A Better Understanding of Small Businesses - April 2026

Over on our Audible Elegance Youtube channel, we received a really nice observation to a recent video I did on why we don't carry expensive phono cartridges in stock. This response applies to all specialty retailers and, perhaps, it will give you a better understanding of small businesses.  Sadly, even midsize specialty retailers are being challenged as can be noted by the closure of Dover Saddlery in Montgomery.  It was a fine horse tack and supply store but now they are gone.  I shopped there a couple of times while in Cincinnati visiting my store.

So, here's the response from one of my YouTube subscribers:

"I worked in a very large bicycle shop right in the heart of the University of Wisconsin campus on Regent St. We had a business model that was dictated by our location and our clientele. Needless to say, we didn't stock very expensive niche market bicycles either. That was just not our thing. Those esoteric bicycles also had a shelf life , next year's top model was on its way.

You have years of experience. You know what you can do and not for your core customers. Stocking esoteric items is a disservice for them as well. It costs a lot to stock these items ( that's probably not well understood) and once the product has expired ( so to speak for whatever reason) the owner has to bite the bullet. You need to stay in business in order to serve your customers well . Eating your profits through questionable inventory won't keep you in business. Let's just face it , the high-end cartridge market is too wide and variable that you cannot possibly provide a demonstration for everything. The manufacturer has far more data through the previous customer's feedback, not to mention their own internal testing and development."

• @stevengagnon4777

This was nicely put by the subscriber and explains why we need time to research the request while the buyer can also look to the world market for additional information. That said, we will do research into cartridge/arm/table combinations right along with the phono stage and knowing your system along with musical preferences is a real plus. Even hearing it in different shops is no guarantee as to the results in your system, nor are reviews completely accurate for the same reason.