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

Hello, 
I think if you go into the store and listen in the store no fee is required. If you want to demo the item in your home then you should pay. You technically are renting the equipment. If you end up buying then you get you rent back as store credit. A lot of people do not know what it costs to run a business. Can you imagine the electric bill for an audio store. Just put yourself in the owners shoes in todays market. Also, If everyone started to take advantage of the brick and mortar stores there will be none to visit in the future. Remember this in a few years when your paying fees to keep YOUR money in a bank. Some banks have already started this. Don’t worry no charge for $25,000 or more left in the account. Because I am sure everyone has $25,000 to leave in an account. 

.......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.

 cd318

The store has that hard cost whether I come in, or not.

Maybe we should define demo... are we talking in-store or home demo? If in store, no fee, that's part of doing business. In home demo, then I think a fee is perfectly acceptable (as long as that fee is deducted from a purchase). I have a local dealer that I've been buying quite a few things from. He always lets me bring stuff home to listen to, but he also knows me well and knows that I will buy from him if it works in my system

I’ve got thing in my mind. You alway be honest and bring up Audiogon at dealer unless you like cheap democrat that try to say everyone get free services while you tell tax man to get you best deal while you want it to come from another guy pocket. It can’t be help there lot of it about.
Have wife dress to treat employee well and always bring nice compliment to dealer. Good manner dont cost nothing do they.

@audiojan ,
"Maybe we should define demo... are we talking in-store or home demo? If in store, no fee, that's part of doing business. In home demo, then I think a fee is perfectly acceptable (as long as that fee is deducted from a purchase)."



You're right, this needs to be more specific.

I don't think any retailer would want to insist on a charge for anyone visiting or browsing in their store.

I was thinking of some kind of financial recompense for the extra work involved in setting up a system specifically tailored to a customers preference eg front end, amp, speakers etc.

This could apply equally to in-store or home demos. The fee demanded could be left entirely up to the retailer.

In the result of a successful sale, this arbitrary fee could be waived, but the point was to deter those that take unfair advantage of the services provided by some dealers.

Whilst we still have some left who are willing to demonstrate their products.

Demonstrating audio involves experience and knowledge as well as being attentive to the customers wishes.

It is nothing like selling iPhones.

Heck, those guys aren't even giving you chargers anymore!
They're not responsible for demonstrating anything, or providing any extra service. 

They're not dealers, they're simply retailers.