Stump Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 HIFI Dealer Monopoly Licence to Steal! I was after a after market part for my turntable (tonearm base ).350 Euro R.R.P .I contacted the German company to buy direct and was told to contact the Australian Distributor.As I bought the turntable second hand I contacted the American supplier of the tone arm (Graham phantom supreme) but again told to contact the Australian Distributor.My reluctance to contact the Australian Distributor was due to a previous quote for 2x acrylic grub screws for $250 posted from Germany plus I was given the third degree suspecting my turntable was stolen. I then contacted the Australian Distributor by phone with all the details and waited for reply! 2 emails and a week later I rung again to be told as I didn't buy the turntable from them they had to decide if they would supply the after market part.They offered a acrylic part for $300 plus $250 shipping if required before 4 weeks.As I asked for a steel part (tonearm base ) I was told that would be $1000 plus $250 shipping. I would expect 350 Euro R.R.P for the part and the Australian Distributor buys for a discount and pass on the 350 Euro R.R.P price!! So you bastards know who you are and I am sending a complaint to the German company to show how you treat there Australian customers. In the mean time I have sourced the part from overseas at a cost of $350 US shipped to my address.That is UNDER the RRP with shipping included. While I share my story about the Australian Distributor I have found I am not alone and wish them a slow financial DEATH!! Stump 4
thesnodger Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 Please let us know what the German company's response is.
RockandorRoll Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 Ill play devils advocate for the supplier The German supplier probably doesnt give as great a discount as you think to the little aussie distributor. Freight and duty, all that crap. And why should the supplier let you off easy, he knows hes got you by the balls. There was probably an agreement from the aussie distributor that they would be the sole distributor and if you sold past them direct to sneaky little customers then they would pull out of distribution, leaving the manufacturer without a channel down here Very clever arrangement from their end. What you saved buying the table 2nd hand, they will make up in spare parts. Setups like this will save bricks and mortar and restore balance to the force 1
thesnodger Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 Ill play devils advocate for the supplier The German supplier probably doesnt give as great a discount as you think to the little aussie distributor. Freight and duty, all that crap. And why should the supplier let you off easy, he knows hes got you by the balls. There was probably an agreement from the aussie distributor that they would be the sole distributor and if you sold past them direct to sneaky little customers then they would pull out of distribution, leaving the manufacturer without a channel down here Very clever arrangement from their end. What you saved buying the table 2nd hand, they will make up in spare parts. Setups like this will save bricks and mortar and restore balance to the force I think the point Stump was making is that if these dealers didn't treat Aussie buyers with such contempt and greed, then they wouldn't be bypassed in the first place. Trying to extort $1250 for a part which can EASILY be obtained overseas for less than $350 is criminal. I'm with Stump on this, they'll only learn the hard way. I am however keen to hear the manufacturer's take on this.. 3
betty boop Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 what is this german company. so we know to stay away.
thesnodger Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 (edited) what is this german company. so we know to stay away. I don't think it's them that's the problem.... However, if they ARE aware that Aussie dealers are ripping off their clients to the tune of a 300% increase over RRP then yes, that is definitely a problem at the manufacturers end. I need to order to exact same part as Stump. I didnt even bother calling the Aussie dealer as I knew they would try and pull a fast one. Same thing from UK delivered for $300 give or take a few dollars. Edited May 30, 2013 by thesnodger
betty boop Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 whether the local distributor or manufacturer its worth us knowing what the brand is as a headsup so others dont get caught up in the same pitfall !
Super Mustud Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 What I cannot understand is if these retailers are stealing so much how come they are not all bleeding rich?
Addicted to music Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 I believe it is against the law to not sell a part over the counter if they are available. Just because you did not purchased the goods from there point of sale doesn't excused them from supplying the part at retail cost! Please check with consumer affairs if the product is current and there are parts available!
thesnodger Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 whether the local distributor or manufacturer its worth us knowing what the brand is as a headsup so others dont get caught up in the same pitfall ! I can't say who the dealer/distributor is (although I reckon I know) as that's Stump's prerogative to disclose it. But yes, the brand is 'Clearaudio'. I suspect they have little to do (or are even aware) with the price gouging that goes on over here. Some overseas manufactures are guaranteeing 'parity' pricing these days to ensure that we pay more or less the same as overseas customers. And for the record I had no problem ordering the part from a dealer overseas. In fact I can state that buying an ex-demo unit abroad was exactly half of the cost of buying a new one from a dealer here. And we are talking thousands of dollars here....
Saxon Hall Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 What I cannot understand is if these retailers are stealing so much how come they are not all bleeding rich? Maybe they are all as rich as Uncle Gerry but are always crying poor about people buying online like he does?
Super Mustud Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 Maybe they are all as rich as Uncle Gerry but are always crying poor about people buying online like he does? I don't think that Gerry sells stuff any more. Except maybe his name. That doesn't work, HC. We are talking about store owners here.
betty boop Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 I can't say who the dealer/distributor is (although I reckon I know) as that's Stump's prerogative to disclose it. But yes, the brand is 'Clearaudio'. I suspect they have little to do (or are even aware) with the price gouging that goes on over here. Some overseas manufactures are guaranteeing 'parity' pricing these days to ensure that we pay more or less the same as overseas customers. And for the record I had no problem ordering the part from a dealer overseas. In fact I can state that buying an ex-demo unit abroad was exactly half of the cost of buying a new one from a dealer here. And we are talking thousands of dollars here.... is the australian dealer in question also a sole importer ? ps contacted the ACCC with the rip off pricing of epson and their counter parts canon as far as photo printers go. they are sole importers can charge what they want ie 100$ markup on what sell for overseas. And both even in writing bold as brass told me their charges are on par with their competitors pricing and there fore think they are fair. guess what the ACCC said they can basically charge what they want thats their perogative. the beauty is we then have the choice to then not buy their product. it sends a pretty strong message back...a message that gets through loud and clear and hits pretty hard right where it matters in the wallets of the fat cats !
richard260 Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 What I cannot understand is if these retailers are stealing so much how come they are not all bleeding rich? May be because there volume is so low because of the cost of it all. So they up prices to still make good money from it all. I think if prices were as near cheap as usa then hifi shops would be selling a lot more stuff for sure
Super Mustud Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 May be because there volume is so low because of the cost of it all. So they up prices to still make good money from it all. I think if prices were as near cheap as usa then hifi shops would be selling a lot more stuff for sure Sure, but then they would go broke and someone with a better feel for the right balance would come to the fore. Yet that never seems to happen. Makes me feel that it is not as straightforward as a Q&A twitter would make it sound. 1
Fangzie Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 I believe it is against the law to not sell a part over the counter if they are available. Just because you did not purchased the goods from there point of sale doesn't excused them from supplying the part at retail cost! Please check with consumer affairs if the product is current and there are parts available! As far as I'm aware, any retailer has the right to refuse service to anyone they want, more or less (can think of some exceptions that could cause serious legal issues). Additionally, if this is a "part", rather than a retail item, you could be on even trickier ground
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted May 30, 2013 Volunteer Posted May 30, 2013 <blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Super Mustud" data-cid="896848" data-time="1369906042"><p> What I cannot understand is if these retailers are stealing so much how come they are not all bleeding rich?</p></blockquote> Do we determine the fairness of their behaviour based on how wealthy they are ?
Saxon Hall Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 <blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Super Mustud" data-cid="896848" data-time="1369906042"><p>What I cannot understand is if these retailers are stealing so much how come they are not all bleeding rich?</p></blockquote> Do we determine the fairness of their behaviour based on how wealthy they are ? Not a bad idea Comrade! ;)
Addicted to music Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 As far as I'm aware, any retailer has the right to refuse service to anyone they want, more or less (can think of some exceptions that could cause serious legal issues). Additionally, if this is a "part", rather than a retail item, you could be on even trickier ground Only if there are valid reasons, legally a retailer cannot pick or choose who they want to provide services if they are open for business, or supply parts over the counter. If you are a business open to the public you must supply the service that you are selling, and its in yor best interest to do so otherwise you will be out of business. Valid reasons for refusal to provide sevices are failure to provide funds or a breach in acceptable behaviour or unable to maintain the acceptable level of standards, these are all outlined in the consumer affair.
Super Mustud Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 <blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Super Mustud" data-cid="896848" data-time="1369906042"><p>What I cannot understand is if these retailers are stealing so much how come they are not all bleeding rich?</p></blockquote> Do we determine the fairness of their behaviour based on how wealthy they are ? Perhaps we can determine the validity of the claims by examining evidence of outcomes. The Scientific Method, and all that. I sometimes do a role reversal in my mind to contemplate best the situation others may be faced with. I think that it would be very helpful if some people who are the most critical about retailers could seriously put themselves into a retailer's position. That does not mean, for example, that this particular example will become reasonable, however it would make discussion of it more reasonable. It is good to be reasonable. I am, myself, reasonably reasonable.
Orpheus Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 I believe it is against the law to not sell a part over the counter if they are available. Just because you did not purchased the goods from there point of sale doesn't excused them from supplying the part at retail cost! Please check with consumer affairs if the product is current and there are parts available! Peter, I don't think so. Discrimination of certain kinds is not lawful, but if it is not for an unlawful reason of that kind, it is not unlawful to refuse to sell something to a customer. On the other hand, if you offer, and they accept, you have a binding contract.
Orpheus Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 Perhaps we can determine the validity of the claims by examining evidence of outcomes. The Scientific Method, and all that. I sometimes do a role reversal in my mind to contemplate best the situation others may be faced with. I think that it would be very helpful if some people who are the most critical about retailers could seriously put themselves into a retailer's position. That does not mean, for example, that this particular example will become reasonable, however it would make discussion of it more reasonable. It is good to be reasonable. I am, myself, reasonably reasonable. A model of the way to do business in a way which ensures good will and loyalty is Di Bartoli, who sell coffee machines and support them. Years ago, I rang to see whether they would price-match Winnings on a Bezzera coffee machine. They said they were unable to match Winning's price. Some time later, I bought a part from them (reasonably priced), and when they sent the part, they sent me a brochure with all of their after-market support prices. Their servicing pricing is transparent, and anyone can buy parts. Next time I buy a machine, I will buy it from them. In the meantime, they make money from me selling parts and servicing my machine. Equally, Zaphod is excellent to deal with, as is Warwick from PMG. Good service goes a long way to encouraging loyalty over the long-term.
Super Mustud Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 A model of the way to do business in a way which ensures good will and loyalty is Di Bartoli, who sell coffee machines and support them. Good service goes a long way to encouraging loyalty over the long-term. Yes, it does, and I am not defending the pricing that has been the topic of this thread.
Recommended Posts