Mike-All I was trying to say is that the MSRP of audio gear can be found in many different places. It's no secret and nor should it be. I''m always happy to sit down and have a beer though.
I think if discounting is a major concern for some manufacturers. E-commerce with strict MAP pricing, will actually, in my opinion, help their goals, not hurt it. But this is ultimately a decision each manufacturer must make.
In an age of buying cars from vending machines, amazon and the like, where someone can buying anything at any time from any where, the industry is going to be forced into the world of e-commerce in my opinion.
The argument against it is that audio components must not be seen as mere "commodities", but rather luxury items requiring personal service. I can't argue with this, but it's definitely a fine line with such few and few B&M dealers.
My comment would be: if we are a manufacturer of hybrid tube/ss amps and we say, "no posting prices, no selling online, no selling outside your territory!", and four of our hybrid tube/ss amp competitors say to their dealers "sell online, sell wherever", are we not fighting with one arm behind our backs? The problem is that I may see myself as superior to my competitors feeling that we have better products and can therefore implement such rules, but I'm not sure in reality, the market really sees it that way.
I have a particular example where a customer called and wanted to move to tubes. I was not allowed to sell him brand A due to territorial restrictions which I honor, so I sold him brand B. Does that make sense if I'm brand A? Brand B was very happy to get the sale I must tell you.
If people don't buy a BMW the way they want, they will just buy an Audi, Mercedes or a Porsche. That's my point. But BMW may feel that they just have such a superior product they can implement such rules. The market, IMO, doesn't see it that way.
