2. misc-audio
  3. 183116-179465

Why does it take so long to get stuff?

So I ordered some speakers from my hifi dealer - $4500 ProAC’s. I was told they would be 3-5 weeks for delivery. Now I love the audio store and value the dealer network but in this day and age why does anything take 5 weeks. I went with the ProAc due to the dealer support etc but an alternative was a Buchardt speaker. 

Buchardt was $2500, gets great reviews, and arrives in 1-4 days anywhere in the world. 
 

In the UK the ProAC speakers are, in todays Exchange rates, roughly $3300. Now I don’t mind the mark up (but it’s a lot). Now assuming the dealer has them in stock why can’t they direct ship to me, or the store in 48 hours. I think it’s time the traditional manufacturers started adopting this style of approach - everyone in the chain can still get their mark up - but customers who be able to get what they want quicker. 

This delay is just making me question my purchase — I guess I’m too impatient but it’s the reality of commerce these days. 

 

kiwiscott
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 

Scott a few thoughts here:

Speakers are generally large expensive items so most dealers don’t carry much inventory on the floor beyond demos so speakers must be ordered from the manufacturer. In many cases your speakers are custom built for you after your order is placed.

3-5 weeks is a very reasonable lead time I waited 12 weeks for my current speakers and that was pre-pandemic.

A $1200 upcharge to get a pair of speakers from the UK to NZ seems fairly negligible when you factor in shipping costs (try shipping anything heavy or bulky these days), taxes and fees, distributor and dealer markup.

Hang in there and enjoy your Proacs when they arrive!

 

kenjit
1,771 posts
 

It takes time to cut the wood, glue them together, wait for the glue to dry, cut the holes, polish the wood, paint it, fit the drivers, solder the capacitors and coils to the PCB and test them to make sure they work etc. If they run out of any of the parts needed then you will suffer delays.

 

 

kenjit
1,771 posts
 

@jond 

In many cases your speakers are custom built for you after your order is placed.

I am not sure I agree with you there. Most speakers are not custom tuned. They are mass produced in large numbers and then stored in the factory ready to be shipped out to the dealers. 

jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 

@kenjit I meant built to order and it very much depends on the size of the manufacturer and particularly whatever veneer the customer has chosen. And please don't derail Scott's thread.

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