US Mc Prices and discounts?

[mfirst]

Living in Columbus Ohio - last year our local dealer closed (although I got a great deal on a MS750) - however, I might be interested in expanding my system. I know of a good dealer in Cleveland (Audio Craft) - about 150 miles away. As much as I like to go in and daydream - is there a MSRP price list available so that I have some preparation for sticker shock or to even see what, if anything, is within my price range. Also - I am sure this is a touchy topic, but are discounts available and if so, what have people experienced? I would be tempted to by used (most of my Mc stuff is used).... but it is hard for me to find newer stuff local

thanks

-michael

 

[dan87951]

Just google the unit your into with a "MSRP" on the end and that usually brings up the prices.

Discounts are rare unless they are discontinued items.

 

[jlovda]

Try Audio Corner in Jackson Twp (Canton), OH. They are a dealer but did not have a big Mac display when I visited them six months ago.

 

[Brian]

Form my experiences, though fixed pricing was outlawed years ago and MSRP not permitted to sub for it, McIntosh for years after controlled pricing through various means including deregistering dealers discounting, not filling orders and other methods. Not sure about now but it seems an inordinate of dealers still have the same prices with no discounts. I can only assume McIntosh still indirectly may be controlling pricing.

 

[surf123]

I have purchased from multiple dealers and a have received a discount without much haggling. I'd recommend pursuing a lower price.

 

[MikeSp]

Form my experiences, though fixed pricing was outlawed years ago and MSRP not permitted to sub for it, McIntosh for years after controlled pricing through various means including deregistering dealers discounting, not filling orders and other methods. Not sure about now but it seems an inordinate of dealers still have the same prices with no discounts. I can only assume McIntosh still indirectly may be controlling pricing.

The price fixing to which you refer was called the "Fair Trade Laws" and was repealed in 1975. Somehow, they have made a return since Sony will soon be requiring one price for each model of HDTV no matter where they are sold, and most high end audio companies have a contractural agreement with their dealers requiring a certain minimal price whether it is the MSRP or slightly below it. A dealer in a university town not far from me lost several high end lines years ago when those companies found out that this dealer was discounting their products even though it was HIS store and HE was satisfied with HIS profits and the companies were fully paid. I am sure glad cars are not sold that way.

I would venture a guess that most high end audio products (speakers or electronics) have a 40-50% markup plus freight.

McIntosh is specific that they will NOT honor warrenties on mail-order products with their brand -- it must be physically paid for in the store. Do you have to pay retail MSRP for McIntosh products -- shop around...

Good luck,

MikeSp

 

[sssmokin99]

I know the dealer which you refer to and have gone out of my way to buy from them because they had the balls to stand up to that crap and offer me a price fair to us both. The vendors should be glad that he has stuck it out and has such a loyal customer base in these hard times. Most every higher end store in the KC area has bitten the dust.....

The price fixing to which you refer was called the "Fair Trade Laws" and was repealed in 1975. Somehow, they have made a return since Sony will soon be requiring one price for each model of HDTV no matter where they are sold, and most high end audio companies have a contractural agreement with their dealers requiring a certain minimal price whether it is the MSRP or slightly below it. A dealer in a university town not far from me lost several high end lines years ago when those companies found out that this dealer was discounting their products even though it was HIS store and HE was satisfied with HIS profits and the companies were fully paid. I am sure glad cars are not sold that way.

I would venture a guess that most high end audio products (speakers or electronics) have a 40-50% markup plus freight.

McIntosh is specific that they will NOT honor warrenties on mail-order products with their brand -- it must be physically paid for in the store. Do you have to pay retail MSRP for McIntosh products -- shop around...

Good luck,

MikeSp

 

[MikeSp]

I know the dealer which you refer to and have gone out of my way to buy from them because they had the balls to stand up to that crap and offer me a price fair to us both. The vendors should be glad that he has stuck it out and has such a loyal customer base in these hard times. Most every higher end store in the KC area has bitten the dust.....

Accent Sound was my home away from home and a GREAT McIntosh dealer -- treated everyone with respect, but when the owner (Herb) could not get the developer that owned the building in which he leased his store, to come down on the lease after the housing bubble burst, the owner (think he was 85) just said to hell with it and went out of business. The AudioPort was purchased by a Wichita company and went out of business and the former owner of the AudioPort is back in business with a small some-what high end audio store and the former manager of Accent Sound (Janet) was working there the last time I was in that store. The owner hates McIntosh, so I don't venture in there except to see Janet -- was an outstanding manager for Accent Sound and was such a positive force for McIntosh sales.

The most fun high end audio store in KC was downtown and owned by a dentist or dental supplier (forget with my aging memory) -- it was as much as hobby to have the finest audio toys as it was his passion and the only time I ever got to hear a pair of Focal Grand Utopias and other equivalent speakers -- oh how he loved to bring out the various high end goodies even knowing that a person was tire kicking. He is gone too...

A person would think that a metro area of 2 million people with part of it in rich Johnson County, KS could support several high end audio stores, but sadly, that is NOT the case... sigh :tears:

MikeSp

 

[sssmokin99]

Accent Sound was my home away from home and a GREAT McIntosh dealer -- treated everyone with respect, but when the owner (Herb) could not get the developer that owned the building in which he leased his store, to come down on the lease after the housing bubble burst, the owner (think he was 85) just said to hell with it and went out of business. The AudioPort was purchased by a Wichita company and went out of business and the former owner of the AudioPort is back in business with a small some-what high end audio store and the former manager of Accent Sound (Janet) was working there the last time I was in that store. The owner hates McIntosh, so I don't venture in there except to see Janet -- was an outstanding manager for Accent Sound and was such a positive force for McIntosh sales.

The most fun high end audio store in KC was downtown and owned by a dentist or dental supplier (forget with my aging memory) -- it was as much as hobby to have the finest audio toys as it was his passion and the only time I ever got to hear a pair of Focal Grand Utopias and other equivalent speakers -- oh how he loved to bring out the various high end goodies even knowing that a person was tire kicking. He is gone too...

A person would think that a metro area of 2 million people with part of it in rich Johnson County, KS could support several high end audio stores, but sadly, that is NOT the case... sigh :tears:

MikeSp

Isn't that the truth....
The downtown store- Primus, I assume. It was almost a well kept secret- sure had an interesting setup in that old building though.
I think the only reason Independence Audio is still around is because they embraced "home theatre"- saw the writing on the wall - and ran with it. I really dont care about anything but sound and thus the "theatre" part pretty much bores me. But thats just me. ***I should clarify that: My interest is PRIMARILY the sound, and not the video part. Once I have a picture that I am satisfied with, I am done- I dont keep messing with it. The audio, on the other hand, gets changed CONSTANTLY, lol....***

And then that leaves SoundFX; Robert worked for Beatty after Beatty sold to you-know-who and before that all went down the tubes. Nice people but still a bit short on selection that interests me. I guess thats why I mess with used gear so much nowadays. You would have enjoyed the MC2500 I crossed paths with a few months back!

But of course it was Kief's who dared make me a good deal and infuriate the manufacturers, lol

 

[jlovda]

The most fun high end audio store in KC was downtown and owned by a dentist or dental supplier (forget with my aging memory) -- it was as much as hobby to have the finest audio toys as it was his passion and the only time I ever got to hear a pair of Focal Grand Utopias and other equivalent speakers -- oh how he loved to bring out the various high end goodies even knowing that a person was tire kicking. He is gone too...

Before the recession there were loads of wives of doctors, lawyers, etc. who started businesses like interior decorating or fancy bird feeders with money from their husbands just to keep them busy. Most never made a profit and the husbands probably assumed it.