Bigmattyevans Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 Wow 4 pages of comments following on from a bad phone call with a shop owner. I wish David would chip in. I would at least like to know if this thread has had an impact on his business in any way or attracted nuisance phone calls from WA members. "All publicity is good publicity" they say. Well this is a test of that.
TP1 Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 David is a national living treasure who will eventually find his place in the National Film &Sound Archives. And Attilla was a very good Hun.
Briz Vegas Posted November 30, 2012 Posted November 30, 2012 (edited) I know a guy that had one of David's DACs for about a year. He borrowed a Conrad Johnson DAC , free of charge no money down, you know on trust. Anyway, get this, the guy likes the CJ DAC more so he wants to trade the old DAC on the new one. well not only does he get to trade in his old DAC, he also gets a good deal on the new one. The bad bit, yes there had to be a bad bit, is the guy keeps telling me what a great changeover he got. Then there is the story of my PV14ls that developed a problem out of warranty. Darn it if David didn't get if fixed at no cost and leant me the new demo model while it was being fixed so I wasn't without music or put out too much. Bastard, hey. ( that's sarcasm) Then there was the Quad ESLs that I borrowed. Turned out that it wasn't for me or my room. Anyway I returned them and said sorry, though they were what I was after but they didn't work out. David said something like " yeah, I wondered why you borrowed them, but you were keen to try them". Now he may have called me a time waster after leaving the shop but not a word was said to me. So clearly i am a sucker for punishment because keep going back and getting getting good service and prices. Thats the other side of the story, and I know many others would tell you stories, like the five people I have sent there that have bought gear and have been happy with both the service, prices and after sales service. ... and the father in law of one of those guys, and the friend of another one of those guys.....and the five or so other customers that I have met in store who are happy with the service.( hrs just the ones I have spoken to) So maybe there are two sides to every story and some people aren't perfect. I don't know about the peanut gallery here but last time I looked I wasn't perfect either. For a start I have been known to wear Lycra while riding a bicycle (oh the shame). I also swear at other drivers while driving my car ( with the windows up, have you seen some of the wierdos out there)but then again most folk I know do that once in a while. Just sayin!!! I will say however that I am not from Western Australia. I am also pretty patient when I can see that there are clearly more customers than there is staff to serve them, but you can't see that on the phone o you wouldn't know that. That's a factual account if you discount my writing style, or lack names and addresses. Edited November 30, 2012 by Briz Vegas 3
gypr1961 Posted November 30, 2012 Posted November 30, 2012 Hmmm borrowed, must be my face because I hadn't said 2 words when I got a lecture about how he absolutely wont loan out gear. Must have been one of those many bad days he seems to have 1
Briz Vegas Posted November 30, 2012 Posted November 30, 2012 (edited) Well that's the case with most hifi stores. I borrowed a B&W PV1 from Toombul Music when they were in Toombul. I had to buy it first, even though I made it clear that I was interested but had to see if the 2 eight inch drivers were enough for my odd shaped half open plan room. It didn't work out and I had to return twice because the would only credit me a grand each day. Complete pain. If you are a one man operation however you establish a relationship with a customer over time. That's the way it used to work for your grand father when he said he got great service from his mechanic. I would not take it personally, your "problem" was walking in off the street as a new customer. If I was selling you my car I would go with you for the test drive because I don't know you from Adam. If you were a mate from work and I knew enough to know you weren't going to trash it that would be another matter. Sometimes it's easier to avoid arguments and say its not you policy. David has had guys take gear home for the weekend, use it for a party then return it with a blown channel. It's not written on the wall but I think the policy of establishing a relationship with a customer is not only fair, it's also good business. The alternative might be you buy it first, but that was a pain. And you don't borrow a pair of 300 dollar wharfdales either, just as you wouldn't ask at Harvey Norman, they would just look blankly at you if you asked. Edited November 30, 2012 by Briz Vegas
cram Posted December 10, 2015 Posted December 10, 2015 Great read! Funny little shop. Glad I'm not the only one! Not sure why it came up being such an old thread.
Dean Gale Posted December 11, 2015 Posted December 11, 2015 When did the Aussie veneer become so paper thin ? I guess this is why we don't see so many 'characters' in public life anymore. The likes of Bob Hawke in politics or David Boon in sport would be howled down from the soapboxes these days. Grizzled old character types in hifi have been a part of the industry ( and many others ) since time immemorial. They may have a few character flaws but to shun them reveals as much about the people that do as the characters themselves. Grizzly old bastard can be tolerated by those who are experienced in and about hi fi, but to a person who is dipping their toe in beyond a "Bulk store " purchase, it can and would turn them off for life. Not only them but I bet their Facebook page will be red hot, turning their friends off the walkers in hi fi. That is what is wrong with the retail sector in our hobby. One dick head can turn off a potential 1000 from seeking out better quality hi fi. Sent from my SM-T113 using Tapatalk 1
Bill125812 Posted December 12, 2015 Posted December 12, 2015 Been dealing with David for about 30 years now. Yep. Grumpy old Bugger. Funny little messy shop. He does actually know what he's talking sbout though. And sometimes has some great deals in consignment items Get him on a bad day, Monday through Saturday though and he's a grouch lol But he's been in business longer than most. 1
wolster Posted December 12, 2015 Posted December 12, 2015 I'm locking this thread. It has gone on long enough and we do not condone the denigration of hi-fi retailers here. There are always two sides to every story. 3
Recommended Posts