High end vs internet

I'm late to this thread, but FWIW, I can say definitively and personally - if it was not for the internet in general and Audiogon in general, I would never have gotten into high-end, and would most definitely have spent my money on musical instruments (keyboards) and pro audio recording gear instead.

I experienced far too many barriers to entry in dealing with retail hi-end here in the SF Bay Area, and can sympathize and echo Zaikesman's earlier comment, "I have *never* had an all-around completely satisfactory experience in any shop. Some have been tolerable-to-okay, but none excellent."

Tim

Well certainly the internet will hurt anyone's business if it is dependent on consumer ignorance, since the web is such a good medium for information - not just passively, but interactively too (that's why audiogon is so great ;).

Frankly, I don't know what I would do if I were a highend retailer to make the best of it. imho opinion I MIGHT go with Rimbaud: il faut etre le plus moderne possible (you must be as modern as possible). In short: Leverage the new -- infant -- medium of the web as much as you can - try to turn the disadvantages of the web to your advantage. For ex.:

1. Have a highly interoperable, well-designed website w/ good web copy (no typo's, high quality compressed pics, fast-loading, search-machine optimized text, imho no frames [I want to set a bookmark on my apple's eye, right?]).

2. Put teasers on high-volume virtual markets (ebay etc), but also specialist/niche used markets (audiogon of course and others) to draw attention to your existence.

3. Help the consumer (provide quality information/advice) to help you ($$pend to buy your stuff). Small example: post (links to) favourable reviews/interviews/etc. of your wares, if these are offline (esp. often for vintage high end), get permission to put a reprint on your site.

4. A clichee goes: act local, think global. It's not entirely wrong - wrt the latter, there are many europeans, asians etc. w/ deep pockets who wd love to spend their money on highend audio. But what about power supply issues, customs, shipping? Insofar possible, address these issues clearly, offer to ship overseas w/ the correct PSUs, etc., make S&H rates fair and transparent, etc.

5. Educate your clients, help them get involved in, develop a taste for your stuff - you can't lust after that of which you are completely ignorant (for instance don't just assume that everyone knows what all those acronyms mean).

6. Resolve to stick it out for the long-term and keep on your toes, keeping abreast of changes in fashion, tech, etc., but don't follow these slavishly. Develop your niche, take pride in what you sell and show backbone (everyone respects that).

...

Sheesh, anyone who just took some of these things for starters and got them right must really know what they're doing, and genuinely care. That's where SOME (maybe enough, perhaps lots) of the money wd go.

OTOH, one might just assume that a retailer ignoring all these kinds of things, either doesn't really care too much, or just isn't savvy.

Having great products helps of course. But it would be foolhardy to believe that that is either a guarantee of success or even a safe hedge on getting "killed" by the internet.

I'm aware I cd be way off base. It depends on what you mean by "highend". If it's out-of-sight highend, maybe the best strategy is to just ignore the web, except for posting minimal contact info. No one who has serious money to spend wants others to have the same thing. Here, the real currency may be just word-of-mouth. just my 2 cents worth.

Geeesh....this topic again, and the same valid points from several viewpoints.

I feel obligated to buy the equipment I want and can afford. If I can find it cheaper online, then that's the way I go.

However, I do have an audio dealer from whom I buy equipment and who accepts trade-ins. Whenever I go to his store, even if I was there primarily to browse and audition, I ALWAYS make it a point to buy something, even if it's a couple of CDs, stylus cleaner, cones, or even something I don't really need just as a "thank you" for his time and electricity.

It seems real clear that the market is changing with the advent of home theater and all the associated stuff that goes with it. I just bought a new piece of audio gear (FM tuner) from my local high-end dealer. When I ordered this piece, I was shocked to see that out of seven listening rooms in the store, four were dedicated to home theater/plasma TV's. The main entrance room was also chock full of video stuff. They are evening selling home theater furniture (leather sofas and loveseats) along with light diming switches to control room lighting. Gone is the wall of high-end accesories (cables, recording cleaning items, etc., etc.). Gone are the big two channel setups that folks like us depend upon for learning about and auditioning new equipment. How is one supposed to audition new gear and make intelligent purchasing decisions when the majority of items offered for sale relate to video and watching movies? You can't audition audio equipemnt on the internet.

You can't blame dealers for going this route - they are in business to make money. The market is changing and they need to keep abreast of it to stay alive. However, where does that leave those of us who still value two channel? It makes one wonder how long some of the top high-end manufacturers can stay in business.

No doubt. Last week I was speaking with a prominent LA area dealer/storeowner by phone about a well-known and -regarded 2-channel topline preamp from a leading manufacturer, and he regretted to say that in in 5 years of carrying this model, he's sold maybe 6 units so far. In contrast, an even more expensive pre/processor from the same company, that's only been in existence maybe half as long, he reckons he's sold over 40 of. You do the math...