Rip off British Hi-Fi Industry

[struth]

Haven't read the whole thread (and I am not voting) but like many Hi-Fi areas it is difficult to come up with something conclusive because there are so many other variables influencing the one in question - in this case a rip-off. I suppose considering retail prices for the same item on The Continent and in The States could be interesting. If retail prices in the UK are higher then that is a starting point. I stress 'starting point' because maybe UK dealers offer (on average) a different level of service - worth a lot in my book; maybe there are different levels of duty or sales tax, or maybe standard (or legislative) warranties are different. Here in NZ retail prices are substantially more than almost anywhere else because of the shipping costs (also the extra time involved finding us on the map).

Theres a NEW Zealand now?

[awkwardbydesign]

Irrelevant is the question? - the answers a big grey thing with ears and a trunk?

Dementia's a terrible thing.

[Sovereign]

Getting back to the OP, Am I being ripped off by retailers? The answer is no, as I buy all my gear second hand or try and make it myself. When I do buy stuff new I tend to buy from retailers such as Paul Coupe, Nick Gorham and the like. To me chaps like these sell stunning products and deserve every penny they charge.

[DSJR]

And this is why the UK audio industry has collapsed, as the once massive middle-market is now a used-gear one, with a few online manufacturers taking up a lot of the remaining slack. I think I can say this as practically all my own gear is now very old (1996 AVI preamp is the newest, the rest before 1990 pretty much).

[The Barbarian]

Bought used have done for over 25 years. Not really interested if the industry has collapsed, I personally have no need for it..

[Oldpinkman]

Have you heard the one about the hifi nut so obsessed with direct sales as the only pure and true way to sell he thinks any retailer like tesco is corrupt and a rip off. So he gets his eggs direct from the local farm, his loo roll direct from the paper mill, and his comfort from his right hand

[User211]

Two of the best domestic systems I have heard have been built by one man British bands.

Tom's RFC cabinet Tannoys and, ahem, mine built by Jon at Reality Audio to my spec.

Just looking at Jon's product, a super spec'd Apogee Duetta, and you know it isn't going to be normal, whether you personally like them or not.

Sooner or later I'll let someone hear them

Value for money? Well I'd like to see a sizeable producer manage to make a speaker at this level of performance for anything like the money.

[Marco]

Have you heard the one about the hifi nut so obsessed with direct sales as the only pure and true way to sell he thinks any retailer like tesco is corrupt and a rip off. So he gets his eggs direct from the local farm, his loo roll direct from the paper mill, and his comfort from his right hand

Wot if he’s a left-handed ‘tosser’?

Marco.

[struth]

Wot if he’s a left-handed ‘tosser’?

Marco.

You calling me left handed?

[Marco]

Arf!

Marco.