Long ago margins in high end audio were high. Also, the purchase cycle was long. Cultivating a customer now would net you sales in a few years. It was how you built a good business. Inspire a person today and they will buy some day when they have money.
Today, high end dealers must cull out people that will listen at their shop and buy on the internet. It is honestly pretty disingenuous to do this, they have a business to run. People that can afford to buy want, what a dealer can provide a stressless purchasing experience. When I received a unit which had a meter that didn’t work, my dealer came over to my house, gave me his demo, ordered a new one, delivered and installed it, without me lifting a finger. For over $20K… I don’t care if I save a couple grand… I don’t want the hassle… I am retired.. I want to enjoy life… not wrestle 150 lb amps into boxes and call shipping companies and not have a working system for weeks. So, I am completely on the side of the dealer in getting disingenuous buyers out of the store.
I am the kind of customer that high end audio dealers want. They are the kind of guys I want… someone that can intelligently discuss and and help me choose the very best equipment for my tastes and makes sure there is never a glitch in the process. Dealers that get that… will survive and thrive.
Today, high end dealers must cull out people that will listen at their shop and buy on the internet. It is honestly pretty disingenuous to do this, they have a business to run. People that can afford to buy want, what a dealer can provide a stressless purchasing experience. When I received a unit which had a meter that didn’t work, my dealer came over to my house, gave me his demo, ordered a new one, delivered and installed it, without me lifting a finger. For over $20K… I don’t care if I save a couple grand… I don’t want the hassle… I am retired.. I want to enjoy life… not wrestle 150 lb amps into boxes and call shipping companies and not have a working system for weeks. So, I am completely on the side of the dealer in getting disingenuous buyers out of the store.
I am the kind of customer that high end audio dealers want. They are the kind of guys I want… someone that can intelligently discuss and and help me choose the very best equipment for my tastes and makes sure there is never a glitch in the process. Dealers that get that… will survive and thrive.