hifiman2015-
You've made some great points but they need a bit of honing and expansion.
"A home builder type boutique type of shop doesn't make much profit but a small to medium sized business even with low volumes but sells world wide can have a huge markup in their products." (Not sure what you mean after the "but....")
In the USA all retailers have to be offered the same cost price as a rule by Federal law. For most brands there is a MSRP sometimes called list price. Most dealers, even shopping cart dealers, advertise or advise you of list price. "Program" or "demo" gear that is usually supposed to be on display maybe, depending on the manufacturer, have an additional discount or incentive. This latter gear might be on sale once a year if mass market big box stuff or more frequently for some of the so-called high-end brands you mention. Therefore you are more apt to get a discount from a dealer on a demo product than a new one. The good thing about demo electronics is you know it works. Anything mechanical (CD player, TT, cartridge, etc.) a good dealer can consult their records or have some other policy about when it came in. Also, many DACs and so on change as often as Moore's Law with computers so unless they are built to be updatable by firmware or changing chips they have a limited service life, as a rule, since they become obsolete.
As a rule, the biggest markups on equipment are realized by those who import or manufacture equipment and then sell it direct or through the internet to the retail customer. Some of the most esoteric, exclusive and expensive gear on the market therefore has perhaps an extra 20%+ markup since the consumer is buying at MSRP or some "discount" off that from the importer-retailer. But the boutique retailer who carries the same line and services your account does not get that ~20% extra. Sometimes the importer-retailer are part of a "software" company in which case equipment might be a loss leader for them. They make money from the servicing dealer who has to buy at dealer cost and does not get that extra %. In other cases the importer keeps that brand in their own few stores under the guise of exclusivity. You're also looking at the extra markup here. Given the strength of the $ right now this makes $ and sense for the US importer. I looked at one line in the overseas country they are manufactured in. They have one retailer only and it is owned by the manufacturer - the company store!
One might ask the importer-retailer if they have a separate company set up for importing from the retail outlet. In that case their captive retailer maybe bound by the same cost price as the independent dealer buying from them. In either case, consider they might be able to knock the ~20% off. Just ask. Don't be surprised if they hang up, troublemaker!
Finally there are foreign manufacturers who get compensated by their governments for any "losses" they occur selling to the USA or are otherwise incentivized to sell here.
I could go on. Comparisons to other markets/commodities could be made.
"One thing for sure is that don't be afraid to call around to get pricing information and go ahead and ask about discounts up front. If you are sure you want to purchase that product, then tell them that you are a serious buyer and not just window shopping (wasting their time)."
This may work for expensive mass-market gear like some of the brands you mentioned and more. If you see a review in one of the print magazines or go online see how many dealer they have and start calling. True custom-made or small distribution gear the retailer either has a territory thus knowing all the other dealers - or should know them. Word does get around. Ask the dealer if they have pre-owned, refurbished, or demo equipment. They just may.
"Keep in mind that people need to earn a living as well so in all sense, be fair."
