Hi fi dealers and the truth!

After getting rid of some mid/high end equipment (needed the money), I went shopping yesterday for some budget gear (got to have some sort of system havn't I)
Shop A had amp and cd that I was after in a deal that seemed fairly good, but didnt stock the speakers I was after, but shop B around the corner did, but they did not have the amp.
Looked at amp and cd in Shop A and spoke to the guy in charge - he asked what speakers I was using and I said I was going to buy x from shop B because I know he doesnt stock them (He used to, and raved about them for many a year, but recently fell out with them) - his face dropped, and (as he obviously did not remember me and the conversations we had had in the past) he said there are much better speakers on the market than them, poor company, poor build, can guarantee something will be wrong with them etc etc etcHe also said that I shouldn't take any notice of reviews as I should listen myself (which is obviously fair enough) but this came 2 mins after he told me the cd had won loads of awards in magazines and anybody who didnt like it couldn't hear properly!
Went to shop B, bought the speakers, the salesman was "best speakers you can buy these, built way above their price point, fantastic deal you have there" etc etc etc
Why cant we have a dealer who will just give their honest opinion on something. I know they are all in a business and are in it to make money, but shop A has forever lost my custom because I KNOW they do not give impartial advice.
Am I asking for too much . . . . .

 

Hifi is just a business like any other. Caveat emptor.

 

Name and shame!!!

If it was an RS store, they seem to have a policy of telling you that Mission speakers are crap and you're much better off with the Gale's and such.

Perhaps making out like you were after a second system and mentioning your Higher end kit would have got him to show a bit MOre respect. Shouldn't be the case, but may have worked!

MO

 

Thought of that MO, but to be honest couldnt be bothered expalining why got rid of some stuff, was just looking to go in and buy, without any inane waffle, but still got it anyway!
Wasnt RS (should that be BS), but 2 'proper' hifi shops in Newcastle.

 

Ive had some very bad dealings with salesmen today (some I work with!). I believe that being able to lie straight faced often comes with the territory.

All I can say is never believe a salesman. Ever. They spin so hard they'd make Alistair Campbell dizzy.

 

If you want to save money, why buy new? You can get loads more for your money s/h and you dont have to deal with annoying hifi salesmen!

 

That's just how it is. These guys are just running a business like everyone else. Mind you, there are some really straight dealers out there as well.

It's a tricky business. In the current recession most dealers are drawing in their tentacles and only taking on established brands. Makes it a bit difficult for new companies like Seventh Veil Loudspeakers. It looks like we're only going to go direct to customers and miss out on the normal distribution channels (at least in the UK). The dealers will probably hate us for it. So, if you think shop A was down on your speakers, wait a few months and hear what they say about mine. :gulp:

 

This may have been mentioned previously and I've missed it but, have you had any magazine reviews or anything done? You know, by the "pro's"

 

I'm booked to take some speakers to Paul Messenger who is reviewing them for Hi-Fi+. It should be out around November.

... and what have you got against Tom's review?

 

???

I've nothing against Tom's review!

If you're refering to the "pro's" comment, it was meant with a pinch of sarcasm.

MO

 

Your lucky Tom, If I say anything then it's fix, boo, swizz try DIY still, it's good to have forum advertising policeman here, saves Mike any grief, have you met Paul M before Steve? WM

 

Yes, he reviewed the original 7V speaker.

In early May I phoned him and told him I had some new speakers. Paul must have a good memory because he asked: "Do they have eggs?". I said that they did. He then asked "Do they have sand?" I said that they did. "Well, bring them round then", he said.

Later, I bumped into him in my listening room at the Frankfurt Show. He commented that we had a great sound there and he'd be happy to review the speakers.

The most important thing about Paul Messenger is that I trust him to be honest. Whatever he writes, he won't sacrifice the speakers on the alter of other manufacturers' advertising spends and that's always the risk for new companies.

Still, I must wait and see. I don't need to tell you guys how crucial a good review is to my company.

Steve

 

Steve, I was discussing this yesterday with a few fellow manufactures, about a good mag reviews, and the concencus seems to have changed some what, it went like this
WM 'I take it that the review you had for you last product did you well yes?'
Answer 'Well er, not quite actully, you see ten years ago, we would have made a good impact on the market, nower days, not so'
Why?, 'Well so many more producers fighting for a smaller slice of the action, and happy to do discount sales to dealers willy nilly'
Take for example in the states, virtualy all the top decent cables are relitive unknows, yet their products are far better than those 'well know brands', advertising isn't as important or on the same scale as it used to be, Tag no defunked in their own way, and Arcam seriously against the ropes, plus more and more A/v expeniture, you either have to have some thing really stunning, that every one whats and can charge major wedge and people will buy regardless or you run with the dogs and cut prices'
Mag reviews are a decvent asset (especialy good ones) however a lot more cynical poeple round these days, who tend to not follow the word as much as old'
Went on for about couple of hours, some real interesting points and items raised too, plus general hifi spending has been decreasing over the last 5 years or so (niche markets are an exception).
But hope all goes well Steve

 

Interesting points Tone.

Hopefully the big squeeze will lend itself to high quality components being manufactured at reasonable prices - good for everyone.

Perhaps the mags have shot themselves in the foot with the month on month ''emperors new clothes'' - no wonder the public is cynical.

Hopefully lots of rich peope will still buy new and sell on though, it keeps us second handers happy.

 

Just to keep it fair, when can we expect some "pro" opinion on your products Tony?

 

I have something stunning w-m. Perfect? no. Stunning, yes.

"everyone wants"? I think that there's sufficient variety at the high end that people will always have their own views, opinions and religions. There's some genuinely good stuff out there. So if not "everyone wants" could I go for "we have a following"?

After that, I think it's a question of doing what it takes with advertising, reviews, news releases and all the usual marketing paraphernalia (and a limited budget), to build that following. We have to get enough people to listen to the speakers, be 'stunned' by them for what they do and let them form their own opinions. Hopefully, you build a brand image so that, whether they love them or hate them, at least they know they're out there.

I'm sure that the review will be good. I have just read 1/2 dozen reviews of expensive valve power amps. They are all excellent. I want to try out all of these amps - but some more than others. What makes someone want to listen to piece of equipment? Whatever it is, that's what I would like the review to trigger.

Will the Nonsuch speaker system stun Paul Messenger?

Steve

 

Well best ask Jason on that one, I think he know's Paul pretty well, the most important I feel, is that joe bloggs, people like Tom, that have the reddies to part with are suitable impressed, and that then TELL others how good it is, word of mouth best advertising in existance.
Stunning, eh? nothing like a bit of self confidence Steve WM

 

Stunning, eh? nothing like a bit of self confidence Steve WM No, he's just being honest.

Hoping to get a home dem on Wednesday if the interconnects arrive on time

 

Problem is Tom, you are only basing this on the gear you've heard (SBL's and others ).
A good number of us know what is actually available out available, and there is quite exemplary equipement out there, it may come from an unexpected source, given little more than cursery glance at first inspection.
So while I'm sure it took about the SBL's, that it self is not a tall order, but if you are having a home demo, that man must doing a few things first, naimies are by the very nature moroase to anything other than Salisbury output.
Speakers by the very nature are i feel the most personal of all the kit choices, so if you prefer a fast dynamic sound then maybe small metal coned drivers may be the answer for you, for other maybe not.
Interconnects? surely not I though anything other than naim own was deemed death by impaling on Paul darwin's Fountain Pen .WM

 

Going back to salesmen, They would tell you anything to get a sale. One hifi shop near me said, that nad were rubbish at there price range, when i went to another dealer he replied he would say that he doesn't sell them.

As far as people spending money, the price of houses. most young people now spend a big part of there wages on the mortage.

gazz