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Reasonable not to be offered a trial on a cart?

Hi everyone. This query is in respect of a cart but applies to any audio component really.
In this day and age it's getting harder to maintain a relationship with a single dealer. I realise this means that approaching a distributor/dealer for the first time means they have no way of knowing whether I'm a timewaster. Often I'll pick up on the buzz of a favoured component, seek it out, and if poss secure a home demo. There's only been a handful of items I've not gone on to purchase.
I have my eye (ear?) on a particular high end cart (I won't reveal it's identity for the time being). However the UK dealer, while happy to audition it in his system, will not consider making it available for home demo, claiming this would be expensive and impractical (understandable considering he is 200 miles from me).
But this I find perplexing-he claims even if it is run in, it won't sound good ie components NEVER sound good listened for the first time in an installation.
Now, I do understand a one off listen of a new component in an alien system may be disorientating, and the cart could hardly be left with me, but surely in the Golden Age of audio, home demos were used as the last stage in clinching a deal to buy the component.
Or am I incorrect, maybe carts never were available for demo.
Any thoughts on the dealer's reticence, and his assertion that all components are likely not to sound of their best when first installed in a system.
spiritofmusic
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
I could do that after demoing the cart at the dealer as well. Demo at home wouldn't add to temptation to source more cheaply.
The US dealer/distrib of one of the current hot new thing carts got into a real lather when he discovered a top audiophile hadn't bought thru him.
Me? I don't agree w that audiophile, although I get the temptation. If I saw the mark up was overly greedy (which it is on this line), I wouldn't look at the cart in the first place.
This was a simple case of paying for the dealer's time and effort to swing by, install a cart already on demo in the store, and try and get a sale.
Imho, really not asking too much.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Sorry for the typos in my post above.

Grey market dealers doing very well selling everything worldwide cheaper (without demo), look on ebay. Dealers won’t sell cheaper officially, but privately can offer discount (i bought this way). Some smart dealers can offer cartridge trial with full refund (very few dealers can do that, they are great). Dealer price depends on region. Buyers not only buying from grey market dealers for much lower price, but they are also sending their cartridge for re-tip or refurbishing to a third party vendor (because it’s cheaper) taking risk twice. No universal rules.

For some people price is the key factor.
For others service and demo is the key factor .
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
3,086 posts
 
In my case, buying from a brick and mortar dealer proved to be a very good idea. After just a few weeks, I noticed that my cantilever was not straight and that the cartridge had a distinct ability to favor one channel!
So, the dealer took the cartridge back, sent it to the rep, who sent it to Japan and had it repaired under warranty. Took some time, but no issues whatsoever for me. 
OTOH, looking at some of the cartridge pricing differences between the US and other countries, makes it clear why folks here want to skip the US dealer/rep. In some instances ( not mine) the cartridge could be acquired overseas for half or less of the price! The question is...how much is the headache and hassle worth it IF something comes about like in my experience. Might be a rare occurrence, but I can vouch that it is does happen! 
blueranger's avatar
blueranger
719 posts
 
There was a movie out years ago called "Clear and Present Danger in which Harrison Ford in Columbia asked how much to buy that helicopter? The seller said 1 million dollars. Ok how much to rent thathelicopter. The seller said 1 million dollars!!!! Lol I think cartridges are to pristine to risk being damaged. 
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
3,086 posts
 
@blueranger  That makes some sense, BUT it also applies to number of other pieces of gear that are lent out for audition! As cartridge price increases, is it reasonable to expect the consumer to simply rely on someone else's opinion and to just plunk down tens of thousand of dollars just based on that???
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