|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
99.43.40.241
It seems some dealers that don't carry a particular type of audio equipment or technology often need to disparage it (since they don't sell it)?
E.g., Dealer A: "I've never heard a Class D amp that I've enjoyed". Dealer B who does sell Class D amps: "I love the sound of this amp (class D)". What the buyer then hears might be influenced by the dealer they trust or don't trust(a variant of confirmation bias).
Follow Ups:
well, sometimes yes but they are in business to make money. they usually NEED to sell product to stay in business and that isn't deplorable.
Brooks Berdan was VERY accommodating and a wonderful guy. that said, he had beliefs that got him to be the turntable maven of LA, and further. and still, he had bills to pay and i never held that against him.
...regards...tr
Learned at my father's knee.
.
Customer: I see you don't offer Brand B. I'm thinking that might be good choice also. Seems to get pretty good reviews.
Dealer: Yes, I've heard that, too. There is a lot of good equipment out there. As a dealer, there is a limited amount of product I can stock and meet the requirements the manufacturers or distributors of those products place on us. Our goal is to provide the best products and value for customers like you - while maintaining a product line that provides as diverse a selection as possible, and providing customer care that will make you want to come back and do business with us again - or at least let you recommend us to others.
Remember, if you find something you have to have, and that I do not carry, I can likely purchase that product for you. I can't promise the best price in those scenarios, but I will be able to match the manufacturer's RSP and provide you the best service possible.
We have a great selection here, though. I recommend this one as a starting point. Let's take a look and listen!
"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius
While I agree with most of your post, as a retailer, it seems to me that the products you have chosen to carry were made for a specific reason. You want to have the customer enjoy the most satisfying experience with a product that has a proven history. There is a story to tell about the products and manufacturers you carry and why you do. You want the customer to make an investment that reaps benefits in the long term. The new flavor on the market may also be the product that shows up the most on your workbench after having failed. You need solid makers that not only can make a good product but also refurbish it way down the road.
The customer has to look at it as a long term investment and that's the retailer's job to convince the buyer why he/she should choose you.
If the buyer is really in love with a product you don't carry, even though I hate to refer him/her to a competitor, I'm not so sure I'd buy it for the customer. Servicing equipment you have no relationship with creates a very muddy area of risk. I'd stick to gear that I know can do the job and that I have knowledge and experience with.
The essence of your business is based on the products you have chosen to offer and if you can justify why you pick your manufacturers, I feel you have to stand by them. You know what you are offering.
It has been 35 years since i was in retail... You are right - it is the relationship with the customer that is important. most "good" customers are in it for the duration and also brought in referals. Service and repairs are usually not an issue, at least for quality product - and manufacturer warranties were honored even if we were not the "authorized" dealer back then except for a few brands. Each product has its story - that's for sure, but also brands come and go.
Back then the typical cycle time with a customer for a major purchase was about three years. That is, let's say the bout a new TT, cartridge. got it in their system - then an upgrade for speakers would come a couple years later.
Is that still true?
"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius
Tough to tell - it may be a preference. For instance I have never heard a class D amplifier that I enjoyed either. So yes I suppose the dealer or a review in my case could influence someone but only for awhile. Eventually people will draw their own conclusions. I read a lot of forums and magazine reviews that sent me down the wrong path until I judged stuff purely myself and then I sold all those pieces.Not every dealer is biased because they happen to sell stuff.
My main dealer is Soundhounds in Victoria BC Canada and the owner carries several pieces he doesn't like because the market does. As he says if he doesn't carry it a competitor may and you have to earn a living. And as he notes 90% of the people who walk in already know what they want because they read an advert or a review. Further, many customers assume they know more than any dealer about audio equipment so why fight that? Just carry a bunch of varying equipment let them listen and decide for themselves what they like.
If you do that you don't have to rip other people's gear.
Now if you ASK him what he likes then he will tell you what his favorites are but that's the 1/10. Why argue with customers. If they own a Bose you don't need to rip Bose. Just listen to what the customer wants and play it. He carries the gambit of amplifiers SET/PP/SS/Surround Sound/ Speakers from old school Harbeth/Audio Note/Devore to Paradigm/B&W/Sonus Faber/Meridian/JBL/KEF to panels Magnepan/Quad and others. Carry enough stuff and people will bound to like at least one of them - you get a sale. Rip the guy's choices and they probably never return.
Which is why Soundhounds has been there for 40+ years and everyone else went under including the BIG boys like A&B Sound
Doesn't talk down products he doesn't sell.
ET
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936
If a dealer is smart and doesn't sell a product he doesn't dump on it. Rather he praises it as very good but then tells you why the product he has is even better. Dumping on products turns smart buyers off.
.
...to sell what's on the truck. ;-)
So audio dealers are no different than any others.
What is different about audio is that folks own many different brands and use them together.
One never buys a Ford body and then searches for the 'right' Chevrolet engine... and the Chrysler transmission. With a BMW interior.
But in audio, we do this all the time.
So I think for audio we notice this more, than in other types of purchasing.
So, if you put two Burger King wopper patties on a Big Mac is it now the Big Wopper? Or just a bigger pile of.........LOL.
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: