Fee for home audition

I have run my own business for 23 years. IMO, this dealer is likely using the fee as a way to weed out customer’s who don’t have the means or intent to buy something this expensive or if the streamer requires set up for the customer by the store or re-configuration once back in the store - or a bit of both. The part I don’t understand is the 1 hour limit, unless the store is open 7 days a week. There is no way to truly demo a high end nuanced product in 1 hour - which would be even less after set up. The owners must not like home demos and be of the mind set of listen in the store if you if you like it, buy it, if you don’t then don’t buy it. People buy $100,000 cars after a 20 minute test drive. I personally would not do the demo because 1 hour is not long enough. I would buy a 1 thousand streamer though and pay the $50 for a day's demo.

@dznutz No one will ship expensive stuff to random strangers. I did give my credit card and authorized a hold of the full purchase price. If I like it I send it back and get a new one shipped. If not, I send it back and pay only for shipping. I like it so far. I am still waiting for the AES cable before deciding. PM me if are really interested, I can hook you up

I believe in respect and relationship.  I only purchase audio gear from dealers that want to build a long tern relationship with me and also treat me respectfully.

If it’s been said and I missed it sorry but…

I don’t think the idea of the 5% is ridiculous but for one hour is crazy. If it was for a weekend or week or 2 weeks. Yeah I could get that and it comes off the purchase price that you obviously can’t really negotiate at that point. Negotiation is what makes the world go round. 

@svenjosh

"He wants to charge 5% for home demo. Is this the industry standard? I am not meaning to disparage anyone so not going to name the dealer. I am just trying to see what the standard practice is."

Tossing a question out there in an open forum will yield many responses. That’s what forums are for. And, you received opinions from both consumer’s and dealer’s perspective. Some responded with one-sentence comments. Others drilled down a little deeper. 43 years of experience working as, or for, a Hifi dealer in my case.

I may have missed your system profile, but someone who has the wherewithal to purchase a $12k streamer is probably not connecting it to a Bose Wave Radio. You’ve certainly achieved a level of success that allows you to build a stellar music system and made very good decisions along the way. Congradulations!

I just regret that the guy who took you from 0-60 was not there at the finish line.