Because of my location I rather audition at a store, then find the best deal on the internet from an authorized reseller; then give the local store a chance to give me his very best price, and from that take a decision on where to buy. For example, auditioned PSB Image locally, as well as Monitor Audio Silver, and many others (lucky to have a dealer for almost every well known brand within 30 mile radius from my home, now there is a Best Buy opening in February, and a Circuit City opening later this month), and was split between PSB Image (T55/C40/B15) or Monitor (RS6, CSR, and SFX). Went ahead and ordered Monitor at full list ($2,100.00), price for PSB Image system was $1,995.00. The MA dealer had the system in stock, the PSB dealer didn't and I would have had to wait 2-3 weeks. Then, by chance I found
www.saturdayaudio.com, who refused to sell or even price MA to Puerto Rico, unless it was a clearance item, protecting the local dealer, but they would sell PSB. After checking their PSB pricing I decided on T45/C40/B15 (getting B25 for the same price, as they ran out of B15). Including freight I saved $600.00 over local pricing, plus I air freighted them getting them in 5 days, not 3 weeks.
In another forum someone from Salk Sound, I believe it was John Salk himself, was vigorously defending ID's. He had very good arguments, but when I told him that usually they didn't know a thing about shipping, that they only paid freight to the user but not back if they don't like them, that they lacked international sales knowledge (including AK, HI, APO/FPO, US Territories) and heavily relied on the domestic (48 States) market, and in their case the website was very difficult to get sales information; he never answered back. Actually their website is very poor for an ID company who's main business is internet sales. The best one I have seen so far is Axiom, their pricing changes automatically based on your location to include freight to your location, even international, plus they cover the freight back if you don't like the product. I believe Aperion or Ascend does this also.
In other words, ID companies are not for everyone. For example, the lack of stock from AV123 was a turndown for me, when I was ready to purchase from them in November. Same thing with ED, A3-300 not in stock plus I had to buy at that moment and wait until available, because pricing was going up Jan. 1st. They also quoted $450.00 freight to PR, when I can have it in PR for $85.00; in their defense they did offer for me to sell at a special price (FOB their warehouse), and for me to arrange for shipping.
ID's are not for everyone. Some offer good products, but lack after sales service. But, if like Soundman says, you are in a small city/town, or an isolated area they are a good source, just make sure you are reading their freight terms, and that you read what customers have to say about them.
