When a good deal is there, it is best to take advantage of it in a timely manner. Because they won't be there forever.
If you recognize a good deal, buy it. Don't think it will always be there for you. Because one day it will go away.
Regards
Mister Pig
Good point, which was my thinking as well when I bought.
I suspect it's not because some end use customers might feel cheated. But, since Emotiva both sells direct and through dealers, having sales in the direct channel becomes competition to the dealers. Dealers object mightily to that.
Another good point; could certainly be a factor.
I have to agree as well. The "we will take more of your money so that we can give you a better deal" business model seems to be a popular sales pitch lately... I have several Emotiva products and believe I got what I needed, decent equipment at budget prices. At their newer price levels there are other choices.
Yes, they've increased their competition.
Emotiva is no longer the upstart internet based business selling bargain priced goods manufactured in China. They now have US based production for much of their product line and a US dealer network. Things are changing and along with it the pricing model, for better or worse.
Makes me wonder how much their costs really have increased.
I would much prefer to invest my money in a product with a proven track record for many years, that has a great dealer base and service base when the unforeseen issue might arise. It maybe a bitter pill to swallow at first, but when a product is still working beyond its minimum standards after 45 years you learn to appreciate the better mouse trap.
Can you imagine owning a pair of klipschorns, Harkness, Concert Grands, Capistranos, Patricians, Paragons, that are 50 years old and in some cases worth 10 times their retail value?
Sometimes people can't afford to spend more; sometimes, as with me, we balk at spending enough on a preamp to purchase a decent used car. My Khorns turned 41 this year, so I don't have to imagine that.
I've been an Emotiva fan for some time. However, their reliability doesn't warrant the higher price tags. They shouldn't try to follow other manufacturer's pricing if they can't follow their reliability.
I think perceived reliability comes with a higher price tag than even the increased Emotiva scale. McIntosh, Bryston, and such are not their direct competition. We're talking new here. I was slightly tempted by some excellent used choices, but the combination of no remote and rolling the dice on possible repair needs nixed that for me.
Thing is, they took a price increase. Then a month later went from Hi-Lo to EDLP without readjusting their pricing downward which is customary when communicating a shift in price strategy to consumers. The way they did this comes off as insulting the intelligence of their customer base."
Yes, that was my main complaint, too.
I agree, I think it was a bad move, or at least handled poorly. I'll admit, the sales are what drew me in....
With that said, all of my Emotiva gear is slowly being replaced with other stuff...Emotiva stuff is good, and a good value WHEN PURCHASED AT THE SALE PRICES, but I feel you can do "better" at the new higher prices...especially with used stuff, but maybe even with new stuff from other manufacturers.
I think Emotiva remains in competition, but have increased that competition. When I bought the XSP-1, every other contender was more expensive by a couple hundred bucks or more.
This is the part of the announcement that stick out to me:
"What we realized is that in order to offer discounted promotions at two or more times a year, we’d have to raise our retail list prices to allow for promotional discounts, and that didn’t sit well with me. We’d be artificially raising our prices in order to put products on sale during promotional periods."
This statement tells me that their retail prices have been artificially inflated in order to accommodate periodic sales promotions. Ok, I can understand that. But...with the removal of sales promotions, consumers are left with retail prices that remain artificially inflated. I appreciate their concern for the consumer, but by admittedly keeping their retail prices artificially inflated all the time, I don't see this decision as being made in the best interest of the consumer.
That is how it comes off, but could possibly be a false assumption.
The Emotiva bashing is pointless. They are trying to survive the audio environment, just like everyone else. A sales today means twiddling the thumbs later in many cases.
You either support the companies that you like, or they are going to go away. They have bills to pay too.
'ner
I'm glad you made this point.
However, I don't see this as bashing, but a discussion based on Emotiva's own well-publicized announcements which fairly invite comment. I like my Emotiva equipment. I am not so quick to call BS as some, but do find the two announcements - made a few weeks apart - striking.
In the end, the market will determine whether they can hold the line. If sales drop, then seasonal Sale pricing may well return, and likely without a lot of fanfare. As Hawkeye wrote above, I think this could have been better handled.
Oh, and overall an excellent and cogent discussion, guys.