In search of the mighty Stax

[Jupiter]

I'm in Minneapolis (by UofM) and I have the SR-404 and SRM-006t. I'm also planning to build the KGSS this summer.

 

[jpelg]

Not to keep this thread from going off topic for too much more, but...

Doug, you are wrong. You cite two different examples that grinch gave you:

The first (the shoe store) you agree is ok to do because you "have that right". Well, yes you have that legal right in the sense that you will not be arrested for stealing anything if you do this.

The second (the jewelry store), you say that it is wrong. Here is where you are inconsistent. The customer in this case is also legally in the right. It is a loophole in the return policy of the store that has the potential to be abused. Why don't you think this is "right"?

I, personally don't see where either is right, despite the fact that I would not be arrested in either case. It is not the letter of the law that drives my morality. It is my personal sense of right and wrong. When store policies and practices allow people to abuse the store's graciousness, that is all we are left with. You can say that business factor all that in, as a cost of doing business. Yes, that's true for a big retailer. But a small, often independent hi-fi shop does not have as much margin to factor in such losses with much frequency without eventually going out of business altogether.

I cherish the opportunities that I've had to audition equipment owned by fellow head-fier's. Aside from the social aspect, the ability to hear equipment that I think I might want to purchase (that is, within my budget) cuts down on the buy/audition/sell cycle considerably. I can hear more equipment in one meet that I could possibly buy/sell in a year! But these (head-fi meets) are truly altruistic events, and a rare thing in this world of ours.

I feel the same for local brick & mortar stores, as few as there seem to be these days. These are not altruistic events. They are businesses that need to survive. If I audition something at a B&M store and I end up deciding to purchase that item, you can make darn sure that I am buying it there, and not some Internet store front with the cheapest price, even if it ends up costing considerably more. I would probably not have bought the product in the first place without the opportunity to audition first. And I know that if I don't support that B&M now, then it won't be there when I need to audition something else.

It's that simple. But hey, that's just me.

 

[Mike Scarpitti]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador So then, what about that person who knows he is going to buy a CDP, but not which model sounds best. He goes from showroom to showroom, even repeating the same process again a time or two before deciding on one unit to buy. Should he feel obligated to buy something from all these people because they shelled out some expense for him to go and listem to their units a time or two? If not, why is this any different? I am going to buy the Stax unit, so if the dealer has one available to send me at no cost, I see it as no different. If you feel that to listen is to buy, then you would have to buy something in each and every store since you went in and auditioned stuff at them all, and then only bought one unit in one store. I go into a shoe store looking for a comfortable pair of shoes, and leave after trying on 4 pairs, yet buy nothing. Sounds to me like this is the same and I should have bought something since it cost them something according to your logic. I guess you split the hair at whether or not I "intend" to buy something or not. When the end is that I tried on shoes in the stores, but didn't buy them, but "intended" to buy them, that is alright. That is part of their service. But, if I just want to try on shoes to try on shoes, and never intended to buy anything from them, then that's wrong.

But at least the dealer has a CHANCE to make a sale here. the situations are not comparable.

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador Is intent the only difference? If I plan on buying one unit from one store, am I not robbing the other three of time and money by not being an actual customer? Am I obligated to buy something from all these stores since I robbed them of their time and money by auditioning something? Where do you draw the line? Intent?

Yes. Intent is exactly where you draw the line. This is a moral issue, not a legal one.

 

[radrd]

Brick and mortar stores could always lower their prices...

If they can't compete, then they don't deserve to survive.

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

If they can't compete, then they don't deserve to survive.

No, that's not the answer.

If they don't survive, then you will never get to audition something prior to purchasing. You will always be in the unenviable position of having to buy something in order to try it out. This same position that people often lament here on these boards when they cannot find items locally.

There is a cost for them to provide that service. I, personally, value that service, and will honor it whenever I am able to take advantage. Perhaps you do not. Some people just don't get it.

Put yourself in the position of owning such a B&M storefront. Why bother going through all the trouble of offering such services when you are just gonna get screwed by people auditioning locally, and then buying via the 'Net? That's right, you wouldn't. You can make just as much money or more owning a corner convenience store selling cigarettes and lottery tickets.

 

[teucer]

As to your original question:

http://www.yamasinc.com/Stax_Dealers.htm

There is a dealer listed in every one of your cities except Toronto. Mori****a (www.mori****a.net) says contact them for Toronto dealer information.

I personally auditioned stax phones at Dallas Audio Concepts, and while they only had one demo model (303/313) it was a taste of the stax sound at least. I really would have liked to audition the omega2 and its different sound, but finding a demo model of them is very difficult. Your best bet is to find an omega2 owner in your area and beg him/her for a listen.

 

[setmenu]

I understand [like everyone else] the appeal of spending less on
an item.
The greater the disparity in cost the greater the temptation.

The shop I obtain my audio equipment from is owned and staffed
by the finest of people.
I have known them for a number of years now.
It is only a small business and cannot afford to do large
'competitive' discounts, but the prices are fair market ones.

Margins on audio kit are not very big so whilst my purchases
of 'premium gear' my not seem inconsiderable too me, they certainly do not allow the retailer to disappear off into happy retirement!

But the return in good service has been priceless.
This 'service' including , enjoyable informative conversations and being allowed to borrow items of equipment for some considerable time periods and monopolizing demonstration equipment in the shop on several occasions when testing my Diy headphones etc.

Ok not everyone has a local shop to get friendly with, but if you
do get to know them!
I doubt many people start specialist HI FI shops just to get rich,
so chances are you will meet like minded individuals there.
You will still grit your teeth over handing out the $$$$$ but
be happier about those 'profits' going to a friend

.



setmenu

Preaching to the converted

 

[tom hankins]

I've bought items twice that I auditioned locally and then bought off the net. Both times I offered to buy from the store if they could get close to the price i had seen on the net. I even offered to eat a little of the money to be able to do business local. Plus I am already going to eat the tax. Do I feel guilty for setting up the auditions and taking up there time? No.

 

[Mike Scarpitti]

Quote:

Originally posted by tom hankins I've bought items twice that I auditioned locally and then bought off the net. Both times I offered to buy from the store if they could get close to the price i had seen on the net. I even offered to eat a little of the money to be able to do business local. Plus I am already going to eat the tax. Do I feel guilty for setting up the auditions and taking up there time? No.

Why should they 'meet' the price of the net guys, if the net guys don't 'meet' the service? You're being hypocritical!

 

[tom hankins]

Mike you need to read my post over. I never asked them to meet anything. I said i would buy from them if they could get close to the other price. I don't think it's that big of a deal for them to demo products they carry. Isn't that there job? To inform you about and display there products, I don't consider either of these as some kind of favor. This is something that must be done to promote there products.

 

[Mike Scarpitti]

Quote:

Originally posted by tom hankins Mike you need to read my post over. I never asked them to meet anything. I said i would buy from them if they could get close to the other price. I don't think it's that big of a deal for them to demo products they carry. Isn't that there job? To inform you about and display there products, I don't consider either of these as some kind of favor. This is something that must be done to promote there products.

I suppose it depends on what you mean by 'close'. Just bear in mind the online guys offer no significant levels of service.

 

[tom hankins]

Mike, I wish I could afford to do most of my shopping local. I would love to do things face to face instead of through a keyboard. For what its worth, the last several years all my home stereo gear has come from one of three places. I have have passed up better deals to feel safe and secure with these people.