My experience was a bit different. When I wanted to buy the DSJ, I only had so much money. So I sent PSA an email saying I only had this much, and that I had a few things to trade. PSA worked with me and gave me a price much better than any dealer could provide.
This is only about one transaction, so I’m in no position to say how PSA handles all direct sales. But I do know from my own experience, as well as things I’ve heard from others, there is at least the potential PSA will work on the price.
As I wrote before, I always viewed the trade in program as a way to sort of sell wholesale. Competition is stiff in this market, I have a difficult time believing PSA is eliminating all the USA dealers so they can price gouge everyone. Maybe they will, but its way too early to conclude that.
Getting rid of the dealers removes one layer of markup. If PSA so chooses, those savings could be passed onto the customer, which in theory, would create yet more direct sales. But its entirely up to them how this plays out. I doubt they will do anything to lower the number of sales. Have you seen the Paul video where they show the daily dollar amount sales meter on the wall? Surely they are savvy enough to realize that if the effective price for their product goes up, sales will go down as folks will move to other vendors.
The option you just mentioned… if it goes above and beyond - trade in your stuff get a lower price - that is something I bet most people are unaware of. You sit on an island in the middle of the pacific with limited options - so maybe you think of other options. I would never think that a direct company would make a deal
If all the effort you’re willing to put into a purchase is to click the add to cart and purchase on the website without attempting any interaction and as a result pay full retail then that is on you. It has been made pretty obvious by multiple members that if you take the time to make a phone call or even an e-mail you can do a lot better.
Dawkins. I’m the one that got good prices on my products. So it’s not that I’m lazy… I was unaware that prices on a direct company were there to be haggled with. I was unaware psaudio had a ‘sales team’. I have purchased one thing direct - from Crutchfeld about 20 years ago. But I had to call as I was looking at a magazine and they constantly talk about talking to ‘Bob one of our audio specialists’.
Wasn’t aimed at which is why is wasn’t directed to you but the prevailing wind for the last couple of days is that with direct sales all we can do is click the buttons and pay full price. That is not the case with PSA or any of the dozen or so other Direct Sale companies I have dealt with over the years. It does require the seller to get away from the keyboard however in most instances and pick up the phone and establish a relationship with the company personnel or in some instances even the owner like Klaus from Odyssey. It will get you better prices and service.
So, as Paul has indicated above, pricing stays the same. That protects those that have already purchased with big discounts. Those looking to buy in the future will likely look elsewhere.
I read the other day that Vinnie Rossi who was direct to consumer since day one is now going with a distributor-dealer network.
Sometimes, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
It’s difficult to imagine that PS Audio could be so inept to allow this to happen. They’re casting the same net, to catch the same fish, just getting rid of the fishmonger in between, which ought to allow for greater flexibility when negotiating with PS Audio, or any other company with a similar model of high margin goods…
If prices stay the same as Paul said above, then it’s unlikely. You think PSA will negotiate pricing like their dealers did? Think again. Paul has already said, and correctly, that the margin now utilized for the dealer network will go to create the direct customer team.
s_alvanip, I was “flush with cash at 25” living at home with my modest Adcom/JVC/Sony/Homebrew Speaker Towers. I AM THAT RUSH FAN that lived in his Mom’s Basement. I had a crappy job but with Degree in hand. I would work in a sheet metal stamping factory during the night and on Friday mornings. Drive around the GTA (the Greater Toronto Area) and send Resume’s in person to various high tech companies. This was in 1994/1995.
We Geezer’s may reminisce about “the good 'ole days” but at least we have the stories to tell and they are (well…most of them) true.
Kid…be patient…it’s not easy…I thought I had all the answers at your age too.
Have your PS Audio equipment delivered to any UPS/FedEx/USPS location in Upstate or Western NY (or any U.S. Courier a near a Canadian Border). Then buy some groceries and simple items (don’t buy tires…see my reply post on another PS Audio topic). Make sure the receipt doesn’t exceed the per day limit ($75USD I think), and show them that receipt and odds are they won’t search your car if you show them the <$75 receipt. Your luck is at the discretion of the Canada Customs Officer and I’ve been lucky with my rather questionable method (in my experience anyways with other audio equipment I’d bought online and brought back to “My Home & Native Land”).
cadri, badbeef, Elk & Paul : I’m just trying to add some brevity/comedy/smart ass comments cause personally PS Audio going “mail order” is “much to do about nothing” IMHO. PS Audio and the rest of us will “Live Long & Prosper”.
Everyone please take a “Chill Pill” and stop posting the same old comments from different “points of view”.
I assure y’all I didn’t mean disrespect, it was mostly tongue in cheek. I’m fortunate enough in my early 30s to be able to sort of afford some of PSAs offerings at retail. Having said that I’m starting off in life and in this hobby and having more cash to go around is nice. 2k off a BHK pre means building out other parts of a system. If you’re more fortunate and that doesn’t impact you much then that’s awesome and something to work towards. Markets ultimately dictate everything so we’ll see what happens from here on out.
You won’t really know what the cost will be until you make a phone call or if your expected purchase is coming before the 30 days is up then call one of the “usual suspects.”
Clearly we customers need to unionize so we can obtain better pricing, and perhaps healthcare/ retirement benefits from PS Audio. If we band together, we can have PS Audio begging for mercy! We can replace the dealer network with an internet discussion forum mafia. That’ll show Paul!
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