Dealers prices

[Bartolo]

Those of you who are complaining about lack of posted prices . . . when you see the posted price, and buy the item, do you pay the posted price or negotiate?

I do not find a lack of posted prices to be a problem. "MSRP" is easily found online. I do not expect to see the 'lowest price we'll sell it to a good negotiator for' to be posted.

Note -- this is based on the common practices in the States, where items have a "list" price, and lower prices are very commonly negotiated at the time of sale. This applies to most hi fi dealers, but not to the large chains where negotiation is (typically) not possible.

 

[Jo Sharp]

I can understand that some dealers selling new kit might not want the manufacturer to know that discounts are available.

But i do get very frustrated by those offering mainly 2nd hand stuff on PFM trade sales and the list is always £POA or £Call.... Bloody annoying. Just stick the effing prices on your list.

 

[ItemAudio]

It's the consequence of a global market; the best prices are just a couple of mouse-clicks away. If you're a brick and mortar dealer, you'll never compete on price alone. Hence, the POA tagline.

Personally, I don't have a problem with this. I place some value on service and knowledge. But if that is not forthcoming, I'd rather pay a bit more elsewhere. I've bought enough from the lowest priced stores to know that the hidden cost of frustrated after-sales service and support isn't worth the two bob I saved.

That's essentially what killed Jessops and Comet. Can't compete with Amazon or other cut-price online retailers.

In the computer retail industry, and its overlap with the audio business, margins are tight: on Sonos products, for instance, a small dealer will make 5% margin; a big dealer 10-15% and a megadealer like Amazon maybe 20-25%.

Contrast with the 'standard' 35-50% dealers make on the tiny roster of MOR brands still promoted ad nauseam in the UK audio press. Your local audio business will be highly protective of that margin, and doesn't want it eroded by price comparison shopping. Three times in the last couple of months we've had distributors lying to us about stock availability in order to sell direct to customers - especially at the middle/high-end, there's a whiff of desperation that there isn't enough business to go round. Teary-eyed nostalgia abounds about the 'good old days' of the 70s and 80s where customers were humbly compliant fodder and computers were for spaceships.

It's horses for courses: if you want an average off-the-shelf system, buy online and shop hard - and if that puts out of business the sharks and speculators in this business, so much the better. In my experience the average audio trader is about as honest and reliable as the average used car salesman. And the way they operate is about as relevant as an episode of Minder.

However, if you want to build something special, it's still a good idea to see a specialist: there remains an 'enthusiast' element in the trade offering advice, service and a mutually rewarding relationship for audiophiles and obsessives!

 

[merlin]

It's the consequence of a global market; the best prices are just a couple of mouse-clicks away. If you're a brick and mortar dealer, you'll never compete on price alone. Hence, the POA tagline.

One day the average British 21st Century haggler will wake up and realise that the best price is no longer viable because no one has jobs anymore, benefits are non existent and sterling has plummeted through the floor.

By that time it will be too late.

 

[Pac1]

I can see why some dealers don't offer prices for all gear and as has been said, occasionally it's down to things like manufacturers not being happy with fixed prices as it loses some flexibility on price fluctuations and profitability; also, there's the issue of some deaslerships not regularly updating stock lists and prices (which also annoys suppliers) and for much higher end kit its simply that most deals are negotiated off line because (shock horror) there's usually a fair margin for most dealerships to play with.

Personally, and because I have no middle men and sell direct, I have no intention of hiding prices which is why prices for my own range of cables are clearly stated. The only things that I do not supply exact pricing for are bespoke items, where an email or phone call can be used to offer a fixed price quote. I do however state guide prices for some of my furniture and TT lids for example. Because there are no middle men, there's no double whamy on margins either which means great value. (just try pricing some of the components and you'll see that).

There are many excuses used for not stating prices but unless suppliers are putting pressure on dealers its because they don't want to state a fixed price (means updating web pages etc). I don't know what some dealers are afraid of because increasingly, it's not bottom line that most people aim for, its reasonable cost with excellent customer service. A positive customer experience usually brings people back. A negative one usually does not.

 

[Singslinger]

Get out and chat to them more. Loads of great dealers out there who are passionate enthusiasts full of knowledge. Continually amazed by this. Its tight arsed buyers like us on the forums who are the problem, never buying anything new. I'm pretty bad, but I'm far from the worst.

+1. My experience with most dealers is the same and that those with poor knowledge and sales skills are among the minority.