ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
That's shocking and rather cheeky news Sheffield.
Maybe the PLAY brand has to be viewed as an on-line sales brand along with being able to buy it practically anywhere even in Sainsburys (for the A8).
SHEFFIELD:A couple of weeks ago I sold a regular customer (already bought Avant etc) a pair of H8. He emailed me this morning saying he wanted to return them for a refund as he could now get 20% of from the B&O having completed a questionnaire.... Living the retail dream??!!
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Signed-up for BeoPlay emails earlier today, but did not get the survey invitation, so it may be that the survey/discount offer is over.
Hope that 'Sheffield' resolve things with their customer; surely there's no need to give a refund..... just a need to consider whether to match the discount on a further purchase.
Graham
SHEFFIELD: A couple of weeks ago I sold a regular customer (already bought Avant etc) a pair of H8. He emailed me this morning saying he wanted to return them for a refund as he could now get 20% of from the B&O having completed a questionnaire.... Living the retail dream??!!
A couple of weeks ago I sold a regular customer (already bought Avant etc) a pair of H8. He emailed me this morning saying he wanted to return them for a refund as he could now get 20% of from the B&O having completed a questionnaire....
Living the retail dream??!!
Don't worry once you splash out on the new store concept, customers will flock to you to see the main product range.............
Then the same customers could go to a registered custom installer (with perhaps a direct account with B&O ) to buy the very same thing you just superbly demonstrated.
It could all be a very convenient experience for the prospective clients. as the custom installer may only be YARDS from your front door,
What is so good and adds totally to the great customer experience is that once you have brilliantly demonstrated the BeoPlay product, which the client then purchases from the BeosPlay website, he can come back and benefit from your experience and skill in a beautiful demo and product proposal for a system based on the brilliant new Avant 55, which he can conveniently by from the custom installer maybe next door.....
To totally fulfil this superb customer experience is when the customer has an issue he can come and see you and expect the best in after sales service in you lavish and expensive retail store.
Does anybody thnk there is a future for my vision of solus B&O stores?
Too bad that other than the A9 and maybe the V1 none of the play line is of interest to me anyway. I signed up for the newsletter but didn't get crap, either.
30-35 percent off the A9 would be a treat though ;)
StUrrock: SHEFFIELD: A couple of weeks ago I sold a regular customer (already bought Avant etc) a pair of H8. He emailed me this morning saying he wanted to return them for a refund as he could now get 20% of from the B&O having completed a questionnaire.... Living the retail dream??!! Don't worry once you splash out on the new store concept, customers will flock to you to see the main product range............. Then the same customers could go to a registered custom installer (with perhaps a direct account with B&O ) to buy the very same thing you just superbly demonstrated. It could all be a very convenient experience for the prospective clients. as the custom installer may only be YARDS from your front door, What is so good and adds totally to the great customer experience is that once you have brilliantly demonstrated the BeoPlay product, which the client then purchases from the BeosPlay website, he can come back and benefit from your experience and skill in a beautiful demo and product proposal for a system based on the brilliant new Avant 55, which he can conveniently by from the custom installer maybe next door..... To totally fulfil this superb customer experience is when the customer has an issue he can come and see you and expect the best in after sales service in you lavish and expensive retail store. Does anybody thnk there is a future for my vision of solus B&O stores?
Some years ago I heard that a certain footballer then playing for Liverpool was able to get the team B&O equipment direct from Denmark at a discount, and did so on a large scale.
Later, the Liverpool B&O store would be called on to sort out guarantee and connectivity issues. I have no idea whether this story was true, but if it was it just strikes me how people who can afford the best will still exploit retailers to save a few pounds, even though it puts at risk the local dealer they might need for help!
vikinger: Some years ago I heard that a certain footballer then playing for Liverpool was able to get the team B&O equipment direct from Denmark at a discount, and did so on a large scale. Later, the Liverpool B&O store would be called on to sort out guarantee and connectivity issues. I have no idea whether this story was true, but if it was it just strikes me how people who can afford the best will still exploit retailers to save a few pounds, even though it puts at risk the local dealer they might need for help! Graham
You should ask Swiss dealers what happened when the Swiss National Bank dropped the EUR/CHF peg at 1.2... Italian, French and German dealers made hundreds of sales to swiss customers. Before the price drop which occurred in spring, I told my local dealer I would have got my BV11-55 in Italy instead of CH. I ended up paying 6400 EUR (total sum including deduction of IT VAT and addition of 8% CH VAT) instead of around 11'000 CHF. My local dealer could not blame me, and blamed B&O for their policy in applying the same price in different countries regardless of different VAT tax (the SNB decision only made things worse).
So it's not a matter of how much money you have. When savings approach 40% it's hard to say no.
Order A2 black copper
BeoVision Haermony 65"...BeoLab 28 Anthracite....BeoLab 17 as REAR....BV10-32....BC6-26....Beosound 9000....Beosound 1 New York edt....Beogram 4002....Beoplay Emerge....Beoplay M5....Beoplay M3....Beoremote Halo....BeoRemote One BT....Beo6....Beo4....Beo4 Cinema....BeoLink 7000....Serene....H95 Black LTD....H9i Rimowa....6 x H6....Form 1....U70...
StUrrock: Don't worry once you splash out on the new store concept, customers will flock to you to see the main product range............. Then the same customers could go to a registered custom installer (with perhaps a direct account with B&O ) to buy the very same thing you just superbly demonstrated.
This is known as "Showrooming" apparently !!!!
LINK TO THE PHRASE
There's a name for everything these days.. LOL
Lee
9 LEE: StUrrock: Don't worry once you splash out on the new store concept, customers will flock to you to see the main product range............. Then the same customers could go to a registered custom installer (with perhaps a direct account with B&O ) to buy the very same thing you just superbly demonstrated. This is known as "Showrooming" apparently !!!! LINK TO THE PHRASE There's a name for everything these days.. LOL Lee
There are companies that are very successful at selling products online but also have stores. Apple has over 400 stores which do sell products but their stores are mostly for demonstrating products and customer support. The majority of their products are purchased online.
A friend just purchased a Tesla Model S online and it was delivered to his home, Tesla has a store nearby where you can test drive the car and get an explanation of the various features by a Tesla representative who is salaried. In less than 3 years, they have sold 55000 cars.
I just purchased the black and copper A2 on Amazon. I can send it back for any reason. If I were to go to the B&O store, I would have to pay $15 for parking and deal with an uninterested sales person who would rather I buy something else for at least $10,000.
The point I am trying to make is that there are many ways to sell a product and that most people don't really care about a traditional dealer.
9 LEE:This is known as "Showrooming" apparently !!!! LINK TO THE PHRASE There's a name for everything these days.. LOL Lee
linder:The point I am trying to make is that there are many ways to sell a product and that most people don't really care about a traditional dealer.
And the point is also as you say indirectly, there are also many ways for a customer to buy a product.
Almost instinctively, people in general will try to find the best deal they can get - this is otherwise called 'market forces' and is a result of competition (fairly or unfairly). I always look for the best deal on an item I know I want to buy. This usually involves internet searches and selection of a provider. If I think I know what I want to buy, I first research using online reviews and also, I will go to a high street showroom and look at the item to see if it is exactly what I want/need or expect from it. I don't ask for help or advice from the shop so don't take up their time and they can deal with another customer.
It is up to the shop to be competative or offer additions that can't be found online - i.e. customer service. Unfortunately, a lot of sales people don't know the meaning of this phrase or are completely indifferent. Some shops of course offer the best of both worlds - have a store and products available online - sometimes at a discounted price. A sensible approach.
I have also looked at the Tesla Model S in Birmingham with my son on a recent visit to the UK. The staff were awesome and extremely helpful and knowledgable about the product they represented. It was my sons third visit and he obviously had no way of buying one (yet) but he was still welcomed like a friend. My understanding from them is that they do not earn commission so there wasn't one word about 'selling' or 'buying' the car and we were there over an hour. This seems to be a different approach to some B&O stores where even on this site, there have been so many complaints about the lack of product knowledge or complete lack of interest towards a potential customer - to the extent that people have just turned around and walked out of the store. Not surprising then that B&O have taken to the online store concept. If some of their salespeople won't sell things, or even relate with a customer, why not sell directly to the customer with free shipping to their home and an extended warranty!
The high street is changing as shopping habits change. It's up to companies to try to keep up.
I don't believe many people would give up the chance to save 20% on an item if they could - especially a high value item such as Hi-Fi, furniture, a car etc. Some will battle over pennies as a discount.
If you go and view a car you fancy in one showroom and are given a price, I don't know anyone who would accept that offer. First thing you do is go to another showroom and try to discount the same car with them. This doesn't make people low lifes. It's how things work and are expected to work by those sales people themselves. They then have to adapt to that circumstance.
Anyhow, my 20% discounted A9 is shipped and will be here on Monday. Before I bought it, I noticed that online I can still actually buy a new A9 for slightly less but from an unknown seller. In that case, I'd rather support the B&O brand.
Dave.
A young guy came in the shop on Saturday, new to the brand and interested in buying A2. I gave him an engaging demonstration along with Beolit 15. He then mentioned something about 20% discount for filling in a survey, I said I had heard something about it but couldn't participate in the offer - he said he'd be back later....
Unbelievable I know, but 30 mins later came back and purchased the A2 for £299!
What were the chances of that happening???
SHEFFIELD: I gave him an engaging demonstration along with Beolit 15. ... but 30 mins later came back and purchased the A2 for £299!
There is always something to be said for a welcoming store, and good customer interactions.
SHEFFIELD: A young guy came in the shop on Saturday, new to the brand and interested in buying A2. I gave him an engaging demonstration along with Beolit 15. He then mentioned something about 20% discount for filling in a survey, I said I had heard something about it but couldn't participate in the offer - he said he'd be back later.... Unbelievable I know, but 30 mins later came back and purchased the A2 for £299! What were the chances of that happening???
Great news. You obviously engaged him well and met or exceeded his expectations for customer service. A nice story. Hopefully he'll be back in the future if he can expand his range of products. Can't blame him either for mentioning the 20% in the hope that you'd match it. I'd do the same!
There's also something to be said for instant gratification. The customer got what he wanted right then and there, instead of waiting a few days - and was willing to pay for getting it right away.
The dealership network in the U.S. is *much* different than it is in the UK and Europe in general. 75 percent of this country, if not more, doesn't even have a B&O shop within 100 miles. Most B&O here is traded second hand or purchased online.
I think customers should be given a print-out voucher for 20% off to take to their local dealer providing they have one within a set radius. I then think B&O should partner up and subsidise 10%.
That way the dealer gets a new customer for taking a small hit on profit, B&O make a sale, and someone to actually gets to see the products they make in real life... hopefully to buy more kit on the spot, or in the future.
Many an electrical chain has gone bust thanks to people seeing it in store then buying it cheaper online. This model only favours the customer and the manufacturer - not the retailer.
Maybe it's me, but also I'd never buy an audio or video product on the strength of an online review!!
9 LEE:Maybe it's me, but also I'd never buy an audio or video product on the strength of an online review!!
I agree Lee, me neither! In fact I'd expand that to any electrical product above a certain value.
I think your suggestion is a perfectly reasonable one regarding the printable voucher. I suppose that one thing limiting/prohibiting that is people may run off multiple copies and dish them out to anyone who wants one (some would actually be tempted to sell them!). B&O only want one voucher to be used per person. This of course could be solved easily but maybe too much bother for them to do? It's also been aimed at people who have already registered for the newsletters or further information so is targetted to those who are interested in the brand and not available to all.
9 LEE:I think customers should be given a print-out voucher for 20% off to take to their local dealer providing they have one within a set radius. I then think B&O should partner up and subsidise 10%. That way the dealer gets a new customer for taking a small hit on profit, B&O make a sale, and someone to actually gets to see the products they make in real life... hopefully to buy more kit on the spot, or in the future. Many an electrical chain has gone bust thanks to people seeing it in store then buying it cheaper online. This model only favours the customer and the manufacturer - not the retailer. Maybe it's me, but also I'd never buy an audio or video product on the strength of an online review!! Lee
Aussie Michael:Exactly. I'd rather go in to a store too as if something goes wrong you also know where you can get it fixed and have contact with people. Appreciate that others prefer online only.
This only works if you never move to another place or your dealer is never giving up. Quite seldom in our days.
9 LEE: I think customers should be given a print-out voucher for 20% off to take to their local dealer providing they have one within a set radius. I then think B&O should partner up and subsidise 10%. That way the dealer gets a new customer for taking a small hit on profit, B&O make a sale, and someone to actually gets to see the products they make in real life... hopefully to buy more kit on the spot, or in the future. Many an electrical chain has gone bust thanks to people seeing it in store then buying it cheaper online. This model only favours the customer and the manufacturer - not the retailer. Maybe it's me, but also I'd never buy an audio or video product on the strength of an online review!! Lee
That's the big issue, the retailer. This kind of thing works for Apple, look at the store, if you decide to buy do it online, because all Apple stores are company owned and operated. Apple books the sale regardless. B&O books the sale regardless of if they buy online or from a store, and for a B&O owned store this is in line with Apple's model. However, since a large percentage of B&O stores are owned by individual franchisees, things like this and encouraging people to go look and then buy online thru outlets with a discount completely screws over the independent dealer.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
I tend to buy online if I believe there is no added value a B&O shop can provide, and price difference from online or electronic retailers is substantial.
So for sure Avant or Moment would not qualify for online shopping. Beoplay A2 very much yes.
I think in this fully interconnected world of transparent global pricing, B&O stores might also want to reconsider when keeping a list price on highly transactional products is sustainable and when it is not.
And no, I will not shop around for 30 EUR price difference, but 100 EUR difference on H8 (499 EUR list price product) is - sorry to say that - tempting.
Speaking from a dealers perspective, it is all about relationships. The one with the customer who walks in for the store for first time and is bowled over by the performance of the A2, to the long standing customer that has everything apart from the Lab5s. They all deserve and receive the same courteous and enthusiastic reception from myself and my staff.
I'm sure that there aren't any B&O dealers in the UK that are so busy that they can't manage customer expectation to the level deserved?
I personally like to support real shops, and will pay for good customer service - I will never buy a book from Amazon whilst Waterstones exists...
I guess being a store owner I have a different perspective to that of the purchaser looking for the best deal?
Better climb down from the pulpit before I get shot down!
I hope nobody shoots you down. You are correct in that 'real shops' are vitally important for the people who work in them, own them, rely on them etc and the high street would vanish without them. That doesn't mean there isn't a place for online stores.
My memories of B&O stores albeit from 25 years ago was one of too many sales people and too few customers (who thought B&O too unreachable for them) so the sales people were kicking their heels yet still had no real interest in potential clients. To be fair, I last went into the Manchester shop with my kids last year and was made most welcome there. It was the same in the old Horsham store where again their service was exceptional. They both knew of my interest in B&O because of my collection and past buying so maybe the attitude towards me was different to someone else coming in off the street.
A salesperson should never judge a person by their looks and should anticipate the unexpected. My father was a car salesman and when a scruffy and dirty Irish 'worker' appeared in the showroom carrying a shovel, a pick and two plastic bags everyone except my father ran for cover. My father sold him a car on the spot for cash (in the two bags) and he then ordered several more cars for the guys that worked for him in a big roadworking company of which he was the owner. Similar happened to me when I wanted to buy a BMW estate car in Manchester I had the money in the bank but when I went into the dealership to order one (having just parked my Ford Sierra estate on the forecourt) I was completely ignored even when I tried to approach the salespeople. Talk about snobbery. I walked straight out and have never looked at a BMW again.
Nice to know that Sheffield have the right attitude. I must pay them a visit some day when I'm back in the UK.
My nearest, albeit not very near, dealer is located in a very high end shopping mall, the rent must be eye bleeding. Often I'm the only person in there though, and I am not a snappy dresser, too many years of being an engineering lab rat and diver means I'm definitely on the sloppy casual side of things. Have always been treated very well, and in the last 3 times I've been there I've bought something two of the times, H8 once, Beolit 15 the last time.
They are very service oriented, and it's a shame when dealers aren't. I think when I lived back in Florida many businesses didn't really dare to judge people too much by their dress, as it was a very casual part of the country. The dude wandering in wearing shorts and flip flops might be a beach bum, might be a well off business owner or such, or might be a laid back, very wealthy drug dealer.
David Andel: Aussie Michael:Exactly. I'd rather go in to a store too as if something goes wrong you also know where you can get it fixed and have contact with people. Appreciate that others prefer online only. This only works if you never move to another place or your dealer is never giving up. Quite seldom in our days.
Well yes, this is also true.
Jeff:That's the big issue, the retailer. This kind of thing works for Apple, look at the store, if you decide to buy do it online, because all Apple stores are company owned and operated. Apple books the sale regardless. B&O books the sale regardless of if they buy online or from a store, and for a B&O owned store this is in line with Apple's model. However, since a large percentage of B&O stores are owned by individual franchisees, things like this and encouraging people to go look and then buy online thru outlets with a discount completely screws over the independent dealer.
It's interesting as Apple is now trying to get people to purchase online and pick it up in store - we saw this with the Apple watch.
I also never rely on peoples reviews - especially online ones. I always go on what I feel is better for me.
Interestingly I have just come back from Japan and in Haneda airport they had just 1 BL15 in pink left and the other colours with stickers over the top of the price list "sold out". There were a few A2s and the Black Copper one was a lot cheaper than the others... but they didn't have any stock, otherwise I would have bought one.
I consider a retailer, not only a B&O shop, but a shop that stocks B&O.
I agree about online reviews, even reviews in magazines. If you read enough online reviews you come to inescapable conclusion that a lot of people out there are either barking at the moon insane or dumber than a bag full of hammers, or both!
Especially true for AV equipment, what one person finds acceptable will usually be what I consider atrocious. I want eyes and ears on it, at least for displays and speakers. Other electronics aren't that critical other than functionality in my experience. I bought my Oppo sight unseen due to it's reputation and specs, and have not been disappointed at all!
Aussie Michael: Jeff:That's the big issue, the retailer. This kind of thing works for Apple, look at the store, if you decide to buy do it online, because all Apple stores are company owned and operated. Apple books the sale regardless. B&O books the sale regardless of if they buy online or from a store, and for a B&O owned store this is in line with Apple's model. However, since a large percentage of B&O stores are owned by individual franchisees, things like this and encouraging people to go look and then buy online thru outlets with a discount completely screws over the independent dealer. It's interesting as Apple is now trying to get people to purchase online and pick it up in store - we saw this with the Apple watch. I also never rely on peoples reviews - especially online ones. I always go on what I feel is better for me. Interestingly I have just come back from Japan and in Haneda airport they had just 1 BL15 in pink left and the other colours with stickers over the top of the price list "sold out". There were a few A2s and the Black Copper one was a lot cheaper than the others... but they didn't have any stock, otherwise I would have bought one. I consider a retailer, not only a B&O shop, but a shop that stocks B&O.
I'll be there in two weeks, I'll have a look!
x:________________________
With three hours left of the 20 % discount offer I ordered a pair of H8.
Even if I needed a new pair of headphones as my Form 1's from late 80's (first B&O for me) is beyond salvation (foam parts are dissolving) I'm not sure I would buy any headphones right now. The offer for 20 % made the decision, so no shop missed a sale.
There's a good chance (if bluetooth works) I will recommend them to others and they can buy from nearby shop without discount. So I believe it was a good move from BeoPlay with this survey and discount.
With my enclosed 15% vouchers, I've just ordered 2 more A2's. One to pair at home for stereo playing with an existing A2 and another for my wife to take to work as it's small enough to hide in a drawer at the end of the day. So a good marketing ploy too.
Hi, you would not be disappointed. I recently trade in my new H6, a gift from my lovely wife, to a pair of H8. And I will never regret.
Just ordered my second A2.. Another early christmas gift from me, to me :)
Very well Lief i agree with you. I thought the H8 wouldn't be great and i just love it. I also find that the on ear controls don't work with the cable, but I think that's how it is supposed to be. Those are the controls with bluetooth - and i love the noise cancelling.
Norman, love your style: I love a present to me, from me, too :-)
BeoNut since '75
BeoGreg:I'm green with envy. Never received a survey from Play and a 20 % reduction. Could have gone with an alu Beolit 15 and extra black handle now available on site. Can you use your 20 % in store or is it just on the site ?
Can you use your 20 % in store or is it just on the site ?
It was just on Beoplay.com, just once (even if you then could buy several items), and it ended August 31.