The diary entries of a little girl who is now 30! ~ Part 2 - Page 315

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuppetFace 

 

 

I don't know about you, but personally I would much rather someone listen to a dedicated display unit to determine whether he/she likes the sound of something than simply buy something without hearing it first and possibly end up returning it.

 

In a job interview, there is an unspoken understanding between participants that a position is being offered. I have a sneaking suspicion that the folks at Jaben, by contrast, realize most people listening to the demo units aren't going to end up buying the product. Yet they offer them anyway, and in a sense they benefit because it attracts people to the store.

That's my point, that there is an assumption that someone coming in to audition a product is in the market for that sort of thing, and has not already ruled out buying from that shop prior to even coming in for the audition. I think there's a difference between listening to the $400 xyz iems, e.g., and deciding they are not worth the money, but are good, and then discovering they are much less expensive elsewhere, and therefore worth the money, and buying them. Intention is important here.

A lot of the audio stores in my city closed up shop because they couldn't compete with the online mega retailers. I guess the younger generations just don't value the in-store experience like I do. I miss being able to stroll into a hi-fi shop, shoot-the-breeze with the staff for an hour or two, and fondle the equipment with no pressure to buy. Sometimes, I think the world is moving forward just a bit too fast. Still, I can definitely see the attraction of online stores' low prices.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuppetFace 

I don't think the job analogy is apt, because that's clearly a criminal action whereas trying a demo unit regardless of your intention is far from stringing someone along. If you're asking someone to take a product out of its box to demo it, sure. However an allocated demo unit is another matter entirely: it's there to be used, whether you do so or not. I find it much more troublesome that there are people who buy products from Amazon.com.jp to audition them, ie. their not knowing whether they want to keep it or not. Or in some cases have no intention of keeping it but just want to hear it. I've received more than a few items that seemed to have been used despite their being sold as new. If someone can try an allocated demo unit at another store before buying from an online retailer, then I'm all for it. 

 

Buying audio equipment without hearing it is an inherently risky proposition, and not everyone has the means of going to meets or trade shows. So long as you don't treat the store like a trade show and go around listening to a bunch of stuff you can't afford just for the hell of it, I don't really see a problem with using allocated floor equipment to gain insight into what you're looking for. The stores in turn gain traffic and publicity. Also I'm not talking about appointment-only demos: Jaben to my knowledge offers demos of more expensive items if you arrange it first, and in that case, yeah, you should intend to buy it there if you like it because you're taking up someone's time. Someone is having to work to provide you with a demo (which does go back to the job analogy) versus just trying something that is there on display.

I should probably pint out that I am speaking as myself only here, and not as an employee of a retailer.(  I used to teach business ethics at the university-level, so that's the hat i'm wearing as i type this.

I think a lot of people assume that demos are provided free or at greatly reduced cost - which, in most cases they are not.  Once opened, they cannot/shouldn't be sold as new either.  You are not obligated to buy because you have demo-d, and you can return things you don't like.  We allow returns on most merchandise - that's your audition.  Once you get into the 'let's get one for the audio-buddy get-together and then return it', it's a different story, or returning turntable setup tools once you've mounted your cartridge.... "um, I'd like to return these jumper cables...."

I do think it is straightforwardly dishonest to audition someplace you have no intention to buy from - it's not e.g., an "Apple Store", company-owned for that purpose.  The allocated demo is not there as a public service, it's there to allow you to try it before you buy it from the dealer demoing it. We may simply agree to disagree, and i want this to be a civil and reasoned exchange of thoughts, and will not make any further comments.  thanks for listening....

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuppetFace 

 

 

 

I believe that Intent defines the nature of the action in question, sure. However I think it also depends on the context in which that intent is conveyed. When it comes to smaller stores and appointment-only auditions for instance, then I think it's wrong to take advantage of that. However I also think it's wrong to buy a product previously unheard to audition with the possibility of returning it if you don't like it. Shopping with online retailers then is a gamble unless you find a way to audition the product, and for some people store demos are the only means of doing so. I think the ideal solution for everyone involved would be to audition the product and if you like it, ask the retailer who let you audition it if they can price match the better price you found online. That way the retailer gets the sale for their allowing you the audition, and you get to save a bit of money.

Guess I was mistaken about not responding, but i think I have the core of the issue here, and can articulate it fairly specifically.  What I am looking at is a fair distribution of costs and benefits to the participants in the system.  A customer who gets to hear before buying benefits from that option.  When a merchant sells merchandise at the asking price, he/she benefits, especially in contrast with the competition, who did not get the sale.  When an online retailer takes a return, it does cost something, but there may be a long-term benefit in that a customer will continue to purchase, knowing there is little risk if the product is not acceptable in some way or other.  If the same customer always or almost always returns items, or returns them in damaged or incomplete condition, then the seller can decide to nbo longer take orders from that customer.   Now, when the merchant that has demo samples available allows a demo, then loses a sale to an online merchant, the demo benefited the online merchant, but cost the demo-er.  that's where it is potentially bad/wrong/unfair...  in that the costs and benefits are not equitably allocated.  Especially when online forums promote the notion that people should audition at a store so they can save themselves potential return shipping fees once buy online.

Ah... I see. Well, I didn't see any reason to take out the SA5000 as well... unless it was too expensive to keep on producing it, or they're making another flag (so very unlikely)? Atm, the best in production is probably the MA900 :s not a fan of the build though.