Supporting Local Audio Stores are we?


I know, money talks, bullshi* walks...
But having owned an audio store for about a dozen years, I know how tough it is to 'make a living' for a mom and pop store, without some sugar daddy/momma in the background funding the enterprize.
So, I am wondering if the nice folks of Audiogon support local businesses?
As I stated, "Money Talks" and I get it, we all want the best 'value' for our money. The question is...when does the price versus local support begin/end. When does the follow up and or service/set up outweigh the raw savings?
To be clear, I am not talking fantastic discounts, but a few percentage points off retail. I remember a painful transaction that I had once, during which a customer had taken home a particular CD player two weekends running, only to purchase elsewhere because he 'saved' $53.00 (on a $500. item). OUCH!
I contended that without the long term audition, he had nothing on which to base his purchase? How does everyone else see this?
Right now, its obviously a tough financial climate out there, but looking to more normal times, I am wondering how many of the readers/writers of Audiogon would forego price for service/set up? OK, forget buying great used pieces for fractions of original retail, everyone must probably assume that that's good for everyone, including the dealers, as this frees up customers who are now, 'back in the hunt'.

It will be interesting to hear back, it's been some time since the Brick and Mortar (at least for me) question was aired out.

Best,
Larry
lrsky
There is another subject on Audiogon in regrads to 'Vandersteen's' new model #7 loudspeaker, it was at the CES and alone costs $45,000, partnered with ancillaries that totalled $300,000, apparently it sounds 'sublime'.
No shit! if you can't make or sell a speaker that sounds good for less than $45,000, then one perhaps is in the wrong business, then again one IS in the wrong business. The Car Industry in the EU
thrives and indeed runs and survives on the fact that the budget cars that the masses buy enables the mid range and luxury cars to be produced, no bottom end means no top end.
Who can afford to pay that much when all the world is going to the dogs?
Instead of a race to see who can produce stupid exotica that only doctors/lawyers/pop stars/actors can buy.
Give us some bread and butter speakers with bread and butter prices,keep the normal waged people happy, and feel free btw to leave the butter off, my cholesterol is high as it is.
Give us cheap but good, I know you designers can do it.
Renault were producing are nice car so sale only to EU's new 400m Eastern Europeans for the princely sum of 3000 euros. I am sure by now they have bazillions.
In fact when I was in Europe I would have flown to where they were selling them (they are not available to the rich west Europeans) and bought one and driven it back.
I would support Johnk of KCS, truly excellent speakers, that put these mega ridiculously priced speakers to shame.
Another insight to the dilemma and I know these folks and this article is very true.

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1997-06-26/news/twilight-of-the-tweaks/1
Its always possible that larger or more adventuresome ecommerce audio companies that market solely and sell directly via internet might step in and open a new breed of B&M shops in larger markets that enables buyers to stop in and actually audition equipment. Bose has been doing this for years and their business model seems to be quite successful, regardless of what one might think of the gear.
Gawd,
The trouble with cheaper gear is folks like ones in this hobby will still pass on the cheap stuff and insist quality comes with the premium price. Meanwhile the general public still wont buy because they just dont care, so the firing squad circle will still continue.
Chadnliz,
I agree with you, but I do not want the trumpets and a big fanfare when a pair of speakers sounds amazing at $45,000,$100,000 or even $300,000. I want all the hooplah to happen when a pair of speakers sounds amazing for 3k and is the toast of the hi-fi community, and surely that is the trick, for the designers to achieve greatness for little dinaro.
I suppose there is 'snobbery' in hi-fi circles also.
Does anyone have an approximate idea on how many pairs Vandersteen will sell at that price? 100pr, 200pr or more?