[Thebiker]

OK, I'm here to vent this evening.  I have been a supporter of the "Brick & Mortar" sector for a lot of years.  With one exception (my first SACD player) all my gear has been hauled out of store front by me, loaded into my vehicle and hauled home to be set up.  I firmly believe that hearing gear (or home demo) is the only way to go, as a result I have in the past always had a good relationship with the local dealers....at least until I moved to Phoenix a few months ago.

I have been shopping for a decent, affordable, by my recently retired standards, vinyl rig (table, cart. & preamp).  I am not currently looking for gear recommendations.  I have been to three reputable shops:  the first had just moved to a new location and was still trying to get set up but was quite friendly and honest that he didn't carry any tables below $3k for just the table.  I will probably be back to see him for other needs as he carrys a couple of brands that I currently own.

The next shop which claims to have more tables than anyone else had a rig I liked, table, cartridge and preamp for $2.5k plus tax.  It was a bit more than I wanted to spend, which I told him.  Although he had a couple of other brands there, all he wanted to sell was this one table, going on about what a nice, well priced package it was yatta, yatta, yatta.  I told him I liked it (hello BUYING SIGNAL) but it was more that I was comfortable spending at this time (OBJECTION. TIME TO AGREE & RECLOSE).  The same spiel came out of his face again.  Now, I was there for at least 90 minutes and not another soul in the shop.  This guy is the owner of the shop.  Something didn't sit well, so I thanked him for his time, bought a pair of 12AX7 NOS for my Stingray and went home.  Then I researched the gear he wanted to sell me.  I wanted a package and he wanted MSRP on every piece.  Not even a fricking package price - WTF!  No one else in the shop, the objection is cost and he doesn't even offer a discount for a package?  He deserves nothing from me, I obviously won't go back.  I mention no shop name, because, maybe he just didn't care for me, but I always thought some money was better than no money.

The third shop at least attempted to be helpful and called his Clearaudio distributor to see what might be available from CES.  Nothing he had to offer was under $3k.  Can't say I understand that either when I can find Clearaudio Emotion packages with arm & cartridge for $1200 to $1400.

So, it looks like I walk away from storefronts and start dealing on the web because a buck is a buck.

Walt

[bacobits1]

That is why they disappear. If you're an audionut you know prices. We all know our prices.
I have not been in "Brick and mortar" for years, I buy used most of the time.
The economy the way it is he should have tried to accommodate you, basically kiss ass since you were a new customer. Being a dealer he could probably get anything in any price category. On the other hand most manufacturers won't let him deep discount their products.
He'll last a year at most.

D

[richidoo]

Make an offer! Don't expect him to give you $500 out of the goodness of his heart. Wave the green in his face - he will see a month's rent and consider it more seriously. He also knows nobody wants to risk a pricey used TT in the mail.

[pardales]

Make an offer! Don't expect him to give you $500 out of the goodness of his heart. Wave the green in his face - he will see a month's rent and consider it more seriously. He also knows nobody wants to risk a pricey used TT in the mail.

I agree. Tell him how much you are willing to spend and that you are serious and give him the opportunity to come down on his price. I would think he'd be willing move a little (10%-20% off msrp) on price for a serious buyer.

[bacobits1]

I'm bullish on dealers. I have gotten my last 3 tables through the "mail" never had a problem, dealing with the right person they know how to ship and care. E bay is another story.

D

[Duke]

I agree with richidoo - go back and make him an offer.  Maybe even go back with a wad of hundred dollar bills and offer him cash.  I did that more than once back in my civilian days, and that would probably work on me today.