shy about prices

@grislybutter

Yes I get that. Frustrating for us both, as we cannot control the dealers or tell them what to do. We can only give them an opportunity-some take it and some dont.

The internet business is a completely different thing to the local shops that rely on relationships (and most likely good advice) to build their business. I grew up in the busness when it was like that and still prefer it. Nothing like a dealer who thinks long term and isnt greedy. There is a hybrid model growng as a few dealers are beginning to offer personal relationships AND internet information. Its a tough go as you need such signficant resources to be good at both. And yes, there are few local shops that offer bad advice, but I think that’s increasingly rare as word travels fast about bad deals and transactions.

Brad

@lonemountain Yes, very true.... and the retail changes that affect how we buy and use audio equipment (covid/amazon/spotify/price transparency, etc) drives how manufacturers and dealers reach the customers.

What I see suffering is the low-end/budget segment. The price range where new customers would enter the hifi world and would eventually step up, e.g. BestBuy, Tweeter, local hifi shops that used to be a 10 minute drive in every big city. When I go to high end dealers, I see people arriving with 120+K cars and naturally they will get the special treatment. Going to amazon to browse 500-1000 dollar gear is not much fun. 

One issue for the exporters is global pricing…. which tacks on a LOT of $€£¥…… in the home market….. which leads to wildly irrelevant home market “ suggested retail pricing “….. 

@tomic601 yes, that can be confusing (and disturbing). And can cause for example speakers from the UK to be cheaper in the US, than across the street from the factory

hifi is subjective. I know there's places on the net that say science proves different and if you buy into that than just buy the cheap stuff they recommend. otherwise the law of diminishing returns is different for everyone depending on their budget and level of appreciation for music playback.