Is Audio Advisor really an authorized Bryston dealer?

whanafi · « **Reply #80 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 02:50 am »

It seems like there is a binary outcome here.

Either the dealer stocks equipment and is knowledgeable, or distribution should use the path of least resistance, which is direct from factory/Internet.

I have been a long time customer of Bryston, so the decision to purchase was based on my knowledge and research, not dealer input. When I wanted to purchase, I had to deal with the local dealer who, frankly, is not somebody I would voluntarily do business with under other circumstances. I had to place a substantial deposit, then wait 6 weeks for delivery.

At the time of delivery, there was not much value-add - the equipment was unpacked and placed on my rack. He didn't bother to add the trigger wire between the amp and pre-amp.

I was pretty comfortable ordering the amp and pre-amp because they are known quantities to me. What I really want to do is try the BDA-1, but the dealer will not lend equipment.

Waleed.

Phil A · « **Reply #81 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 03:22 am »

I've bought enough where the dealer will lend stuff. However, in order to lend it, he has to carry it. When I originally got the BCD-1, a friend wanted to hear it in his system but did not want to ask so I asked and told the dealer I would then try it in my system after I got it back from my friend and would return it to the store. So it turned into a sale.

1ZIP · « **Reply #82 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 03:25 am »

Quote from: Napalm on 16 Mar 2010, 02:49 am

Hmmm you guys are basically complaining that a Canadian made product is more difficult to buy in the U.S. than in Canada? Even when you have a reputable U.S. on-line shop (audio advisor)?

Let's try something new. Like getting our hands on this:

http://www.taelektroakustik.de/index.php?id=45&L=0&P=2&webgruppe=10&sorting=2048

The first successful one please report to the group

Nap.

It has little to do with being able to buy the stuff and more to do with how far you have to go to buy it!

I could go to Audio Advisor, however try getting a discount, any discount. I haven't gone to a dealer yet that I haven't been able to get at least a few hundred $$'s off! In general the better they know ya, at least in my experience around the U.S., the more inclined they are to work with you on price. And that's not just Bryston either.

At any rate this whole discussion is going nowhere and all I can offer is the octopus analogy a marketing guy gave me, "In general your going to get more food with 8 tentacles than you are with 2". or something like that!

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #83 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 04:22 am »

I know everyone wants a discount, especially in these economic times. But there's a lot of things dealers do 'for free' -

My local Naim/Linn/Rega dealer delivers and installs everything they sell. They set it up in your home and make sure everything is set up right - including stuff they didn't sell you - to make sure you get the most from your gear.

My Rega Apollo is having some issues and needs to go back to the distributor (this is becoming a trend for me lately). They called the distributor, got the RA#, made sure it was packed right, and shipped it for me. Others have given me a phone number and walked away.

When I bought my phono cartridge, they set up a few different carts on my turntable for me to hear them. They offered to come to my house, but I refused. The cart wasn't enough money IMO to justify them coming. They encouraged me to bring in my B60 and speakers (they sell neither) so I'd get a better sense of how the final result will sound.

I've never asked them for a discount. I pay full price, and they give me full service. When I asked them how much it would cost to set up the various carts on my turntable, they responded by saying 'Its built into the price.'

If a dealer didn't have the gear to demo, won't take it back for a full refund if I don't like it, and basically just took an order and my money, then I'd expect a little discount. If its someone who I won't see again, and they don't care if they see me again either, I have no problems asking for a discount.

I'm sure people will disagree.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #84 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 04:28 am »

Maybe I'm a bit biased. My father is a mechanic. Everyone who comes into his shop wants a deal. His response - 'How would you like it if your boss asked you for a deal when it came time to pay you? I've done honest work for honest money here for 32 years. My service doesn't go on a clearance rack like an out of style t-shirt.'

A bit harsh? Yes. But its still true.

1ZIP · « **Reply #85 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 05:05 am »

...so now I'm supposed to feel guilty for asking for a discount? I DON'T THINK SO! I travel for hours getting to a dealer and when I get there I'm should be more than gleeful to pay full price? I must be morally bankrupt because I think it is fundamentally unnatural and an abomination to shoppers everywhere to pay full retail!

Napalm · « **Reply #86 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 11:20 am »

Quote from: 1ZIP on 16 Mar 2010, 05:05 am

...so now I'm supposed to feel guilty for asking for a discount? I DON'T THINK SO! [...]

Are you also asking the cashier for a discount when you're doing your groceries???

Duh, maybe we should send you to live for a couple of years in a communist country, where price of items is set by a government agency and is the same in all shops no matter what. And there are no sales ever. Rehab for you!!!

Nap.

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #87 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 02:25 pm »

Quote from: Stu Pitt on 16 Mar 2010, 04:28 am

Maybe I'm a bit biased. My father is a mechanic. Everyone who comes into his shop wants a deal. His response - 'How would you like it if your boss asked you for a deal when it came time to pay you? I've done honest work for honest money here for 32 years. My service doesn't go on a clearance rack like an out of style t-shirt.'

A bit harsh? Yes. But its still true.

+1. And, like you point out in another post, there is a relationship between Full Price and Full Service. I don't have a problem asking for (and expecting) pricing lower than Manufacturer's SUGGESTED Retail, when I have to pay the seller upfront, and all they do is make a special order, flipping the product to me.

1ZIP · « **Reply #88 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 03:40 pm »

Quote from: Napalm on 16 Mar 2010, 11:20 am

Are you also asking the cashier for a discount when you're doing your groceries???

As a matter...I have...and got one! You would be surprised at what you can negotiate!

For the rest of you, if you want to redistribute your wealth, by all means go right ahead. For me I'm going to take the $$'s I save and probably spend it on more gear...most likely at the same place that gave me the discount. Isn't it marvelous how things work.
I'm definitely going back to that grocery store!

whanafi · « **Reply #89 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 04:33 pm »

If I actually had a choice and could get a discount from the dealer, I would spend it on music. That is the point isn't it?

jaxwired · « **Reply #90 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 06:41 pm »

Well, look at it this way. Either a dealer has a "no discount ever" policy or he doesn't. If he doesn't have this policy, then why should you pay more than other buyers? It's almost unethical for that dealer to charge you full price but charge the next guy less because he dickers.

Napalm · « **Reply #91 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 07:35 pm »

Quote from: jaxwired on 16 Mar 2010, 06:41 pm

Well, look at it this way. Either a dealer has a "no discount ever" policy or he doesn't. If he doesn't have this policy, then why should you pay more than other buyers? It's almost unethical for that dealer to charge you full price but charge the next guy less because he dickers.

It ain't that simple.

You may be an old time customer that bought $$$$$$ of equipment from them over the years, and you're getting them new customers with your recommendations in your circle of friends. Usually you get a discount.

Or you may be the one time customer that entered the shop just to buy some common product like a TV set. You may or you may not get a discount, based on the dealer's assessment of the situation (i.e. he knows the competitor's pricing and will evaluate if he needs a discount in order to get the sale).

Nap.

Napalm · « **Reply #92 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 08:03 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 25 Apr 2008, 02:36 pm

Hi,
My feeling is that factory direct is not something we would do. We have always felt that our partnership with great committed local dealers has always provide our customers with the best service and backup.
james

Hi James,

How about an "emergency premium"? Like factory direct = list price + 10% + shipping, non-negotiable? It won't affect the local dealers since you don't compete in price with them. But would be useful for emergency situations. I personally would love to know that I could get some piece of equipment shipped ASAP as long as I agree to pay the premium.

Nap.

95Dyna · « **Reply #93 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 08:56 pm »

Quote from: jaxwired on 16 Mar 2010, 06:41 pm

Well, look at it this way. Either a dealer has a "no discount ever" policy or he doesn't. If he doesn't have this policy, then why should you pay more than other buyers? It's almost unethical for that dealer to charge you full price but charge the next guy less because he dickers.

A smart businessperson will understand his market and competition and price accordingly if he wants to stay in business. If he determines manufacturer's SUGGESTED retail price is what he can sell for why does a customer's decision to pay that price make him unethical?

jaxwired · « **Reply #94 on:** 25 Mar 2010, 10:55 pm »

I guess I object to the hypocrisy and inconsistency. If you try and dicker, you're scum who's unwilling to pay for services rendered and support the dying local dealership. However, that same dealer gives price breaks to people based on personal whims. So the customer is held to a rigid code of ethics and must be above reproach. The dealer can just do whatever he wants. That's just not a consistent position.

Either both the dealer and the customer can unashamedly make the best possible deal for their own self interest OR they both must adhere to some unspoken code of ethics, but not one without the other. If it's ok for the dealer to give price breaks as he sees fit, then it's ok for me to do everything in my power to lower my purchase price.

vegasdave · « **Reply #95 on:** 26 Mar 2010, 12:52 am »

Maybe I said this before...but you wanna good deal on Bryston? Try a pro audio dealer...they discount significantly.

95Dyna · « **Reply #96 on:** 26 Mar 2010, 11:43 am »

Quote from: jaxwired on 25 Mar 2010, 10:55 pm

If it's ok for the dealer to give price breaks as he sees fit, then it's ok for me to do everything in my power to lower my purchase price.

Precisely my point. And nobody's a scumbag for doing so in a country where freedom and free markets reign.

servingko · « **Reply #97 on:** 26 Mar 2010, 03:11 pm »

Hmmmm prices going up April 1 and "Freedom" and Free Markets" appear to be in serious jepardy.....This could be the BEST time to buy.

95Dyna · « **Reply #98 on:** 26 Mar 2010, 06:02 pm »

Quote from: servingko on 26 Mar 2010, 03:11 pm

Hmmmm prices going up April 1 and "Freedom" and Free Markets" appear to be in serious jepardy.....This could be the BEST time to buy.

Price increases are a supremely "free market" concept. They are driven by demand which drives up the price of materials and labor and eventually the end product. If you don't like the new price you are "free" to choose not to buy it. If enough people make that choice the price will eventually come down. Just like the dealer who prices his goods at full list you are free not to buy it at that price and go elsewhere. If freedom and free markets are in serious jeopardy then so are you!

1ZIP · « **Reply #99 on:** 28 Mar 2010, 06:44 pm »

Well said! I pays to compare prices! The B100 remote is listed at $350.00, oddly, Audio Advisor lists the price at $500.00, a misprint I assume!