Supporting Local Audio Stores are we?

I’ve never inquired as to how much a thing costs to produce. Never have I begrudged any for the differences between presumed or known, production costs and those fees invested in bringing it to point of sale.

As was said, It really is none of my business… unless I’m an investor in that enterprise.

I think some now not too distant inventions have simply changed how we are now able to do business. Regularly. Routinely, and with a bit of safety…. The ‘web’, is just that invention.

It’s changed the face of sales at large. Mighty quickly now folks are turning to it more so every day as a viable instrument for gaining both needs and wants. As familiarity grows and comfort levels increase by it’s presence and use, more dollars will go it’s way. Given the current retail atmosphere in general, B&M retailers are hard pressed to compete with it.

It is solely my preff that IF at all possible I would rather deal face to face than electronically, ‘byte to byte’, as it were. Always. Sadly, such is no longer the regular case… in my area, at least. Mostly.

The web factor has made it’s mark on audio for sure. The days of the affluent, aloof, and erudite high end audio establishments are numbered.

If I want to be ignored, or condescended too, I’ll just go over to my friends house and try to get her cat to come to me when I call it.

The days of sellers ‘catering’ to buyers have been changed. Albeit, this take it or leave it, … it’s not my job…. You want a what? Attitudes are more a sociological fall out, than anything else.

I doubt seriously those who do inventory goods, and have a commitment to service and support for their customers past, present, and future are likely doomed if not already entrenched in a major metro area… for little more reason than current and ongoing social attitudes, as well as the apparent ease of double clicking…. Or reaching out and touching someone across the globe by phone.

Routinely displayed elements of “Class” or it’s absence, also seem in short supply these days…. Or there’s far too much distinction between them, by some…. And adds into the mix of reasons for some of my statements as to why home grown affairs are falling away as of late.

As for value … in a valueless society, price remains king…. And that’s a tremendously sad epitaph.

Blindjim has nailed it. 7 words "in a valueless society, price remains king" Nothing more to be said. The man is a gentleman and a scholar. I doff my hat.

I have had the privilege of buying my equipment from Audio Consultants in Evanston, Illinois (Chicago area)for the past 16 years and my father has shopped with them since the 1970s.

I happen to be very diligent when it comes to researching consumer electronics on the internet but I have found over the years that despite my constant forum lurking and web surfing that there is no better way to stay informed with the latest in audio/video than to just drop by their store and talk to them. Their staff has been simply invaluable to me over the years.

As a general rule, I absolutely will not buy equipment online or at discount stores if my purchasing decision is influenced by their expertise. If I demo something there or get advice there, I buy it there. I don't expect them to compete with the web or discount stores. If they carry it I usually just give them the business. They are a big part of the audio hobby for me.

Many in this thread have focused on price. While equipment price is a major factor in this discussion, I believe other issues have significantly contributed to the reduced number of B&M stores. Those who are lucky enough to have maintained a great relationship with great audio shops are fortunate. I remember what it was like to go into an audio shop in the 70's; part fantasy, part retreat, part culture, and always something to look forward to. However, the internet has made things very hard for B&M retailers in many businesses, primarily due to the availability of information. Because of the internet, buyers no longer have to rely on sales people or their monthly Stereophile magazine for information about new equipment. This is compounded since the cost of maintaining a strong experienced sales staff has become too great in mid-sized (mainly HT) markets, so service suffers as buyers rely even less on their local shop for information. Also, small to mid sized shops cannot carry more than a few main brands of gear, so they push what they carry and buyers don't have the selection they can get by simply logging on and purchasing used or direct from manufacturers, or from internet dealers who handle a large number of brands. This factor becomes more important when you look at the number of small audio manufacturers putting out high quality, great sounding gear that even 10-15 years ago, without the internet, would not have had enough exposure to become viable in the marketplace. Even service is no longer benefitted by having a local dealer. I remember when the dealer maintained technical staff and I could have gear serviced by technicians "in the store." Now, you take your gear back to the dealer who simply forwards it on to the manufacturer or to an authorized service center. Anyone with access to a FedEx store can do that themselves. Therefore, I believe price is only one component and other factors such as deterioration of quality sales staff, limited selection, lack of technical service, and mostly proliferation of available information on the internet have eroded the mystique and viability of the once thriving B&M audio shop.

Old school themes in a new age of "me dfirst" & "Me... Me... Me" operetas forces change... somewhere…. By someone.

20 years ago any of the local high end shops offered all the amenities. Sadly, that has since changed.

10 years ago, despite the then present attitude of indefference and arrogance my local dealers were tryijng on for size at the time, one could still talk to them intelligently.... now and then.

Since the turn of the century, my local B&M outlets have become entrenched in that austere "We got the cure for cancer here so ante up", theme for committing to high end retail... by and large. Half do, and the other half are at the very least yet approachable.

NONE of these outlets have employees over 40 save the owners. Some have no working knowledge of anything other than SS equipment by the largest of majorities. Only one just outside my area has any working knowledge of analog, and tube gear. Naturally he can not carry every lineup, nor the entireity of any of the lines he inventories. His people skills however are far superior to these other yahoos.

Is it any wonder that those in similar situations have not fallen prey to mid fi large box outlets, and been scooted away from their local audio authorities by their poor experiences at these establishments?

We’ve spoken of price & value here, and I’ve alluded to simple change being the prime mover… but isn’t this debate one more of ‘RIGHT or WRONG’, than these 3 other FACTORS? In truth, isn’t competition always good? Good for the consumer, and the seller?

Competition provides us all utilities to suppluy both desires and staples. To be a cut above the rest (which should be a fundamental aspiration for any business ethic) presumes every effort should point towards that end… being top notch. The best.

Every sale has elements which must be attended too… Qualifying the customer…. Justifying the cost of the item…. And providing them a REASON to buy it or from you more particularly.

B&M stores either will acknowledge the value of establishing good customer relations and the viability of web based resources these buyers can and do possess, or they’ll die out. Likely sooner than later.

So then, is the case of supporting local dealerships a more complex dynamic than a simple one for so very many?

Or is it merely the right or wrong thing for us to be so myopic with our purchases when other avenues exist and yet continue to reinforce local over outside enterprises?

Like it or not that’s simple competition. But now, your competitors aren’t just down the street or close by.

I submit still more change is inevitable in both instances. I don’t think it’s a matter of being ‘pennywise & pound foolish’ either. Audio nuts are usually informed and intelligent sorts. If not straight away, they become so very soon… and we are all people. People as it happens require a bit more attention generally speaking.

We all appreciate being appreciated.

Store owners must develop or attain more arrows for their quiver. Exclusivity comes to mind, yet has it’s own shortcomings. Then there’s people skills. Availability. Service. Let’s not forgoe convenience either. Flexibility with pricing must now take a step up too.

Either you are in the race, or you are buying tickets ffor it…. Or ya just stay home and watch it on TV. None of those scenarios is either more right or more wrong… and they do translate to this topic.

One of the above 3 things, being in, going to, or staying home, occurs based upon whether or not a good enough REASON for them is being presented at the time a decision needs to be made.

For some it will always be price. For other’s, value is key. Brand loyalty for another. Ego counts for something here too. But all require a reason sufficient for them to pony up their ducks either at this place or that… on the whiz bang Yada Yada you sell or another gleaming zippity sap creation elsewhere.

I’ve been asking myself this one question when it comes to buying just about anything costing over a few hundred dollars…. “Why should I buy this from you” when I go to spend money.

Be it a conscious thought, or a subconscious one, I believe we all do that on some level.

… and so, we’ve passed onto REASONS to buy, from price, value, and the loyalistic morals and ethics of things…. Or so it’s how I feel about it all anyhow.

So… like the lady sang… “give me some kind of reason, and I’ll turn right back around”.