No more dealer discounts?

[vinodk]

Its a double standard by Martin Logan when they tell dealers to be strict with pricing & pretend that they are looking out for dealers but at the same time allow some e-tailers lately to sell their speakers online. Looks like ML has no problem bending the rules to their convenience to pad their bottom line whereas they expect dealers to stick by their rules in these tough times.

 

[akm3]

I have a new conspiracy theory. I don't think ML is actually planning to enforce the new pricing more than they enforced it in the past, but they are making a big show of it so people who were on the fence in this economy jump off the fence to get the 'good prices' while they last.

THIS is how they are helping their dealers; getting a bunch of buyers off of the fence.

 

[vinodk]

I don't know how ML can be helping their dealers(who have stood by them for a long time) by signing up more e-tailers who are allowed to do on-line sales whereas traditional dealers are not.

 

[RichTeer]

If ML were really gonna try to enforce dealer pricing, they should list the MSRP on their web site, rather than just saying "Contact Dealer for pricing" (or words to that effect).

 

[sleepysurf]

I don't know how ML can be helping their dealers(who have stood by them for a long time) by signing up more e-tailers who are allowed to do on-line sales whereas traditional dealers are not.

Sorry, but I don't see any conflict here.

First of all... there are only two online retailers selling ML, they are Best Buy (via Magnolia), and Amazon. Further, they are only selling the lower Designer line and architectural line (in-wall, in-ceiling). As far as I can tell, the higher end ESL line is still sold only by brick and mortar high-end dealers.

By reaching out to the internet saavy entry-level consumer, they are ultimately helping their higher-end dealers, by eventually recruiting more folks into the higher-end market.

 

[vinodk]

Now Onecall is also selling ML including their ESL line. Even allowing Design series sales on-line is still a lost sale for an independent dealer which atleast would have helped establish a long term relationship with a customer even if he/she is not able to afford the ESL line. Now ML signed on with AVAD for even wider distribution network so its just a matter of time before more e-tailers selling ESL line pop up. It would be interesting to hear from some of the independent ML dealers to see what they think of this.

 

[CCH]

Strange but true:

http://www.onecall.com/ProductSearch.aspx?N=1800

 

[akm3]

The irony of course is that Onecall is the internet store front for a local Hi-Fi shop here. Now I actually have an ML dealer in my town again...yay.

 

[tsmooth]

Summit X for under $10k, I thought there where no more dealer discounts (or is that next month).

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1243189801&/Martin-Logan-Summit-X-new-neve

 

[tonepub]

MSS is not a dealer.

These are an export pair, did you read the print they are "50hz versions" and you need to buy a PS Audio power plant so that you can use them".

This guy is bad news, he buys stuff from dealers going out of business and blows it out the door cheap.

He used to be the JB Audio Pimp

 

[SundayNiagara]

MSS is not a dealer.

These are an export pair, did you read the print they are "50hz versions" and you need to buy a PS Audio power plant so that you can use them".

This guy is bad news, he buys stuff from dealers going out of business and blows it out the door cheap.

He used to be the JB Audio Pimp

Yes, I read the 50Hz part, but does buying/selling distressed merchandise make him "bad news"?

 

[FISH_MAN]

Yes, I read the 50Hz part, but does buying/selling distressed merchandise make him "bad news"?

anybody who regularly changes their name should be avoided period.

 

[DrJRapp]

There is always a way around a manufacturers attempts at fixing the price of their goods. When I purchased my Summits, ML was on a rampage here in South Florida and fired about 1/2 of it's dealers. I was able to convince the one that I bought from that if they sold me my pair of Summits at MSRP, there was nothing in their agreement with ML that said that they couldn't GIVE me a Theater i as a gift for being such a good customer. That's what ultimatly happened...with ML's blessing!

 

[SundayNiagara]

anybody who regularly changes their name should be avoided period.

So besides JB Audio Pimp, has he/they had other names?

 

[Craig]

anybody who regularly changes their name should be avoided period.

I agree. However, this guy has only changed his name once in the past 3+ years and explains the change in all his ads. His ads have always been arrogant and obnoxious and just bad marketing. Makes one wonder about the quality of support he would provide if any post sale/shipping support is needed.

This guy is bad news, he buys stuff from dealers going out of business and blows it out the door cheap.

What's so wrong with that? What else are dealers going out of business supposed to do with the merchandise?

 

[tonepub]

Makes one wonder about the quality of support he would provide if any post sale/shipping support is needed.

Now you're getting a little closer to the situation....

 

[FISH_MAN]

I agree. However, this guy has only changed his name once in the past 3+ years and explains the change in all his ads. His ads have always been arrogant and obnoxious and just bad marketing. Makes one wonder about the quality of support he would provide if any post sale/shipping support is needed.

What's so wrong with that? What else are dealers going out of business supposed to do with the merchandise?

I just smell trouble that's all I am a pretty good judge of people. just my opinion though take it for what its worth

 

[SundayNiagara]

Now you're getting a little closer to the situation....

Care to explain?

 

[slowGEEZR]

I think it is simply the old Quality vs Price vs Service. No big mystery here. You can get the best of any two, but not all three. The Audio Pimp, aka the "hardest working man in audio" sells at the lowest possible prices, seems to sell quality stuff, so he has no room left (no money margin) to be able to provide quality service. In other words, buy cheap and then you're on your own.