Absloute Lack of Authorised Dealerships / Outlets selling Branded HI-fi Separtes

[stevieboy]

yes, ppl from big cities will never understand unless they go through the same pain
I request any of these members to carry 50-60 records for a distance of 1500 Km only once and they will get the music

unfortunately it appeared that I am "frustrated", well if this is how you feel about your fellow friends who is not sitting pretty in a goldmine then its only adds to the pain, no offense taken, I understand only a sufferer can feel the pain of suffering!!

Errr ummmm akd like Malvai says lots of us have done the above, carrying records from another city. A few I know also carry records all the way from abroad, from flea market trips combined with business trips.

And for top end gear also there's tons of brands available only in one city, not necessarily all the metros so guys in those other big metros also don't have access just like you. Do you think the guys in Bangalore contemplating the Rega RP1 have easy access to a local dealer for a demo? So what's the deal? Why do you imagine you're the only sufferer out there?

regards

 

[akd]

Errr ummmm akd like Malvai says lots of us have done the above, carrying records from another city. A few I know also carry records all the way from abroad, from flea market trips combined with business trips.

if its not self sponsored, I can travel for 30 days anywhere in the world to collect records, nobody just travels abroad to bring records, I had to travel from my own pocket to get records staying in hotels at my own expenses, so theres a difference

And for top end gear also there's tons of brands available only in one city, not necessarily all the metros so guys in those other big metros also don't have access just like you. Do you think the guys in Bangalore contemplating the Rega RP1 have easy access to a local dealer for a demo? So what's the deal? Why do you imagine you're the only sufferer out there?

never said me only sufferer, its the small town ppl who are deprived of the so called growth in India, just read my another post regarding ONKYO? can you tell me why they have branches in HYD,BAN,MUM,CHEN? how far they are from each other? and the last one Delhi, so what ppl beyond ORISSA will do? they will just wait or limit themselves to Sony/Philips? thats not a fair deal I guess.

bro try to understand one point: real development or availability is that where you can reach to almost all willing listener or at least try, not 10% of our music lover have heard of DENON and they should not be blamed for that, did DENON try to reach them? NO but yes they did back in US, ppl hv no enmity with them its only their choice of customer base, BTW I will buy ONKYO 3400 whatever it takes because that suits my needs and pocket, but don't expect all to behave in this way

 

[malvai]

@ akd and others with the same rant:
just try this little experiment...

ask 20 people that you know in your own circle about how important it is for them to invest in a 30k Onkyo + 30-60k budget speakers to go along with it...

if you get even a 10% response saying yes I will buy it this week if it were available, you'll get your answer.

now divide the 10% yes response by 70%... you'll get an actual conversion figure of just 1-2 people in 20 WHO might actually end up buying....

those are the facts.

the fact is that while there is some 'audiophile/videophile' representation in small cities, it is not enough of traction for a person setting up a business catering to audiophile/videophiles... the numebrs just don't crunch snappily enuff!

fair or unfair is question of perspective. setting up a business like this IS probably unfair for the guy setting it up!

To drive the point home a little bit more.... how many households buy LCD TV's in your town?

find the actual numbers. this is important because whatever that number is, only 10% would want an 'expensive' or at least a more expensive HT setup in comparison to the usual sony /philips....

i say this from experience gleaned in the marketing / advertising business...

and believe me the 'numbers' don't support even a break even point for a buisness like this to sustain itself...

but, as the economy grows/ these luxury items will become a basic standard. like in the cities. that is when more and more showrooms will open up.

personally, i see the next two years bringing in that kind of change for many smaller cities and towns!

 

[askii2]

fair or unfair is question of perspective. setting up a business like this IS probably unfair for the guy setting it up!

While I agree to your observation about lack of enough audiophiles videophiles in India being the cause of high prices, I do believe that smart businessmen have taken advantage this fact and minted easy money. Only a business perspective challenged person would have made near zero margins or losses.

 

[Hiten]

I agree with manav. What's the big fuss about having authorised dealers/distributors in small town. A big Hifi company need good market to appoint authorised dealers and distributors.

Here is a tasty example...
Everyone likes IceCream. Right? But it took more than 50 years for Haagen-Dazs to open an outlet in our Financial Capital Mumbai. So I will go to Mumbai not expect them to be here in Kalyan. (Though we do have Baskin Robbins ) So point is wherever there is a market a co. will go.

Now someone treat me with Haagen-Dazs
:licklips::licklips::licklips:

 

[akd]

@ akd and others with the same rant:

I don't think I need to consult for the meaning and usage of "rant", this is my last post in this thread because I don't think I've been ranting all the way till now

 

[stevieboy]

bro try to understand one point: real development or availability is that where you can reach to almost all willing listener or at least try,

I've long ago understood the point akd, but seems like you still haven't accepted the fact that dealers will go only where there's a ready market. Same story in so many other categories. What's the point in restating what's known. Do you have any constructive ideas to change the situation? That ought to spark an interesting new conversation instead of the same old rehash of no dealer near me, which is a true reality even in big towns, not just Guwahati.

I know of only one manufacturer who has innovatively come up with a strategy to reach out from just one location and it has paid rich dividends with him having customers all over India.

regards

 

[vinay]

I think one should never call quits, a middle ground should be found, even if that means on a lower profile etc.

V.

this is my last post in this thread

 

[Audio Slave]

taking the cue from here aren't ppl buying HTiB around 20K? they want good sound, ease of operation and endurance, when they go to shops they only see Sony and Philips, don't you think at that range (20K) you can get DENON,ONKYO,POLK HTiB which are if not a big leap ahead but definitely quality products, so if the common audience never get to even hear the names in the shops where they are supposed to be how these equips will ever become popular, selling them from a few fancy showrooms in Metros don't make them worthwhile

What you say makes some sense. However it is a vicious circle indeed...demand and supply being very closely interlinked. May be the big brand manufacturers / distributors realize that the Indian Hi-Fi market is not big enough / mature enough / not ready yet to warrant the the investment and headaches involved in setting shop. For many it must be a primitive market and economy where even the basic needs (food, shelter, health care...etc) of a large percentage of the population are not met adequately. Where there is a a huge lack of badly needed infrastructure (power, roads..etc). Such an assessment could be based on their own studies and perceptions. The fact is that India even today remains a neglected / overlooked destination for many of the world's top Hi-Fi Brands. Who's to blame?

 

[denom]

I agree with manav. What's the big fuss about having authorised dealers/distributors in small town. A big Hifi company need good market to appoint authorised dealers and distributors.

Here is a tasty example...
Everyone likes IceCream. Right? But it took more than 50 years for Haagen-Dazs to open an outlet in our Financial Capital Mumbai. So I will go to Mumbai not expect them to be here in Kalyan. (Though we do have Baskin Robbins ) So point is wherever there is a market a co. will go.

Now someone treat me with Haagen-Dazs
:licklips::licklips::licklips:

Firstly, apologies to OT for going OT

Hiten,

I've known ppl carrying this Ice cream coming back from US, in specially temp controlled boxes!!! Such madness for it
FYI,
Most of these ice creams are not 100% natural & contain a heavy dose of preservatives to enhance their freezer life upto 2 yrs!!! (This gyaan I got from my friend in the ice cream distribution biz) But then they have to since who in their right frame of mind is going to shell out about 650-700 odd bucks for a 400ml Pack of H Daas on a regular basis?

Trust me your better off eating these ice creams abroad(US Mainly where you get fresher made ones) & out here stick to our local Amul/Vadilal/Dinshaw's/Local Brand of your respective State, which are getting better & better & are truly VFM.

PS: Come over to my place & I will treat you to a good Local Brand(Mumbai Based) Ice Cream & Kulfi Manufacturer/you will really forget H Daas

 

[stevieboy]

Naturals of Juhu Scheme? :licklips:

 

[Abhishek]

Naturals of Juhu Scheme? :licklips:

Their mango flavor is nice :thumbsup:

actually he is a Bangalorean, i think settled in Mumbai, Mr. Kamat

 

[ssf]

Something that I noticed at the Reliance Digital outlet at a Mall in my town. Blaring music coming from Car Stereo setups while their AV demo room stocking entry level Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, JBL, Yamaha etc remained locked. I spent a good few minutes to find a person to get the demo room open. Not all of the equipment were connected, but the person was quite polite, though not very knowledgeable and was willing to spend some time with me and my questions.

Now if he had played some good tracks on the Denon / JBL or such, am sure it would attract the attention of a lot of people visiting the place. He just might end up selling a few even. Maybe I will tell him that on my next visit.

 

[Hiten]

Ontopic :
People, HIFI scene in India is in nascent stage. So even a small co. would first establish themselves in Big cities. They also have their own problem of survival. Otherwise why would they shift their manufacturing to China ? And no even if short term demand rises in small towns they will not appoint distributor. As they plan for future as well. Also please consider competition amongst themselves and online shops.

Offtopic :
@ Denom - Even being a guju, I am not foodie. Infact I like bland food with hint of spice so as one can taste main ingredient. Would prefer fresh food over highly priced exotic stuff any day. Example was given to explain people wanting Big/small HIFI Companies to open dealership in small town and to make post interesting. So would drop in at your place not for food but to meet you If I am in Mumbai.

My last post in the thread as I am off to eat tasty local vadapav :licklips:

 

[Audio Slave]

FINAL ANALYSIS

HI-FI COMPONENTS AND INDIA

After reading all the comments so far, it can be said safely that the numbered true HI-Fi enthusiasts that exist in India have been born / are living in the WRONG country. This is no place to live happily with hobbies and interests like these.

I would sincerely like to thank all those who have made valuable contributions / comments so far and I hope would continue doing so.

May I also add that the Indian Hi-Fi enthusiasts' dream is likely to remain a dream for many years to come just as having uninterrupted power supply, a decent pot holes free road net work in cities and the highways, .... a country free of rampant corruption, efficient and clean governance, honest police force etc are all likely to remain unfulfilled for years and years to come.

 

[denom]

Their mango flavor is nice :thumbsup:

actually he is a Bangalorean, i think settled in Mumbai, Mr. Kamat

Actually Kamat Brothers, they started off with 'Gokul' which was THE place for Ice cream once upon a time followed by Naturals, sadly both now on path of 'has beens'

 

[denom]

Naturals of Juhu Scheme? :licklips:

No Steve, not even close

 

[denom]

Something that I noticed at the Reliance Digital outlet at a Mall in my town. Blaring music coming from Car Stereo setups while their AV demo room stocking entry level Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, JBL, Yamaha etc remained locked. I spent a good few minutes to find a person to get the demo room open. Not all of the equipment were connected, but the person was quite polite, though not very knowledgeable and was willing to spend some time with me and my questions.

Now if he had played some good tracks on the Denon / JBL or such, am sure it would attract the attention of a lot of people visiting the place. He just might end up selling a few even. Maybe I will tell him that on my next visit.

Very True Sunil, I have had exactly the same experience as yours in the outlet nearby to me.

 

[denom]

Ontopic :
So would drop in at your place not for food but to meet you If I am in Mumbai.

Sure Hiten, would definitely like to have you over, maybe we should organize a Mumbai Meet in the bargain, about time isn't it???:lol:

 

[Abhishek]

Actually Kamat Brothers, they started off with 'Gokul' which was THE place for Ice cream once upon a time followed by Naturals, sadly both now on path of 'has beens'

I think you are right, i like only the mango flavor there, the others are not upto the mark, i feel