Dealer Price "Wiggle" Room

I have found quite a few stores that don't want to offer any discount on individual pieces, even if they are large ticket items, they stick to the list prices. Their exceptions are if you are buying a system or many pieces then they may offer a discount on the package, or if they have seen you in the store and kinda know you, and business has been slow, then they may give you a 5% or 10% discount. They usually have a private sale, or other special sale a few times a year where can get a discount on the new stuff and better discount on the floor models or close outs. I have found a few dealers that took the time to get to know me and talk about my preferences etc. They give me a 10% off of anything I want without asking, and then give better discounts when they can. Its a nice way to keep a customer coming back, if you know you can get a decent deal from a dealer without even asking or haggling over the price.

Here in Chicago and the surrounding areas, we have over a dozen decent stores to choose from. Most of them will discount a little bit on items here and there. Obviously, the more that you spend either on a regular basis or on "one big shot" will give the dealer more room to work with you. I have found that one specific dealer who is highly respected typically discounts measurably more than other dealers who are not as nice to deal with. On top of this, that store also offers a VERY attractive trade in / upgrade program. As such, it's hard to beat someone that offers personable service, good prices and willingness to work with you on trade-ins.

As others mentioned above, dealers that DO take care of their customers, spend more time with them making sure that they get what they need in the first place AND do good follow-up deserve more money than the guy that hands you the gear and pushes you out the door. Obviously, it's pretty nice to find someone that IS great to work with AND discounts. Those shops are out there, but you might have to look around a bit to find them. Sean
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I get good discounts at the stores I regularly do business with 10-15%--and continue to do business with them. I rarely pay list except for small ticket items and very rare items (like Camac connectors for Levinson amps--and they are ridiculously expensive--I should have asked on Audiogon where to get them at a discount). First time purchasers buying one item that is not priced in the stratospher will frequently not get a discount--depends on the dealer of course. For multiple items, my opinion, you should always get a discount. The % varies depending on number of items, price, dealer margin, and competition in the area.

It might be interesting to note that margins for speakers are in general the highest, some greater than 50%. This of course is not true of all speakers--but most. Also, you may not be aware that some lines of equipment have discount caps, meaning the dealer is not permitted to discount that product more than x% (or they will lose their dealership). Martin Logan does this and the cap is 10%. This is because there are cities with several Martin Logan dealers--and they do not want the dealers competing on price. Of course if you are bundling a package, you can take a larger discount off another item. There are some manufacturers that allow for dealers to accept mail orders and some do not. If you have a dealer in your area that does do mail order on a product you are interested in, chances are he can sell it for less because he typically competes on price with the mail order market and he gets better volume discounts from the manufacturer. I have done quite a bit of business with one such company in New York. They have a nice showroom, very knowledgable people, good discounts, everything you could want. I still do business with them, even though I no longer live close enough to go to their showroom anymore.

Thanks for the info, everyone. I appreciate the input. I think I now have a better idea where to start the next time I go to purchase something.