Do Dealers think it is sinful..........

Gentlemen, with all due respect, I used to sell high end audio equipment part time during college. While there is truth in what you are saying, sometimes is beyond the control of the dealer. Some of the manufacturers, and there are quite a few, threaten the dealer with pulling the line, if they discount. While this is highly illegal, it is a common practice in high end audio, and the dealers are pressured to go along with it, for fear of losing their product lines. Some manufacturers that we all hold near and dear, participate in these practices. The dealer I used to work for used to make up for the non discounts by giving the customers accessory credits, based on the ammount spent, that could be used for cables or accessories. The credits usually were about 10% to 15% of the purchase price. Gents, I can tell you with complete confidence that it is not always the dealers fault that a discount is not offered.

in my experience, you can get discounts from virtually every dealer, depending on what you are buying. indeed, i won't buy without at least a 10% discount and usually can obtain at least 25% off. you just need to work at it.

Gmkowal@ix.netcom.com: it is NOT illegal to cut off a retailer for selling below a manufacturer-set price. it IS illegal to threaten a cut off and not follow through; i.e., if a manufacturer has a "no-discount" policy that it enforces uniformly and consisently, the antitrust laws are not thereby violated. fact is, there are very few highend lines left that practice such pricing policies.

Oh yeah,and lets not forget the MFGS. making sure you can't go across the street to buy the same thing.(across town is sometimes not possible) The Net may change this/ or is. Much of the used is offered by dealers. That tells me they have "poor" relations with their own customer base and thus must use the outreach method.Most every dealer expects me to buy only what they sell. Most dealers "HATE" to discount. Why do you think unions were started?:To achieve some leveling of the playing field. I think it sure has been needed.Just the fact that they have to order the product for you/ or that you took it for a "drive" are reasons to charge full pop. Thankfully that IS changing,because we are not all traine "Negotiators".

Avnut, the McIntosh line that you were interested in (based on your previous post) is normally not discounted. While my dealer has quoted a small discount (~5%) for a McIntosh amp it isn't even close to the discount they quoted for a Mark Levinson amp. For dealers to survive I think its necessary for them to add value to a sale. One of these services is allowing clients to audition equipment at home, or at least have the products available to audition in their demo rooms. However, I would agree with Perfectimage, the dealers are alot more warey about loaning out equipment to just anyone, many people will simply buy it used on the net afterward. I can't entirely knock those who do this. When used prices drop to nearly 50% of retail or less within one year of use, paying retail seems silly. I have a good relationship with a dealer who allows me to audition stuff at home, will normally give me a fair discount, provides the ability to trade up for full credit within a year on specific types of components, and has given me excellent assistance when I've required warranty work.