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Negotiating when buying demo and used speakers from a dealer

Hi,

I'm buying a new set of speakers. I'm getting close to making a decision and now I'm thinking about price flexibility on the vendor's part.

For example, today I saw a pair of Monitor GX200s that I quite liked. They're not the current model, one back, going for CDN $2399 (about USD$1850). Dealer said they were trade-ins. They looked immaculate. Haven't listened to them yet.

Here in Ontario I would pay an additional 13% in sales tax.

The vendor isn't an authorized dealer for these particular speakers. They sell a variety of quality equipment that range in price from around $1,000 to who-knows-how-much. They actually do a pretty good job of moving stuff. I go in from time to time and can see their inventory turnover. (Hard to miss a missing pair Acapellas). I live a little north of Toronto and there are easily at least 6 other high-end shops within easy driving distance.

If I do buy these speakers, should I just pay the asking price? If not, are there negotiating strategies that people can offer up?

By way of comparison, I can purchase a pair of Omen Defs, circa 7 years old, for $1450. (Have to drive 2 hours each way). No tax because it is a private sale. He's already come down from his asking price of $1750.

~Jim

128x128jimspov
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
A lot of the negotiating depends on how desperate the seller or buyer is to sell or buy. Right now, it's a buyer's market, which means that sellers are really struggling. This is good for buyers, but bad for sellers.

Now, if you, as a buyer, fall in love with a certain pair of speakers, your negotiating power is limited. Because if you play around too much you may lose out on them. However, if you are just willing to fish around, and as someone who has bought and sold in the past year, I can tell you that there are plenty of folks out here like this, then you can just cast out a lowball offer and see how desperate the seller is to move them. You may get speakers with an asking price of $3000 or more, for $1500.

From what I have seen in the last year, the audio market is currently slanted more towards the buyer than I can recall seeing in decades.
In the end, the strategy is up to you, and how badly you want a pair of speakers, or if you are willing to just find a desperate seller and take whatever he is selling.

Used to be that walking in the door with cash in hand afforded you better pricing. I don't know that has as much swaying power as it used to though.

Happy hunting.
jimspov's avatar
jimspov OP
60 posts
 
I did some research on the internet.

Listed on Canuck Audio Mart is a pair of these speakers, unused in open box, selling for CDN$3000. 

Also on Canuck: A dealer about 2 hours away purchased the remaining North American stock and is selling at a 25% discount from the retail price of CDN$5000 = CDN$3750.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,746 posts
 
If he is not an authorized dealer and is selling an older used model for $2399 you would be better off getting a new pair for about $600 more from an authorized dealer. It seems he is asking way too much for them!
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRGS200
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,405 posts
 
Of course negotiate. Last year I bought a pair of demo speakers from an authorized dealer at a substantial discount off of list price. Literally, over $8000 under list price. Make an offer and the worst the seller can say is no-
ejr1953
918 posts
 
Back when I was in the audio business most speakers had about 50%  profit margin in their list price, when new.  Like that new automobile, as soon as the speaker leaves the dealer, it depreciates a lot (why would one pay close to new price, and not get a manufacturer's warranty?)  If these speakers were previously-owned and a current model, I'd say getting close to 50% off list would be a good starting point, especially if the speaker line is not carried by that dealership.
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