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Demos - To Charge a Fee or to Not Charge a Fee?

One common dealer complaint is that customers sometimes use them to audition equipment only to later purchase it elsewhere.

How much of that is true is not known but it must happen. Such is the nature of some folk.

Therefore, how about abandoning the time honoured practice of free demonstrations (also shared by the car industry) and start charging a fee?

Would $10 an hour be sufficient? 

Surely, even in quiet part of a quiet day it must cost the dealer considerably more than that to provide the facilities and staff to facilitate a satisfactory demonstration.

I don't know how others may feel, but I'd be more than happy to pay for the service.
cd318
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,889 posts
 
I never waste a salesman's time....  so to me that would be insulting.  You are going to charge me a fee to demo something that I'm looking to buy ? 

   No thanks.    The folks I regularly do business with pretty much know they are going  to get my business,  and that's why they have no problem setting up a demo.   And they know if I walk out without buying something, I will be back soon because they are my first choice whenever I need something hifi.

I understand everyone's time is valuable,  but can you imagine taking a car for a test drive and paying a fee?   Ridiculous 
bandman2020
1 posts
 
Lol, NO! It’s part of owning any type of retail store or shop. There will always be people who look then buy elsewhere. Do car dealers charge for a test drive? Just my opinion. 
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
That sounds great!

   When I’m done listening to the amp/speaker pair,
I will gladly accept a check for my time. 
   Will use the $ for lunch after listening to their components!

   There is a high end audio place by me who never, not once have ever given a price break for anything. 
  So earning $10/hr is perfect, make $40 and have a nice supper for the boss and I 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,471 posts
 
NFW
streamerdude
54 posts
 
I don’t have much sympathy for retailers. After all, your equipment depreciates 50% as soon as you leave the store. 
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