shy about prices

@grislybutter  I have never had a problem asking Google for "item name retail price in Canada"  Will instantly see several dealer sites with the price listed.  

Having been in sales, I will say that 99% of the time you will only see the MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price).  Many manufacturers will only allow a retailer to "advertise" the MSRP or risk losing the brand.  A retailer is free to sell for any price they choose but not advertise it. 

In speaking with a retailer for a brand I won't mention, but they are built in France, I was told the price of speakers follows the same mark-up for most every brand.  If the cost of manufacturing is $5000, the cost to the Retailer is $10,000.  MSRP is $20,000.  I have no reason to think he was lying to me.  The more expensive the speaker, the bigger the mark up is at every stage.  The single reason we should never even entertain paying MSRP for new equipment.  IMHO

@benanders yes, it makes sense. I guess it’s a unique business in several aspects.

“Understanding marketing is easy  

It's all about convincing people to buy things they don't need...“

Let me finish that for you:

Understanding marketing is easy.

It's all about convincing people to buy things they don't need...at a price they can’t afford. 

@grislybutter 

Don’t get me started on buying a car!  Long story, but they tagged on a $1500 charge and told us to bend over and pay it! And no it was not a destination or paperwork charge.  They were there as well!

Grrrrr!

It is aggravating not being able to quickly and easily find the price (even the MSRP) for a speaker.  I have my price range ($4K to $8K) that I'm willing to spend, so don't waste my time telling me the virtues of some B.S. high tech reason a speaker is better than sliced bread if it retails for $20K.  At least let me shop apples to apples when I'm looking in my price range.  The same goes for those willing to spend that $20K.  They don't want to be bothered wasting time looking at $8K speakers. 

Yes, sometimes I find ballpark prices on reviews, but if those reviews are 3 or 4 years old you can bet the prices listed aren't correct anymore after all the inflation. 

And then there are speakers that are at the end of the life, but were reviewed well such as for example the JBL L100 Classic which is being superseded by a "MK. II" version at a higher price.  The L100 Classic was often on sale for 20% off. 

Given the markup of speakers with a dealer network, it almost pushes you to consider only those who sell direct or even DIY if you have the time, equipment, and space. But then we all lament not finding brick and mortar stores near us to be able to hear speakers and amps and DACs before we buy.