anm
Well-Known Member
will HD give me a bike for a week to keep at home and demo it 24x7?
Home Demonstrations
- Thread starter sandeepmohan
- Start date
anm - No, not for a week. However, Yamaha at one point would not even hand out TDs of their tiny R15 bike. What HD is doing is commendable. However, its completely OT for this forum so let's get back to the topic on hand. I know you are also on the look out for home auditions. Any luck so far?
spirovious
Well-Known Member
Hifi equipments are very costly & mere fraction of amount as a deposit will not be accepted as there are certain risks.like due mis handling ,amps can get damaged a lot.
If stuff is dropped on ground & physical damage happens.
In these case if buyer refuses the full payment ,it can be total loss on dealers side.
Even library takes full amount as deposit.Many of us can handle hifi properly,still there is a risk unless dealer visits your home.
If stuff is dropped on ground & physical damage happens.
In these case if buyer refuses the full payment ,it can be total loss on dealers side.
Even library takes full amount as deposit.Many of us can handle hifi properly,still there is a risk unless dealer visits your home.
sandeepmohan
Well-Known Member
I was looking forward to some dealers/distributors coming forward to offer Home Demonstrations after reading this thread. Looks like nobody is interested.
sud98
Well-Known Member
Sridhar,
Would it work better if dealers treat it as a 100% cash back after 30 days with a re-stocking fee and no questions asked?
I know some of the direct retailers do it as long as one pays for the shipping back to the company.
I think it will improve the confidence of the buyer significantly if the dealer can make such an offer.
Would it work better if dealers treat it as a 100% cash back after 30 days with a re-stocking fee and no questions asked?
I know some of the direct retailers do it as long as one pays for the shipping back to the company.
I think it will improve the confidence of the buyer significantly if the dealer can make such an offer.
I really don't know what other dealers are thinking, as the thread starter indicated, its really up to other dealers to comment. 30 days to me sounds like too much since there is a possibility of wear and tear - so a restocking fee almost becomes a must.
Internet retailers in the US do this (not just hifi, though return periods vary) since its law dependent on the state that you are registered in.
Personally, on the whole for most products, I do not see why a dealer cant offer a home demo if a deposit (to his satisfaction whatever % it might be of the cost) is put down. But for it to work, end customers must be willing to pay more than the lowest price (whatever that might be) for this additional step that the dealer is willing to make. We have had customers who have borrowed components e.g., a NAD int amp kept it for a few days and returned it since they bought it from elsewhere (out of state) since it worked out a bit cheaper. Would one say that is fair? Is there no premium (from the lowest price in the market) for a dealer who is willing to take this step/service? Lets face it, there are many who wont pay for it although I admit that in the last few years this is changing slightly as people realize that a knowledgable dealer has his place among the e-bays and online stores.
cheers
Internet retailers in the US do this (not just hifi, though return periods vary) since its law dependent on the state that you are registered in.
Personally, on the whole for most products, I do not see why a dealer cant offer a home demo if a deposit (to his satisfaction whatever % it might be of the cost) is put down. But for it to work, end customers must be willing to pay more than the lowest price (whatever that might be) for this additional step that the dealer is willing to make. We have had customers who have borrowed components e.g., a NAD int amp kept it for a few days and returned it since they bought it from elsewhere (out of state) since it worked out a bit cheaper. Would one say that is fair? Is there no premium (from the lowest price in the market) for a dealer who is willing to take this step/service? Lets face it, there are many who wont pay for it although I admit that in the last few years this is changing slightly as people realize that a knowledgable dealer has his place among the e-bays and online stores.
cheers
anm
Well-Known Member
we need laws in this country too for better customer experience!
Are dealers in the US doing charity when they are selling at half the price in India, offer returns, and also offer lowest price guarantees along with 1 month price drop guarantee - which means if the seller lowers the price in next one month, you would get refund of the difference!
It will always be a chiken egg problem. Someone needs to make a move forward. Once such policies are in place, I am sure the user base will increase manifold.
Are dealers in the US doing charity when they are selling at half the price in India, offer returns, and also offer lowest price guarantees along with 1 month price drop guarantee - which means if the seller lowers the price in next one month, you would get refund of the difference!
It will always be a chiken egg problem. Someone needs to make a move forward. Once such policies are in place, I am sure the user base will increase manifold.
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Can we try to understand here why we require a home demo? Are we also trying to see if we can live with a system?
I can think of a few scenarios when one would need a home demo:
1) One would like to hear a new component in our system. This helps understanding the synergy of the entire chain.
2) If the product in question is a speaker, then one would like to hear it in his room. This might help answer questions like "Is the speaker capable of filling my room(size)?", "Sounds good here, but wonder how this speaker would sound in my untreated room?"
We don't need more than a couple of hours to decide this. IMO, everything else can be judged at the showroom(s) itself. One doesn't listen to 10 systems in their home for 2 weeks each before deciding.
Please correct me if I am wrong but shouldn't the approach be as below:
Listen to as many systems with your own music
If you are looking to pair it with a particular component, you should carry that component to the dealer's place.
Shortlist a few that suit your criteria, ask for a home demo for a few hours with the dealer/assistant at your place.
Decide on the one that you like.
Close the deal.
Enjoy your music until your hear something better. If what you heard bothers you enough and you feel like an upgrade, go through the process all over again.
I can think of a few scenarios when one would need a home demo:
1) One would like to hear a new component in our system. This helps understanding the synergy of the entire chain.
2) If the product in question is a speaker, then one would like to hear it in his room. This might help answer questions like "Is the speaker capable of filling my room(size)?", "Sounds good here, but wonder how this speaker would sound in my untreated room?"
We don't need more than a couple of hours to decide this. IMO, everything else can be judged at the showroom(s) itself. One doesn't listen to 10 systems in their home for 2 weeks each before deciding.
Please correct me if I am wrong but shouldn't the approach be as below:
Listen to as many systems with your own music
If you are looking to pair it with a particular component, you should carry that component to the dealer's place.
Shortlist a few that suit your criteria, ask for a home demo for a few hours with the dealer/assistant at your place.
Decide on the one that you like.
Close the deal.
Enjoy your music until your hear something better. If what you heard bothers you enough and you feel like an upgrade, go through the process all over again.
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Looks like there are dealers ready to give stuff for home auditions if you pay full in advance. For me it looks like, You are not interested.
Also Sandeep, looks like you are in a hurry to buy your stuff. You have started a thread, give it some time. The change may come, but probably not as soon as you want it to. Give it time.
Santhosh, what you have suggested about a demo for a few hours will be better than nothing at all. However, I am in favor of a weekend-long demo at least. It's to ensure there is no placebo effect.
Also, for the few hours demo thing to work, the equipment will need to be fully burnt-in, which may not be the case if its a new piece.
The reason I opened a DAC thread with the home demo condition was because I want to make sure the DAC sounds good in my system in my room.
Also, for the few hours demo thing to work, the equipment will need to be fully burnt-in, which may not be the case if its a new piece.
The reason I opened a DAC thread with the home demo condition was because I want to make sure the DAC sounds good in my system in my room.
IMHO Santhosh, no, at least I am unable to detect any shortcomings in SQ or even decide whats so good about it within a few hours. Besides one needs to run through more than just a few CDs to hear how different genres of music sound like.
Depending on the mood, time, mental focus, other priorities in life etc, it may be a few days before one can sit down for a proper listen to various genres and really judge without being carried away by initial euphoria.
My personal preference for a demo would always be about two weekends or 8 days
--G0bble
Well Bluu & Gobble, I am very much for a home demo. It is the duration of the home demo I am unable to fathom.
Burn-in of said component, right mood, frame of mind etc is assumed. I am only saying that prior critical listening at dealer's place (with your CDs - fav reference tracks, various genres etc) is a must. Only after you like the signature, characteristics etc should one even ask the dealer for a home demo that too only to be totally sure. Otherwise, it is a waste of time for both parties.
Pray tell me when we can form strong opinions about a component at a friend's place or at audiophile meets with just a few hours of listening, why do we require days of listening before buying?
Burn-in of said component, right mood, frame of mind etc is assumed. I am only saying that prior critical listening at dealer's place (with your CDs - fav reference tracks, various genres etc) is a must. Only after you like the signature, characteristics etc should one even ask the dealer for a home demo that too only to be totally sure. Otherwise, it is a waste of time for both parties.
Pray tell me when we can form strong opinions about a component at a friend's place or at audiophile meets with just a few hours of listening, why do we require days of listening before buying?
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hyeah:Santhol2 - You are totally correct. The first thing to do is an audition at the dealer's place. If nothing else, at least it will set up the basis for a relationship. If the buyer is serious after the first round of auditions, he can ask for a home demo.
When I was searching for my stereo rig, I used to keep badgering Sridhar to play the Syrens with some entry-level amps. My initial audition was with a beautiful Symphonic Line amp and my heart was set on the Syrens. However, it was only after I heard the Khartago and Jaton that I decided to pull the trigger, knowing full well what the speakers are capable of.
Now, Sridhar is comfortable with me and vice-versa which is why I may be sampling some more equipment at home this weekend
When I was searching for my stereo rig, I used to keep badgering Sridhar to play the Syrens with some entry-level amps. My initial audition was with a beautiful Symphonic Line amp and my heart was set on the Syrens. However, it was only after I heard the Khartago and Jaton that I decided to pull the trigger, knowing full well what the speakers are capable of.
Now, Sridhar is comfortable with me and vice-versa which is why I may be sampling some more equipment at home this weekend
Now, Sridhar is comfortable with me and vice-versa which is why I may be sampling some more equipment at home this weekend
Yes, Sridhar is one of those rare chaps and other dealers could learn a thing or two from him. Jochen too, but the OP has already listed them both as exceptions.
Here in India, most dealers do not have a demo piece. The problem starts there. If a brand new piece is set home for a demo for a week to say 10 homes, the 11th guy who wants to buy the product may come and ask for a boxed packed piece. What happens then? Abroad, most dealers have demo pieces which they can send around.
sandeepmohan
Well-Known Member
Really? Which dealer? The only dealer who responded was ARN Systems and The German Hi Fi Connection. These 2 names are not new. I don't see anyone else. If you are a genuine customer or have come via reference, ARN and The German Hi Fi Connection don't charge a penny to bring over the equipment to your house for auditioning. You can keep the equipment for few days too.
Not interested in what? This thread was opened to send out a message to dealer's & distributors who maybe watching this forum. I was looking forward to building a list of Dealer's/Distributors that offer Home Demonstration.
I just bought a turn table. The amount of effort involved to buy it, when I look back now, it was just not worth. Email after email to the distributor/dealer and no replies, a phone number that nobody answers. I went to the extent of sending a snail mail to the manufacturer too. Thats how hard it was to buy a budget turn table.
I don't see any upgrades taking place for the next 5 years on my rig.
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baijuxavior
Well-Known Member
Absolutely right. We all want boxed product and so the dealer will not open a boxed product until you make the payment. We can't blame the dealers.
A beautiful, well-constructed speaker with class-leading soundstage, imaging and bass that is fast, deep, and precise.
