Dukk

^ I worked at a couple of independents, and did all the ordering for both, for many years. For sure I get minimum order levels and whatnot and you are a good retailer for letting people know it might not be right away if you have to wait a bit to order.

I have found that if you are straight with people, they appreciate it. I do most of our equipment ordering for the company I am with now - I always estimate delivery a little long cuz nobody complains when something comes in early

Bill@wa

Your right, Honest is the best policy. I try to have a little bit of everything in stock. For the custom order guys, they don't seem to mind waiting a bit for the gear they want. Most of the times I am the same price as on line, and the advantage customers have shopping with us, is that I spend time with the person, face to face, and help them....if you buy on line, your on your own....no offence to the do-it-yourselfer...but most of the time, they break stuff putting it in, then blame the product, and send it back where they got it, try something different (install it right this time), set it up wrong, sounds like crap, but their happy because it makes noise, and then come down to my shop to "show it off"...This happens more times than not....a little frustrating but at the "end of the day", this industry is supposed to be fun, so I like what was said earlier, buy from someone you feel comfortable.

Lord Huggington

iTrader: (1)

Well lets split up the consumer base as it's unrealistic to say that customer service beats the end dollar. You have knowledgable and non knowledgable customers. As a knowledgable customer I can say that price is EVERYTHING! I don't need your customer service or warranty, however, if I wasn't doing an install by myself than I would gladly pay for a proper install. Go ask a local shop how much a kicker kx or zx 2500 is in canada... over $5000. Are you facking kidding me? What kind of moron would do that? How many have they sold? NONE! and that's why they'll die out. Nobody wants to pay that kind of price for something that MIGHT be installed correctly.

when you start putting up prices that are realistic... we'll come running.

Bill@wa

[QUOTE=Bill@wa;667638] Most of the times I am the same price as on line, and the advantage customers have shopping with us, is that I spend time with the person, face to face, and help them.....


Lord Hug...
With all your knowledge, and understanding of the industry, you must be working at a shop? Or own a shop?? Or are you just an enthusiast??? I mean no offence but, I am right on the border, and shop in the US for my customers, and the US is having the same problem as Canadians when it comes to independent stores...they are going out of business...and BTW look for another big box store go under in the next 12 months...and this is one of the biggest!!!Price to you might be everything, but making a profit keeps the doors open. With all your knowledge you should at least know that.

Dukk

I disagree that price is everything, even to the knowledgable customer. For sure, there are the people that will buy elsewhere to save a few (and sometimes more than a few) bucks but often the intangibles: being able to bounce ideas off someone, getting troubleshooting advice, hell the guy having the fuse you need when you need it today, is worth something to many more of us.

Again, I'll refer to my RC hobby - I don't often need any help or advice from anyone but it's nice to see what people have going on for projects, to buy parts I need today, just to chat sometimes, and that has value to me.

As for Kicker, and a couple of other major brands that have out of whack pricing in Canada compared to the US, don't crucify the dealers, often the price difference is due to an intermediate distributor getting their slice of the pie. Some keep their slice thin to help their dealers, others try to get fat.

audio1der

I would love to be able to support local independants, but I have not found one in my neck of the woods who knows their a$$ from a hole in the gournd; its sad and embarrassing. (* I have not been to every shop in Calgary)
I ask about aero ports, I get offered aperiodic membranes. WTF?

Bill@wa

Mr. Audio1der
Why do you want "aero ports"??? are you trying to get louder....have you been metered....you see, playing with aero ports are pointless, unless you can be metered?
BTW the reason no shops offer these ports, is bcause they are stupid expensive in Canada...I know that Liquid Audio in Red Deer carries them, talk to Mike.

audio1der

Hi Bill,
Well, I need a port irregardless, and the theory (reduces turbulence at the ends) seems sound to me. But to confuse any kind of port, esp. after explaining what they are, with an aperiodic membrane??? (who uses those anymore, anyway?)
Louder would be better. My time is VERY limited so if I have to buy a port and this one claims it can help reduce turbulence and maybe be louder, I'll buy it to avoid changing out ports/additional messing around. I've never been metered; my pathic setup isn't worth it. I also worry what they think 'metering' is LOL
I do have a recone coming in from Mike and I was going to drive up to his shop to pick it up & check things out; I'll ask him- thank you!

Bill@wa

The aero port does reduce turbulance, and port noise, although most guys use them to try to get louder, and it usually works......
Mike is a good guy to bounce ideas off of....Oh yeah "He's Independent".....

Dukk

Even better - who actually tries to sell a 'pre-made' AP membrane? Yeah sure USD makes em but, really, the people looking at these should know they need to be tuned.