Buying local/service

[mouettus]

Would you pay a little more than a b&m price for the same product to buy it at your local audio store who provides a great service?

I'm stuck in that situation

Subwoofer at 799$ at futureshop
Same sub at 900$ at AudioShop (price down from 1000$)

Those guys helped me out during the past 2 years and really help me a lot.

Considering the taxes and all, the price difference is about 100-150$ depending if I can bargain a price at futureshop. And do you think it would be too much to ask him to knock another 50$ for a small business? (they can't compete with giant audio stores)

Opinions plz

That sub is amazing by the way. I've never heard something as accurate and as tight (yes there is such a thing as "tight sounding")

 

[Exit]

With internet direct you have to factor in the costs of shipping a subwoofer. My subwoofer cost me $100. You also may need to coordinate someone at home when the shipment arrives.

With B&M you have to add in local sales tax to the cost and possibly local delivery ($50 est.)

For $150 difference I would go with the convenience of a local B&M because you can always go pick it up and save local delivery. You can have it now. You took up a lot of the salesmen’s time and you kind of owe them your business, especially if you plan on going back to the store for other purchases or listen to other things. Finally you have real people you can talk to for help, advice and to resolve any problems without a big bureaucratic mess over the telephone and E-mails. (Read the thread about the guy with the Onkyo receiver debacle if you want to know worse case) If you just go into a big box store, then I feel you owe them nothing and are free to go internet direct if it is enough savings.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am always willing to pay a little more to buy gear from my local dealer. He has treated me too well in the past with replacing blown speakers and such with nothing but a silly grin on his face and a small shake of his head as he loads new speakers in my car.

 

[bandphan]

i try to support my local stores. I believe in my local economy thrieving and will spend a bit more to keep it that way. Obviously this cant be the case with all goods, but with the internet becoming increasingly the first choice for research and price checking, more b&m stores are matching prices (without shipping). Touching the actual products before i buy them still gives me a great satisfaction.

 

[MUDSHARK]

If I had any local shops dedicated to audio I would utilize them. I buy internet largely because Circuit City would be the only alternative to a long trip not that Circuit City would carry anything I would want. I would much rather buy from someone that loves audio. Mainstream stuff I would still purchase on-line.

 

[stratman]

Go with the guys that have helped you, $150.00 will not break your bank and you've done your part keeping a small business owner working.

 

[MUDSHARK]

Spoken like a small business owner. I concur however.

 

[Sheep]

Does anyone have a picture of a guy beating a dead horse with a stick?


Wait, I found one.

SheepStar

 

[mouettus]

Thanks for your inputs guys. I really feel the same about helping a local company but what I was asking is in that peticular situation, is a 150$ difference on a 800$ item too much? Maybe not on 2500$, definitely on 200$, but 800?

p.s. Internet Direct is not an option in this situation. Most companies don't carry this sub yet or don't even ship to Canada anyways.

 

[Davemcc]

Darn you. You driving me nuts. Which sub?

One of the Velodyne's?

 

[mouettus]

Darn you. You driving me nuts. Which sub?

One of the Velodyne's?

Mirage Prestige S10 / Energy ESW-V10 (Ford Tempo / Mercury Topaz)

http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=342
http://www.miragespeakers.com/v2/product_page.php?open=types&subid=694&id=898

Foot -vs Spikes. Place your bets. (My Energy RC-70 have the same spikes (not installed)).