Millemissen wrote:

I did not stop - the money stopped me!

Greets MM

You 're not the only one with that problem....haha

Hello Lee!

Any chance of you visiting Finland this year? 

To answer your question... My top two picks from your alternatives would be:

"2) The shop assistants are too pushy

3) The shop assistants actually know LESS about the product than you do"

I would add, that the brand isn't keeping up with technology, and that is somewhat understandable since the rate is crazy at the moment. What I would like to see though is easier and better connectivity's to other brands. 

Barry Santini wrote:

I haven't stopped. But B&O sometimes seems to stick their head in the ground. I think they absolutely do not understand the current state of the American market. I think stores are increasingly obsolete. A traveling van, or quick set-up scheme, like a pop-up store, is the a pop route I'd take to bring BnO to the public, since the public is NOT going into the stores!

You sure? Trip always said he can barely keep up with demand.

I think the sales people could loose the suit as well! 

Many years ago I stumbled across a B&O store in Auckland, New Zealand. I knew immediately this was a special type of store, but I wandered in anyway, just to take a look at the amazing products. WOW. I was hooked. The sales guy was professional, not pushy, handed me the remote and left me to have a play with the products. At the time he had just opened the AV5 in the burnt orange colour - he invited me to watch some of a movie and experience the TV and surround sound. It totally blew me away. I was left with a brochure, a card and a huge wish list.

I worked for B&O for some time and no matter who entered the store, I replicated that unique experience. I also held numerous successful events, developed marketing collateral and inspiring reasons to enter the store. This relationship marketing was to develop loyalty and ongoing business with new and existing clients. The clients loved it. Even if they weren't buying, they loved coming to the shop, having a coffee and pastry. play their latest tracks or watch a movie they have 

Now I don't work for B&O sadly. I work in the boring world of finance, but I keep flying the B&O flag to whomever I meet. But the problem I have here in Australia, is that although I like attending the local shops - they rarely stay in contact with me, or even give me a reason to visit them. I receive precious little invitations to new product launches (where I could bring some well heeled friends) or updates at all.

I still love the products, but I think they could be doing more - trading in old products (giving me an excuse to purchase newer stuff - then on-selling to people who want to get into B&O) offering payment plans / interest free deals, retention marketing activities - say "special deals"on music  / movies for owners / invitations to exclusive B&O and other events etc/ They just seemed to have given up making me feel special.

So, when it comes to buying, it can now be hard to justify. Let me tell you why in my mind. If I buy a cheap Samsung 55"LED TV (not too bad either really...) I pay a fraction of what B&O charge and receive precious little but the actual product. I might get a newsletter or welcome letter, but that's it. With B&O I get about the same these days. So why should I pay a premium for little more than a smaller TV -albeit better.

For me, I think that's where B&O has started to lose its shine. You can put up with a lot when you know its a smaller company, but offers more in terms of experience. However, as a premium company it needs to re-examine its premium service strategy.

I know there are issues with its product line up- but these are due to be addressed, so I'm not too worried about that. 

My two cents..

Peter wrote:

getting hall decorated instead!!

My wholehearted recommendation for Stonk. He is fab!

OT: I simply got bored!

For me it's more being completely happy with what I've got now, plus picking up interesting ML stuff used to be able to afford it with the price of the new house. Oh, and my wife's family just closed a store they owned, and heard the same thing from people, and had the same reaction, why didn't you shop here before, we might still be in business. 

hello,

for me it's 3 the big problem. the staff just aren't up-to-date on what can be done. for example, i use the lexcom b&o solution for wiring. the dealer had no idea about what i was talking about ; i had to give him the reference to order the cable i needed from b&o !

but we here are truly 'geek' users, i don't think we are typical clients.

another example, when the dealer came to install a bv7 he tried to talk me out of installing multiple video sources because it was too complicated. and he thought i was crazy to use the bv7 for video distribution. this isn't geek, thi is basic usage.

so what is the value-added to go into the dealer ?

i am rambling a bit, but just my 2 cents.

- scott