people just selling the ideas. In addition, as
mentioned above, checking out equipment for only two days or a weekend is
insufficient IMO.

As for local dealers, I would steer the business model in a completely
different direction: Rather than mainly providing sales service, I would prefer
their position rather as an advisor and service provider. A good example
would be to provide detailed room acoustics improvement and system setup
experiences much beyond what current dealers do, but more in the style of
acoustics companies (e.g. Rives Audio).

Just a slightly different view…

Rene

P.S. Pass’ First Watt effort is almost a direct distribution model where one
dedicated person/dealer distributes everything directly and equipment is
shipped directly from the factory. And it is interesting to see what additional
creativity it allows for the manufacturer (Pass).