When spending $3000 with a dealer, is it appropriate to ask for a bundle/discount?

Always.

 

I actually don't think this would work at all. With few excpetions, hi-fi gear holds value worse than a second hand chevy—especially if the "improved" or "v2" models are just out. I imagine what you'd be able to legitamately offer in trade, and be able to turn even a small % profit on, would scare many potential customers away.

I don't think it's ever wrong or rude to ask if a price is negotiable unless it was clearly stated that a price is firm. Otherwise, you never know if you don't ask. The key is being polite and honest. And especially do your research so that when you are negotiating, you know what fair market value for the item is. I constantly follow ebay auctions and forums to monitor selling prices for goods I'm interested in. It's helped me find good deals, helped me negotiate fair deals and helped me avoid bad deals many times over.

 

Really? I bought three TV's from a Best Buy recently and the guy knocked a couple of hundred bucks off what were listed as sale prices.

 

It's possible that I could have, but I felt like the dealer was going out of their way to set me up in the first place. I just didn't want to feel/be perceived as greedy.

 

With contract, Sprint cut my AT&T bill in half and charged me half list price for a new iPhone 6.

Not that Halliburton; this Halliburton:



My favorite briefcase -- I have a couple of them, both 20 years old. Never goes out of style.

 

OK then, I stand corrected.

 

I simply ask my dealer whats the best he can do.

 

Dealers make generous margins. If they want sales you should be able to get a deal. At least 10% off as this is what they give on insurance replacements.

 

To keep your doors open you still have to have more money coming in than going out.

 

I was surprised they did though, I didn't think the floor guy had that kind of power.

 

Don't ask. It makes you look like a dirty hippy. DEMAND IT!!!!!

 

I am too. perhaps the open box items are as is, no exceptions.

 

I like a discount as much as the next guy but in all honesty you are way off in what you think the markup is in a ma & pa B & M midfi/Hi-End A/V store.

Example of equipment like, ARC, Ayre, Cary, Krell, ect, the dealer pays the manufacture 60% of the manufacture's retail price plus shipping. In most cases the dealer pays for the product before it is shipped. Same applies for Hi-End speaker manufactures.

So you might say that leaves the dealer a 40% margin minus shipping costs. Well no. The dealer has to subtract from the approx. 40% his overhead costs.

Here are a few of his overhead cost expenses.
Rent.
Utilities.
Phone bill.
Yellow page add.
Internet web site?
Fire insurance on content.
Liability insurance.
Insurance on building if he is buying or owns.
Property taxes.

Tax Accountant.

M/C, Visa, fees.

Employees?
Wages and or commission on sales.
Matching FICA to the government.
Unemployment insurance.
Workman's comp insurance.
Any health benefits?

Any company vehicles?
Loan payments.
Insurance.
Maintenance costs.
Fuel costs.

Last but not least the dealer's wages, incomes taxes, FICA taxes, ect.

Profit? If he's lucky.

And yes, I also try to get the best deal possible.

 

Yup. In my case it's a service and license so no real physical inventory

 

If you are buying already discounted merchandise, it might not be appropriate. If you are buying at MSRP, why not ask??? It probably should be asked before you comit to buy though.

 

Maybe you can buy some things cheaper on the internet, on the other side of the picture ,if you buy expensive stuff
you always need a good service ,so i never ask for discount ,i require good service .
Imho that's more important than 5 or 10 percent discount.
(And that's not only for hifi equipment )

 

This post should be a sticky in the Hardware forum!