I’m curious if there is a ‘standard’ percent of purchase price that a dealer will require when placing an order for a component that must be ordered from a manufacturer. I’m not talking about special orders.
If I order a 10k amp that is not in stock at the dealer and must be built by the manufacturer what is a reasonable percentage of that amount that the dealer should require up front?
Thanks for your time.
My experience is 20% non-refundable deposit option presented by dealer(s). That said, if the dealer is open to it I’ll go for the floor model at a 25% discount. Some dealers will go there, others, well you know the story.
I’m curious as to what you are buying.
20% down, ok, thanks for the feedback. Sounds like you have a good relationship with your dealer.
I’m awaiting delivery of a CEC TL0 3.0 cd transport. I put close to 30% down.
I wonder if the manufacturer has any influence on money down….
My guess it varies with dealer and manufacturer. Also market conditions come into play. Many manufacturer’s are now on a build to order basis with a considerable wait. This model challenges my patience to be honest. When I am ready, I am ready.
20% sounds reasonable…but no refund for a standard piece of audio equipment… I would pass!
Depends on one’s definition of standard. As well, everything is open to negotiation.
This would make me think that the dealer has little confidence that they could sell it if the buyer backed out.
When I ordered my Gryphon Commander and Legato and Apex it was a no money down thing. Odd. When I ordered my MBL Extremes it was a lot of money down and when I canceled my order they kept the money. Sad. Mad.
It’s not like they weren’t going to make them anyway. But considering the price maybe they wouldn’t.
Still I would change the “S” to an “M”.
THat’s one perspective. I see it as the dealer spreading the risk to a degree. Should the deal fal through I’d like to think the dealer would offer on equivalent in store credit at a minimum. Again, it is situational.
The dealer says MBL kept the money. MBL says the dealer kept the money. I have moved on.
I have days when I make or lose what I lost on that deal on the market. That helps.
Just for reference my Pink Faun server was 100% pay in advance. My ADIO was the same. 100% bank wire transfer in advance before the order was accepted.
I guess it’s entirely up to the seller and buyer to agree on what’s proper and best.
I dont regret either purchase although sending 20 large to a foreign bank account was a bit of a moment.
I forgot about it but my MPD-8 was also 100% pay in advance then wait for the machine to be built and shipped. Also no regrets there either.
I understand your pain. I think the dealer/mfr had better options that they did not pursue. Especially considering the wait list for the Extremes, as clearly the demand was in place and no financial loss to the dealer or mfr from what I understand.
Example when I ordered my Decware SET amps there was a non-refundable deposit required (10%), and a lengthy wait to boot, (>18 months). I looked forward to receiving each amp, and after the break-in and and moderate time evaluating each I decided to pursue a Pass XA-25. The demand for the SETs was so great I was able to sell each at a profit with offers in hand within 8 hour of posting them. Clearly not the same as some rather pricey components. Just a different example. I doubt Steve Deckert would have refunded my depsoit had I changed my mind.
NFG 
Personally I wish I turned out better. You rate better in my book. Yes the market has been my friend as well.
Healthy attitude, my friend.
You are are trusting soul, and with fine components to boot.
It’s been my experience that each dealer has their own policies. Ping the
dealer and work with them. The dealer I use in NH USA is flexible and great place to work with.
Of course I made a few phone calls and emails before sending the cash in all cases.
Trustworthy people earn my trust pretty quickly. Dealing with the best of the best is really pretty straightforward and honest.
Al’s speaker FUBAR is very unfortunate. I would be pissed but also get over it and move on as he did. No sense being mad at aholes as they don’t know you are mad and dont really care so you are just making yourself sick for nothing if you continue to be mad.
Life is usually good at allowing you to get even at just the right time though. 