GeoffinOz Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 I'm curious to know what list-members' experience has been with purchasing new audio gear. Is there a rule of thumb for what the purchase price should be compared to the RRP? How much arm-twisting leeway is there?
Neo Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) There is no rule of thumb. It’s whatever you can negotiate on the personal level with the retailer, which could be the rrp. If you interested in price only and not interested developing the relationship with your retailer to help you on your hifi journey. There are plenty of online places that will give you a good discount on rrp. Welcome to the forum. Neo Edited October 11, 2021 by Neo
rantan Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 4 minutes ago, GeoffinOz said: I'm curious to know what list-members' experience has been with purchasing new audio gear. Is there a rule of thumb for what the purchase price should be compared to the RRP? How much arm-twisting leeway is there? It depends very much on what you are buying as electronic components usually have lower margins than speakers, but as a general rule of thumb, 10% off RRP is usually acceptable and achievable. With that said, please be aware that in general, profit margins on hi fi gear are not large and are often far less than many people believe. 2
tubularbells Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 As someone who now works in retail I dread the (and I know its coming) "what's the best price you can do" Can people not bloody read anymore? Why is it some retail is rife with haggling such as hifi where as others never get asked like Bunnings? I had a customer not to long ago ask me 17 times for the best price, He only stopped as I started raising the price each time he asked! To all the hagglers please take a moment for the poor retail staff to endlessly cop it day in, day out. 8 3
triocorp Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 32 minutes ago, tubularbells said: As someone who now works in retail I dread the (and I know its coming) "what's the best price you can do" Can people not bloody read anymore? Why is it some retail is rife with haggling such as hifi where as others never get asked like Bunnings? I had a customer not to long ago ask me 17 times for the best price, He only stopped as I started raising the price each time he asked! To all the hagglers please take a moment for the poor retail staff to endlessly cop it day in, day out. Thanks for the tip - I will ask "what's your cost price" next time I walk in and add a few percentage points on top for goodwill.
TheBlackDisc Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 1 hour ago, triocorp said: Thanks for the tip - I will ask "what's your cost price" next time I walk in and add a few percentage points on top for goodwill. Hopefully they just give you invoice… 2
andyr Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 3 hours ago, tubularbells said: As someone who now works in retail I dread the (and I know its coming) "what's the best price you can do" Can people not bloody read anymore? Why is it some retail is rife with haggling such as hifi where as others never get asked like Bunnings? I had a customer not to long ago ask me 17 times for the best price, He only stopped as I started raising the price each time he asked! To all the hagglers please take a moment for the poor retail staff to endlessly cop it day in, day out. Sad, Doug - yes, absolutely keep increasing the price, every time the f*cker attempts yet another decrease. Although, yes ... you might lose some sales. (Some people feel they lose their 'manhood' if they can't get a discount.) Andy 1
andyr Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 2 hours ago, triocorp said: Thanks for the tip - I will ask "what's your cost price" next time I walk in and add a few percentage points on top for goodwill. I was going to say 'WTF' ... but then I thought you might be being sarcastic. So I'll just say ... "cost price" is what the retailer has to pay the distributor. To that he has to add (and I've probably forgotten quite a few): rent wages interest on the stock loss on old stock compared to new models. Andy 2
Jakeyb77_Redux Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 1 minute ago, andyr said: I was going to say 'WTF' ... but then I thought you might be being sarcastic. So I'll just say ... "cost price" is what the retailer has to pay the distributor. To that he has to add (and I've probably forgotten quite a few): rent wages interest on the stock loss on old stock compared to new models. Andy sadly most people have no idea about these things when they complain of pricing. Hospitality is a killer when you have things like pay TV costs (not the same as home costs), APRA (yes they expect you to pay to play music), accounting, servicing of equipment, security, lighting, training, POS equipment, advertising, HR costs, license fees, complying with council regulations and fees involved. Retail have these also. Shops in larger centres also have to open at hours when they may not even break even. Then you’ve got the councils taking car parks away so the guy that wants to buy a pair of 50kg speakers can’t even get his car within walking distance. The you have to try and hire staff that a: have any consideration of anything other than themselves, b: don’t call in sick every time some better social event comes along. Once you fulfil all that you can enjoy a lifetime without holidays and weekends and hopefully die of a not too painful heart attack one day 3
triocorp Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 Yeah mate, I was being sarcastic. I used to manufacture all the TV brands for the major retailers, so I know what it takes to import products and support it in accordance to consumer laws. Especially hard for importers because the retailers tend to make the importers wear all the returns/support issues, even for change of mind.
bob_m_54 Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 3 hours ago, tubularbells said: As someone who now works in retail I dread the (and I know its coming) "what's the best price you can do" Can people not bloody read anymore? Why is it some retail is rife with haggling such as hifi where as others never get asked like Bunnings? I had a customer not to long ago ask me 17 times for the best price, He only stopped as I started raising the price each time he asked! To all the hagglers please take a moment for the poor retail staff to endlessly cop it day in, day out. That's part of the gig mate, and helps to sort the shop attendants from the salesmen and saleswomen. I'll always see if I can bargain for a better deal on a high cost item, as long as it isn't already discounted, or some specialist piece of gear. Most stores will either crop a little off the price, or maybe throw in a deal sweetener. I most likely picked this up from the old man though, who was a salesman for most of his working life. Selling everything from cars, caravans, household furnishings and electrical.electronics gear, insurance, and even farm chemicals. 4
Jakeyb77_Redux Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 2 minutes ago, bob_m_54 said: That's part of the gig mate, and helps to sort the shop attendants from the salesmen and saleswomen. I'll always see if I can bargain for a better deal on a high cost item, as long as it isn't already discounted, or some specialist piece of gear. Most stores will either crop a little off the price, or maybe throw in a deal sweetener. I most likely picked this up from the old man though, who was a salesman for most of his working life. Selling everything from cars, caravans, household furnishings and electrical.electronics gear, insurance, and even farm chemicals. Same. If a shop has a cashier then it’s RRP. If it has sales staff then always ask for a deal! 2
Addicted to music Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 This is my $0.02 worth! A word of caution…… I won’t step foot in any store unless you give me a discount! it goes to just about every product, whatever industry including Bunnings….. ps I know where to get stuff cheaper than what Bunnings advertise for and I either go back and asked them to compete or I go else where, simple! And this is the KILL: I’ve been working for this company since 2000, we’ve been able to win every government contract: DHHS, Victoria Education, Dept of finance and treasury etc etc including the one I look after since 2000. I saw a growth of employees, from 5 in 2000 to just under 110 technical staff in 2009, some colleagues I’ve never dealt with! We had 3/4 of the big banks, Aussie Post, Channel 9, and numerous private corporates, then in 2013-2016 the Japanese appointed a new MD in Tokyo made the announcement that we need to make huge profit, so no discounting…… No guess as to what happened! Losing major contracts isn’t a nice thing to see when your work goes to your competitors, that’s now doing predatory marketing…. We went from over 100 technical staff to today just under 30….. why because someone decided to sell at RRP! Come 2019, COVID-19, change of MD saw a change in direction, all of a sudden let’s be competitive!!! What a waste, demoralising seeing colleagues let go! Wave after wave! You not only loose just the staff but the experience that the staff gain is priceless! So change in direction gets us busy! Can’t hire extra people because you just let them go, you need to clock over 12mths before you can hire people for the same role you let go! So if you want to stay in business, you need to be seen giving clients or potential clients value and treat then with respect, you don’t have to lose to sell a product, most will buy if you give them an incentive, and if you’re seen to be doing that I’m sure they’ll come back for repeat business or recommend word of mouth. 3
POV Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, tubularbells said: As someone who now works in retail I dread the (and I know its coming) "what's the best price you can do" Can people not bloody read anymore? Why is it some retail is rife with haggling such as hifi where as others never get asked like Bunnings? I had a customer not to long ago ask me 17 times for the best price, He only stopped as I started raising the price each time he asked! To all the hagglers please take a moment for the poor retail staff to endlessly cop it day in, day out. With respect, it strikes me as odd that you view it in such a way. Someone wanting to discuss price with you is an opening as a salesperson to talk to them about the deal you are offering and if you are already advertising the lowest price you are prepared to sell for then you can politely explain that. I have paid more in the past on hifi gear to buy from a trusted salesperson at reputable store who have looked after me on aftersales. So in that circumstance I am not necessarily chasing the best price, but the best overall deal. It’s not like all retailers do things in the same way, many retailers do add an additional margin to sticker price to allow for the ‘haggle’ which they know is par for the course in their line of wares. Also, my wife asked for and received a better deal at our local Bunnings on Sunday mate! It happens. Edited October 11, 2021 by POV 2
tubularbells Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, bob_m_54 said: That's part of the gig mate, and helps to sort the shop attendants from the salesmen and saleswomen. Perhaps in instances where sales staff have lenient bosses who allow for constant hits to there bottom line or the scumbags who artificially inflate their prices knowing there's enough fat in the price to allow some wriggle room but im specifically referring to places where the boss has a strict no discount policy where someone like myself will get pulled up for knocking some dollars off the price or throwing in a sweetener. My definition of your two descriptors Bob is the cashier is the pleb that just takes your money and the salesman is the one who will guide and advise the purchaser for the best possible outcome. People want the cheapest price with the best service and imo you cannot have it both ways. Also why should those who almost see haggling as a sport get a better deal than a more reserved and well mannered fellow just cos' the first guy likes to run his mouth. Can people ask? sure no problem with that but please accept that the price is the price after you've been politely told. If that makes you walk out of the store then so be it. Bottom line. Good service costs. Anyway theres clearly a difference of opinion here so will leave it at that. Edited October 11, 2021 by tubularbells 2
Jakeyb77_Redux Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) 42 minutes ago, POV said: With respect, it strikes me as odd that you view it in such a way. Someone wanting to discuss price with you is an opening as a salesperson to talk to them about the deal you are offering and if you are already advertising the lowest price you are prepared to sell for then you can politely explain that. I have paid more in the past on hifi gear to buy from a trusted salesperson at reputable store that I who have looked after me on aftersales. So in that circumstance I am not necessarily chasing the best price, but the best overall deal. It’s not like all retailers do things in the same way, many retailers do add an additional margin to sticker price to allow for the ‘haggle’ which they know is par for the course in their line of wares. Also, my wife asked for an received a better deal at our local Bunnings on Sunday mate! It happens. I think in Doug’s defence there is the shopper like you, and like me I must say, then there is the shopper that we also get on the forum that will just PM you “best price?, or even just hit you with “$2,500” on something you advertised at $5,000 with NO OTHER TEXT. I call this the “no lube” buyer. Not even a “Hey mate, I’ve been after one of those. Are you negotiable on price at all? cheers Mr Scumbag”. I’m happy to negotiate with the first person, the second gets a lesson in manners, if I respond to them at all. Customers can be increasingly rude, but so can salespeople. I think maybe @tubularbells just had a bad day. Back on topic I think @rantan said it best. Usually a 10% reduction is what I’d be shooting for in new Hifi. If you’re nice enough about it, and the salesperson likes you they may do better. Edited October 11, 2021 by Jakeyb77_Redux 3 1
Guest Posted October 11, 2021 Posted October 11, 2021 I pay the amount of money required in order to get said product into my possession that will hopefully make a positive difference. And if the asking price is more than I can afford, I move on. For me it’s about the gear and it’s purpose, over the money involved. Saving $200 is irrelevant considering what joy that purchase will make. Any money saved is soon forgotten over time. Money comes and goes.
bob_m_54 Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, tubularbells said: Perhaps in instances where sales staff have lenient bosses who allow for constant hits to there bottom line or the scumbags who artificially inflate their prices knowing there's enough fat in the price to allow some wriggle room but im specifically referring to places where the boss has a strict no discount policy where someone like myself will get pulled up for knocking some dollars off the price or throwing in a sweetener. My definition of your two descriptors Bob is the cashier is the pleb that just takes your money and the salesman is the one who will guide and advise the purchaser for the best possible outcome. People want the cheapest price with the best service and imo you cannot have it both ways. Also why should those who almost see haggling as a sport get a better deal than a more reserved and well mannered fellow just cos' the first guy likes to run his mouth. Can people ask? sure no problem with that but please accept that the price is the price after you've been politely told. If that makes you walk out of the store then so be it. Bottom line. Good service costs. Anyway theres clearly a difference of opinion here so will leave it at that. Don't get me wrong, I agree that there is no need for rudeness when asking if the price is negotiable, the same as there is no need for rudeness in the reply. I've had plenty of dealings with both types of sales staff. The definition of my descriptors is that the sales person knows how to deal with the question in a professional way, either in a positive or negative response. He knows the equipment, and can discuss and manoeuvre the interaction so that both parties are happy with the final deal. With customers that are clearly rude, or overly demanding, he will be able to deal with them without letting it affect his professionalism. The shop attendant is the one who seems to think they are doing you a service by just allowing you to shop in the establishment. They have no specific knowledge of the stock, and meet any query about price with derision. "The price is on the ticket mate" kind of thing. I've been into a store and met the "shop attendant" first up, shopped around and returned to the store later, and purchased the item off a different staff member, simply because of the difference in attitude. I hope they had a commission based sales system LOL. I don't know whether your store has a sales commission or bonus incentive system, but I think stores that do usually have a better class of sales staff. They actually have to do a bit of work to earn the big bucks. Another thing is never judge a customer by their appearance. The scruffy looking bloke in jeans T shirt and a beard, may just have the cash in his pocket for that $4,000 TV. Don't take my comments too personally, but if you find that dealing with demanding customers is too stressful and it affects you personally, then maybe shop floor sales isn't the best career move. Edited October 12, 2021 by bob_m_54 spelling 4
bob_m_54 Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 This is a little off topic, sorry, but I thought I'd post it anyway. This is my old man at a home furnishings sales show, back in the early 60's in his first sales position with Inglis Electrix. He's the one with the moustache that looks like "Flash Harry" - 139 guineas for a 21" B&W telly.. back when remote controls were came on the end of a cable 3 1
PositivelyMusicallyGeared Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 17 hours ago, tubularbells said: As someone who now works in retail I dread the (and I know its coming) "what's the best price you can do" Can people not bloody read anymore? Why is it some retail is rife with haggling such as hifi where as others never get asked like Bunnings? I had a customer not to long ago ask me 17 times for the best price, He only stopped as I started raising the price each time he asked! To all the hagglers please take a moment for the poor retail staff to endlessly cop it day in, day out. Simply go and put up a big poster in your shop, with this writing in large letters: "We do not do price negotiation!". Best for you AND "your customers". 2
Steffen Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 8 minutes ago, PositivelyMusicallyGeared said: Simply go and put up a big poster in your shop, with this writing in large letters: "We do not do price negotiation!". Best for you AND "your customers". Better yet, put the sign outside the shop, so people don’t have to waste time stepping inside 3 1
muon* Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 1 hour ago, bob_m_54 said: This is a little off topic, sorry, but I thought I'd post it anyway. This is my old man at a home furnishings sales show, back in the early 60's in his first sales position with Inglis Electrix. He's the one with the moustache that looks like "Flash Harry" - 139 guineas for a 21" B&W telly.. back when remote controls were came on the end of a cable Great pic Looks like Bing Crosby standing in front of ya' dad. 1 1
Tim D Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 I see that Mercedes Benz are going to a no haggle price set by the company. Dealers are apparently seeking legal advice as they fear a large loss in sales if people feel they can’t get a better deal. Interesting. 1
GregWormald Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 As a retail purchaser, it's all about the balance between how much the possible 'discount' is and how much that amount of money means to me, how much hassle is involved in the bargaining, and how much do I want friendly ongoing service. 1
Addicted to music Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Tim D said: I see that Mercedes Benz are going to a no haggle price set by the company. Dealers are apparently seeking legal advice as they fear a large loss in sales if people feel they can’t get a better deal. Interesting. https://www.drive.com.au/news/honda-to-adopt-fixed-prices-will-scale-back-the-number-of-showrooms-in-2021/ honda has already started and they are predicting lost of sales: Honda has forecast its annual sales will be cut by more than half and drop from 43,800 last year and 51,500 the year prior, to less than 20,000 deliveries a year under the new plan. No 2nd guess as what will happen with Mercedes, but they are in a totally different market niche where the audience will buy regardless because of its heritage and status…. Be interesting to see. Edited: when we went for a RAV4 Hybrid, the friendly sales guy who became a friend told me to find a better price elsewhere, Even if he just took the icing of the cake I would have signed, Great guy too I would have love to buy the car off him……so off I went, stepped into another dealership and without starting negotiation $2.5K was knocked off the RRP! Signed on the dot! Edited October 12, 2021 by Addicted to music
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