Have your say & ask the experts

Hi all

I am going to upgrade soon and have been to my local dealer for a demo and decided what I want to buy.  In my shopping about for what to get, I came across a couple of other dealers further away that sell the same kit and pretty decent prices have been offered.

Now I don't know precisely what my local dealer will sell to me for, yet - for the package - but I am conflicted about the idea of buying somewhere else, having bought via this dealer for 6+ years .......... BUT - if the price differential is considerable [which at this sort of price for high-end kit, only a small % would be a good saving] I can't decide at what point I switch allegiance to another dealer!!??

Has anyone else had this dilema?  Is it a case of money wins hands down, or does the previous relationship with my dealer add up to a whole lot more than money alone ...... if yes .. then how much?? 

I guess dealers may be used to such realities !

Hmmm?! 

 

 

If I have had a demo from my dealer, I have bought from them. Other items that I could have bought from them (Humax free sat pvr for example) I got online because they were much cheaper and I was happy to buy them demo free.

I would generally agree, but when the difference in discount between dealers could be upwards of £500 to £1000, my loyalty falters somewhat!!

get written quotes from the other dealers and ask your favourite dealer to match or better the quotes...

if your dealer is good, he will match ... at the end of the day, it's all the same equipment and 'every penny counts'

Try asking for price matching. Apart from that I don't understand the reason for this topic. Can't anyone make their own grown up decisions on here? :o)

Well, first of all, if you've been quoted good prices from the other dealers, then it would pay to tell your local dealer that and see if they can match the prices quoted. I'm sure they'll be keen to keep your business!

Then consider this. If something goes wrong with your kit, your local dealer (with whom you obviously have a good, long-standing relationship) is nearby to help fix it.

I've had a similar (non hi-fi) situation recently. My 3.5-year-old car broke down and as the warranty had expired, legally I was obliged to pay for the (potentially very expensive) repair. But as I have bought several cars from the same dealer over the years, and they accepted the mechanical failure should not have happened, they persuaded the manufacturer to pay for the repair.

That's where a long-term relationship with your dealer can pay dividends in the long run. 

I wonder whether loyalty to a particular dealer is such a good idea? After all the Hi-Fi market is so volatile and if you can save youself £500-1000 then it is worth it, after all, if it is the difference between popping it back for a repair or courier to somewhere further away, it aint ever going to be a grand for a courier. Understand the conflict though of good service given on demo, it;'s really a matter for individual conscience, i do not think anyone on here can or should answer that one asides you.

Andy Clough:

Well, first of all, if you've been quoted good prices from the other dealers, then it would pay to tell your local dealer that and see if they can match the prices quoted. I'm sure they'll be keen to keep your business!

Then consider this. If something goes wrong with your kit, your local dealer (with whom you obviously have a good, long-standing relationship) is nearby to help fix it.

I've had a similar (non hi-fi) situation recently. My 3.5-year-old car broke down and as the warranty had expired, legally I was obliged to pay for the (potentially very expensive) repair. But as I have bought several cars from the same dealer over the years, and they accepted the mechanical failure should not have happened, they persuaded the manufacturer to pay for the repair.

That's where a long-term relationship with your dealer can pay dividends in the long run. 

That dealer obviously wasn't mazda.  I own 2 mazda cars (one's mine , one's my wife's).  Her car had a light come on, on the dash.  Took it to the main dealer, where I have bought one of the cars from and taken both cars back to since new for servicing every year. It needed a new part at a cost of £1600.  It was out of warranty by 6 days, had only done 18000 miles and had only just been serviced there 4 weeks prior.  They offered to pay 75% of the cost which I said was unacceptable.  I was looking for at least 95%.  They wouldn't budge so it will be the last time they see my cars and the last time I buy a mazda.

 

gpi - I find your tone a little pointless .....

IF that were the case then the majority of forums, on hi-fi or anything else would not exist.  Coming to that, the majority of discussion between humans would not take place!!

It's something I am weighing up for myself ... and also like to get other input on - as many people do.

I won't trawl this site to confirm, but the fact that you are on here would indicate you have a desire to read or give opinions [oh, you already have done .....!!] - which really is what this is about. 

thanks all the same. 

Actually - I agree with the help thanks .....

I will clarify what my dealer will offer me and if it's not as good, then tell them what's been offered elsewhere and see what they can do.

Not sure why I was considering keeping it a secret before - doh !

I suppose I felt guilty pushing them on price, when they've been so good. 

Service is what you are buying from your local dealer and how much they provide and how much you need should be factored into the price you pay.

We do not always price match, it depends on what the other company is offering and plenty of online sites offer nothing more than a price.

As with most things of this nature a quick converstaion should help you decide.

Its a business. Dealers are not here to do you favours and niether are you here to do favours for them. Obviously there is a point at which you may want to stay loyal, but if the differences are large then move on. Get a quote and ask him to price match. If he wont, walk away. This has the caveats that you are happy travelling to the other dealer and you think that they are reputable and trustworthy. Although whenever i have demoed before i have always tried to find the best price FIRST and then take the demo to stop wasting a companys time. However, again, the amounts involved are critical as a 20/30 min demo (thats all ive ever had) is not worth paying hundreds of pounds more for when you have found a cheaper deal elsewhere. The dealer should understand this.

I'll just second Nick's comments.  I bought my TV from a pioneer dealer in Wokingham and the majority of the rest of my kit from Nick at the HCC.  Nick did give me a very competitive price, but what the HCC also provided was excellent after sales service.  In fact there were a couple of occasions where I had queries regarding the set-up of my TV.  I left messages with the dealer I bought the TV from, but also with Nick (hoping as a favour he may help out).  The pioneer main dealer never called back, but the HCC did, even though i hadn't bought the TV from them. 

Nothing wrong in getting a price from other dealers.  But give your local dealer a chance to match it/beat it/ or even just knock a bit off his price.

 

gpi:

Try asking for price matching. Apart from that I don't understand the reason for this topic. Can't anyone make their own grown up decisions on here? :o)

No not really. I'm off to vienna this afternoon, by all accounts its pretty cold out there now. Should i pack my thermal long johns or risk it getting milder. Thoughts ?.  

I would go for the best deal that's what I did most people simply cant' afford not to.

If you do it that way know, be sure that you or someone is lined up to set the system up first.