Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade for the first time in ten years and I'm
interested in other people's experiences with shopping for these brands
which aren't available on the internet.

I understand that many people prefer shopping at a main dealer.
Personally, I'm always happy to accept the risks and buy direct if I
can get a good price. I think the last big ticket item I bought in a
shop was a VCR in 1997. I'm only countenancing visiting a dealer
because there is no alternative with these brands.

I'm looking to spend about £1600 list price, but find the idea of
paying some arbitrary price set by the manufacturer rather upsetting.
I'd rather pay an arbitrary 10% less.

Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers such
as Sevenoaks even open to this? I've no interest in haing around and
trying things out, I just want to go in, and agree a price and then be
out with my new hi-fi.

Any thoughts, experiences or flames (if you must) appreciated.

Mark

"mark" wrote in message
ups.com...

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade for the first time in ten years and I'm
interested in other people's experiences with shopping for these brands
which aren't available on the internet.

I understand that many people prefer shopping at a main dealer.
Personally, I'm always happy to accept the risks and buy direct if I
can get a good price. I think the last big ticket item I bought in a
shop was a VCR in 1997. I'm only countenancing visiting a dealer
because there is no alternative with these brands.

I'm looking to spend about £1600 list price, but find the idea of
paying some arbitrary price set by the manufacturer rather upsetting.
I'd rather pay an arbitrary 10% less.

Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers such
as Sevenoaks even open to this? I've no interest in haing around and
trying things out, I just want to go in, and agree a price and then be
out with my new hi-fi.

Any thoughts, experiences or flames (if you must) appreciated.



Reminds me of a movie title - 'Man On Fire'...!! :-)

Doesn't make sense to me - you want a pile of 'expensive names' and yet you
want to be able to brag 'I got it cheap'....??

One kinda works against the other, doesn't it? Get real - shop around for
'good sounds for a lot less pounds' and save probably up to about a grand on
your proposed spend or just grab the kit you appear to have already chosen
and then at least you'll be able to say 'it weren't cheap, but it's worth
every penny' or somesuch...???

(Or am I missing summat?)

"mark" wrote in message
ups.com...


Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers such
as Sevenoaks even open to this?

There is no harm in asking. The worst that they can say is 'no'. Usually best
to have decided exatly what you want to buy first.

--

Michael Chare

Michael Chare wrote:
"mark" wrote in message
ups.com...



Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers such
as Sevenoaks even open to this?


There is no harm in asking. The worst that they can say is 'no'. Usually best
to have decided exatly what you want to buy first.


But how are you going to do that without listening to them, preferably
at home (esp the speakers)?

--
Nick

In article ,
says...
Michael Chare wrote:
"mark" wrote in message
ups.com...



Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers such
as Sevenoaks even open to this?


There is no harm in asking. The worst that they can say is 'no'. Usually best
to have decided exatly what you want to buy first.


But how are you going to do that without listening to them, preferably
at home (esp the speakers)?


Presumably he's already heard a friend's system or one at an exhibition?

Or maybe he's read the specs

T.

Nick Gorham wrote:
Michael Chare wrote:
"mark" wrote in message
ups.com...



Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers
such as Sevenoaks even open to this?


There is no harm in asking. The worst that they can say is 'no'. Usually
best to have decided exatly what you want to buy first.


But how are you going to do that without listening to them, preferably
at home (esp the speakers)?

About the only way used to be going to shows

On 1 Jan 2007 06:08:10 -0800, "mark" wrote:


Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade for the first time in ten years and I'm
interested in other people's experiences with shopping for these brands
which aren't available on the internet.

I understand that many people prefer shopping at a main dealer.
Personally, I'm always happy to accept the risks and buy direct if I
can get a good price. I think the last big ticket item I bought in a
shop was a VCR in 1997. I'm only countenancing visiting a dealer
because there is no alternative with these brands.

I'm looking to spend about £1600 list price, but find the idea of
paying some arbitrary price set by the manufacturer rather upsetting.
I'd rather pay an arbitrary 10% less.

Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers such
as Sevenoaks even open to this? I've no interest in haing around and
trying things out, I just want to go in, and agree a price and then be
out with my new hi-fi.

I have obtained some quite reasonable discounts from a local dealer
and also saved a considerable amount of money (from memory, 200 pounds
off a 600 pound item) by buying it from Richer Sounds.

My better half has an Arcam/B&W system, purchased from Richer Sounds
and John Lewis respectively some years ago.

--
Chris Isbell
Southampton, UK

mark wrote:

Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers such
as Sevenoaks even open to this? I've no interest in haing around and
trying things out, I just want to go in, and agree a price and then be
out with my new hi-fi.

I used to find that asking "How much for cash?" worked quite well.

--
Eiron.

Signal wrote:
Eiron wrote:

Has anyone experience of negotiating recently? Are the big dealers
such as Sevenoaks even open to this? I've no interest in haing
around and trying things out, I just want to go in, and agree a
price and then be out with my new hi-fi.

I used to find that asking "How much for cash?" worked quite well.

If they can actually see the money, works even better... ;-)

Hardball negotiating tactic#1... slap wad on the counter and say
"That's all I've got will you accept it?"

I've _never_ got a reduction for cash for _anything_ (but especially hi-fi
and I've tried it in Sevenoaks). Maybe I just look hopeless :-)

Thanks for all the replies, appreciated.

Doesn't make sense to me - you want a pile of 'expensive names' and yet you
want to be able to brag 'I got it cheap'....?

Firstly being a tightwad is nothing to brag about! But I do agree with
you to an extent. Its not the cost per se I object to, though it is a
lot of money for me. Its the "retail" price that bothers me. I don't
really want "dealer service" and I don't want to pay for it.

Of course £150 off £1500 isn't much compared to the savings of just
buying a £600 cheaper system. But it might well bug me for the next 10
years. Of course £150 over 10 years is even more inconsequential, but
I'd still rather keep it in my pocket.

Regarding auditioning...this is also a dilemma and does largely
undermine my thinking. I do know someone with the speakers I want, but
yes, I am largely relying on other people's opinions and reviews
regarding the Arcam stuff. (Ok, I admit I like the appearance of it too
and I am suckered in by their clever branding, but that's a thread in
itself.)

Maybe I should just grow up, go and have the salesman set up an
audition of some different brands and pay the full whack...

Mark