Supporting Local Audio Stores are we?

Gawd with all due respect stay out of it, John and I had an issue that was started when he insulted me based on his misreading of my post....it has nothing to do with you. Please save judgement and lectures for you kids.

John, sorry for the interuption...I went back and edited the post when it hit me you must have been misundetood and I noted that so no worries, when I asked who you were it was because I didnt at first know who you were or why you came at me but in a previous post you noted your real name was John and thats where I put it all together. My joke was for John a dealer and he would get it...trust me.

I’ve never inquired as to how much a thing costs to produce. Never have I begrudged any for the differences between presumed or known, production costs and those fees invested in bringing it to point of sale.

As was said, It really is none of my business… unless I’m an investor in that enterprise.

I think some now not too distant inventions have simply changed how we are now able to do business. Regularly. Routinely, and with a bit of safety…. The ‘web’, is just that invention.

It’s changed the face of sales at large. Mighty quickly now folks are turning to it more so every day as a viable instrument for gaining both needs and wants. As familiarity grows and comfort levels increase by it’s presence and use, more dollars will go it’s way. Given the current retail atmosphere in general, B&M retailers are hard pressed to compete with it.

It is solely my preff that IF at all possible I would rather deal face to face than electronically, ‘byte to byte’, as it were. Always. Sadly, such is no longer the regular case… in my area, at least. Mostly.

The web factor has made it’s mark on audio for sure. The days of the affluent, aloof, and erudite high end audio establishments are numbered.

If I want to be ignored, or condescended too, I’ll just go over to my friends house and try to get her cat to come to me when I call it.

The days of sellers ‘catering’ to buyers have been changed. Albeit, this take it or leave it, … it’s not my job…. You want a what? Attitudes are more a sociological fall out, than anything else.

I doubt seriously those who do inventory goods, and have a commitment to service and support for their customers past, present, and future are likely doomed if not already entrenched in a major metro area… for little more reason than current and ongoing social attitudes, as well as the apparent ease of double clicking…. Or reaching out and touching someone across the globe by phone.

Routinely displayed elements of “Class” or it’s absence, also seem in short supply these days…. Or there’s far too much distinction between them, by some…. And adds into the mix of reasons for some of my statements as to why home grown affairs are falling away as of late.

As for value … in a valueless society, price remains king…. And that’s a tremendously sad epitaph.

Blindjim has nailed it. 7 words "in a valueless society, price remains king" Nothing more to be said. The man is a gentleman and a scholar. I doff my hat.

I have had the privilege of buying my equipment from Audio Consultants in Evanston, Illinois (Chicago area)for the past 16 years and my father has shopped with them since the 1970s.

I happen to be very diligent when it comes to researching consumer electronics on the internet but I have found over the years that despite my constant forum lurking and web surfing that there is no better way to stay informed with the latest in audio/video than to just drop by their store and talk to them. Their staff has been simply invaluable to me over the years.

As a general rule, I absolutely will not buy equipment online or at discount stores if my purchasing decision is influenced by their expertise. If I demo something there or get advice there, I buy it there. I don't expect them to compete with the web or discount stores. If they carry it I usually just give them the business. They are a big part of the audio hobby for me.

Many in this thread have focused on price. While equipment price is a major factor in this discussion, I believe other issues have significantly contributed to the reduced number of B&M stores. Those who are lucky enough to have maintained a great relationship with great audio shops are fortunate. I remember what it was like to go into an audio shop in the 70's; part fantasy, part retreat, part culture, and always something to look forward to. However, the internet has made things very hard for B&M retailers in many businesses, primarily due to the availability of information. Because of the internet, buyers no longer have to rely on sales people or their monthly Stereophile magazine for information about new equipment. This is compounded since the cost of maintaining a strong experienced sales staff has become too great in mid-sized (mainly HT) markets, so service suffers as buyers rely even less on their local shop for information. Also, small to mid sized shops cannot carry more than a few main brands of gear, so they push what they carry and buyers don't have the selection they can get by simply logging on and purchasing used or direct from manufacturers, or from internet dealers who handle a large number of brands. This factor becomes more important when you look at the number of small audio manufacturers putting out high quality, great sounding gear that even 10-15 years ago, without the internet, would not have had enough exposure to become viable in the marketplace. Even service is no longer benefitted by having a local dealer. I remember when the dealer maintained technical staff and I could have gear serviced by technicians "in the store." Now, you take your gear back to the dealer who simply forwards it on to the manufacturer or to an authorized service center. Anyone with access to a FedEx store can do that themselves. Therefore, I believe price is only one component and other factors such as deterioration of quality sales staff, limited selection, lack of technical service, and mostly proliferation of available information on the internet have eroded the mystique and viability of the once thriving B&M audio shop.