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Digital Smear???

I recently visited my local retail dealer of 10 years, Digital Ear of Tustin California. I was there to audition digital equipment. The storeowner questioned me as to where I purchased my current equipment (Thiel 2.3’s, Pass Labs x-150, x-2, Harm Tech Pro-Silway mkII, and Pro-9 all brands they carry). I explained to him that I have purchased all of my equipment from other authorized dealers and from Audiogon. In his rage, he said “because I did not purchase any items from him, that he was not going to let me audition any equipment, without purchasing it today.” I explained to him that I have always given them my first offer before purchasing elsewhere. Today, I was told by the sales manager, that “we don’t have a home auditioning program, and a 25% restocking fee would assessed, should I chose to return any equipment.” I have listen to equipment at the digital ear for over 10 years, and of course they let me hear the $50,000.00 system first. To my discouragement, high-end audio was only a goal. Now that I’m older and wiser, I’ve been banned for life. Digital Ear has no class or customer service. I am going to file a complaint with each and every manufacturer that they carry. Dealers often complain to manufactures that they can’t be competitive in retail environment. Manufactures need retail shops to sell their equipment. The Internet has brought the audio market to a competitive environment. Where is the balance? How would you have it? Has this ever happened to you? Any suggestions from the fine folks on Audiogon would be greatly appreciated. Banned for Life Al Bundy Ladies shoe salesman
albundy
chriskh
26 posts
 
I was starting to give-up hope on the human race with their lack of morals and values. I have a new sense of revived optimism in reading most of your responses. Anyone that would support what Albundy has done, please go to your parents and inform them that you did not raise you properly. Go to your parents and let them know that they did not teach you right from wrong. Digital Ear is also in my back yard, and it is of the highest quality. The fact that they have been in business for over 10 years demonstrates my point. There is good and bad with the Internet, unfortunately small businesses receive most of the bad.
no_money
565 posts
 
Sounds like the guy finally wised up. I am sure they would credit the 25% re-stocking fee towards another purchase, but I suppose that wouldn't work for you since you have no intentions of buying anything from them. You are the reason it is difficult to get loaners from hi-fi stores that do not all ready know you. Thanks for nothing.
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,071 posts
 
Sorry, I agree with the above masses. I wanted to audition a The PS300 and a power cord from a local dealer I've bought from for years. I saw the power cord in an Audiogon ad and called to see if the price he had (about 30% above the going rate on Audiogon) was a firm price. I explained that I wanted to try it and the PS300, but was not comfortable "using" him if I knew I'd buy elsewhere. As a small dealer he couldn't come down on his prices so I thanked him for his time and told him I just wasn't comfortable trying his stuff, even though he still offered. P.S. I still haven't heard the PS300, that's the down side of shopping for deals, no trial. I've saved maybe 40-50% on my total system so for me it's worth the isolation of not having a local dealer. I've got Audiogon, and alot of great people and a cheaper system, LIFE IS GOOD! J.D.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The whole story is NOT there and jumping on this guy is NOT fair. Dealers in my part of the world sell a few brands, and I have (once) dragged my stuff into the store to check out some of the things. I did buy a CD transport... but if I didn't I wouldn't expect to be told to get lost! And yeah, I ask for a deal.. My guess is the dealer is on the brink of $$$ death, or something and just lost it.
So many dealers are going under nowadays, if they can't make the jump to home theater.... My second guess is the person who told you to get out is in the midst of some personal trauma... Or on the other hand, untold stories... maybe you've 'borrowed 11 expensive things in the past and brought 'em back damaged....???
Mainly I can't see trashing this guy on the basis of what is told in his post.
jim
418 posts
 
Disagree, Liz. This clown has visited his "local dealer of ten years" yet has not purchased a single piece of equipment from them. His "dealer of ten years"? What is that. Is this the audio equivalent of the public library? Sorry, but this guy is out of bounds. Ten years of auditioning and never making a purchase? No way. I value relationships with dealers in my area and have purchased both new and used gear from them. At times I've paid a few more bucks than I could have elsewhere. To me, that's the price of a relationship that has value. Like many things in life, it's a two way street. On some days you give, on others you take. By the way, Digital Ear is not going off the deep end or going out of business -- very viable operation. I enjoy and respect your posts but I wholeheartedly disagree here. If I were the dealer I'd get the nail gin and two by fours.
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