"Since we are all dreaming here"
If I wanted to set up a business with any chance of success, any at all, what I would do is specialize in the sale of stuff not only well supported by stable manufactureres who stand behind their product, but I'd also make sure they protected their dealers so that all of the internet audio specialists couldn't just walk in and waste their time with questions and demos and then depart to buy it over the internet at a discount with which no B&M dealer can compete. I wouldn't have to give discounts to get/keep my customers.
I would also make sure that my products had appeal to the 'carriage trade' who are more concerned with either bling or owning the stuff considered to be the 'best'. That makes your investment in conversations, demo's, and in home set-up assistance worthwile. I'd give that type of business about a 10% chance of returning a profit.
The last B&M dealer I personally knew, who sought to do what every one sez they want from a B&M dealer, was operating in city with a metro population in excess of 1 million people, offered a diverse selection of good inexpensive product as well as top quality - both tubes and SS, offered valuble advice in the most positive way, never criticized the products of others including the buyers, always made the customer feel 'special' and had several SOTA audition rooms as well as facilities for live performances of local musicians. Not only that he would give discounts to repeat customers. Needless to say he went bankrupt for lack of support from the audiophile community.
I'm sure this tale resonates with a lot of folks who have lost their local dealers.
Oh, BTW, this was even before the advent of the internet 'dealers' who now in the absence of B&M dealers to compete, expect full price for letting you order out of a catalog, provide minimal support, and change product/manufacturers like they change shirts. Profit margin mentality prevails, even on the internet.
I always enjoy reading responses from audiophiles in threads where someone has asked for advise. They say "Don't buy based on recommendations of others, use your own ears on stuff you have auditioned in your own home" without regard to how that audition might reasonably be expected to occur with most internet stuff, especially used stuff such as is sold in A-Gon.
Times have changed.
Rant over! :-)
If I wanted to set up a business with any chance of success, any at all, what I would do is specialize in the sale of stuff not only well supported by stable manufactureres who stand behind their product, but I'd also make sure they protected their dealers so that all of the internet audio specialists couldn't just walk in and waste their time with questions and demos and then depart to buy it over the internet at a discount with which no B&M dealer can compete. I wouldn't have to give discounts to get/keep my customers.
I would also make sure that my products had appeal to the 'carriage trade' who are more concerned with either bling or owning the stuff considered to be the 'best'. That makes your investment in conversations, demo's, and in home set-up assistance worthwile. I'd give that type of business about a 10% chance of returning a profit.
The last B&M dealer I personally knew, who sought to do what every one sez they want from a B&M dealer, was operating in city with a metro population in excess of 1 million people, offered a diverse selection of good inexpensive product as well as top quality - both tubes and SS, offered valuble advice in the most positive way, never criticized the products of others including the buyers, always made the customer feel 'special' and had several SOTA audition rooms as well as facilities for live performances of local musicians. Not only that he would give discounts to repeat customers. Needless to say he went bankrupt for lack of support from the audiophile community.
I'm sure this tale resonates with a lot of folks who have lost their local dealers.
Oh, BTW, this was even before the advent of the internet 'dealers' who now in the absence of B&M dealers to compete, expect full price for letting you order out of a catalog, provide minimal support, and change product/manufacturers like they change shirts. Profit margin mentality prevails, even on the internet.
I always enjoy reading responses from audiophiles in threads where someone has asked for advise. They say "Don't buy based on recommendations of others, use your own ears on stuff you have auditioned in your own home" without regard to how that audition might reasonably be expected to occur with most internet stuff, especially used stuff such as is sold in A-Gon.
Times have changed.
Rant over! :-)