Sneaking hifi equipment into the House without an Argument!

MarkR7 · « **Reply #60 on:** 21 Feb 2006, 07:33 pm »

A wise one once told me:

"It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission......"

Works for me!

LadyDog · « **Reply #61 on:** 21 Feb 2006, 07:41 pm »

The "divorce" route clearly is working for me.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #62 on:** 21 Feb 2006, 09:03 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

I went DIY, so now when big boxes arrive, I say "its just parts".

I must commend Josh. He's got so many unfinished products that his wife actually looks forward to the big boxes arriving, hoping that the parts may lead to some of these projects being finished (particularly those in the living room)...

My method? I became a dealer..."honey, I know its a huge box, but I might make some money from it!"

JLM · « **Reply #63 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 12:15 am »

Anyone try to sell out of your home (as a legitimate dealer)? One of the best audio sales experiences I ever had was going to such a guy's house. The listening room was a bit small and overcrowded with stuff, but it was by appointment only so we had the place to ourselves.

You can travel to the shows as a business expense, have a boat load of stuff to play with, and maybe even make a profit to help justify turning the basement into a sound room with way too much equipment.

JoshK · « **Reply #64 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 12:29 am »

Phil does it, and he is a great guy to deal with. His demo room isn't too bad either.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #65 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 02:32 am »

Quote from: JLM

Anyone try to sell out of your home (as a legitimate dealer)? .

Guilty as charged.

KJ · « **Reply #66 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 04:22 am »

Quote from: JLM

Anyone try to sell out of your home (as a legitimate dealer)?

Here as well, but not as a full time practice.

Keeps things fun, and it's definitely easier to sneak things in!

JLM · « **Reply #67 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 10:27 am »

Always thought a duplex with one side smaller (as in a mother-in-law apartment) would make for the ideal house to sell equipment from.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #68 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 02:07 pm »

Quote

Anyone try to sell out of your home (as a legitimate dealer)?

For the first 6 years. I decided to go brick n' mortar when my twins were born. Couldn't have little ones running around during auditions as well as trying to explain the "poked" tweeters.
Hot tubes and todlers don't mix.

audioferret · « **Reply #69 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 02:24 pm »

I have found DIY to be the best answer.

From the spouse's perspective, it is like a hobby because you are actually building what you listen to. It is more like a craft and thus it is something she can understand. Plus, it is easier on her to hear:

"This would cost $4,000 if I bought it commercially, but I built it for $400!"

Than: "Hey hon, I just spent $4,000 on this black box that makes sound!"

Even though you spend the same amount of money in the end anyway...you get better sound! And YOU built it!

The earlier mention of "its parts" for incoming boxes is a godsend. I have turned my basement into a mass of parts and bits for projects in-progress.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #70 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 05:18 pm »

I come at this from a similar, but slightly different angle.

1 - I build my own speakers, and ensure that they are as ugly as possible - that way, if I ever drop $$ on a set, they will look positively MARVELOUS by comparison, and she will THANK me for ridding our home of the nasty cludge that is my DIY kit!

2 - buy her trinkets the same day... Hey honey, look at these 50 point earrings I just bought you because I love you! OK boys, cart those boxes to the basement!

PhilNYC · « **Reply #71 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 05:19 pm »

Quote from: mcgsxr

2 - buy her trinkets the same day... Hey honey, look at these 50 point earrings I just bought you because I love you! OK boys, cart those boxes to the basement!

Heh...I go the opposite way. If my wife says "I'm interested in getting some new earrings", I say "ok, if you do, I get to pick up a new product line"...

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #72 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 09:57 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi

I am kind of getting a bit like LoanwolfNY -- I got a few stuff out on loan, repairs and upgrade; and I got a bunch that I am either harboring, breaking in or evaluating for others. She doesn't know what is mine and what is not.

Perfect...a total state of confusion...

Doublej · « **Reply #73 on:** 23 Feb 2006, 01:04 am »

Simple.

I just out loud add up all the money spent monthly on pedicures, manicures, haircuts, facials, eyebrow waxing, and other sundry female care items and the conversation quickly changes topic.

But I say anything about the electrolysis treatments. That's well worth every penny on the mrs.

warnerwh · « **Reply #74 on:** 23 Feb 2006, 04:34 am »

Cheryl wouldn't dare say a word. She's actually very good about it since I brought up the way she buys stuff regularly. It may not be expensive stuff but there sure is alot of it and it's continual.

We also keep our bank accounts separate. I feel this makes for a more relaxed relationship. Things for our daughter we go in together for but if she wants some new furniture and I don't, guess who buys? If I went along with all the ways she likes to spend money we'd have our home remodeled annually and new furniture every six months.

Another thing I think is important is to do it all with cash. No payments or credit used for any toys. The fact that our accounts are kept separate makes my buying decisions mine. It's very interesting around here since you guys bring it up is that I don't remember asking her to go in together on anything like furniture yet guess who gets asked with regular intervals?

Here's another interesting thing to note, I got laid off at the end of November and if someone needs cash guess who they ask? I don't even work and I'm still considered the local bank.

audioferret · « **Reply #75 on:** 23 Feb 2006, 04:55 am »

Mine likes fabric. She also likes to sew, but I think she likes to collect fabric.

She has over 35 plastic bins full of designer fabric. I estimate at least 30 pieces of fabric in each, at about $15-20 per piece. The math is fun.

$15 x 30 = $450
$450 x 35 = $15,750.00

Round down to $15K, and that is a lot of fabric.

"I'm going to make ____ out of it..."

- Sure, at least I use the stuff I buy.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #76 on:** 23 Feb 2006, 05:04 am »

Fabric.....your wife can make you some designer acoustic treatments.....nice...

Dokter_doug · « **Reply #77 on:** 23 Feb 2006, 05:06 am »

I bought my wife new hardwood floors, travertine kitchen floors, marble countertops, a new gas range, and a top of the line stove...and $750 worth of shoes...and I've just managed to brazenly hustle in a new PMC CB6 centre speaker, a MacIntosh MX119 pre-pro, and have paved the way for a Mac MC402 (and probably a couple of Velodyne subs). The $1200 worth of balanced cable was easier to hide.

I figure I've purchased her (and my) Xmas presents for the next 5 years. Welcome to hamburger helper for the next 6 months too.

Dooug