Comments on: Should Dealers Buy-In Heavily Now

By: Annie Amen

Annie Amen — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 03:53:56 +0000

I expected things to slow down abruptly after the holidays and have been really surprised they haven’t. We are busier than ever and I’m shocked by it, but I’ll take it as long as it lasts. I think it has a lot to do with the whacked out car market. People need cars and dealers don’t have them. And the cars that are arriving at dealers are missing a lot of options that we can add. Most of the dealers I know were selling anywhere from 80 – 130 cars a month pre-pandemic but are now selling 50 a month if they’re lucky. Lack of inventory is driving consumers to buying used (even at inflated prices) and at least right now they’re spending a lot of money to get their used (and even new) car fitted with all the missing tech. I’m sure what shops are seeing also varies widely by region, local economy and reputation. Inflation is definitely a concern, but so far, I haven’t seen it impact consumer spending in our area. Perhaps there is still a lot of income being diverted from other industries like travel and hospitality because of COVID. People may not feel comfortable getting on a plane yet or going out to a restaurant, but they feel comfortable upgrading their car stereo for a road trip. Either way, we’re always preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

By: bill davis

bill davis — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 23:26:23 +0000

I think we all knew this 6 months ago…

By: Gary Woodward

Gary Woodward — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 22:50:48 +0000

only if your bank or landlord will take speakers and amps for payment.

By: GDUB

GDUB — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 22:34:48 +0000

In reply to ben holt. Not sure I understand this logic ( probably because it isn't) but it's rife at a retail level globally " I bought cheaper so I can sell cheaper" The fact is you have to replace the sold inventory. This will be at a higher price. If price rises occur ( and they will) but you stocked pre price rise the logical thing to do is sell at the new srp, rrp, whatever your country calls it, and net back the extra margin to pay the bills and afford to order the new inventory. The fixation on "the customer always wants the cheapest" must have fallen on Steve Job's deaf ears decades ago I guess.

By: Ira Gold

Ira Gold — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:51:34 +0000

Be wary. Things are going to slow down.

By: ben holt

ben holt — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:50:37 +0000

Prices will go up after Chinese New Year’s as it always has but with shortage of raw materials & chips this could be a very big increase for car audio. If you have inventory now you will be able to offer better prices and hold than other shops that are buying higher price goods as they come in. With new car prices soaring & used people will either keep cars & Upgrade or buy the Used & upgrade. Unless inflation really takes off where gas is $4 or more per gallon across the country & Food skyrocket’s then we should be okay since people will probably cancel big vacations as they did & not buy new cars. Witch could translate more sales for car audio, Home Audio & personal electronics

By: Paul Papadeas

Paul Papadeas — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:30:42 +0000

As the leader in our market, Soundcrafters has also seen lighter foot traffic, however, sales numbers remain stable. We don’t expect the windfall business or the onslaught that created the 6-month long, 6-week backlog that we experienced last year after being closed for a few weeks. in 43.5 years we’ve survived 3 recessions and a pandemic. Life is good.