Charging A Fee To Demo An Amplifier In A Brick & Mortar Store
We need to be compensated. Simple as that. Hope this makes this clear.What a crock of ****, wait till he gets there, if he seems legit (a good salesman can tell). Then set the amps up on a system that’s all ready up and running. Charging to do this is doesn't do your credibility any favors. Cheers George |
When I created this post, I was truly curious if high end stores were now charging for an in-store demo. I’d never before heard of such a thing. I had no intention of being critical of the seller...I just wanted to know if this was now a widespread and common practice in high end audio. Had I’d walked into a hifi shop unaware of this practice and a guy told me there’s a $500 fee for an audition, I would’ve been offended and felt insulted. Now that I’m aware of it, I can choose to walk in their doors or not. I love Audio Research preamps. I’ve owned several of them and I think they are amazing. I’ve always wondered if their tube amps are as good as their preamps. I own two pairs of Pass Labs monoblocks that I’m thoroughly satisfied with. I’ve been member of Audiogon for 20 years. Without fail, year in and year out I keep hearing about the magic of tube amplifiers from members of this forum. I’d never entertain the thought of paying $60k for an amplifier...however, if the price was right on a pre-owned pair, I’d consider a change if the tube amps were all they were cracked up to be. The amps are now priced at $17k. I’ve also had the same curiosity about high powered Class-A monoblocs. I periodically peruse Audiogon to see if these megabuck amps have fallen into my price range. Well, the current monoblocks are in my price range. However, I don’t need any amplifiers....but if I can be convinced by proof of listening that these monoblocks in question are head and shoulders above what I currently have, I’d certainly entertain the thought of purchasing them. I could sell my current amps to absorb part of the purchase price. This seller is asking $500 for an in-store demo. If that’s his business policy, I have no quarrel with that. But I do have a choice whether or not to go along with it. These amps for sale have no warranty. My current system is here: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/876 |
It was suggested that this is equivalent to a restocking fee; I disagree. If I buy equipment from Schiit or Tekton and I don't like it I have to send it back, probably pay shipping both ways, and pay a restocking fee. But ... I have auditioned the equipment for 15 days in my home, in my system. That is very different from an audition in the dealer's room, with the dealer's equipment. |
I have been to this store 3 times and it is one of my favourites in Los Angeles. They have amazing gear and were very pleasant to deal with. I demoed 2 speakers there the first time I went. Sunil wanted me to hear a much more expensive Wilson Alexa setup just to hear what was possible. He knew I was not able to buy anything that day. I left with a good opinion. The other 2 times I went, it was during presentations done with the Los Angeles Audio Society. Again great events with a lot of attendees. I am buying gear now and I always check to see if they have any gear that I could buy because of the nice way they have treated me. Brooks Berdan and Excel Audio are 2 others that treated me great. Going to be spreading my dollars to these 3 dealers. I actually have not gone to demo some gear because I was not ready to buy. I would have gone if I could have paid a fee. I know the issues BM stores are facing. |
