Why are dealers so scared to sell product out of

Br-3098,

I recently bought an expensive pre-amp without ever hearing it. The price was right and I figured if I didn't like it I could sell it on the Gon for what I paid or a few dollars less.

There are a lot of repair shops in Southern California and I can get most things fixed here. In fact I have never had to ship a piece to get repaired.

Br3098,

I'm not just trying to save the sales tax. I'm also looking for a discount.

Look harder for discount(s) to find it or them and fill up yourself with patience. They will happen if not today, but maybe tomorrow or later and pretty darn local to ya!

I will use Jaxwired's response as an example: "...Since I buy low, I can sell for little loss."

So as I see it, you want to buy new gear for (close to) the price of used, depreciated gear. There is nothing wrong with that, except that this model does not allow any operating margin for B&M stores to operate. Maybe you are OK with that; I am not.

I buy and sell a lot of gear, mostly used. I find that most anything I am looking for is available in good condition and at a substantial discount on the used market. But when I do buy new gear, I insist on a fair deal from the dealer - fair for both me and the dealer. And I prefer to buy locally, even if that means that I have to pay sales taxes. In my case and yours, it's the cost of living in sunny California.

Brand recognition! Rolex and Ferrari (your examples) are well established and world renown brands. Building brand recognition costs $$$. B&M stores can be good for building brands. If you have already established your brand and therefore have brand recognition, then maybe the direct sales method (web) may work.

Also, contrary to popular thought, B&M stores as a means for audio sales is not dead. Is it changing? Yes, but it is not dead. I would argue that, like every other business, the B&M stores existing today are in locations which still support their existence. This is an example of the laws of supply and demand. Perhaps fewer dealers have larger territories than before.

Sales tax is irrelevant. You are required to pay it regardless of where you purchase it. Thank you Br3098 for stating this. I wasn't sure about CA but I know it is true for my state.

Finally, I echo Tpreaves statement. The reason dealers won't sell out of state is because they are honoring the agreements they signed with the manufacturers/suppliers.