So for every 50 to 100 home demos he could afford to keep one more item in stock. That doesn’t seem like a huge financial incentive to me. Far more important to my mind to make gear accessible to potential customers in a relaxed way. Success in any specialist retailing is about giving great service which generally results in loyal customers who keep coming back.
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I think that here in the UK, companies like Naim and Linn, along with their retailers, build into their business plans items such as decent length home demos and other items of service. We, as customers, benefit from this way of thinking. It is, of course, reflected in pricing. I, and I think many like myself, also benefit from service and expertise beyond what I have described above…that’s why we tend to be loyal to our dealers.
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And that is now the customer’s problem.
It used to work such that my dealer could do loaners for new customers, but they got burned too many times with tire-kickers taking the gear home, and then ordering it elsewhere (online retailers, unscrupulous dealers selling outside their area, etc). My dealer charges nothing for home demos, loaners, but I don’t blame them for limiting that policy to respected customers.
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Interesting responses, and if it’s generally accepted that demo overheads are actually reflected in pricing this is probably the simplest solution though it does mean customers who do purchase from the dealer may ultimately be subsidising those who try and buy elsewhere!
I have no strong opinions either way, just thought it would be an interesting discussion.
I’ve used the same local dealer for over 30 years, although staff and store ownership may have changed in this time.
I haven’t bought any high end gear so have never done a home demo. However, the price of the high end Naim hifi products is similar to the price of a car and you wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it. An in store demo would be like sitting in the passenger seat while the vendor did the test driving for you. A home demo for the high end stuff is just part of the sales process, surely.
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Are you the only forum member from Andorra? There can’t be many.
You’ve probably nailed it.
When I bought quality budget systems as a student a store demo would suffice.
Then were regular turntable upgrades from Linn in the late 80’s/early 90’s many of which I simply had to have based on magazine reviews without even auditioning (Lingo/Linto/Cirkus/Ekos for example).
When you reach a certain level and the next step is thousands not hundreds of pounds, unless money is no object I suspect we all become more selective. and a purchase has to have clear not marginal benefits to justify the outlay.
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There aren’t many in Andorra full stop! Not sure if I’m the only forum member but I haven’t seen anyone else admit to it 
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Bonjour French Rooster,
Whereabouts are you in France?
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What a gorgeous cat NFG!
Ooh thank you, her name is Talulah and yes, she is rather pretty.
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Great system you have listed too - bet it sounds fantastic.
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Understood. Unfortunately it’s a cultural thing: the verticality of the conduct. I try to stick by my word: a will act/ do exactly what I say I will. I try not to waste my or anybody’s time. But long are the times when honor was a value.
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I really think we as consumers have a duty to dealers who provide a good service.
Quite happy to buy on line and will try for a discount.
Dealers who come to my home to demo or install I don’t want to haggle (Hope that doesn’t sound Mucho Pomposity ) . Service is worth paying for.
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Always will be the case. Having a business with doors open to the public makes this a cost of doing business. Many retailers have such a philosophy, but it’s not 100%.
Thanks again Alley Cat, yes it does sound very nice, although I do not have a fancy stand for it and although the room is nothing special, like some of the rooms I see here, its got stone walls and a solid floor, so it all sounds a lot better than it looks.
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Totally unrelated but I wouldn’t like to meet you wearing that mask on a dark friday 13th night.
You look like Jason on acid 
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Versailles, et vous?
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Oh la la, très élégant. Saint Martin des Fontaines, Vendee chez nous.
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We have some « fontaines « in common 
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