Good Retail Outlets

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Richard Allen

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Jan 9, 2010
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silly:Jeez, get real, there is nothing special about working 7 days a week in 2010, most self employed and bosses do it all there life, I wished I had a day off or holiday.

Totally agree with you. I haven't had a holiday for seven years. I do wish I could 'switch off' occasionally though.
 
T

the record spot

Guest
We do alright in Edinburgh - there's the guys from the Home Cinema Centre on Morrison Street, then you've got the good fellows over at Loud and Clear and last but not least, Retro Reproduction who have a wide range of gear, mostly secondhand, but an amazing shop to go into. A real treasure trove of gear, some new (stockists for the likes of AVI amongst others), some old and some downright vintage!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Is it me or does Musicraft not sell anything on-line?

Yes its nice to have a shop near you, but I do most of my shopping on-line.
 

johnnyblue

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Nov 3, 2008
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silly:Jeez, get real, there is nothing special about working 7 days a week in 2010, most self employed and bosses do it all there life, I wished I had a day off or holiday.

Wwell, my advice to you would be that you take a day off as your remark just comes across as arrogant, agressive and silly. If you've been in business for any length of time and you still have to work seven days a week, then frankly, mate, you're doing it wrong.

And in case you're wondering, yeah I ran my own business for over twenty years and only had one two week holiday in that time, yeah in the beginning I frequently worked seven days a week, and no it didn't make me a better person.

Think on.
 
T

the record spot

Guest
I used to work for Accenture and that was a frequent 10-12 hour day, travel time on top at an hour each way or working away from home, sometimes more and usually pressured to deliver. Sometimes it was alright if you had a decent project manager, which was most of the time, but occasionally, you worked for someone whose primary concern was his reaching a Senior role ASAP and using the team as the path to get there and all the people skills of walrus.

I'm now self-employed, doing the same job I did before, but minus the stress. I steer my own ship to a degree, work for a major insurance and life company as a contractor, make more money than I did previously (pretty much doubled my take home pay overnight after tax). I work a 7 hour day and anything else goes in as overtime at the agreed rate. The idea I'd work 7 days isn't even on the cards. To my mind, that's not what life's about - work to live, not the other way around IMO.

I'm not stuck in an ivory tower; I realise I'm pretty lucky for now, but time can change anything. My parents worked hard, people these days have to work hard too if they're near the breadline. It's not easy and I'm not claiming it is, but working 7 days solves nothing, gains nothing and damages more than it cures.

EDIT: I make a point of taking holiday as well, no you don't get paid for it, but two and a half weeks off was a better return for me than the money that went unearnt while I was off.
 

Richard Allen

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johnnyblue:

If you've been in business for any length of time and you still have to work seven days a week, then frankly, mate, you're doing it wrong.

Unless of course you do silly things like building EB Acoustics EB1's and 2's, then you need those seven days just to keep up!!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Richard Allen:johnnyblue:

ÿIf you've been in business for any length of time and you still have to work seven days a week, then frankly, mate, you're doing it wrong.

Unless of course you do silly things like building EB Acoustics EB1's and 2's, then you need those seven days just to keep up!!

The fact of the matter is you obviously love your job and are lucky to be doing something that you love doing...many are not so fortunate if they have a job at all !! And I have to agree with you Richard, your right to point out that specialist Hi-fi shops are not nearly as prevalent as they used to be. Afterall, in this economic climate Hi-fi has become a luxury item or niche product to many and so the market has shrunk drastically. Here in Ireland we have a rediculously small number of specialist outlets compared to when I lived in Scotland for example....Dublin doesn't even have a Richer Sounds (Belfast only), Super-Fi or other franchise which I find remarkable for a city the size of Dublin !! It seems that on-line shopping is the way things are going unfortunately but as you pointed out, that option doesn't satisfy the punter in need of some qualified sound advise etc !!
 

Richard Allen

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Jan 9, 2010
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ricardo65:Richard Allen:johnnyblue:

If you've been in business for any length of time and you still have to work seven days a week, then frankly, mate, you're doing it wrong.

Unless of course you do silly things like building EB Acoustics EB1's and 2's, then you need those seven days just to keep up!!

The fact of the matter is you obviously love your job and are lucky to be doing something that you love doing...many are not so fortunate if they have a job at all !! And I have to agree with you Richard, your right to point out that specialist Hi-fi shops are not nearly as prevalent as they used to be. Afterall, in this economic climate Hi-fi has become a luxury item or niche product to many and so the market has shrunk drastically. Here in Ireland we have a rediculously small number of specialist outlets compared to when I lived in Scotland for example....Dublin doesn't even have a Richer Sounds (Belfast only), Super-Fi or other franchise which I find remarkable for a city the size of Dublin !! It seems that on-line shopping is the way things are going unfortunately but as you pointed out, that option doesn't satisfy the punter in need of some qualified sound advise etc !!

Yes Ricardo. I agree with you and you know why??. Because the internet makes things 'easy'. Not so many years back, if I wanted a piece of kit I would have to trawl the high street and, at that time, retailers were plentiful. Now what do we do?. We google it from home and venture out only when we've found what we're looking for. It's fundamentally laziness on all our parts, me included but the cost is very real. Less retail outlets of all descriptions but less traffic down the high street. Kidderminster's high street has an open air market twice a week and it's rammed. No internet, just stalls. The internet is here to stay but I believe there will always be a need for a high end retailer.
 

matthewpiano

Well-known member
Absolutely agree with RS about work/life balance. I had times in my 20s where work was everything and I just didn't stop. I ended up burnt out by 26 and had to take a step back.

Now I'm in my early 30s I work very hard 5 days a week (inc. Saturday) and recently made an excellent career move to a place where I feel fulfilled, challenged and excited by my job. However, I value my 2 days a week off extremely highly and make sure I get the most out of them - resting, doing things with my better half and other friends and family, and exploring my hobbies and interests as much as possible.

In terms of the internet/high street thing I still enjoy the process of going into a friendly shop with knowledgeable people to talk to and, whilst I do sometimes shop online, I much prefer to make purchases in person, especially for larger items such as hi-fi/AV kit and musical instruments.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
maxflinn:
Richard Allen:I've just been reading Musicraft's profile on here. An absolute forest of kit and knowledgeable too. Open 9am til 9pm monday to saturday and til 4.30 on a sunday. I didn't think that proper retailers like this existed anymore. Good for you Musicraft!!.i wonder when rick sleeps then ? cos hes often on here posting at 3-4am
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Funny you should say that as i was over at Musicraft yesterday to pick my Chord dac and i left Ricks shop at nearly 12 midnight and when i got back home i tried ringing his shop and lo and behold the landline was busy as he was on the phone to another customer.

Well it says it all.........

EDITED BY MODS to clarify who's saying what
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I think that Rick is passionate about what he does, good customer liaison, and, it plays on his mind 24/7 which is why he posts at 3/4 in the morning. He's passionate, that's all. And, he doesn't sleep. He stands in the corner plugged in to charge up on 1hr batteries. (I'm kiddin' Rick.)
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
All i said here was reiterate maxflinn point that Rick barely sleeps as he is so passionate about his job.
 

Richard Allen

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Jan 9, 2010
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Benharley, you're absolutely right in what you say and the passion reflects the success. However, this industry needs more people like him if it is to survive as a mainstream trade. I would put him, and others because he's not unique, into the consultant category as opposed to 'just a retailer'.
 

Richard Allen

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Jan 9, 2010
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ricardo65:Richard Allen:johnnyblue:

If you've been in business for any length of time and you still have to work seven days a week, then frankly, mate, you're doing it wrong.

Unless of course you do silly things like building EB Acoustics EB1's and 2's, then you need those seven days just to keep up!!

The fact of the matter is you obviously love your job and are lucky to be doing something that you love doing...many are not so fortunate if they have a job at all !! And I have to agree with you Richard, your right to point out that specialist Hi-fi shops are not nearly as prevalent as they used to be. Afterall, in this economic climate Hi-fi has become a luxury item or niche product to many and so the market has shrunk drastically. Here in Ireland we have a rediculously small number of specialist outlets compared to when I lived in Scotland for example....Dublin doesn't even have a Richer Sounds (Belfast only), Super-Fi or other franchise which I find remarkable for a city the size of Dublin !! It seems that on-line shopping is the way things are going unfortunately but as you pointed out, that option doesn't satisfy the punter in need of some qualified sound advise etc !!

Excuse me coz brain on defrag this morning so running slow. Where's Kronos HiFi?. North or South of the border?
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Richard Allen:ricardo65:Richard Allen:johnnyblue:

ÿIf you've been in business for any length of time and you still have to work seven days a week, then frankly, mate, you're doing it wrong.

Unless of course you do silly things like building EB Acoustics EB1's and 2's, then you need those seven days just to keep up!!

The fact of the matter is you obviously love your job and are lucky to be doing something that you love doing...many are not so fortunate if they have a job at all !! And I have to agree with you Richard, your right to point out that specialist Hi-fi shops are not nearly as prevalent as they used to be. Afterall, in this economic climate Hi-fi has become a luxury item or niche product to many and so the market has shrunk drastically. Here in Ireland we have a rediculously small number of specialist outlets compared to when I lived in Scotland for example....Dublin doesn't even have a Richer Sounds (Belfast only), Super-Fi or other franchise which I find remarkable for a city the size of Dublin !! It seems that on-line shopping is the way things are going unfortunately but as you pointed out, that option doesn't satisfy the punter in need of some qualified sound advise etc !!

Excuse me coz brain on defrag this morning so running slow. Where's Kronos HiFi?. North or South of the border?

That will be North of Ireland unfortunately, and I have no problems going up North and have done so, unfortunately, the exchange rates hurt alot !! There is essentially one Specialist Hi-Fi outlet in Dublin and 1 in Cork that I know of anyway...not a single Sevenoaks in Ireland either...?
 

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