They know we will pay anything they can think of


Anyone have any idea how long ago Hifi manufacturers discovered we (audiophiles) will pay almost anything chasing our perfect sound? I individualized it because each of us are reaching for our own personal nirvana. You can go to any audio show, see someone point to a piece of equipment and ask the price. Out comes a price you know the rep made up while sitting in his office wondering how much he can ask those sick people to pay. We know advertising, manufacturing, and overhead is relatively expensive but we also know that the asking price should take care of that if he sells maybe 4 or 5 of them all year. Knowing that I have paid quite a bit for equipment over the years that I knew I shouldn't have but did anyway.

128x128frankmc195

Unfortunately its no different then whats happened in the used high end watch markets or on Bringatrailer.com where people continue to purchase at shockingly high prices, driving prices up. As the economy cools prices should - I hope- soften. I've noticed that the more expensive used gear here on Agon is now often seeing price cuts and or very long "for sale' periods, indicating reduced interest...

@mirolab Actually it wasn't me who asked... I was sitting in a chair in the front row when another audiophile walked over and asked the price. I happened to overhear the conversation. As the price being on the brochure, whether it was or not.... it definitely wasn't worth the price. Does your company by any chance have a preamp priced at $22,000? I could be completely off but I have you sized up as a rep for an audio manufacturer which is a good thing.... Hearing all sides keeps us informed.

@frankmc195

Anyone have any idea how long ago Hifi manufacturers discovered we (audiophiles) will pay almost anything chasing our perfect sound?

Yes, I do.

 

Only the less fortunate worry about price and I don't mean this in a snobby way. But there are exceptions as some rich audiophiles are not going to allocate that much money to assemble a ridiculously expensive rig knowing it's a poor investment as far as diminishing returns go. 

“it definitely wasn't worth the price”
again, feel free to review “Laissez-faire” economics from the Austrian school, not the (Marxist) London school.

a thing is “worth” what someone is willing to pay for it. “Value” is in the mind of the buyer.

TANSTAAFL