the sweetwater difference?

[Philip OKeefe]

Originally posted by OneMan:

Why does everybody that buys gear think they deserve 10 up? (SNIP). Remeber this: the salesman on the other end of the line has a family to feed and a living to earn. His (and my) job is to sell gear and make money for himself and the company he works for. I am not saying you should get fucked. But buy from one salesman at one store. They get to know you and then you get that great deal and will eventually do things like call you with new and used gear that comes into inventory that you may be interested in. This is called a relationship. Thats the guy that will get 10 up. If the price in your local store is 2,000.00, the store down the street has it for 1950.00 and you salesman gets it to you for 1875.00, 125.00 is 125.00 be happy.

OneMan

 

Oneman:

 

Some very good observations here. In my case, I feel that I DO deserve that "10 up" cut, because I own a commercial studio and therefore am in a position to make recommendations to clients on where to go and who to talk to. I will discuss (off the clock) with clients their gear needs, make recommendations and suggestions, and cover the comparative features and benefits of particular products, and explain WHY one device might be a better choice for them than another competing device.

 

This is good for our client. I have nothing to gain by suggesting that item A is better for their needs than item B, and they get valuable advice from a knowledgeable and disinterested party that they already know and trust for free. It's also good for the salesperson, because they get the client referrals from me if I feel they'll treat my clients fairly on price and service, and because they won't have to go over all the "features and benefits" questions - I've already done most of the "selling" for them. That means they can spend less time on selling the customer, and it's a direct result of my efforts. That saves them time, and time is money. All they have to really do for the people I refer is "close the sale" by giving them a fair price. I'm not asking for 10 up for my clients, just a fair and competetive price. I DO usually get 10 up for myself, but I feel I deserve it because I am giving the retailer something of value in return.

 

Most retailers that I have established a relationship with understand this concept and feel it is a mutually beneficial arrangement. I certainly can understand dealers not wanting to give everyone "10 up", but for some people it makes sense. You certainly have to earn a living, and stores are in business to make money, and that should go without saying. And I'd be the first to say that I'd rather pay a little more (say, $100 more on a $1,000 purchase) for good service, even though I'm not what you would call a "high maintenance" client.

 

BTW, $1,950 - $1,875 = $$75, not $125. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif $75 is still $75, be happy! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif As I said, I would be willing to pay the $1,950 if the relationship is good and I know they're being fair with me, vs. paying the $1,875 and having to put up with attitude garbage from that dealer.

 

 

Phil O'Keefe

Sound Sanctuary Recording

Riverside CA

http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html

email: pokeefe777@msn.com

[jmadill]

OneMan makes a very good point, regardless of where you buy.

 

Make a point of establishing a relationship with the rep. Once there is a level of trust established, and they know you're not just out milking them for information and beating on them for the best price, only to go somewhere else and buy the stuff, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the level of service and prices you'll get.

 

They'll know you're serious about the equipment you're taking their time asking questions about, and more than likely you'll get the best price the first time.

 

-jm

[DBENNVAhotmail.com]

Peeps,

 

I've been through that local stuff. Another issue with local dealers is if you spend a ton of money this year, & then there's a gap between times of making large bulk purchases their enthusiasm in selling to you tends to cool off. So I'm like if it's gonna be that way I might as well not buy from someone via a dealership relationship. The perks diminish. If there's no consistent loyalty on their side of the board then I might as well not buy from them in the very beginning. The other thing is that local dealers

are very nosy, & spread your business all over town. I might not want others to access the details of my financial transactions etc., etc., etc..

Do ya'll get my point.

 

Quantum! C/O

DBENNVA@hotmail.com

[ricongacharter.net]

craig and oneman make valid points but if you follow this whole thread (see phills original post) youll see good service is not buisness as usual for sweetwater (thats actually what started this) being handed bullshit every time you call isnt good service. noones asking sweetwater to sell at cost or any other consideration except to price where thier competition is.if they cant quote a close or same price on an item without the hassle of talking to your "sales engineer" or his assistant fuck them they dont want your buisness. if the price of what may be good service after the sale (you wont know till after your hooked) is to be jerked around every time you call then thier charging to much for thier service. all of the other places ive checked have given me the real price the first time i call regardless of who answered the phone they know your checking price thats part of their job. as far as the salesguy just working for his commision THATS WHAT THE FUCK HE DOES FOR A LIVING HIS CHOICE if the margins werent there he woulndnt be either. in sales you make your money on volume which you build by refferal. if you follow this thread on all the forums i posted to youll see that sweetwater has done a good job of pissing off a lot of people with what seems to be a company policy sales technique.to thier credit they were smart enough to mend some fences when they saw this post but not until a lot of people responded, if thier were no creedence in thier customer dissatisfaction claims this thread wouldnt still be alive

[ombbellatlantic.net]

Referrals are a large part of a good salesmans client base. They can be and are extremely valuable. If a consumer is constantly buying and bringing in biz to the same store and same salesman, yes I would think this person gets the EXTRA deal. This sounds like someone that is loyal and committed to that salesman.

good luck

 

 

OneMan

[dansouth]

Originally posted by pokeefe777@msn.com:

First of all, no manufacturer that I have ever encountered stipulates to any dealer the minimum price that they can sell a device for.

 

Phil, notable exceptions include the DX7 and the ADAT in the first 18 months of their release. I have it on good authority that selling an ADAT at a discount would have prompted Alesis to pull their products from the store.

[dansouth]

Hey Quantum! et al.,

 

Sam Ash has the BEST prices? Up front? Which Sam do you deal with? I get their catalogs. I visit the 48th St. stores and one in the 'burbs. If you guys are paying THESE prices, I could retire on the money you're throwing away. Sweetwater gives me MUCH better deals.

 

I really LIKE the assigned sales rep idea. Aside from the fact that my guy is very cool, very knowledgeable, very responsive, AND gives me great deals, but I'm not faced with dealing with a total stranger every time I call. It seems like Quantum! likes to deal with a couple of favored reps at Sam's, so what's the difference? Establishing a relationship with a sales rep HELPS when you're busy. I can keep the chat to a minimum and say, "How much does an XYZ-1000 go for? ... Okay, ship it." End of call. Try that with someone you've never spoken with before. My guy knows my address, payment details, shipping preferences, discount expectations, etc. I can order gear almost effortlessly.