Jea48:
Traditionally that is the way it is and I have no doubt that you are
right. As a consumer my vote is for a direct distribution system. I know from
certain British Hifi components that dealt exactly as you described with their
dealers. Just strengthening my point that this is a dealer-sold brand not
worth supporting. And you are again right that many big companies do prefer
the status quo.
The current rise in small manufacturers shows that my views do work though.
Take a look at the list of manufacturers that make excellent products and get
away without dealers: Tyler, Omega, Fi, Welborne, Wright, Zu, Moscode, ZYX,
Amazon, Galibier, Teres, Redpoint, Bent Audio, K&K, Dodd Audio, JuicyMusic,
Transcendent Sound, Audionote Kits, Trichord, VH Audio, Ridge Street Audio.
Try calling Renohifi and find out whether he paid for all 100 FirstWatt F3, F2
and F1 - I doubt it. In that case it is an exclusive distribution deal of a
singular specialty line.
Another case in point: Magnepan - take a look at their success of their
directly distributed MMG speakers. They would never be able to hit that price
target by going through a dealer network. The point here is that times did
change: With the presence of the Internet, manufacturers do not rely on
dealers anymore to address the small audiophile target audience. IMO the
internet achieves this much more efficiently.
Bottom-line is: This thread addresses restocking fees charged by
manufacturers (which are often small). It did not ask about restocking fees for
online Vendors and dealers. For small manufacturers it does make sense IMO
and is fair. The added diversity and possibility to be more creative is worth
supporting.
Just my 2c for the third time... :)
Rene
Jmho I don't think you know how it works. The
manufacture needs the dealers. In case you didn't know it, dealers do not sell
the manufactures product on consignmemt. They pay upfront for the product
plus shipping. If you were to call a Hi-End manufacture like krell, or ARC, bet
you would find they like it just the way it is.
Traditionally that is the way it is and I have no doubt that you are
right. As a consumer my vote is for a direct distribution system. I know from
certain British Hifi components that dealt exactly as you described with their
dealers. Just strengthening my point that this is a dealer-sold brand not
worth supporting. And you are again right that many big companies do prefer
the status quo.
The current rise in small manufacturers shows that my views do work though.
Take a look at the list of manufacturers that make excellent products and get
away without dealers: Tyler, Omega, Fi, Welborne, Wright, Zu, Moscode, ZYX,
Amazon, Galibier, Teres, Redpoint, Bent Audio, K&K, Dodd Audio, JuicyMusic,
Transcendent Sound, Audionote Kits, Trichord, VH Audio, Ridge Street Audio.
What do you want to bet that the dealer has already
bought and paid the manufacture for his product and the manufacture is
holding the items for the dealer to ship to the dealer's customer, drop
shipping. It saves the dealer money. Just call "Pass" and see if he will sell to
you direct.
Try calling Renohifi and find out whether he paid for all 100 FirstWatt F3, F2
and F1 - I doubt it. In that case it is an exclusive distribution deal of a
singular specialty line.
Another case in point: Magnepan - take a look at their success of their
directly distributed MMG speakers. They would never be able to hit that price
target by going through a dealer network. The point here is that times did
change: With the presence of the Internet, manufacturers do not rely on
dealers anymore to address the small audiophile target audience. IMO the
internet achieves this much more efficiently.
Bottom-line is: This thread addresses restocking fees charged by
manufacturers (which are often small). It did not ask about restocking fees for
online Vendors and dealers. For small manufacturers it does make sense IMO
and is fair. The added diversity and possibility to be more creative is worth
supporting.
Just my 2c for the third time... :)
Rene