[size=xx-small] Quote:
Originally posted by kelly
....For the sake of disclosure, my position has been that an online community can do both good and evil when it comes to the effects on particular businesses but that an uncensored (and non-self-censored) public forum can provide customers willing to do the legwork with a fairly balanced view of the company and its products.
What do you guys think?.... |
[/size]I think it safe to say that most of the audio companies I've communicated with very rarely, if ever, participate in forum discussions or attempt to join these communities. I know of several manufacturers and distributors and reps of various audio companies who come to this site, for example, but never post. Some companies have formal policies against posting to forums. I can understand why, too -- take the title of this thread, for example.
Looking at
the thread that precipitated this discussion, for example. I honestly can't comment on the parts, the circuit design, etc. It was a legitimate question to ask why the difference in parts. But let's look at the turn it takese before HeadRoom could respond:
- [size=small]"Well, if you want some payback for the price gouging...."[/size] Not only is the term price gouging misused here (according to generally accepted definitions of the practice of price-gouging), but it also assumes that the poster is familiar with the company's financials. It also connotes something malicious going on in terms of the company's general business and pricing practices.
- [size=small]"....Of course, we all like the guys at headroom, but excessive profits are excessive profits...."[/size] Again, how does the poster know this to be true or not? Yet it is stated as generally accepted fact. That post, to me, served as the mood-changer of that thread, and is one of the reasons I can understand why some companies stay out of forums altogether.
- [size=small]"Isn't 'HONESTY' just as, or more important than R&D and putting the parts together??"[/size] Again, this would clearly suggest that something dishonest, something malicious has occurred. Again, the customer might think so, even after an explanation is offered by the company, but, c'mon, let's at least allow for the opportunity of a response before coming to the conclusion that this was an act of dishonesty in practice.
Of course, HeadRoom can provide an answer, and it might be an answer that meets the satifaction of their customers, or it might not. If the product is different than what was stated on the site, I can see why questions would be raised and discussed. But look at the tone that the conversation took almost immediately. Then look at the title of this thread. If I happened upon a thread that accused my company of price gouging and excessive profits (in the context of ripping people off) before I even had a chance to hit the reply button, I'd probably be pretty irritated, too. Maybe their answer will not meet with the satifaction of this or other customers, but, hey, maybe it will.[size=xx-small] Quote:
Originally posted by KJ869
And here comes the nasty word, Profit.
example: Sennheiser hd-600 can be bought for 200e from online store in germany, and store in Finland charges them 400e? does that sound fair profit? of course it dosnt. We all probaly agree headroom has done positive things to get wider audiences intress on headphones, but how mutch should they make profit from theyre amps is the problem. I would say the parts+work paid+10-15% is good profit marginal. I dont know the exact marginal but i would assume its lot bigger, that of course depends how mutch they pay for the work. If some company wants to Customer like them, they should use small marginal as possible, people then dont think theyre robbed, they get nice deal, company gets money, sales get bigger and everybody is happy. If we look to the opposite situation theres the CD-records. Nobody likes the prices and customers are angry. |
[/size]Did you just arbitrarily come up with 10% to 15%? Starting a business is always a good way to learn about what the realities are. I worked in audio retail as a salesman for a little while, and, though our average gross margin on any product that went out the door was maybe 30% (or thereabouts), the store wasn't always profitable. I can also assure you that lowering our prices to accommodate an arbitrarily selected goal of 10% or 15% average gross margins would have almost certainly resulted in more frequent and heavy losses.[size=xx-small] Quote:
Originally posted by PeterG
....BTW, I dislike how this thread is titled "HeadRoom vs. the Community" instead of something like "HeadRoom and the Community |
[/size]It's how the thread author sees it. For the record, I think it was poorly chosen title, too, but it was the message the author wants to convey.[size=xx-small] Quote:
Originally posted by Flasken
... But the cd-thing is a different situation completely, where
customers are FORCED to pay the premium.... |
[/size]This is a wee bit off topic, but I have yet to have anyone coerce me into buying a CD.[size=xx-small] Quote:
Originally posted by Pappucho
Tuberoller, I hope you are not inferring that Tyll or any of the other founders of this hobby are immune from critiscm. I feel that if there is a place to voice concern over any of the headphone related products out there, that this is the place to do it. Not only will you get educated responses from unbiased members, but you may also get a response from the president of that company. While I don't always agree with what is posted here, I don't believe any sort of censorship is warranted simply because it may be contrary to a respected individuals products. |
[/size]Again, I don't think the issue is whether someone should voice a legitimate concern or not -- Magic77's concern is obviously legitimate. But, again, read what I quoted above (about price gouging and excessive profits), as well as the title of this very thread.
