How would you run an audio salon?

Dave_b

........."As you can see, one is not able to get much practical or personaly meaningful information from Audiogon on a consistent basis. Everyone is biased, everyone plays favorites and no one has it all figured out."

So, uh, did the dog die, or did you get an invite to divorce court today?

That's a mighty critical statement.

i would have a problem selling a product i don't personally like. i think it's a matter of integrity not to misrepresent your principles.

i think it's better to cater to yourself first and the customers, second. you will get more respect from people that way.

Following up on Dave B's comments, I think there has been some very interesting posts. If the average retailer followed a small percentage of them, he would do well. I tend to agree though, that starting a High End Audio salon is the first step to bankruptcy.

Blindjim, none of the above (no dog/happy marriage). Not critical either really, just reality! Any dealer is going to sell what he has to offer..Duh! I'd rather draw on a larger universe of possibilities for the customer. That being said, there is a very cool historic property for sale across the street from me...Hmmm, make a very nice high end salon:)

Since we're all dreaming here. If I was do something like setting up an Audio Salon, I would approach it more as a hobby, and not as something that my livelyhood and retirement would depend on. Basically it would be a retirement business, and would be geared more for social and music enjoyment than to make any kind of real money. IWO, if I could make it break even I would be happy. I would also specialize in used and vintage equipment with good reputations, and somewhat affordable in price. The market I would be after would be less the audiophile crowd, and more the crowd that enjoys music, and wants a good sounding system that's definely a cut above the "same old, same old" Mid-Fi offering but still falls within a Mid-Fi price range. And to do that I would probably have three or four systems put together at any given time that would not only be for sale, but also be systems that I personally could also enjoy. Of course, I would have various other components and speakers available for the music lover who might want to change a thing or two in the system to suit their particular music and listening needs. Of course, carrying used/vintage equipment would also mean that I would have to have the service available to keep these pieces running at their best. In addition I would probably would want to carry some CDs of independent, regional artists (emphasis on more acoustic based artists with genres being bluegrass, old-time, blues, folk and Celtic music) and every once in awhile maybe have some of these artist stop by for an in-store performance.

Good used/vintage equipmet with a good service department in a small college town with a good local arts community somewhere in wertern North Carolina or Virginia, and an appeal to the musicains and music lovers in that area could be a winning combination.