It is said over and over that hi end audio stores' margins are paper thin. I have found out today that this is complet and total bullshit.

I was at a high end store today and I sneaked a peak at their computer screen while they were doing a component lookup and their cost came up. It was just as I suspected: they get a 100% markup on components (this was an amp, not cables). In fact the markup for this particular component was 110%

So, we are getting raped when we buy new by dealers who are not even all that nice to us.

Furthermore, I suspect that when reviewers buy their stuff at "industry accommodation price", they probably get a 30-50% discount on their gear.

Given that I am a regular contributer to these forums, I believe I am entitled to an industry accommodation price. Where do I collect my badge?

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