Get your Naim & Focal now - huge discounts...

[Leonnbbb]

I feel that it might not just be a A2A issue; there could be something wrong with Focal/Naim themselves. I recently purchased the Mu-so 2 Wood Edition from the official Naim distributor in China for only AUD $1400.

[Third Time Lucky]

I ended up grabbing a Uniti Atom HE to be the front end for my Sarabande actives. Will be interesting to see what change it brings from the HTPC/Geiseler Fein II currently doing that duty.

[TDX]

  On 04/09/2023 at 5:38 AM, Third Time Lucky said:

I ended up grabbing a Uniti Atom HE to be the front end for my Sarabande actives. Will be interesting to see what change it brings from the HTPC/Geiseler Fein II currently doing that duty.

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Have you got it, did you like it?

[Third Time Lucky]

  On 05/09/2023 at 1:26 AM, TDX said:

Have you got it, did you like it?

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Haha no, it will be some time.  The saleman let me know that it wouldn't be sent out for multiple days due to the volume of orders. I did ask about express shipping as it would be unreal to have it by next Monday and he said they weren't even offering that option at the moment. Now the shipping delays are the first banner on the page and they are offering refunds for those annoyed with the wait. I'm not concerned though, I didn't really expect to buy anything, I've been almost buying something for a while now so my wife was surprised I actually went through with it this time.

[Rockford]

"Please bare with us" Doh...  Might get arrested doing that. 

 

[maximus]

Tried calling over weekend and a few minutes ago. just today, too busy, we'll have to call you back. Must be crazy over there.

[blybo]

  On 01/09/2023 at 3:58 AM, metal beat said:

 

Makes you wonder how Focal/Naim would sever ties with a distributor that has potentially so much inventory.

   It makes logical commercial sense that A2A are selling off all their inventory if they are no longer the distributors.  Focal/Naim would be aware of this.

 

To me most of the fault lies with Focal/Naim, not A2A for allowing this situation to become a commercial reality.

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I'm not sure why you would say this. We have no idea what has brought this relationship to a bitter end, but I do know 1 simple thing. If I was a large multinational brand (or suite of brands in this case) I wouldn't want my distributor to be selling direct. This would make any other retailers hesitant to stock the brands and hence effecting overall sales volumes.

 

I have noticed over the years that Busisoft have had distribution rights to certain brands which increasingly were only available through their own retail channels. Going back 5 or 6 years ago most independent hifi retailers in Melbourne would have stocked both Naim and Focal with pride... now they don't. Is that the fault of the parent company or the local distributor?

[Audiome]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:35 AM, blybo said:

 

I'm not sure why you would say this. We have no idea what has brought this relationship to a bitter end, but I do know 1 simple thing. If I was a large multinational brand (or suite of brands in this case) I wouldn't want my distributor to be selling direct. This would make any other retailers hesitant to stock the brands and hence effecting overall sales volumes.

 

I have noticed over the years that Busisoft have had distribution rights to certain brands which increasingly were only available through their own retail channels. Going back 5 or 6 years ago most independent hifi retailers in Melbourne would have stocked both Naim and Focal with pride... now they don't. Is that the fault of the parent company or the local distributor?

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do we really care who's fault? its consumer market now yehhhh. Dynaudio always got sale going and many times at 40% off. Lets hope magico, siltech.....will be next bargain!

Edited September 5, 2023 by Audiome

[blybo]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:40 AM, Audiome said:

do we really care who's fault? its consumer market now yehhhh. Lets hope magico, siltech.....will be next bargain!

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Yeah we really do. What a short sighted view to have. Take this to it's logical conclusion and many excellent brands will not be offered in Oz because the market has been tarnished.

 

For a long time my view has been that A2A were just a profit grabbing box mover... disguised as a specialist HiFi retailer. I'm sure there is blame to be had on both sides, but as a retailer myself (in another industry) I hate having to buy off and compete against certain distributors who also have retail arms.

[Guest]

You get it @blybo. I've stopped trying to preach here. Consumers care only about cheapest price, end of story. It's not just StereoNET and hi-fi, it's across all industries. You have to be careful what you wish for, because as you say, some brands may end up not even available or  represented in Australia at all.

[Audiome]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:46 AM, blybo said:

Yeah we really do. What a short sighted view to have. Take this to it's logical conclusion and many excellent brands will not be offered in Oz because the market has been tarnished.

 

For a long time my view has been that A2A were just a profit grabbing box mover... disguised as a specialist HiFi retailer. I'm sure there is blame to be had on both sides, but as a retailer myself (in another industry) I hate having to buy off and compete against certain distributors who also have retail arms.

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sorry i didnt know u r retailer. Like i said im just consumer and out looking for bargain and i am sure or agreed that A2A is been abit harsh to retailers ATM.

I wish u luck

Edited September 5, 2023 by Audiome

[metal beat]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:35 AM, blybo said:

 

I'm not sure why you would say this. We have no idea what has brought this relationship to a bitter end, but I do know 1 simple thing. If I was a large multinational brand (or suite of brands in this case) I wouldn't want my distributor to be selling direct. This would make any other retailers hesitant to stock the brands and hence effecting overall sales volumes.

 

I have noticed over the years that Busisoft have had distribution rights to certain brands which increasingly were only available through their own retail channels. Going back 5 or 6 years ago most independent hifi retailers in Melbourne would have stocked both Naim and Focal with pride... now they don't. Is that the fault of the parent company or the local distributor?

Expand  

 

I am not sure why you would say this?

 

You just agreed with me stating you wouldn't want a Distributor selling direct  - They were not doing this until they have been dumped.  Focal/Naim would know how much inventory ADA had and have allowed this to happen.

 

  BTW, There are many Distributors in AU that sell direct at discounted prices - Absolute Hi End. I wonder how their retailers feel about that.

  There are also many so called Distributors in AU that carry stuff all inventory and virtually just sit their taking orders and not actively promoting their brands whatsover.

[blybo]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:51 AM, Audiome said:

sorry i didnt know u r retailer. Like i said im just consumer and out looking for bargain and i am sure or agreed that A2A is been abit harsh for retailers ATM.

I wish u luck

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Me being a retailer has nothing to do with this. I sell ladies shoes... but currently having a closing down sale

 

It's funny that if these products had always been at these hugely discounted prices, they wouldn't be held in such high regard. Price is important to me too, but not at the expense of the market. I'm currently trying to sell a Moon streaming integrated in the classifieds to help pay off my business overdraft, and I know this sale on Naim is probably hampering my chances.

[blybo]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:51 AM, metal beat said:

You just agreed with me stating you wouldn't want a Distributor selling direct  - They were not doing this until they have been dumped.  Focal/Naim would know how much inventory ADA had and have allowed this to happen.

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What? They have sold both products at retail for as long as they have been the distributors. Now they are actively destroying the brands potential for other distributors in this country.

[metal beat]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:58 AM, blybo said:

What? They have sold both products at retail for as long as they have been the distributors. Now they are actively destroying the brands potential for other distributors in this country.

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A decision Focal / Naim has commercially signed off on by not buying their existing inventory to transfer to the new distributor.

  A2A are selling off their inventory at wholesale prices as they are no longer the distributor  - how many of their retailers do you think would have bought inventory from them once they were no longer the disty ?

  

You seem to be singling ADA out here while ignoring the other distributors that do they same thing. 

 

  For once, the consumer is not being shafted with the Australia tax with excellent prices on Focal and Naim products for a short time.

[blybo]

  On 05/09/2023 at 3:05 AM, metal beat said:

 

A decision Focal / Naim has commercially signed off on by not buying their existing inventory to transfer to the new distributor.

  A2A are selling off their inventory at wholesale prices as they are no longer the distributor  - how many of their retailers do you think would have bought inventory from them once they were no longer the disty ?

  

You seem to be singling ADA out here while ignoring the other distributors that do they same thing. 

 

  For once, the consumer is not being shafted with the Australia tax with excellent prices on Focal and Naim products for a short time.

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I feel like I'm here but I'll just give this topic one more go...

 

I see no other distributors discounting products by 40% that they are (or were) trying to sell to other retailers. The parent company does not control the volume of product a distributor chooses to warehouse in the local market, and they have no requirement to purchase it back at the end of the relationship. Can you imagine the flood of product if that was the case?

 

Busisoft may have had the opportunity to sell their stock to the new distributors (or existing retailers) at an agreeable price to all parties, but no, they are 5hitting on the brands and hence why no other distributors will go near them in the short term.

[Audiome]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:51 AM, metal beat said:

 

I am not sure why you would say this?

 

You just agreed with me stating you wouldn't want a Distributor selling direct  - They were not doing this until they have been dumped.  Focal/Naim would know how much inventory ADA had and have allowed this to happen.

 

  BTW, There are many Distributors in AU that sell direct at discounted prices - Absolute Hi End. I wonder how their retailers feel about that.

  There are also many so called Distributors in AU that carry stuff all inventory and virtually just sit their taking orders and not actively promoting their brands whatsover.

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australia is quite a small market and how many of us into spend so much on audio? we are nuts lol......i think majority of the distributors selling direct and having a retail shop as well. Its alwayd great for consumers but not so good for retailers

[metal beat]

  On 05/09/2023 at 3:15 AM, blybo said:

I feel like I'm here but I'll just give this topic one more go...

 

I see no other distributors discounting products by 40% that they are (or were) trying to sell to other retailers. The parent company does not control the volume of product a distributor chooses to warehouse in the local market, and they have no requirement to purchase it back at the end of the relationship. Can you imagine the flood of product if that was the case?

 

Busisoft may have had the opportunity to sell their stock to the new distributors (or existing retailers) at an agreeable price to all parties, but no, they are 5hitting on the brands and hence why no other distributors will go near them in the short term.

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It seems like you are beating your own head against a wall.

 

  What would you do if you were Busisoft?

 

  Waiting on your words of commercial wisdom.

[Neo]

Busisoft destroyed these premium brands and their reputation as one. Who’s is going to service these in the future and the secondhand value has already been eroded, we got clowns now putting a wtb for ndx2 for $4k. 
I have a number of Naim items, I would like to be able to have them serviced by people who know Naim equipment rather than any tech. 
That’s what busisoft has done by slash and burn the stock on hand. 
Neo

[blybo]

  On 05/09/2023 at 3:19 AM, metal beat said:

What would you do if you were Busisoft?

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Chosen whether to be a retailer or distributor, not both. If both, make pricing so that other retailers were also able to make feasible margins so everybody wins. I suspect (but don't know for sure) that the wholesale prices of Naim and Focal in Oz made it increasingly unattractive for independent retailers to compete with A2A's retail prices.

 

Retail competition only works when it's a level playground, not one skewed in the distributors favour. Have a walk around a major shopping centre and try and count the number of shops selling multiple brands. There won't be many, and behind the scenes I can tell you in the footwear industry, 2 wholesale companies own the vast majority of stores in shopping centres, and distribute almost all the labels available in those stores. I'm sure this is also true of many other retail sectors, and is causing a diminishing of choice for consumers, and will continue to do so until true independent retailers are a thing of the past.

Edited September 5, 2023 by blybo

[metal beat]

  On 05/09/2023 at 3:27 AM, Neo said:

Busisoft destroyed these premium brands and their reputation as one. Who’s is going to service these in the future and the secondhand value has already been eroded, we got clowns now putting a wtb for ndx2 for $4k. 
I have a number of Naim items, I would like to be able to have them serviced by people who know Naim equipment rather than any tech. 
That’s what busisoft has done by slash and burn the stock on hand. 
Neo

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Send an email to Naim and ask them.    They have allowed this to happen. If they still care about their customers ( which I am sure they do) I am sure they will respond appropriately.

 

  Destroyed Focal's and Naim's reputation with cheaper prices to reduce their stock on hand.    I don't think so. They are still great products.

 

  I wish Wilson speakers were 40% off  LOL.   But Wilson would not allow that to happen with any global distributor.

Edited September 5, 2023 by metal beat

[metal beat]

  On 05/09/2023 at 3:29 AM, blybo said:

Chosen whether to be a retailer or distributor, not both. If both, make pricing so that other retailers were also able to make feasible margins so everybody wins. I suspect (but don't know for sure) that the wholesale prices of Naim and Focal in Oz made it increasingly unattractive for independent retailers to compete with A2A's retail prices.

 

Retail competition only works when it's a level playground, not one skewed in the distributors favour. Have a walk around a major shopping centre and try and count the number of shops selling multiple brands. There won't be many, and behind the scenes I can tell you in the footwear industry, 2 wholesale companies own the vast majority of stores in shopping centres, and distribute almost all the labels available in those stores. I'm sure this is also true of many other retail sectors, and is causing a diminishing of choice for consumers, and will continue to do so until true independent retailers are a thing of the past.

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I was hoping you would actually answer my question, rather than bringing out a motherhood statement.  Focal and Naim retailers could not make feasible margins when the retail prices were up to 40% higher last week?   give me a break.

 

 last time I ask,  If you were A2A/Busisoft, what would you do with all your inventory after you were advised you were no longer the distributor?

Edited September 5, 2023 by metal beat

[Guest]

  On 05/09/2023 at 2:51 AM, metal beat said:

 

I am not sure why you would say this?

 

You just agreed with me stating you wouldn't want a Distributor selling direct  - They were not doing this until they have been dumped.  Focal/Naim would know how much inventory ADA had and have allowed this to happen.

 

  BTW, There are many Distributors in AU that sell direct at discounted prices - Absolute Hi End. I wonder how their retailers feel about that.

  There are also many so called Distributors in AU that carry stuff all inventory and virtually just sit their taking orders and not actively promoting their brands whatsover.

Expand  

 

@metal beat if the distributor also owns the retail stores, isn't that selling direct? Some manage this better than others, but no matter how you play with the accounting, a distributor also selling their brand at retail level simply has more margin to play with, period. So you might claim they weren't selling direct, but is that entirely accurate?

 

Your example of another "distributor" is one that is more considered a "wholetailer" in this industry. They have a tiny almost non-existent dealer network and openly sell direct. Usually, the price they sell at (retail, if you like) is what dealers would have bought it for had it been distributed and represented by another "distributor" in Australia. This also makes it near impossible for other distributors to represent the same brand when a change comes, and as you suggest, is what stops retailers even wanting to access and stock those brands.

[Audiome]

  On 05/09/2023 at 3:47 AM, metal beat said:

 

I was hoping you would actually answer my question, rather than bringing out a motherhood statement.  Focal and Naim retailers could not make feasible margins when the retail prices were up to 40% higher last week?   give me a break.

 

 last time I ask,  If you were A2A/Busisoft, what would you do with all your inventory after you were advised you were no longer the distributor?

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i am sure alot distributors will want to take on their stocks but was refused. 

[Guest]

  On 05/09/2023 at 3:15 AM, blybo said:

The parent company does not control the volume of product a distributor chooses to warehouse in the local market

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Interestingly, that's not entirely true. We have seen more recently that some brands will absolutely dictate what you must buy, and how many of each, and how often. They might even just ship that to you and then expect payment. Some might think this process may have even had something to do with the end of a distribution relationship. Purely speculation on my part, of course.