New to the Hifi? Buy from a physical store & heres why...
Its fantastic that more people are choosing to reconnect with HiFi in 2026 bringing amazing sounding music into their homes. Alexa is very clever but simply can't create the connection and emotion brought to a human when music is delivered through proper Hi-Fi. We welcome that this appetite is being driven largely by young people who are wanting to collect vinyl records. Choosing to own their own music in a era where owning things for young people isn't easy is fantastic and long may it continue.
A growing issue that we've been noticing is that many of the new folk starting out buying vinyl means they need a record player. Most are from an age group where the internet has long been their first port of call after all its got infinite choice, fast delivery, next day in many cases & the temptation to save a few pounds...BUT
We are receiving weekly calls from new to the hobby folk that have bought online from the many faceless online companies that dominate the internet that are essentially warehouse based box shifting HiFi sellers.
This morning was a prime example when we received a call asking if we’d go to a house to help set a system that the person had purchased online. As they'd not had a turntable before they didn't understand it or indeed how the whole system should be connected. We suggested in the first instance that they go back to the place the equipment was purchased but it was explained that they weren't a physical store just a warehouse based business and having tried to speak with someone they'd had no lucky in speaking to anyone that could help.
What this person was requesting isn’t really service that we offer for such purchases bought elsewhere as I’m sure you’ll appreciate it’s simply not commercially viable. We have tried in the past doing this as we genuinely care but the reality is that it doesn't work for us as a business.
The reality is that most new to the hobby folk wouldn’t want to cover the cost necessary for us to travel to their home, work out what they’ve bought (worryingly without any guidance so worst case could be it might not even be compatible), then try to get it working and explain how to use it.
The real kicker with this most recent example is that they only lives 5 miles away from the Spinning Room Hifi showroom and could have visited us as we stock most of the brands chosen.
Accepted they might have saved a few pounds buying online, they probably had it delivered the very next day but most worryingly They are now totally unsupported in a hobby that does require help and support from time to time. This first experience could well taint their interest in the hobby and sadly never give them the joy we know it can.
As part of our service especially to newcomers to the hobby we would only sell a system that was compatible with each piece and would have have happily given them a full explanation/demonstration in the showroom of what’s needed when they took the new system home. When at home our support continues as they could have picked up the phone and we’d have assisted with any problems. We pride ourselves on getting people up and running by passing on our years of experience in a really simple and practical way. That help and guidance comes completely free with a purchase from us is worth far more than the few pound you potentially save by buying from one of these online companies.
If you or someone you know is thinking of getting started in this amazing hobby I’d urge you to share this story as sadly it’s one we are increasingly hearing.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
!