Charge for TT setup?

IMO, when you buy a new tt and cart from a dealer at retail, they should include setup. I can't believe that your dealer is charging you extra to install a cartridge that you purchased from him. One dealer tried to charge me $500 to set up a new turntable, which was never discussed at the time of sale. They eventually backed off, but I washed my hands of them after the transaction.

..but as for ME.....I know the setup of a turntable is time consuming and requires patience and care. I only trust me to do it right.

That's like charging for a tank of gas after buying a new car. Just squeezing you for a mere bag of shells! Just on principle I would walk right out the door.

If this is being done in the store that's outrageous. Now if they have to come out to your house then that's fair.

The very fact you are questioning this says it all--clearly you're not delighted by the prospect, and you shouldn't be! Were I a retailer, I'd be thrilled to have this dealer as my competition. Their lack of common sense is stark--they will jeopardize the long term potential of a customer that can afford to drop $6 large in order to collect another $100? I would be tripping over myself to please a customer with your demonstrated purchase power so that it would never occur to you to shop anywhere else in the future.