Hmmm I wonder why dCS can't speak for themselves as to what they do and do not do? This IMO is just hearsay with no basis of actual proof. If you say that you do then you should be able to show that you did. Maybe we should ask WHY this only applies to dCS? I dont hear this from any other company? Not from MSB, Not from Taiko, Not from Wadax? Not from Wilson? Not from Magico? shall I continue?
This sort of thinking is very suspect and we are living through a time in the world that all this type of thinking needs to examined, questioned and discussed.
Hmmm I wonder why dCS can't speak for themselves as to what they do and do not do? This IMO is just hearsay with no basis of actual proof. If you say that you do then you should be able to show that you did. Maybe we should ask WHY this only applies to dCS? I dont hear this from any other company? Not from MSB, Not from Taiko, Not from Wadax? Not from Wilson? Not from Magico? shall I continue?
This sort of thinking is very suspect and we are living through a time in the world that all this type of thinking needs to examined, questioned and discussed.
I would suspect that any good audio manufacturer will obtain and objectively and subjectively evaluate their competitors products. I made no claim otherwise. dCS leaders have claimed to me that they have listened to and measured their competitors' products. These folks have been very transparent with me in the past so I have no reason to doubt them.
dCS has their own audio forum and they appear to have very honest discussions there.
Asking for a friend ( lol ) This maybe a topic for a different thread but Ill ask it here anyway.
At the high end and particularly with large and costly items do you as a "potential purchaser" believe that to ask for such a home demonstration /loan that you should be willing to pay for such especially if you dont buy it?
100%. The cost should be shouldered by the potential buyer. This requires honesty on the part of the seller. This service shouldn’t be a profit center. The seller should also reserve the right to deny the service. But if I’m in the market for a “statement” loudspeaker, I should factor in ancillary costs such as this in my budget.
100%. The cost should be shouldered by the potential buyer. This requires honesty on the part of the seller. This service shouldn’t be a profit center. The seller should also reserve the right to deny the service. But if I’m in the market for a “statement” loudspeaker, I should factor in ancillary costs such as this in my budget.
Agree, and the seller *should* bring over the statement speaker if the fee is paid by the buyer. What kind of service is that, having to make a decision on a $ 300,000 speaker without having it auditioned in your home?
100%. The cost should be shouldered by the potential buyer. This requires honesty on the part of the seller. This service shouldn’t be a profit center. The seller should also reserve the right to deny the service. But if I’m in the market for a “statement” loudspeaker, I should factor in ancillary costs such as this in my budget.
If the client is not going to buy or does not buy then this fee should provide the dealer IMO to cover his costs and he gets paid for his time. They are working and have the right to get paid for such. THis can be discussed and negotiated up front of course and can be rescinded if the client does purchase.
Just one other thought do you think the client should buy from the dealer if he buys after obtaining this service? IMO if he is not the fee should of course allow him a profit
If the client is not going to buy or does not buy then this fee should provide the dealer IMO to cover his costs and he gets paid for his time. They are working and have the right to get paid for such. THis can be discussed and negotiated up front of course and can be rescinded if the client does purchase.
Just one other thought do you think the client should buy from the dealer if he buys after obtaining this service? IMO if he is not the fee should of course allow him a profit.
To reiterate, a home demo should be available for a fee equivalent to the seller’s costs. If the customer purchases the gear, the fee should not be charged. If he doesn’t buy the gear, the fee should be charged. All agreed upon prior to the demo. Dealers should not make a profit on a home demo. There’s no such thing as a risk-free business.
Agree, and the seller *should* bring over the statement speaker if the fee is paid by the buyer. What kind of service is that, having to make a decision on a $ 300,000 speaker without having it auditioned in your home?
Al M/ again asking for a friend what is the fee? to bring a 300k speaker to your home, set it up, leave it there for a week and then return remove it and take it back?
I just had a home demo of a speaker I was keen to try, and agreed to cover shipping costs which ran into the thousands. I was happy to do this given the cost of making a wrong decision would be considerably higher.
I would suspect that any good audio manufacturer will obtain and objectively and subjectively evaluate their competitors products. I made no claim otherwise. dCS leaders have claimed to me that they have listened to and measured their competitors' products. (...)
Al M/ again asking for a friend what is the fee? to bring a 300k speaker to your home, set it up, leave it there for a week and then return remove it and take it back?
Maybe 5 grand? If a customer is looking for a speaker in that price range, an extra 20 grand for home try-out services (let's say it's four speakers he wants to audition) should be in the budget, no?
Maybe 5 grand? If a customer is looking for a speaker in that price range, an extra 20 grand for home try-out services (let's say it's four speakers he wants to audition) should be in the budget, no?
Im just asking . I have my own thoughts but I m a dealer ( the devil lol) and I understand what this service costs me in time and dollars.
I m just curious to see what a consumer might think. There is a lot of work involved in doing something like that especially on a large speaker system. If you dont do a decent set up the rest is a waste no? I dont think 5k is a bad offer, it depends on the details of what has to be done , with what and where of course.
Al M/ again asking for a friend what is the fee? to bring a 300k speaker to your home, set it up, leave it there for a week and then return remove it and take it back?
Easy. You should apologize for not being able to fulfil his desires, pay him a nice dinner and next carry a $600k speaker to his room.
IMO there are no rules for such matters - each case is a case. Audiophiles buying expensive high-end typically have a relation with the dealer that exceeds a simple buyer/seller relation.
Easy. You should apologize for not being able to fulfil his desires, pay him a nice dinner and next carry a $600k speaker to his room.
IMO there are no rules for such matters - each case is a case. Audiophiles buying expensive high-end typically have a relation with the dealer that exceeds a simple buyer/seller relation.
I agree. My regulars and I would find a satisfactory solution and they would happily make sure that no one gets the short end of the stick. That however is not the vast majority and we dont have the time to lay out the horror stories and examples of really bad behavior that exists. Those are the stories for late nights and booze at hi fi shows LOL.
All good customers deserve great service, they earned the privledges.
I agree. My regulars and I would find a satisfactory solution and they would happily make sure that no one gets the short end of the stick. That however is not the vast majority and we dont have the time to lay out the horror stories and examples of really bad behavior that exists. Those are the stories for late nights and booze at hi fi shows LOL.
All good customers deserve great service, they earned the privledges.
Im just asking . I have my own thoughts but I m a dealer ( the devil lol) and I understand what this service costs me in time and dollars.
I m just curious to see what a consumer might think. There is a lot of work involved in doing something like that especially on a large speaker system. If you dont do a decent set up the rest is a waste no? I dont think 5k is a bad offer, it depends on the details of what has to be done , with what and where of course.
For some reason I’m fixated on this applying primarily to a potential speaker purchase, but I guess that makes sense given how important the speaker/room interaction is, as well as the monumental efforts required to transport and set up big speakers. On a $100,000 pair of speakers I’d happily pay $5K to have them properly set up in my room for demo. But I would hope both parties would have done as much homework as possible prior to making this move. The dealer should have a pretty good idea of whether a speaker will work if the buyer provides room dimensions and a gear list. The best part about the fee is it keeps the tire kickers away. Surely there is value to the dealer in that, even if the customer doesn’t purchase the speakers.
For some reason I’m fixated on this applying primarily to a potential speaker purchase, but I guess that makes sense given how important the speaker/room interaction is, as well as the monumental efforts required to transport and set up big speakers. On a $100,000 pair of speakers I’d happily pay $5K to have them properly set up in my room for demo. But I would hope both parties would have done as much homework as possible prior to making this move. The dealer should have a pretty good idea of whether a speaker will work if the buyer provides room dimensions and a gear list. The best part about the fee is it keeps the tire kickers away. Surely there is value to the dealer in that, even if the customer doesn’t purchase the speakers.
Tangram,
I think that having these discussion and being able to understand what you are getting into is required whether its a sale or anything else. I dont ever want to embarass myself or a client by trying to put a round peg in a square hole. Many times people want to buy the bigger one when its an error. People do what they want even when they are advised.
I can't speak for anyone but myseld but before leaving to install anything I know exactly what I am facing. the situations being described here are very doable and reasonable, however over my career many aren't.
Agree, and the seller *should* bring over the statement speaker if the fee is paid by the buyer. What kind of service is that, having to make a decision on a $ 300,000 speaker without having it auditioned in your home?
When i bought my first pair of Martin Logan Statement E2 speakers i could not even order them in Florida, as no one carried them. I flew to Chicago to hear them and orderede them there, they were not manufactured until i had paid a deposit. A home demo was definitely not possibly.
