Here in Australia, dealer stock and availability of new items was incredibly bad during Covid and still hasn't recovered.
And we pay higher prices than you do, full retail, if you convert into US dollars: for the items on the Audio Arte website, at least.
It doesn't turn our longer standing dealerships into "fakes" though. We are used to distribution politics and sudden changes in which dealers stock what. It seems that has driven a lot of people away from bricks and mortar stores and in turn made them a bit more focused on what they do.
One thing about the Western world these days is that there is in every country a sufficient class of people to buy high end products despite what the average worker gets. Clearly, you are one of that group in your country for now. I met at shows, a lot of people in the UK who had cheap equipment, and saved up for that big upgrade in their 50s when the kids left home, and that used to be a large chunk of the higher end of the market. It seems their equivalent these days is not in the high end but the vintage market, which is why the price for older used goods has gone up so much in recent years.
I know I keep saying this, but you really need to visit some of these stores and audition what they do have. They probably have stock of a small number of products and push people into buying what they have (it gives you the chance to hear some decent stereo, though), and I do wonder from experience here whether getting to know the people in the physical store over a few visits may get you over the line for discounted prices. And remember, if everyone who is buying in those stores is like you, only doing it to claim against tax, they will quite happily charge whatever they can get away with to the government!
One more thing. Don't equate price with quality. Another lesson you can learn by reading here.
bulgarian national salary is around 300$
so i dont agree with you.
What is the current national minimum wage? From 1 July 2022, the national minimum wage is
$21.38 per hour or $812.60 per 38 hour week (before tax) - thats what i got from google for australia much better .
Also arte doesnt have most things are missing, and no clue about delevery so i avoid them.
I am not an ordinary worked i am company owner founder and i work every single day without a day off... to be able to afford these chinese junks.
and i still live in rented small basemant, not even my own apartament and i drive my cars very rarely...
my bills also sky rocketed for example before 1 year my electiricy bill was 10-20$ , now its 100$ only electricity.. just an example.
i never been in audio show and i never been in uk as well.
i personally already visited several stores in my own country, their representative are not up to the job, i asked them difference between non existing focal they sale,
they told me that they have so many difference that they cant explain or something...
but in reality they are same only their design is different and different price point this is what i understand from their specs sheets.
About writing as expense to company - i will find that out in 2 years time,
so pay full amount including vats and everything, if they dont like it they can deny it.
So i already payed full amount of money no matter what, same story for kef 3 for kef i bought them as private person non company so i payed lots of import taxes expensive shipping and taxes and even if i sale them its not a good deal for me i will probably loose some money.
if not 50% or more.