MC cartridges

Asking for a discount is a bad manner, you must have a reason why you must get a discount.

There's no such thing as bad manners, especially if you're the buyer. Where'd you come up with that @chakster? Buying at full retail for high-end audio is only for select few products. You should always ask for best price and comparison shop.

rdk777

There's no such thing as bad manners, especially if you're the buyer.

Ahhhh, but there is such a thing as bad manners. Customers who understand that are the ones who get the get the best deals.

You can compare prices and sellers, you can make offers if seller accept offers, but sometimes the price is not negotiable, people who always ask for discount with no reason are strage. If retail price is too high then buy used with huge discount (or shop elsewhere - this is what they will tell you). I don’t know how you can ask for discount if high-end dealer have no idea who you are? In my country you can’t act like that at the shops, it’s disrespect, bad manners. There must be a reason for discount. Maybe it’s a cultural difference.

Sometimes manufacturers will give a trade-in allowance. In the past I’ve gotten a couple hundred off with my dealer on a Sumiko Blackbird and most recently the same on a Lyra Delos (which isn’t carried locally) at Elusive Disc. If you’re moving up the Dynavector line I’d ask about it.

I bought my Benz Micro Zebra through Osage Audio. Dude knew his stuff to help me match to my tonearm and found one on manufacturer demo for a solid deal. Definitely a salesman directing my choice to higher $ than I wanted to spend, but his advice was well appreciated the first time I let the needle touch a record.