Yamaha a let down.

[admin_exported]

Like many of you I attended this years Bristol HiFi show. Had a great time (although my girlfiriend could'nt get to grips with me "staring at bits of cable" and I enjoyed listening to quality demos of equipment that I could never afford esp the Wilson Benesch suite. I am going to treat myself to the Yamaha 863 and was hoping to see one demo'd. When I spoke to the Yammy rep he said something along the lines of "we don't have one on show, we are more interested in selling it than showing it to the public"

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I know £600 is not a lot of money in HiFi/Home Cinema terms, but I would have liked to have seen that pompous

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take 600 quid out of his back pocket there and then. Maybe he/Yamaha should remember that it's people like us keeping people like him in business. I still intend to go with the Yammy as the reviews have been great but my whole experience with the marque has been somewhat clouded.

 

[Anonymous]

Yamaha has undoubtedly had a very good year (last year was Onkyo's) with their A/V amps and this has led to these sales people being 'too big for their boots' unfortunately.

With glowing 5 star reviews, they just don't feel the need to sell, as the products should sell themselves, hence the lackadasical attitude.

 

[Andrew Everard]

ValianTX:...this has led to these sales people being 'too big for their boots' unfortunately.

With glowing 5 star reviews, they just don't feel the need to sell, as the products should sell themselves, hence the lackadasical attitude.

Insider knowledge? Or just scurrilous assumption?

 

[Anonymous]

Had a similar experience myself. Went for the Yamaha 763 initially but was very put off by the attitude of the sales personnel who was too lazy to even do a demo, let alone anything else, claiming he was 'too busy', when he wasn't doing anything.

He had the audacity to say ''These are selling like hot cakes - no demo required''!!! I gave him and his store manager a piece of my mind and got the Onkyo off E-Bay!

 

[Anonymous]

The problem is, when you have the likes of RS doing them for silly money, AND giving extra off for their VIP thing, normal retailers don't make enough money on it to spend an hour or two setting it up and demming it. I know that sounds bad, but would you set it up knwoing the customer is going to whip out a copy of WHF and show you the page where they're doing it for £X with £x amount off it, and facing you with the choice of making £10 for your trouble (or even nothing at all), or having made an effort for that period of time just to have to say you can't do it because there's no profit in it? The pain is that RS usually use these as loss leaders to sell their own stuff, which is why, other than the ocassional bulk buying, there's very little or no stock when people ring up.
Selling things too cheap is a bad thing, look at Empire for a start. You have to see it from the other side as well. If your business was demming products for hours on end for little or no profit, how long do you think you'd last? Ask your local RS for a dem on an 863......

 

[Anonymous]

I think there are two distincts things here. One is Yahama AV products really selling like hot buns on the back of their multiple awards and even more so considering the underestimated forecasts and low stock level. Which might have led to some "lackadasical attitude" by some.

Second, RS are a "multiples" with a nationwide, (rather) loyal*, customer base. They're big enough to choose which selected products they "push" (via discounted selling price, etc.) as well as to negotiate trade prices I'm sure, and also to keep advertising on a monthly basis in most consumer related publications. Smaller indie outfits don't have the same luck and have to work harder (or should) to keep their customers and make sure they will want to come back. If these can't be bothered to offer a better customer experience and service over the "bigger boys" (like RS) then RS will (always) win.

Speaking of my own experience, I did enjoy a demo from my local Sevenoaks (on audio). I didn't book it and the salesperson looking after me (a nice lady) did all the hard work despite knowing I wouldn't be buying anything that day.

BTW, I'm not sure RS have sold the 863, and I haven't seen a Yamaha product on their "VIP Club" newsletter for a long time (I stand to be corrected of course). As for Empire, I am really not convinced they went under because of their "cheap" pricing.

* I'm speaking for myself here btw. I am not connected to any of the brands mentioned in any way.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post. I just thought that nowdays £600 was still a lot of money and that the offhanded comment was a little "belittling". I am hoping to spend about £2500 when I make my purchase, hopefully through one dealer. I guess I just wanted to be made a little bit special....thats all.

 

[Anonymous]

jazzead:Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post. I just thought that nowdays £600 was still a lot of money and that the offhanded comment was a little "belittling". I am hoping to spend about £2500 when I make my purchase, hopefully through one dealer. I guess I just wanted to be made a little bit special....thats all.

Hope you find a dealer that can get one in for you as it is a fantastic amp. I also agree £600 is still a lot of money and if you do find yourself a good dealer they will reap the reward as it looks like your in the market for a complete system. Im sure they will make you feel 'special' and offer a good deal at the same time.

 

[Frank Harvey]

We did have some in earlier this week but they've all gone now. We have a lot more on order, so fingers crossed