What is the average dealer mark up?

A lot of this discussion helps explain why Tekton speakers sold direct are such a bargain. The $4k Moab that competes with a lot of $15k speakers makes total sense. If sold to retailers Eric would still have to get the same $4k out the door. But the retailers would have to sell it for $10k. Only nobody would pay $10k for a speaker that looks like that. People spending $10k expect it to look at least as good as all the other $10k speakers. 

So Eric would have to improve the cosmetics. Let's say he's really good and manages somehow to do this for only one or two grand. Not easy but let's say he pulls it off. The extra cost for appearance by the time it reaches retail has made his bargain Moab the same $15k as all the rest.

It sits there, sounding just as good but costing nearly three times as much. Most audiophiles aren't really that good at listening, they goo and gah over shiny gleam and fancy doo dads. So instead of the bargain of the century we got just another also-ran.

Economics. Get some. Sure glad Eric did.

I rarely shop at retailers for the same reason I dread going to car dealerships — I feel like the salesperson and I are on opposing teams.  I want “best bang for the buck”, and I am not a lavish spender like someone who expects to pay $10,000 for a pair of loudspeakers or $125,000 on a Porsche.  If I go into a hifi store, I expect the staff to try their best to up-sell me on a more lavish system than what I want, and while I don’t mind looking, I know what I want to spend and that might not even be worth the salesperson’s time.  I want retailers to be able to stay in business, just in general, but I don’t want to consider what they need to pay rent or keep the lights on, or pay for staff, when all I want is a good deal.  There is a high-end audio retailer in my town, but I have never been there because I assume that I can get what I need, for less, and not have anyone try to talk me into a home theatre when all I want is stereo music.  I have been in stores in which the employees obviously see that I am not spending the kind of money they need to bring in, and I don’t like disappointing people.  

Well bob540, you are clearly not a B&M customer, you said: "I want retailers to be able to stay in business",  right why? So you can take up their time for free? Listen to gear you might be interested in to purchase elsewhere? Just so you know, savvy dealers can spot you out in just a few minutes if not sooner. Please don't bother B&M dealers, they will be fine without you, by used or online. 

hmm. “most audiophiles aren’t really that good at listening”’etc. that’s a very arrogant statement. just saying.

Quick add to my post so you numbers guys can see it in text:

SONY TV's (Trinitron) were THE MOST POPULAR in the world at one time--it was a great TV.  The dealer cost was 80% of the FIXED (these were the days of "fair trade" pricing where you were legally required to sell at the manufacturer's price or lose the line, period.  No second chances, and they "shopped" you pretty much every week.)

Fixed overhead at my shop was 21%

You numbers guys figure that one out, OK?

So much "profit" I could hardly spend it all when I sold a Sony...