An old saw of retailing is to know your customers. So you might want to take a look at what sokme car audio enthusiasts say about the car stereo shop down the block on the Steve Meade Designs forum.
The unfortunate name of the thread is “We have all helped to kill the local dealers.” It shows what car audio shops are up against. We offer it because it’s noteworthy when a group of enthusiasts spontaneously offer opinions about 12 volt retailing.
What we took away, was the fine line a business owner must tread to compete with the Internet, but also that customers seem willing to pay for good, friendly, service.
See the thread here.
Source: Steve Meade Designs
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The people who frequent online enthusiast forums are generally not a B&M retailer’s best customer, in any industry. It doesn’t matter whether it’s car audio, fishing gear, watches, knives or skiing gear… the B&M retailer is vilified for having high prices and substandard expertise. Brands with controlled distribution are characterized as “overpriced” and “not worth the money”. Internet direct products are hailed as best values.
Go to AVSforum.com (home audio and theater forums) and look at the equipment threads… they all talk about online deals and internet direct brands being the hot ticket.
So wrong on so many levels, and yet not at all unexpected. If anyone in the 12V industry wants to know who is to blame, just look in the mirror. Unprofessional retailers, greedy manufacturers, uncaring reps…we have all played a part. And there seems to be no desire or will to change anything.