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May 2012

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Tips for Finding the Best Equipment Vendor

Choosing where to buy your gear is as important as selecting what to buy

by Bruce Borgerson

Here’s the situation: You know what equipment you need—either specifically or generally—and you have an adequate amount in your gear purchase kitty. now, Where do you go to get the new gear? A local or regional full-service installation contractor? A nearby storefront retailer, such as an MI (musical instrument) superstore or a big-box electronics retailer? Or national Internet dealer? The general answer is, “Well, it all depends.…” So, here are some tips for choosing the best vendors for equipment, based on my experience and that of a few other church tech folks (selected at random) who responded to my inquiries.

TIP 1: BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Establish a continuing relationship with a local full-service installation contractor. Certainly you’ll need a contractor for a complete system replacement, since you probably don’t have the tools or expertise to do all the wire-pulling and speaker-hanging. But, even if you do, local building codes may dictate otherwise. Then, in between major overhauls, give some business to the local folks to cement a continuing relationship. Always give them a call if you have flexibility on the exact make and model that you want. If a dealer has an acceptable piece of gear that he ordered for another job but didn’t use, he may sell it to you at or near cost rather than pay return shipping and a restocking fee.

TIP 2: NEGOTIATE
Don’t hesitate to (gently) suggest alternatives or negotiate prices with your local contractor. These are independent business people, and they have flexibility in setting prices. For example, when our aging fellowship amplifier died, I considered doing the job myself. This is not a critical application, so I found an acceptable entry-level model from a major maker online at a good price. However, as my time was tight that week, I also got a bid from my local contractor. He had a step-up model from the same maker in stock, but he asked twice as much for the amp, plus the installation charge. I asked if he would charge the same installation fee if I provided the budget amp separately. He immediately said he would sell me the same amp at the online price. But don’t get into extended haggling. These folks don’t like it. I know, because I used to work for one.

TIP 3: CHECK STOCK
Check stock quantities and return policies before buying from a local “big box” retailer. Some local retailers will have limited stock on some items, particularly on bulky items like loudspeakers, or on rarely sold products. If you have a problem, getting a replacement could be slow. For example, when we bought speakers for our portable system from a local MI store, we discovered a bad connector on one. The store was out of stock, and it took three weeks before our replacement arrived. Many Internet retailers can replace faster, and will pay all shipping if the product is defective.

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Bruce Borgerson networks around the industry via Wavelength Communications while monitoring technologies at the First United Methodist Church of Ashland, Ore.