Canuck Audio Mart

Obviously with the Internet and proliferation of “online audio retailers” consumers have a choice between buying some thing “online” versus buying something though a conventional “brick and mortar” store.

My question for those who would advocate in favor of “brick and mortar” stores what are your expectations from the store in question? Is it service? selection? Ability to see/feel/hear ? Simply prefer local or doing “in person” transactions ? Do you expect to pay a price premium from a “brick and mortar” ? and if so how much ? Or would you expect prices comparable to “online retailers” ?

Is there anyone would choose to purchase online over a brick & mortar ? Curious on everyone’s opinion with this topic.

The main advantage of a b&m store is its listening room. If you can't have a good listening session in a properly designed room you might as well buy online. As corollaries the owner really should to allow you to bring in your own gear and listen to it with his, and once you have a good relationship, loan you gear to try in your system at home.

Gosh, I wrote that, and it seems like the point is really the personal relationship. A store where I can visit, hear and see what's new and great, chat, buy a record or a tweak each time and just keep coming back to. Oh, and they have an effective and reasonably priced repair service, a used gear department and they take trades and consignments.

Those are some good points. Thx.

I prefer in-person transactions, but that's because I like to be able to see and feel whatever it is I'm after, as well as being able to personally communicate with the person. I've never really had much experience buying online... actually, I think the only thing I've ever purchased "online" was an amplifier from a fellow CAMer. I'm getting more interested in it though, as there are things that I can order off the internet that aren't available in any shops here (namely car parts).

But, like Toby mentioned, it's all about personal relationships. I've had instances where the staff at a store were terrible, so I've walked out and never looked back. I went to Speaker City here in Vancouver for a while, until some of the staff left. Still the same store, same prices, same gear, but different people, so I don't go there anymore. I get most of my stuff from the "Service & Accesories" department at Commercial Electronics now. There's a guy there that I met some time ago for something minor, and he remembered me the next couple times, so he's now the only person I deal with. He's not actually a salesperson, but he was telling me that he's got a few clients who like to deal with him, and I'm not surprised.

As for paying a premium... yeah, I suppose there will always be costs associated with buying in-person rather than online, but sometimes the service you get balances out the extra money you're spending.

I also think a b&m store should have knowledgeable staff who know what they are talking about and are willing to share that information with you. They should not just be focused on the selling to the point of selling you something that will not even work the way they state it will.

I would expect that a B&M store would allow you to play with/listen to the gear in question, offer in home and in store demos and deal with your repairs. If they're not doing this then they're missing the boat because their individual advice can not compete with the voice of the collective internet and their pricing can't compete with the efficiencies of an internet store. They should probably stick to the ultra high end/custom installs for now.

I recently had an experience where I offered a B&M store half of their asking price for a used piece of gear and got the feeling that I was lowballing them when in reality I purchased the same used piece on CAM for less than my offer but I wanted another (power conditioner). In other words, I was willing to pay a premium for the convenience but not the premium they expect to cover their associated costs and I suspect this is a trend that will continue further away from the B&M's wishes.

There are still lots of people who will buy at a B&M so they know
1} the equipt is not hot.
2} the feeling that if there is a problem it will be taken care of.
3} a friend to discuss your gear for future purchases.
4} Many love the feeling of being wined and dined {being paid attention too}
6} Hoping for generous trade in policys.
7} many people have enough money to just go into a store and buy what they want, cut the deal they want and not look back.

!}B.... If not for them where would all the wonderful equipt come from for us to buy cheaply?

1. to be able audition gear at my leisure
2. to have good support if anything goes wrong
3. to be offered a price that is not retail
4. to not be lectured about how other brands are garbage
5. to not be told why my opinion is wrong, if I'm auditioning some equipment and don't like it

1 and 2 are typically met. 3 never happens unless you push and is met with funny looks. 4 and 5 seems to be the norm, and is a real pet peeve of mine.

1) friendly and warm sales staff
2) nice store setup
3) expect to meet online prices, if necessary
4) patience to close thy deal, these are higher end items

My first transaction with my current and only dealer was a home trial of a $6000.00 consignment componant set.

I did not hear from him for 3 months!!! but we exchanged emails.

Yes, I bought it, and lots since.

I have also brought home Physic speakers, Cary amps and other stuff for a week at a time, but didn,t buy those.

In my experience i've noted the more high end you are spending the EASIER it is to get better pricing than the norm.
With one cavat. The longer you spend with the salesperson working on THE PURCHASE without mentioning price matching or internet price matching { YOUR JUST GOING TO PISS THE SALESPERSON OFF AND IT WILL BE OVER} getting the salesperson involved in you and his need to have your sale.
The longer he or she has been involved with you,{ EG } If you walk in and within 10 min demand a deal of sorts the odds are no deal. You have not given saleperson enough time to have a need to be paid for.
You spend 1 hr your odds start to become much better as the salesperson has made an investment in you = fight for you with his boss.
You give it a couple of hours and the salesman Can't/won't loose and will fight tooth and nail to get you the deal.

Now this does take some finesse on the part of the buyer and also takes a commitment that your an honest buyer and not a tire kicker.
You must have done a min amount of homework at least and know what you wish to buy.
Then you must be smart and intelligent enough not to let on about how much you know
about said product.
Remember salesperson involment = your discount.


All the best Les

For me its the chance to hear or see the component.
The dealers expertise. Will my intended purchase match up well with my components, can they set up the plasma or LCD to ISF standards.
Service. When it breaks down will they be able to fix it, provide a loaner.
The people. Do I trust them? Do I feel welcome in their store? Do they like what they do?
As for price,I want it to be fair. I don't expect internet prices neither do I want to pay for their kids university education.
Lastly, the willingness to make it right. Everyone has an off day or a deal goes sour, how the bad things are dealt with can determine wether or not you ever deal with them again.
I just can't get all that on the internet.