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ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022
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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022

 

New store concept roll out

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This post has 71 Replies | 6 Followers

moxxey
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moxxey replied on Wed, Apr 24 2013 10:46 AM

Flappo:

I refuse to use Amazon any more - their tax dodging practices are disgraceful , also they deleted all my reviews of products as they were too negative - ie; I actually told the truth and didn't hype the stuff up. I found out a lot of so called 'reviews' are actually made up by the sellers ... a bit like ebay

Yes, some companies employ people to write positive reviews for them. We run a software downloads site in the US and we noticed lots of hits coming from a certain territory. We found out the developer had paid some users to hit the site so many times, to push their software up the "Most Popular" ranking, based on download count.

Barry Santini
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tournedos:

That's the interwebs age (applies to all retail): you go and bother the dealer with the best service and widest hands-on display, then buy from the cheapest place (or online).

--mika

It's really an unspoken sin: theft of service from local brick and mortar.

B
moxxey
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moxxey replied on Wed, Apr 24 2013 12:09 PM

Barry Santini:

It's really an unspoken sin: theft of service from local brick and mortar.

An unspoken sin in my eyes are the US - and only US - customers who order from us online, use their software (activating their codes), then call their card company and ask them to return their money, without even consulting the retailer. We're left with loss of the serial codes, the customer keeps their goods and we get a lovely $20 chargeback fee.

It's incredible. We have online stores across the world. In the UK, Europe, Australia and most other territories, the customer has to exhaust their discussions with the retailer before the card company will even consider reversing the transaction. In the States, for some odd odd reason, the "satisfaction guarantee" is between cardholder and card issuer, and they can simply call their card company, ask for their money back, they get it, and often the first we hear is when we get the chargeback notification!

In theory, anyone and everyone in the States could order from us, take their goods, then simply call their card company and get a reverse charge. They can claim the goods were "ordered by mistake". Job done.

So, there's plenty of online 'theft' and there's nothing we can do about it :(

olvisab
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olvisab replied on Wed, Apr 24 2013 1:40 PM

Wow, unbelievable !!

 

4 beolab 5,  beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2,  2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...

Jeff
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Jeff replied on Wed, Apr 24 2013 2:57 PM

Interesting, over here the B&O dealers aren't close to each other, at least none that I know about, I could be wrong. In the state of Georgia there's only one, in Atlanta, and I think there are only two in Florida, one in Tampa and the other down state in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami area. And I've never seen them compete with each other on price. 

Re charge cards, I don't know but perhaps there's some law buried in the labyrinthine financial regs that makes charge card banks favor cardholders as opposed to the rest of the world, I just don't know.

I do know I would love a reputable B&O used reseller over here but alas I've seen no one who does what Lifestyle does here. Yes, I've gotten cheap in my old age.

Jeff

I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus. Sad

Ferdinand
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Ferdinand replied on Sat, Apr 27 2013 5:41 PM

Hi,

I have been to the store in Copenhagen today and to my opinion it looked very ugly. Maybe in a few years from now we will praise B&O for their forward thinking, but the darkblue + gold + grey/black + wood interior didn't do it for me.

Besides that the entrance area of the store - which was actually the nicer and brighter area to be in - looked very empty. I asked what they would put on display there (also facing the windows etc.) and the answer was 'that's up to the marketing people at B&O and they change it all the time'.

That makes sense in a way, it is a concept store. But I would not leave my shop look like it was not finished on one of the first nicer saturdays on the main shopping street in Copenhagen.

But what i really did not understand is the poor quality or finishing of the turnable wall elements. The fabric covering these elements was placed/fitted very sloppy. I hope that all will change for the better or it will be tough one to swallow for the B&O stores if this will be their must be branding.

On my back to i ran into this .... ''an art-installation about world's mass-media system. Created by photographer and filmmaker Sharab Mirsadri''

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Sat, Apr 27 2013 10:35 PM
Glad to see the New store concept roll out is following the great Danish traditions:

The Emporer's New Clothes Volume II
Chris Townsend
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Ferdinand:

Hi,

I have been to the store in Copenhagen today and to my opinion it looked very ugly. Maybe in a few years from now we will praise B&O for their forward thinking, but the darkblue + gold + grey/black + wood interior didn't do it for me.

Besides that the entrance area of the store - which was actually the nicer and brighter area to be in - looked very empty. I asked what they would put on display there (also facing the windows etc.) and the answer was 'that's up to the marketing people at B&O and they change it all the time'.

That makes sense in a way, it is a concept store. But I would not leave my shop look like it was not finished on one of the first nicer saturdays on the main shopping street in Copenhagen.

But what i really did not understand is the poor quality or finishing of the turnable wall elements. The fabric covering these elements was placed/fitted very sloppy. I hope that all will change for the better or it will be tough one to swallow for the B&O stores if this will be their must be branding.

On my back to i ran into this .... ''an art-installation about world's mass-media system. Created by photographer and filmmaker Sharab Mirsadri''

I have a constant battle at work and with friends, trying to convince them that B&O isn't just a cosmetic exercise in dolling up HIFI equipment for the trendy half wit. What I have read above undermines all of that work.

Every penny of their budget should go on the new products that are coming. Killer class leading products that end up month in month out in What HIFI magazine with five stars, just like the recent Beovision 11 review.

Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Sun, Apr 28 2013 8:38 AM
Totally agree with Chris it is all about the product.

Compelling dealers to sign up for a £100k will do sales no good whatsoever.

In fact it could be the straw that broke the camels back and it may force store owners to rethink there business strategy.

I predict up to 80% of dealers (a guesstimate having spoken to many dealers) could say that's enough and walk away from the brand, leaving a lot of bad debt for B&O.

Then that would leave Mr Mantoni a big financial problem. Next years losses could be MASSIVE!
Millemissen
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Are there really no optimists on this forum?

Greetings Millemissen 💂

There is a tv - and there is a BV

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Sun, Apr 28 2013 10:02 AM
Years of B&O broken promises, bad management, too many duff unsellable products sampled in large numbers stupid marketing and generally bad customer service.

Such a shame when deep down there is so much potential.

I'm an optimist but there is no way I'm bigging up B&O until they earn back my respect.
Chris Townsend
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Millemissen:

Are there really no optimists on this forum?

Greetings Millemissen 💂

About new products yes, cosmetic niff naff and cushions NO.

Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.

PhilLondon
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PhilLondon replied on Sun, Apr 28 2013 10:37 AM

I have to say Tue made me a good impression at the beginning. The B&O Play range is not only a good idea but a necessity. Opening up to the emerging markets (china) is also good.

However the rest of the strategy, or the lack of visible product strategy amazes me, and not in a good way.

Iconic products are being phased out and are replaced by products that do not have the same appeal or not replaced at all. Want a hifi? They've got the BS5 that no-one understands and whose interface is unusable... and that's it. Oh, and it's not Beonet compatible, although it's got an ethernet connection.

The range is stuck with a couple of products using half baked Beonet, the others using ML. No real communication is made on the capabilities of this new network. Want to distribute video? Haha, how do you do that now?

The reputation of B&O is really bad amongst people that do not know what it really is. I have the B&O page open at work, and a colleague asked me "are you buying this <insert expletive of your choice>". Noone can understand that the prices can have a justification.

The new shop concept has probably some advantages in term of organisations, with its different zones, the magic wall, etc... But the look of it... OMG!

I know it's a matter of taste, but still, most B&O products are alu, and that doesn't mix with this horrible bling gold colour. The wooden floor looks cheap, and you can see from the photos that the panels on the wall do not line up properly. Terrible.

I looked at other projects from the same designer, Johannes Torpe, and he's done some great stuff. I have the impression, the new design is made to appeal to nouveau riches* of emerging markets, as it feels like a (cheap imitation of a) Vuitton shop.

Sorry for the rant, but I am also loosing faith.

Beoworld app with direct photo upload and emoticons.

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Sun, Apr 28 2013 10:46 AM
wtlc2zpx:

I have to say Tue made me a good impression at the beginning. The B&O Play range is not only a good idea but a necessity. Opening up to the emerging markets (china) is also good.

However the rest of the strategy, or the lack of visible product strategy amazes me, and not in a good way.

Iconic products are being phased out and are replaced by products that do not have the same appeal or not replaced at all. Want a hifi? They've got the BS5 that no-one understands and whose interface is unusable... and that's it. Oh, and it's not Beonet compatible, although it's got an ethernet connection.

The range is stuck with a couple of products using half baked Beonet, the others using ML. No real communication is made on the capabilities of this new network. Want to distribute video? Haha, how do you do that now?

The reputation of B&O is really bad amongst people that do not know what it really is. I have the B&O page open at work, and a colleague asked me "are you buying this ". Noone can understand that the prices can have a justification.

The new shop concept has probably some advantages in term of organisations, with its different zones, the magic wall, etc... But the look of it... OMG!

I know it's a matter of taste, but still, most B&O products are alu, and that doesn't mix with this horrible bling gold colour. The wooden floor looks cheap, and you can see from the photos that the panels on the wall do not line up properly. Terrible.

I looked at other projects from the same designer, Johannes Torpe, and he's done some great stuff. I have the impression, the new design is made to appeal to nouveau riches* of emerging markets, as it feels like a (cheap imitation of a) Vuitton shop.

Sorry for the rant, but I am also loosing faith.

+1
Razlaw
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Razlaw replied on Sun, Apr 28 2013 2:04 PM
Millemissen:

Are there really no optimists on this forum?

Greetings Millemissen 💂

Yes there are, or perhaps were, might be a better description. The overall negativity on this forum makes for a very unpleasant and unrewarding place to visit and post. Reminds one of the old saying/cliche'.......with friends like this, who needs enemies.

Beolab 28s Beolab 9s Beolab 12-3s Beolab 1s Beolab 6000s 2 pairs Beolab 4000s Beovision 7-55 Beovision 10-40 Beoplay V1 32 inch Beovision Avant 32 inch Beosound 1 (CD player) Beosound 3000 Beosound 5 Core Essence MKII Beoplay M5

Chris Townsend
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Razlaw:

Yes there are, or perhaps were, might be a better description. The overall negativity on this forum makes for a very unpleasant and unrewarding place to visit and post. Reminds one of the old saying/cliche'.......with friends like this, who needs enemies.

I believe everyone on this site is a friend to B&O, and like all good friends sometimes the truth although hard, is said out of affection for positive reasons only.

Keeps you ahead of those enemies...

Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.

Jeff
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Jeff replied on Sun, Apr 28 2013 5:37 PM

Well, as Max Headroom once said:

With friends like these, who needs enemas?

Jeff

I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus. Sad

linder
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linder replied on Sun, Apr 28 2013 8:03 PM

Chris Townsend:
Razlaw:

 

Yes there are, or perhaps were, might be a better description. The overall negativity on this forum makes for a very unpleasant and unrewarding place to visit and post. Reminds one of the old saying/cliche'.......with friends like this, who needs enemies.

 

 

 

I believe everyone on this site is a friend to B&O, and like all good friends sometimes the truth although hard, is said out of affection for positive reasons only.

 

 

Keeps you ahead of those enemies...

Why does all this matter?  I intend to purchase H6 headphones online.  If I don't like the H6 headphone, I'll send them back the next day.  No grief and no hassles.

I am a friend of B&O but not necessarily the stores.

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Mon, Apr 29 2013 8:46 AM
linder:

Why does all this matter? I intend to purchase H6 headphones online. If I don't like the H6 headphone, I'll send them back the next day. No grief and no hassles.

I am a friend of B&O but not necessarily the stores.

For headphones I can see your point.

As a dealer we are inundated with calls about how to set things up especially A8/A9 from people who bought online or from 3rd parties. We have a very healthy business and are quite happy to help these customers.

But B&O can't have it both ways, they can't treat dealers like sh*t, give non B&O retailers preferential treatment and then expect me to pick up the pieces when they cannot give customer support.
Gatex
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Gatex replied on Mon, Apr 29 2013 10:07 AM

Leaked pictures from the new Beoplay Store Concept

http://timbuktu.me/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/store_inside-580x386.jpg

 

 

moxxey
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moxxey replied on Mon, Apr 29 2013 10:20 AM

StUrrock:

As a dealer....

You're a dealer? People are claiming you are negative, yet you're at the forefront of selling B&O kit and talking to (potential) customers?

elephant
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elephant replied on Mon, Apr 29 2013 10:33 AM
Gatex:

Leaked pictures from the new Beoplay Store Concept

http://timbuktu.me/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/store_inside-580x386.jpg

lol

BeoNut since '75

Flappo
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Flappo replied on Mon, Apr 29 2013 11:52 AM

I don't think it's negativity , I think it's facing reality and if a dealer feels that way , well oh deary me..

PhilLondon
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A video has been released online and shows the new store in Copenhagen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxExAmtUaCk

p.

 

Beoworld app with direct photo upload and emoticons.

StUrrock
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wtlc2zpx:

A video has been released online and shows the new store in Copenhagen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxExAmtUaCk

p.

With two more stores not too far from Central London rumored to be closing this week, one with reported debts to B&O of over £300k.

It is going to take more than a few revolving speaker walls to turn this brand around!
wonderfulelectric
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What's with all the rotating motors?

The store is not so well furnished. Not well at all. 

Chris Townsend
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You select a speaker, and rather magically it appears from the wall so you can hear it.

Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.

PhilLondon
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I think as a concept it's great, brings back the magical aspect of B&O.

The history wall, the speaker wall, the rotating platform are good ideas.

I am glad they've gone for grey panels rather than the navy blue we saw in the other pics. I like brighter coloured BeoPlay area.

Still unsure about the choice of flooring, but more importantly the gold panels they use everywhere, which is quite tacky and doesn't go well with aluminium products.

Beoworld app with direct photo upload and emoticons.

Chris Townsend
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At least there aren't loads of cushions :-/

Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.

Jeff
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Jeff replied on Sat, Jun 1 2013 9:37 PM

I think the revolving speaker wall is about the coolest thing I've ever seen for an audio dealer. Gets rid of the confusing array of too many speakers, gets rid of their interference visually and acoustically, and is just very sexy to boot. 

Jeff

I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus. Sad

Yendys
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Yendys replied on Sat, Jun 1 2013 11:05 PM
I think the concept is very unique and suits the unique products much better than the current shop layout. I went to the BL14 launch in the week and the shop felt very old, tired and doesn't display the products well at all. I actually felt uncomfortable in there
MartinW
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MartinW replied on Sat, Jun 1 2013 11:10 PM
wtlc2zpx:

I think as a concept it's great, brings back the magical aspect of B&O.

The history wall, the speaker wall, the rotating platform are good ideas.

I am glad they've gone for grey panels rather than the navy blue we saw in the other pics. I like brighter coloured BeoPlay area.

Still unsure about the choice of flooring, but more importantly the gold panels they use everywhere, which is quite tacky and doesn't go well with aluminium products.

Its not gold Phil, its antique brass - like a high end hotel.
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