TC Sounds

[herm]

I was bored at work yesterday, so I spent some time surfing around
looking for a new project. As if I don't have enough already...

I looked at the TC Sounds website, and was disappointed at the lack
of pricing info and possible online sales. I have been interested
in their stuff for a while, but as of yet I have never gained enough
confidence in their stuff to put out hard earned cash for it.

Then I noticed that they are located just a couple of miles from
my house, so I decided to stop in and see them.

There is no store at all - they are really just an OEM shop, but I
stepped into their offices and learned a couple of very interesting
things:

1. The drivers that were lying around on desks and file cabinets
looked outstanding! It was first class stuff.

2. The list of projects on the white board included some VERY
highly regarded names. The kind of names that sell $20,000 subs.

3. They are looking to upgrade their website, and add more data and
an online purchase option. Possibly in a couple of weeks.

I am looking forward to seeing the new site!

[hooha]

Yup. And it was for that reason alone I did not do a quantity purchase with them. Aside from the high cost prices, I was told that their sales model was changing, and that they would be doing direct sales to the end-user.

So, in essence, they will be competing directly with their dealer channel, despite statements said by them that their prices will be higher than their dealers.

So much for the dealer support. Can you say "cut throat"?

Mark

[herm]

Although I don't know anything about them, from your post I can't
accuse them of being cutthroat.

Changing a sales model and telling you about it is just that - changing
the way of doing business.

Selling directly at a higher price? Still no cutthroat there.

Now if they changed to UNDER cutting you, or didn't give you any
advance notice, well that's a different ballgame...

If they think they can earn more money by selling it themselves, I
say have at it. I appreciate them cutting out non-value added
middlemen from the delivery chain.

-herm

[hooha]

Well, I believe in a 'supporting those who sell the products I manufacture' model. I have seen it all too often where a build company selling directly gets large and popular enough that it becomes more efficient and worthwhile to move to a dealer model. That allows the build company to concentrate their efforts on making their products and manufacturing processes better - a win-win situation.

If I was a reseller of products for TC Sounds I would be very put off if the firm told me they are now selling directly to those I sell to. And no matter which way you look at it, it is competition, regardless of the pricing structure.

Mark