Buying HiFi at credit, anyone?

IMHO, its no better or worse than buying most anything on long term credit that doesn't appreciate with time, such as homes, so long as you're not taking food out of someone's mouth or clothes off their back. I can't believe that folks buy very expensive cars and have them on credit for 6 years, or have revolving credit accounts at the expensive clothing stores. But they do. Who cares!

I vote for saving 10% to 20% off the top by not financing anything. Get a discount on top of that if you can and you're improve your life all around.

Spending money you don't have on something you don't need is never a good idea. I think this behavior is less of an Audiophile sickness than it is pure fiscal irresponsibility.

I was a bit fiscally irresponsible in my early adulthood. But once I became responsible to myself and my (future) family, it became very difficult to spend money I didn't have. Once I started consciously saving money, I typically decided not to spend money needlessly because of the amount of effort I had put into saving the cash in the first place.

Here's a story for you: When I was first out in the working world I really wanted to buy a Porshe. I figured that would be an affermation that I had really "made it" in life. However, once I actually had the money to but the Porshe, I decided not to do it. Saving that much money had been a long and painful process. I had forced myself to live way below my means. When the time came, I decided to invest in a home instead. That lead to a series of homes and ultimately I've ended up with a pretty large real estate portfolio.

I'm sure glad I didn't sacrifice my personal, and ultimately my family's, future for a better audio system!

Enjoy,

TIC

PS, oh yeah, my answer is "no", I've never financed audio because I didn't have the money to pay for it.

Agree wtih Reubent. If you can't pay cash for it, you cannot afford it. Simple as that.

Everyone is different with a different set of opinions/values. I've bought audio on 12 month interest free. I didn't have 3500 bucks at one time. But, I had the monthly payments no problem. It was paid off, I was happy, no big deal.

I use credit cards, but I also pay off the balance each month. Absolutely nothing wrong with credit, if you know how to use it and not abuse it. (FWIW I am NOT in debt up to my eyeballs)

IMO, "cash" deals are getting harder and harder to get discounts with. They make much more money throwing a credit card at you. In hopes that you screw up and have to pay fees.

Never. Audio Equipment is cash on hand only. I will use a credit card to pay but the bill is paid in full when due. My Son starts College in the Fall. My life is about to change BIG TIME!