Auditioning Used Equipment - Am I crazy ?


I reached out to a well respected dealer to see if I could audition an amp they had advertised on one of the used gear websites.  This amp sells for over $20k and they were asking around $10k.  This mfgr only has 12 dealers nationwide.  I've heard their extreme high end equipment at shows but not this particular line.  To my surprise, the dealer responded No.  The unit was already boxed up to ship (hasn't been sold yet) and they wouldn't set it up for me.  So my questions are:

Am I crazy asking to audition a component priced at $10k ?

For any dealers or dealer salespeople, is there a dollar amount where u turn auditions down at ?  What is it ?

For consumers, is there a dollar amount that you would buy a component and roll the dice without auditioning it ?

Thanks !

 

greenngoldcheesehead

Over the past couple of years I've purchased quite a bit of gear (deep 5 figures) from "The Music Room". In doing so, I've build a very good relationship and my regular sales person as well as those who answer the phone if I call the main number all no me well. As an ecommerce business, their level of service suits me well. They have a  reasonable return policy in that for 30 days and if an item is returned not due to a defect, they charge a 5% fee which is deducted from a refund. Considering that they have to retest, recertify, and restock the item, I consider that to be quite fair. It's not as good as having a local brick an mortar store to touch and carry way from, but I'm satisfied and will continue doing business as long as nothing changes.

...and I think the most constructive thing the OP can do is direct the dealer's attention to this thread.  Just for educational purposes.

I don't think the dealer should've said yes instead of no but he could've done your a favour. He didn't.

What was the probability of you buying that 10K piece ?

Here's the problem for the dealer.   What happens if the amp is damaged in shipping?  What happens if you choose to return it and it is damaged when it is returned?  What  happens if you scratch it or otherwise mar it and then return it?  

Who files the insurance claim and how long does it take to get paid?  If the dealer files an insurance claim, does his insurance premiums go up?  


If you really need to hear the amp, why don't you go pay the dealer a visit and listen?

Here's the problem for the dealer.   What happens if the amp is damaged in shipping?  What happens if you choose to return it and it is damaged when it is returned?  What  happens if you scratch it or otherwise mar it and then return it?  

@russbutton 

What I got out of the OP is that the dealer wouldn't even set it up at his (the dealer's) place of business?

But for all the gear that dealers have sent me for audition or that I have taken home to audition I had to provide a credit card for with the "you broke it/you bought it" understanding.