Import price vs Retail price

[sud98]

One of the reasons, I switched to Direct selling brands was the price to value ratio. For example, I bought the Emotiva UMC1+UPA5, landed in India with all duties paid at 82k. An eqvt. Denon would have been 150k. In terms of service, they were willing to ship parts in case of damages at no costs.

On the other hand, I bought my speakers locally. The distributor has changed hands twice in the last 5 years. While the speaker manufacturer gives 5 year warranty, I realized later that the Indian distributor only gives 1 year. On top of it, for any part that has got spoilt, he needs to import it from North America.

So I really see no value, of buying locally.

 

[panditji]

Spot on sir...

One of the reasons, I switched to Direct selling brands was the price to value ratio. For example, I bought the Emotiva UMC1+UPA5, landed in India with all duties paid at 82k. An eqvt. Denon would have been 150k. In terms of service, they were willing to ship parts in case of damages at no costs.

On the other hand, I bought my speakers locally. The distributor has changed hands twice in the last 5 years. While the speaker manufacturer gives 5 year warranty, I realized later that the Indian distributor only gives 1 year. On top of it, for any part that has got spoilt, he needs to import it from North America.

So I really see no value, of buying locally.

 

[TCHeN]

One of the reasons, I switched to Direct selling brands was the price to value ratio. For example, I bought the Emotiva UMC1+UPA5, landed in India with all duties paid at 82k. An eqvt. Denon would have been 150k. In terms of service, they were willing to ship parts in case of damages at no costs.

On the other hand, I bought my speakers locally. The distributor has changed hands twice in the last 5 years. While the speaker manufacturer gives 5 year warranty, I realized later that the Indian distributor only gives 1 year. On top of it, for any part that has got spoilt, he needs to import it from North America.

So I really see no value, of buying locally.

A lot of the brands actually cost more on account of the dealers, the advertising budget, etc.

There are many brands that cost a fraction because they don't add (or even have) these overheads to the cost of the equipment.

I'd suppose that'd make it a classic case of chicken or egg... how is one supposed to hear or even learn of such brands if they don't advertise.

More importantly though, and especially in audiophilia, the practice of fairness (as a business decision) has gone asunder. People will gladly charge and take thousands of dollars for things like cables and power purifiers even fully knowing they don't really impact the quality of the sound. Sooner or later you'd expect everyone to follow suit... who wants to leave money lying on the table.

 

[sidvee]

On the other hand, I bought my speakers locally. The distributor has changed hands twice in the last 5 years.

This IMO is the biggest problem with Indian D&D's. There is so much churn at the distributor level that I have lost a lot of confidence in buying - high end brands in particular - from Indian D&D's. And what is worse is that some manufacturers don't even care about the end customer. If their original distributor is changed they simply stop supporting customers who bought from that distributor. Happened to me with a high end manufacturer from whom I bought about 8 lacs worth of stuff, who simply stopped supporting the products. Needless to say I stopped buying from this manufacturer and am also staying away from his new distributor. I rather spend my money where the manufacturer cares for his products/customers.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[nosortf]

This IMO is the biggest problem with Indian D&D's. There is so much churn at the distributor level that I have lost a lot of confidence in buying - high end brands in particular - from Indian D&D's. And what is worse is that some manufacturers don't even care about the end customer. If their original distributor is changed they simply stop supporting customers who bought from that distributor. Happened to me with a high end manufacturer from whom I bought about 8 lacs worth of stuff, who simply stopped supporting the products. Needless to say I stopped buying from this manufacturer and am also staying away from his new distributor. I rather spend my money where the manufacturer cares for his products/customers.
Cheers,
Sid

I agree it is sad wrt brand changing distributors. But even buyers are to blame, looking more for deals rather than local companies strength and reputation. NEVER buy from a distributor direct unless you are very close to them. Always make friends with your local dealer and allow him his margin. This will ensure prompt service.
No distributor is running for your problems. Only your local dealer will do so. In this manner even if the brand changes distributor, the dealer will ensure service because he values your future business. It is such a simple process where money is the only thing that ensures peace, post purchase.
There is a reason why certain brick and motar models stand the test of time and Indian buyers need to understand this.
Do you see Amazon sell Tannoy Westminster along with some tube electronics and suggesting cable choices for you? No. Why?
Because it requires special abilities.

 

[sidvee]

I agree it is sad wrt brand changing distributors. But even buyers are to blame, looking more for deals rather than local companies strength and reputation. NEVER buy from a distributor direct unless you are very close to them. Always make friends with your local dealer and allow him his margin. This will ensure prompt service.
No distributor is running for your problems. Only your local dealer will do so. In this manner even if the brand changes distributor, the dealer will ensure service because he values your future business. It is such a simple process where money is the only thing that ensures peace, post purchase.
There is a reason why certain brick and motar models stand the test of time and Indian buyers need to understand this.
Do you see Amazon sell Tannoy Westminster along with some tube electronics and suggesting cable choices for you? No. Why?
Because it requires special abilities.

In India many distributors are also dealers. And once the distributor is changed even the dealer changes (unless of-course the dealer signs up with the new distributor which rarely happens), so he cannot support you unless the manufacturer does wrt parts etc. So one has to make sure that the manufacturer supports his customers no matter what. I know of a few manufacturers who will support you once you have the original receipt of purchase . Some even support if bought used, like Bryston with their famous 20 year warranty and Pass Labs as well.
Secondly in many cases in India the distributor directly send products to you because dealership is limited. For instance AFAIK there is no Cary Audio dealer in Hyderabad, so if I want to get their products I will have to order it direct from the distributor.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[nosortf]

In India many distributors are also dealers. And once the distributor is changed even the dealer changes (unless of-course the dealer signs up with the new distributor which rarely happens), so he cannot support you unless the manufacturer does wrt parts etc. So one has to make sure that the manufacturer supports his customers no matter what. I know of a few manufacturers who will support you once you have the original receipt of purchase . Some even support if bought used, like Bryston with their famous 20 year warranty and Pass Labs as well.
Cheers,
Sid

I appreciate the point about where the D&D is the same company. However things have changed dramatically and currently the number of dedicated skilled dealers has grown vastly for the home theatre business. Things take time to change. Now you can either help in the growth by being inclusive or stand on the side and complain, that choice is individual but the change is inevitable. Sir as a respected moderator of the Forum, your stance in this is where the direction will matter, to the people here wrt their future thought process.

 

[sidvee]

I appreciate the point about where the D&D is the same company. However things have changed dramatically and currently the number of dedicated skilled dealers has grown vastly for the home theatre business. Things take time to change. Now you can either help in the growth by being inclusive or stand on the side and complain, that choice is individual but the change is inevitable. Sir as a respected moderator of the Forum, your stance in this is where the direction will matter, to the people here wrt their future thought process.

@Nosortf,
Please understand that this is a forum where people can exchange any ideas freely - even if they don't appeal to others, as long as they are conducted in a civil manner that confirms to forum rules. I for one believe in expressing my ideas - atleast about audio which I care deeply about - freely. I am not going to sugarcoat any issues just because it is going to change the direction of the current situation. I run a medium size business and I understand where all the issues are relating to that size of a business in India, whether it is audio or apparel or Food and Beverages etc. One thing people loose sight in these businesses is the end customer, the person who is responsible for the whole thing. They are treated shabbily and believe me if the customer is not satisfied then no business will run. Hence the clear presentation of my experiences as a consumer. Being an insider in the industry as a reviewer for the past 15 years - I am privy to what dealers and distributors face - which I tried to explain in my previous posts, so I understand their side as well, but as I said earlier - in the end it is the customer that matters.
Anyways I guess this thread is deviating significantly from the OP's questions - so hopefully enough info. has been presented. I am closing the thread.
Cheers,
Sid