You’re An Independent Dealer, Which Companies And What Products Would You Represent?


Hey All!
 I live in an average sized city where there are two brick and mortar audio stores. One is modest in both budget and square footage but has great customer service, offers quality products from entry level to high end and works with customers on price. The other one is a mega store with a huge inventory from entry level to very high end, has great customer service but won’t budge on price and wants to be the biggest store on the east coast. Personally, I like rooting for the underdog. So today, I stopped in and chatted with the salesperson at the small store, who I’ve come to know over these many years. He was telling me that the bigger store was carrying the same brands and products that they’ve been carrying but that they were buying inventory in mass quantity. And, that the only way for the small store to separate themselves from the mega store would be to represent companies and products that the mega store can’t or won’t showcase. However, which companies and which products, this is the question. The first thing of course that popped into my mind was to regurgitate everything favorable that I had read about on these forums and from the reviews on 6 Moons, What HiFi, Stereophile, etc….But I stopped myself and I’m glad I did and I said, ‘well there’s certainly a lot to choose from.’ And this is where you come in. So, if you were the owner of a smaller (think size of an average three bedroom house), independent brick a mortar audio store, what companies and products would you ideally choose to feature in your showroom? As I mentioned previously, anything (pragmatic) from entry level to high end. Let’s say for clarification that the $50,000.00 McIntosh subwoofer would be thought of as too extravagant. Eventually, my hope is to direct my dealer friend to this post as a means of inspiration.

Thanks!

 

goofyfoot

There’s a coupe of business metrics that caught my attention over the years that I’d like to share.

98% of very satisfied customers will do business again at the establishment. I like the odds here. Certainly makes it worth the effort to keep customers happy.

A 5% increase in customer loyalty doubles the lifetime return on investment. I like the math here, too. New customers are essential for business growth. But, they are very expensive to attract, and increasingly difficult to sell to. Existing customers and referrals build retirement income. You need both. Once those new prospects are converted to customers, then they will pay lifelong dividends if treated right (not ignored).

Seems this conversation has taken a discursive direction, which is fine. Anyhow, I wanted to add that on most any post in these forums, people are jumping out of their skins to recommend their favorite brands and products. I just hope you feel the same here. Thanks!

As a long-time audio manufacture representative, I find this discussion both refreshing and enlightening.  I believe in brick and mortar because I never heard anyone say I got the hi-fi bug by any other means than hearing a stereo that did something unexpected.  Setup and service are vital.  It is so refreshing to see Bliss HiFi, Kevtekav, and waytoomuchstuff sharing vital information for success.  My ideal dealer is a small stereo shop driven by passion and love or people.  These tend to be from 1 to 5 guys and gals, banded together by a search for excellence.  We spend way to much time talking about what are the best components and not nearly enough time talking about knowledgeable and experienced dealers.  

 

Kharma

JM Lab Utopia line

VAC

Boulder

Nagra

Add some turntables, dacs and cables and it should do it.