Richer Sounds works on the old principle of 'Pile em High, Sell em Cheap'
Domestic hi-fi manufacturers rely surprisingly heavily on fashion to shift new equipment. In order to maximise development costs, they require substantial production runs in order to make a reasonable return on investment.
The ... Read review
Advantages: Inexpensive, wide range of products Disadvantages: can seem a bit chaotic
Richer Sounds works on the old principle of 'Pile em High, Sell em Cheap'
Domestic hi-fi manufacturers rely surprisingly heavily on fashion to shift new equipment. In order to maximise development costs, they require substantial production runs in order to make a reasonable return on investment.
The result is, towards the end of the product's marketing life cycle, there are substantial volumes of equipment still in the ... .../>
That's where Richer Sounds steps in.
They set about acquiring overruns and surplus stock from top manufacturers, and sell them as quickly as possible through low cost shop units.
A typical retail unit would be only a couple of hundred square metres, and located at the edge of a city centre.
What makes all the difference in the world is they recognise that a substantial number of their sales ... more
Richer Sounds works on the old principle of 'Pile em High, Sell em Cheap'
Domestic hi-fi manufacturers rely surprisingly heavily on fashion to shift new equipment. In order to maximise development costs, they require substantial production runs in order to make a reasonable return on investment.
The result is, towards the end of the product's marketing life cycle, there are substantial volumes of equipment still in the supply chain once new models are produced.
Traditional high street vendors don't want to be left with 'last year's kit' in spite of the fact that the specifications are probably only fractionally different from the newer models.
That's where Richer Sounds steps in.
They set about acquiring overruns and surplus stock from top manufacturers, and sell them as quickly as possible through low cost shop units.
A typical retail unit would be only a couple of hundred square metres, and located at the edge of a city centre.
What makes all the difference in the world is they recognise that a substantial number of their sales will be to repeat customers, and there's no point in trying to fleece 'Joe Public' - they simply won't bother coming back again.
The surprising fact is, many of the models in Richer Sounds are still on sale in the high street shops, but as far as the manufacturers are concerned, they are ancient history.
In my experience, the staff are all highly knowledgeable, and true hi-fi enthusiasts in their own right. It's the people they employ that make the difference.
Being a highly unusual store, they are accustomed to highly unusual customers, and don't show the least surprise in being asked otherwise stupid questions like' Does it come in black?'
There is a deliberate attempt to make the shops informal, and as friendly as possible. No matter how busy the store gets (and on a Saturday afternoon, that can be *very* busy, believe me!) they will always give you 100% of their attention.
If what you want isn't on show, they will very eagerly go hunting round the back shop for whatever you want - none of this 'if it isn't on the shelf we don't have it' nonsense.
Traditional audiophile shops are often intimidating, an there is often a certain mystique of the initiated before most of us would feel comfortable in such an environment.
On the other hand, it's far better than turning up to an out of town 'tin shed' in a retail park where a spotty know-nothing youth would just as soon sell you a food processor.
There is a heavy emphasis on hi-fi 'separates' - individual boxes serving a single purpose, such as Amplifiers, DVD players, cassette decks, speakers etc.
As well as traditional music based equipment they have also branched out into Plasma Screen home cinema, and DJ kit. They also offer a bewildering array of cables and leads.
There simply isn't the space or resources to allow every combination of units being wired together in the shop.
Richer Sounds relies heavily upon a monthly brochure which is printed and offered free of charge in the showroom, and published on the Internet.
My advice is - decide what sort of kit you want to buy, look it up on the web and compare prices with the 'big boys', then phone the local shop to see if there's any in stock.
Even if a particular model advertised isn't in the showroom, the staff will happily point you in the direction of something equally as good, and sometimes even cheaper!
They are at great pains to deny any rumours circulated to the effect that they only sell manufacturers returns or ex-repair equipment - yes, they sell that as well, but take great efforts to point out when this is the case.
On the only occasion when I had a problem with a piece of equipment, I simply took it back, and explained the difficulties I was having. Without the slightest hesitation, they asked me if I wanted it looked at, or replaced, and when I agreed that I'd just as soon have it fixed, offered me a loan of replacement equipment while my kit was away.
This may not be a policy adhered to throughout the entire organisation, but it certainly encourages me to go back whenever the bank balance (and wife) allows.
On a couple of occasions, after buying several big things, the staff have quite instinctively asked 'would you like us to help you with that into the car?' - even more refreshing is the reaction when you come to settle the bill;
'Would you be interested in buying extra cover?' they ask - I invariably respond 'Nah - by it does break, the newer ones will be a lot cheaper and better anyway' 'OK, just asking' is the reply.
My message is Buy with complete confidence.
You don't stay in business for over 35 years and keep open 50 branches nationwide and STILL hold the record for highest sales per square foot in the retail industry for nothing!
Even with the advantages of Internet shopping, I still wouldn't go anywhere else to get my hi-fi kit.
Advantages: low cost, appears cheap Disadvantages: stores cramped, is it really that cheap?
...Here's how it works, Richer Sounds (RS) are currently selling a basic DVD player for £25 (April 2004). However if you go to your local store and they don't have one in stock, they will give you a £10 voucher and deliver it to your door. Now you have to pray that they don't have one in stock at your local store!! By their own admission it is fairly basic, and is not multi-region, buy hey what can you expect for this price?
I also suggest that you ... ...from their web site. My local store was not at all forthcoming with the £10 voucher offer when they admited they didnt have the thing in stock.
Having got that out of the way, some general impressions of RS. I thought I would be the only person not to be bowled over by their 'cheap' prices but I note reservations from some other Reviewers.
Over the years I have bought a few things from them. A Casio pocket TV for £49, it was OK but it is dificult ...
mark-southside 03.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Richer Sounds (Shop)
Advantages: Excellent prices, make buying easy Disadvantages: Less easy to listen to systems than other hi-fi stores, impersonal service, poor shop layout
...not enjoy my experice with Richer Sounds. Having decided to make the leap from mini system to separates, I noted a few Glasgoe hi-fi shops from my Yellow Pages and set off early this morning. I hurried to Richer Sounds, which was closed. Disappointing! It was ten in the morning on a Thursday, not unreasoable to expect a high street shop to be open. ot to be deterred, I went to what I expected to be the second choice on my list, Hi-Fi Corner. Well! ... ...displeasure when I returned to Richer Sounds to be treated to a pretty dreadful exercise i customer service. The woma who served me went off to 'check her stock', came back up with three things written down and basically said, there you go, that's it. Hmm. Was I not to hear the system? I kept silent in case she offered... but no. I made my excuses and left to rush back to Hi-Fi Corner. The Shop
Richer Sounds layout was dreadful. They filled acres ...
JaySee 08.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Richer Sounds (Shop)
Advantages: Full of bargains Disadvantages: Not that many around, but more and more are opening up!!
I like most other Richer Sounds customers, have been using their stores for a few years now, and felt I should write a quick op, that I hope you will find usefull, and will hopefully save a few people some hard earned cash.
When I go into a lagre high street music store, it really annoys me to see the prices they charge for blank mini discs among, and so often I see people coming in, grabbing a pack an paying through the nose. I feel like going ... ...who are unaware of this. Richer Sounds, sell blank m.d's from under a pound, that are exactly the same if not better quality than the ones your paying £10 for 5 on the high street for. There prices start from around 75p up to £2.50 per m.d. I know there are not thousands of Richer Sounds knocking around, and the nearest one to me is 10-15 minute drive, they are well worth tracking down, and will be advertised in the yellow pages.
If you do find ...
sheffwed 12.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Richer Sounds (Shop)
Advantages: Low Prices Disadvantages: Small shops.
Richer sounds was setup back in 1978 at Tower Bridge, London, by Julian Richer, who was 19 at the time. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength with shops opening in 34 countries/cities. The company now owns a total of 43 stores. they say that even though they have few shops, they are the countries biggest retailer.
The company specialises in sound. They only supply parts of hi-fi systems and not entire midi systems as they believe ... ...There are always offers on in my local store, which are hard to beat and they try and keep their prices down.
The shops are relatively small, but as soon as you walk inside one, you notice how the stock is neatly stacked to the cieling and they even offer you coffee and sweets. I must admit, that the staff are so unbelievably friendly. You cannot fault them. Also within the shops you may find many seperate rooms, which in fact are testing rooms, ...
markcollins 16.04.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Richer Sounds (Shop)
Richer Sounds is a Hi-Fi shop with outlets across the UK as well as a mail order facility. It offers quite a small selection of hi-fi equipment but all items are very reasonably priced. They have a website, a bi-monthly catalogue, shops and numerous adverts in top hi-fi magazines (namely What Hi-Fi). To get a real bargain from Richer Sounds it is well worth checking out all of the above places because they often advertise different prices in each ... ...to receive the deal. Generally Richer Sounds is an excellent place to get a Hi-Fi separates system on a budget. I have only one qualm with richer sounds, many items advertised at reduced prices are very hard to get hold of because Richer Sounds only carries a small stock of these items. So if you see an advert for a cheap item, get it quick before someone else does. ...
Ed_Dunhill 30.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Richer Sounds (Shop)
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Advantages: Great customer service... unbeatable prices... demo rooms where you can try before you buy....they open late so you can go after work.... Disadvantages: None
Let's not beat around the bush - RicherSounds is the ONLY place to shop if you're thinking of buying Hi-Fi or home cinema equipment.
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Advantages: great value, great range Disadvantages: sometimes arrogant staff
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