Monster Product 'Value'
I wanted to add a little bit to this discussion because I also sell Monster products at a new Canadian Best Buy store. I'm very forntunate to have this website as a resource, so I can sift through the crap and product claims that are presented to salespeople and customers alike. Thanks to Gene and the gang or keeping things straight!
You all seem to know that there is a large markup on accessories like cabling. Monster is one company, but so are the other makers that sell along side Monster is big box stores. Acoustic Research cable actually makes the store more money than similarly priced (retail) Monster cable, yet we still focus on Monster. I don't want to make it seem like I whole heartedly support Monster products or the business practices of Best Buy and the other all the time. As Gene's cable comparisons have shown, some Monster cabling (ie speaker wire) does not blow away standard Zip Cord. But I have personally experienced performance improvements from using Monster and Acoustic Research's cheapest cable. Similarly, a Monster Powerbar prevents static on my TV when a vacuum cleaner is running nearby. (These things are a lot of money, and lucky I was able to capitalize on my discount)
Would I buy Monster's or anyone else's more expensive cable based on the claims of them or a salesperson like myself? No! I wouldn't trust them unless I could evaluate the stuff myself and be able to return it for a full refund. I don't think any customer should blindly trust what salespeople say, commissioned or not. Ethically (that's right, a salesman that still hasn't lost his conscience
) I cannot push more expensive cable because there probably isn't an improvement. There might be, there could be a benefit over cheaper stuff, but it's still porbably not worth the price difference.
It's the salespeople that really don't know about the equipment they are selling are the ones that convey the hype and claims onto customers. We all know that bix box stores (especially non-commissioned) have plenty of such salespeople. There are many who do know their stuff, but usually don't stick around for long. I like to think that I know what I'm talking about, and working for these stores features an awesome employee discount
.
hopjohn is right about salespeople; salespeople are salespeople - no matter if they are commissioned or not, they still have to sell to keep their jobs! Everything in the world of consumer audio and video can't be completely trusted. Everyone should evaluate hype and claims for themselves. They can then buy into it if they think it's for the better, whether it truly is or not. People can spend their hard earned money anyway they want, but they still need to know the truth. Thanks again to the Audioholics staff for helping the truth spread.
Thanks for letting me rant and putting up with it. Please feel free to challenge me on any point, that's what a forum is for.
Mark
