Fee for home audition

"He had a demo unit and was willing to bring to my home for an hour and let me try."

A whole hour? That’s funny.

@xtremefidelity +1

your description of the process of auditioning a product from a dealer then searching for the lowest price from ANYBODY is spot on. Having said that, if the product is already a store demo, I wouldn't charge a rental fee for a couple of days (I agree an hour is ridiculous, it would be like marrying someone after a coffee date) but any transport/setup would include a non-refundable charge (can't return labor).  Also keep in mind that every day that product is out of the showroom could potentially lose a sale to a customer who wanted to hear it in the store. The rental fee is a bad look, but perhaps the dealer isn't the ogre being portrayed here, but instead just has experienced this scenario before.

I once read a church reader board that stated: "A Good Friend Stabs You in the Front"

At least the dealer was forthcoming about the rules of engagement and gave you the opportunity play, or not play -- upfront.  Your call.

Of course dealers make a profit from the sale. What we are discussing here is the expectation of getting their expertise and home demos of expensive equipment without the sale. Free demos when you have no existing relationship; expecting a huge part of the dealer's margin as upfront discount; and/or taking the dealer's time, demo equipment or expertise and then buying from a cheaper source is what I'm talking about. I never implied that this was you @svenjosh. I'm replying to other posts on this thread and industry trends. And @svenjosh, I clearly said "perhaps this is a big misunderstanding" about the "5% for 1 hour" thing. I never suggested you were "misstating facts". Perhaps the dealer misunderstood what was going to happen or perhaps you did. As a dealer, I just doubt that what he really meant was he would bring it to your house and charge you for 1 hour. That's why I think someone misunderstood. 

@svenjosh

I think I know the dealer you are referring to. If it is, he is the gentleman who sold me my Grimm. He is a stand up guy and once you’ve developed a relationship with him, you will understand why he does what he does. Its rational.

For instance, (if he is who I think he is) he is typically setting up 6 figure systems and time is money. For a new customer with whom there is no relationship, returns are a serious thing. Not you nor I but many “buy” only intending to demo, return and then shop for the best price. Why dont you take your dac to his store and that way you can test your dac with the multiple server/streamers he sells?

This dealer is one of the best in the business. Full stop. Is the demo fee high? Yes. Would I pay it? Not when I’m local and demo there with my dac.

But this dealer is one of the good guys in our hobby, he is worth developing a relationship with and he is an easy recommendation. In fact, he gets a note from me once a year thanking him for the relationship we share. The other trusted dealers with who I do business do as well.