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Could I be a Retail Wretch?

I started a discussion here this morning to get some feedback on whether an external DAC would make an appreciable improvement over an internal processor’s DAC. During the discussion, I said that I typically visit a local audio dealer, to experience the equipment and then, comparison shop to find the best deal. The particular dealer I was referring to, emails me weekly, sends postcards monthly and catalogs quarterly. It’s always with an invitation to “see and hear the difference”. So I visit, and occasionally buy some small ticket items. But, when it comes to spending thousands on nationally available equipment, I don’t feel any obligation to limit my shopping to that one location.

When I shared my buying habits with the forum, I received responses that said using any brick and mortar stores to demo and then buying elsewhere “cuzz” it’s cheaper is just plain wrong…

I was surprised at that statement. I’m a value oriented person. I enjoy quality items. But I search for them at the best price - is that wrong? If there’s no competitive pricing or added value, why should I feel obligated?


gwbeers
soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
The customer that took home my gear had already decided to buy the one on audiogon....if it sounded good. He didn't come in out of the blue just to see what I had. After he got his amps in from the seller in California I got an email form the seller to ask if I had an owners manual for those amplifiers...obviously for the buyer in Denver. I was surprised he didn't ask me to go help the guy put his tubes in. .

I think that dealers are on the way out. Guys used to come in to my shop or my room at the RMAF and fall in love with the sound....then they go on line and see what other people think. No one can make a decision on their own...lets see what the reviews think...I have a friend with a good ear. Some how we are weeding out the really good products in favor of the really good advertisers...A little sad...
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,052 posts
 
"No one can make a decision on their own..."

Absolutely! I agree 100%. Although I think that’s true no matter Where they want to buy.
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,052 posts
 
We all start out in the hobby unsure of ourselves, but maybe folks just want to spend too much on it in spite of the uncertainty factor, in an attempt to avoid the perceived spending mistake of buying something of inferior quality....scared money??

Sometimes ya just gotta start small and learn.
Post removed 
gwbeers OP
76 posts
 

Terry9 

Don’t just throw a stone, run away and say “Goodbye”. If your self respect is so fragile, that you feel the need to pay more for something than you need to, that’s fine. It actually reminds me of a line in Ayn Rand’s, The Fountainhead- “It's easier to donate a few thousand to charity and think oneself noble than to base self-respect on personal standards of personal achievement.”



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