So, whats my price?

[mep]

I sold my Luxman preamp to a guy for $3000 (it retails for $9000) a while back. He got a steal. The preamp was mint. He had it for two weeks and asked for his money back because he didn't like the sound anymore and wanted to try something else. I told him sorry, you bought it, you own it.

He sent me back a note (via audiogon) that he was going to pray to the gods of ill will and they would reign a lifetime of bad luck down on me.

I filed a complaint to Audiogon and they didn't give a heck.

I will say, of all the gear I've sold or bought (and there has been a lot), rarely do I have an issue. Usually my issues are with the idiot shipping companies. UPS, Fedex, DHL, they all suck.

He wanted to flip gear using your money. You should have told him you went to NO and bought a voodoo doll and you have his name on in it and if he feels any sharp stabbing pains in his tightwad ass, he will know what is causing them.

 

[jaxwired]

Your guy was looking for an excuse to back out of the deal. It had nothing to do with the manual.

i agree and I suggested that to him and he just screamed louder about how very important the original manual was to him. I ended up contacting krell and explaining the situation to them and they informed me they don't even ship that model with a full manual just a one page setup guide and that they provide the url of the PDF for people that want a full manual. I ended up telling the guy I did in fact obtain the original manual and it was on its way to him and I just went to kinkos and had them print the PDF in manual form in color on high end stock. Cost me like $30. It looked better than any actual manual I've ever received with a high end amp.

 

[mep]

i agree and I suggested that to him and he just screamed louder about how very important the original manual was to him. I ended up contacting krell and explaining the situation to them and they informed me they don't even ship that model with a full manual just a one page setup guide and that they provide the url of the PDF for people that want a full manual. I ended up telling the guy I did in fact obtain the original manual and it was on its way to him and I just went to kinkos and had them print the PDF in manual form in color on high end stock. Cost me like $30. It looked better than any actual manual I've ever received with a high end amp.

You should have seen the manual that came with the original ARC D-76 amp. That was the finest owner's manual I have ever seen and it embarrasses many military tech manuals.

 

[Myles B. Astor]

I sold my Luxman preamp to a guy for $3000 (it retails for $9000) a while back. He got a steal. The preamp was mint. He had it for two weeks and asked for his money back because he didn't like the sound anymore and wanted to try something else. I told him sorry, you bought it, you own it.

He sent me back a note (via audiogon) that he was going to pray to the gods of ill will and they would reign a lifetime of bad luck down on me.

I filed a complaint to Audiogon and they didn't give a heck.

I will say, of all the gear I've sold or bought (and there has been a lot), rarely do I have an issue. Usually my issues are with the idiot shipping companies. UPS, Fedex, DHL, they all suck.

Let's not get started on Audiogon. They don't give a crap about their customers. They let unsavory people on the site, ban them but you are shit out of luck if you order anything from these characters?

 

[mep]

Let's not get started on Audiogon. They don't give a crap about their customers. They let unsavory people on the site, ban them but you are shit out of luck if you order anything from these characters?

I have gotten money back from an idiot on Audiogon before, but it's a long, drawn out process that's as painful as a root canal with no anesthetic. Same for getting paid for shipping damages from UPS or FedEx.

 

[Zero]

You should expect to pay MSRP, but not be afraid to barter for a better situation.

 

[mep]

You should expect to pay MSRP, but not be afraid to barter for a better situation.

No you shouldn't. You should always expect and ask for a discount.

 

[Big B]

You my friend are a rarity I think. Most who shop the internet are in it for themselves and anyway they can complain to get a buck back or off is the way business is done. If you don't need the dealers help in picking or checking product out. The internet is the way for you and congrats to you.
I on the other hand am most appreciative of my dealers and thier guidance. Yes I do my due diligence to make sure I pay a fair price but I never squeeze my dealer so bad that they are unhappy. $50 or $100 just can't be that important. These guys have to pay to keep the lights on. Just think in any industry if there are no B&M only internet.

Pretty much zero for me. I understand that there are plenty of audiophiles that'll enjoy advice and hand holding, but I don't want or need that. I want and expect zero service. I just want my order taken and the product shipped quickly and safely. I don't return gear. If I don't like it, that's on me. I sell it myself. The only service I would expect is the same as I would expect from an online dealer of any kind, if the product arrives damaged or defective that's their problem to resolve. Anything else is on me. For this order taking service I should pay the dealer a fee. That fee should be reasonable. I'd say 10% of the full retail price should be the most I should be charged for simply taking my order. Even less on a high dollar item.

The manufacturers should figure this out and start catering to all of us that want to buy this way. Paying a 40% or 50% markup when ordering online is outrageous.

To the OP, if you are a regular customer to a B&M store I don't think more than 15% discount should be expected. And that's for a regular customer. A new customer should pay full retail price. That's what is necessary to keep those stores in business. If you are buying on the Internet and require no service pre or post sale, then 25% off at the conservative end.

 

[Zero]

No you shouldn't. You should always expect and ask for a discount.

A customer shouldn't *expect* anything beyond exceptional service. Just because you're spending money doesn't automatically entitle you (or any other buyer) to a hefty discount. The bottom line is that the price is the price until the buyer and the seller agree to something different.

That said, I agree that a buyer should never be afraid to negotiate a better deal - especially when it comes to sundry Hi-Fi esoterica.

 

[iosiP]

I did not select my "regular" dealer based on discount nor on knowledge (I know what I want) but on his buy-back policy: he buys back my gear at whatever I paid for it provided it was purchased from him, well maintained and complete (which is always the case) and, of course, I trade it in for something more expensive... So no hassle upgrading!