Local Dealer vs. Online E-tailer -

[Cos]

I am the first guy to tell someone go and find the best price Online vs Local. (authorized reseller) Home Audio is expensive, and as we try to maximize every dollar we spend, we sometimes forget about the value of working with your Local Dealer.

As some are aware, I have been buying form my same dealer since 2002, in the beginning mainly because he was giving me the best price. As online has become more prevalent, it has become easier to find comparable and sometimes slightly lower pricing. As Cheap as I am (Just ask my dealer ) There are a lot of things they can do, that you online guy can not or will not, and there is something to be said for building up the relationship. 1st and only time I will say this, price is not everything

I has purchased my 4k TV (about 5 months ago), from my dealer, when I could have possibly gotten it less expensive by other means. When I am spending more than 2k, I have a little more confidence working with him because, he has proven to take care of me when everything doesn't work out perfectly.

My Sony 4k XBR65850B had a bright red dead pixel on the screen. I have had several Sony TVs, 2 I still use besides this one, because they last, and I like their picture quality. I tried to call Sony Support where I got some overseas tech support (English as a second language) person who was reading a script and continued to immediately block me saying it needs to be greater than 10% Pixels for it to be a warranty issue. After about 15 minutes on hold and beating my head against the wall, I gave up. I then sent an email to my dealer who I should have gone to in the first place. He told me he would handle it, he did, got my problem taken care of, replacing my TV and far exceeded my expectations. It's not the first time I have had an issue with gear, but I know he will help me out. It would have saved me some aggravation if I went to him first.

(Getting off my Soap Box soon)

My suggestion to someone who is planning to build up their HT or Home Audio, while it might be smart to go online, think about the investment you make, and consider all options. If I am going to spend a lot of money, I will almost never do it online, I like to deal with a person face to face. Take time to talk to your local dealer, talk to a few, and you just may find out why some of them are still in business when most of them are closing their doors. Think of the time you might spend if you have an issue (Bad Tech Support, shipping expense, repair expense, time & aggravation, etc) and I think you may just find out there is more value in dealing local.

If you read all of this, I am impressed, but I have made a lot of mistakes, and learned how to avoid a lot going to this site and others, so I thought I would share my experience.

 

[agarwalro]

I think the item being purchased also deserves some mention. A large TV is much more susceptible to manufacturing defects or premature failure than speakers/subs or amps/receiver.

Your experience with Sony mirrors the "service" others typically get from any mainstream manufacturers. By contrast, getting support from ID outfits has been much easier for folk who had to call on it. I mainly call on Ascend and Rythmik as examples since I researched their after sales feedback. Emotiva has been a mixed bag. When I bought this receiver from A4L, it was preceded by an Onkyo. The Onkyo had an issue out of the box. A4L service was exemplary and the replacement Denon was in my hand before I shipped out the Onkyo.

 

[Cos]

I think the item being purchased also deserves some mention. A large TV is much more susceptible to manufacturing defects or premature failure than speakers/subs or amps/receiver.

Your experience with Sony mirrors the "service" others typically get from any mainstream manufacturers. By contrast, getting support from ID outfits has been much easier for folk who had to call on it. I mainly call on Ascend and Rythmik as examples since I researched their after sales feedback. Emotiva has been a mixed bag. When I bought this receiver from A4L, it was preceded by an Onkyo. The Onkyo had an issue out of the box. A4L service was exemplary and the replacement Denon was in my hand before I shipped out the Onkyo.

With smaller companies like Ascend and Rythmik, you tend to get better customer service because they are usually in house. I get phenomenal service from GE and Parasound for example. Typically if its DOA, I will never have an issue with Customer service because I can just return it. If it breaks down 4-5 months later, most etailers I know will direct you to the manufacturer.

 

[herbu]

I am the first guy to tell someone go and find the best price Online vs Local. (authorized reseller) Home Audio is expensive, and as we try to maximize every dollar we spend, we sometimes forget about the value of working with your Local Dealer.

As some are aware, I have been buying form my same dealer since 2002, in the beginning mainly because he was giving me the best price. As online has become more prevalent, it has become easier to find comparable and sometimes slightly lower pricing. As Cheap as I am (Just ask my dealer ) There are a lot of things they can do, that you online guy can not or will not, and there is something to be said for building up the relationship. 1st and only time I will say this, price is not everything

I has purchased my 4k TV (about 5 months ago), from my dealer, when I could have possibly gotten it less expensive by other means. When I am spending more than 2k, I have a little more confidence working with him because, he has proven to take care of me when everything doesn't work out perfectly.

My Sony 4k XBR65850B had a bright red dead pixel on the screen. I have had several Sony TVs, 2 I still use besides this one, because they last, and I like their picture quality. I tried to call Sony Support where I got some overseas tech support (English as a second language) person who was reading a script and continued to immediately block me saying it needs to be greater than 10% Pixels for it to be a warranty issue. After about 15 minutes on hold and beating my head against the wall, I gave up. I then sent an email to my dealer who I should have gone to in the first place. He told me he would handle it, he did, got my problem taken care of, replacing my TV and far exceeded my expectations. It's not the first time I have had an issue with gear, but I know he will help me out. It would have saved me some aggravation if I went to him first.

(Getting off my Soap Box soon)

My suggestion to someone who is planning to build up their HT or Home Audio, while it might be smart to go online, think about the investment you make, and consider all options. If I am going to spend a lot of money, I will almost never do it online, I like to deal with a person face to face. Take time to talk to your local dealer, talk to a few, and you just may find out why some of them are still in business when most of them are closing their doors. Think of the time you might spend if you have an issue (Bad Tech Support, shipping expense, repair expense, time & aggravation, etc) and I think you may just find out there is more value in dealing local.

If you read all of this, I am impressed, but I have made a lot of mistakes, and learned how to avoid a lot going to this site and others, so I thought I would share my experience.

Agree. Given the choice, I would prefer to buy from local shop. But the problem is selection. No local shop has: Denon, Emotiva, Oppo, SVS, Rythmik, Philharmonic Audio, Aperion and Samsung.

 

[slipperybidness]

I also think it is critical to be knowledgeable when you go into the local shops. There are good salesmen, then there are salesmen that simply try to sell you the stuff with the highest profit margins.

But yeah, there is absolutely something to be said for building a relationship with your local audio dealer! Same goes for your local mechanic and your local bartender

 

[highfigh]

I am the first guy to tell someone go and find the best price Online vs Local. (authorized reseller) Home Audio is expensive, and as we try to maximize every dollar we spend, we sometimes forget about the value of working with your Local Dealer.

As some are aware, I have been buying form my same dealer since 2002, in the beginning mainly because he was giving me the best price. As online has become more prevalent, it has become easier to find comparable and sometimes slightly lower pricing. As Cheap as I am (Just ask my dealer ) There are a lot of things they can do, that you online guy can not or will not, and there is something to be said for building up the relationship. 1st and only time I will say this, price is not everything

I has purchased my 4k TV (about 5 months ago), from my dealer, when I could have possibly gotten it less expensive by other means. When I am spending more than 2k, I have a little more confidence working with him because, he has proven to take care of me when everything doesn't work out perfectly.

My Sony 4k XBR65850B had a bright red dead pixel on the screen. I have had several Sony TVs, 2 I still use besides this one, because they last, and I like their picture quality. I tried to call Sony Support where I got some overseas tech support (English as a second language) person who was reading a script and continued to immediately block me saying it needs to be greater than 10% Pixels for it to be a warranty issue. After about 15 minutes on hold and beating my head against the wall, I gave up. I then sent an email to my dealer who I should have gone to in the first place. He told me he would handle it, he did, got my problem taken care of, replacing my TV and far exceeded my expectations. It's not the first time I have had an issue with gear, but I know he will help me out. It would have saved me some aggravation if I went to him first.

(Getting off my Soap Box soon)

My suggestion to someone who is planning to build up their HT or Home Audio, while it might be smart to go online, think about the investment you make, and consider all options. If I am going to spend a lot of money, I will almost never do it online, I like to deal with a person face to face. Take time to talk to your local dealer, talk to a few, and you just may find out why some of them are still in business when most of them are closing their doors. Think of the time you might spend if you have an issue (Bad Tech Support, shipping expense, repair expense, time & aggravation, etc) and I think you may just find out there is more value in dealing local.

If you read all of this, I am impressed, but I have made a lot of mistakes, and learned how to avoid a lot going to this site and others, so I thought I would share my experience.

As a small local dealer, I would like to thank you for writing this.

 

[djreef]

Strange. I don't even know who my local dealer is. I thought everyone sold online, now.

DJ

 

[Cos]

Strange. I don't even know who my local dealer is. I thought everyone sold online, now.

DJ

Emotive is going to start using the channel now too, so you may find one in your area. No idea where Conroe TX is, will have to check a map

 

[slipperybidness]

Emotive is going to start using the channel now too, so you may find one in your area. No idea where Conroe TX is, will have to check a map

Conroe is pretty much Houston. Urban sprawl at its finest

Actually, I haven't been to Conroe in a few years, it used to be "outside of Houston", but I'm assuming that sprawl has changed that.

 

[Tom._White]

You all should feel lucky you have local stores........at all.

I live in "small town south central Indiana". Other than a Best Buy, about 30 minutes away, the nearest "real" electronics store that I am aware of is a good hour-and-a-half away, on the north side of Indianapolis. Even they do not carry much anymore. If you can find speakers other than Klipsch in their store, you have done some searching! They used to have four stores, but are now down to one.

Anyway, I wish the option to buy local was possible, but it simply isn't.

 

[djreef]

Conroe is pretty much Houston. Urban sprawl at its finest

Actually, I haven't been to Conroe in a few years, it used to be "outside of Houston", but I'm assuming that sprawl has changed that.

Ya, we used to be rural, but now they've mowed everything down and built these cracker box complexes to house the Exxon folks moving into the area. I hate it. A 20 minute drive to work now takes me 45 minutes. We look like just another crappy suburb of Houston, now.

 

[slipperybidness]

Ya, we used to be rural, but now they've mowed everything down and built these cracker box complexes to house the Exxon folks moving into the area. I hate it. A 20 minute drive to work now takes me 45 minutes. We look like just another crappy suburb of Houston, now.

Yup, that's about what I figured. Hadn't been there in a few years, but the writing was already on the wall when I was there last.

I grew up north of Houston on HWY 59. I see that Kingswood might as well be Houston now too!

 

[djreef]

Yup, that's about what I figured. Hadn't been there in a few years, but the writing was already on the wall when I was there last.

I grew up north of Houston on HWY 59. I see that Kingswood might as well be Houston now too!

Actually, Kingwood is Houston. They annexed it about 15 years ago .

 

[slipperybidness]

Actually, Kingwood is Houston. They annexed it about 15 years ago .

Dang! I know that it "looked like Houston".....but I didn't know that it now IS Houston

Man, it's a good place to visit but I would hate to live there. I have many friends in the area though. The restaurants, museums, etc are first class all the way!

I will mention, the traffic in Austin is even worse than Houston! At least Houston had the foresight to invest heavily in infrastructure. Austin, not so much.

 

[djreef]

Dang! I know that it "looked like Houston".....but I didn't know that it now IS Houston

Man, it's a good place to visit but I would hate to live there. I have many friends in the area though. The restaurants, museums, etc are first class all the way!

I will mention, the traffic in Austin is even worse than Houston! At least Houston had the foresight to invest heavily in infrastructure. Austin, not so much.

Ya, but Austin rocks. We get over that way a few times per year.

Katherine wants to move there, eventually. It's the only place in Texas she feels truly 'at home' in.

Houston, not so much.

 

[slipperybidness]

Ya, but Austin rocks. We get over that way a few times per year.

Katherine wants to move there, eventually. It's the only place in Texas she feels truly 'at home' in.

Yup, and that is part of the problem!

Austin just grew way too quickly and the infrastructure wasn't ready for it.

Then, you get all these high-rise condos going in downtown, then the people living in the condos start complaining about all the music noise downtown!

For what I paid for my modest home inside Austin city limits, I could have gotten double the home in the outskirts of H-town.

 

[CDogg]

You all should feel lucky you have local stores........at all.

I live in "small town south central Indiana". Other than a Best Buy, about 30 minutes away, the nearest "real" electronics store that I am aware of is a good hour-and-a-half away, on the north side of Indianapolis. Even they do not carry much anymore. If you can find speakers other than Klipsch in their store, you have done some searching! They used to have four stores, but are now down to one.

Anyway, I wish the option to buy local was possible, but it simply isn't.

In my little corner of BFE, the only true audio store closed in the early 1980s. The closest audio store is about three and a half hours away, an all day trip. Buying online has been my only means if I want to buy new. I deal with online retailers who offer a home trial period and that has worked for me.

 

[slipperybidness]

In my little corner of BFE, the only true audio store closed in the early 1980s. The closest audio store is about three and a half hours away, an all day trip. Buying online has been my only means if I want to buy new. I deal with online retailers who offer a home trial period and that has worked for me.

Well, be glad that online is an option.

20 or so years ago, didn't even have that option.

 

[highfigh]

Strange. I don't even know who my local dealer is. I thought everyone sold online, now.

DJ

Ever think about who does all of the custom systems in your area?

 

[djreef]

Ever think about who does all of the custom systems in your area?

No.