Expertise

Most people seeking specialist assistance via a consult of some sort do so because they value expertise and all that goes with it. Expertise brings many benefits, folks who’ve often invested decades into their craft can deliver experience, insight and knowledge simply unavailable elsewhere.

Get the best advice you can find from Mike, and please, stop quoting forum posts as authorities. Only the guys who actually work, live and breathe this stuff really know.

Jon S

Expectation

The main issue in offering our advisory service is one of expectation. People don’t front up to a doctor, lawyer or accountant expecting free consultations and visits to my accountant and doctor certainly aren’t free. Why so many expect me to give up my time for free is perplexing.

Unlike retailers, forums and other non-specialist sources, we provide informed, independent advice free from conflicts of interest and sales pressure, delivering many benefits to those seeking a higher calibre of assistance. This is a unique offering, drawing enquiries from around the world, but I can’t do all this for free.

Whilst I’d love to assist everyone, ‘quick questions’ invariably become 15 – 30-minute conversations, adding up to many hours of valuable lost time per week. As a specialist small business, it’s not viable to lose so much time to enquiries that typically generate no business. It comes back to expecting that free doctor or lawyers consult. It’s an unreasonable expectation.

Examples

Here’s a snapshot of what I’m talking about:

Example 1: ‘G’ sought technical assistance with his valuable Sansui amplifier. I assisted him, but when I suggested he purchase time to address his follow-up questions, G exploded: “F*** you, I’m not going to pay you … that speaks to how miserable you are.”

Example 2: ‘K’ wanted KD-600 turntable improvement advice after enjoying several long conversations and our unique KD-600 articles. When I mentioned he’d need to purchase a consult, K threatened: “I know someone in the Australian Tax Office”. Ironically, K tried to obtain my help again after threatening me, several years later, hoping I’d forgotten. I haven’t.

Example 3: ‘M’ purchased a 30-minute consult leading to an end-game Accuphase amplifier purchase from Japan. He kept asking questions after his consult ended though, claiming he’d “paid for 60 minutes but only received 20” and that my records would prove it. Every Liquid Audio customer receives more than they pay for and I sent proof of his 30-minute purchase, our 34-minute call and the extra 15 minutes he’d received by email. That’s 49 minutes assistance on a 30-minute purchase. Do you think I received an apology..?

Mike … you, of course, are a gem. We are so lucky to have someone as passionate, intelligent, ethical and hardworking in little ol’ Perth.

David H

The Solution

In each of the examples above, selfish enquirers arrogantly disregarded basic respect for someone else’s time and energy. I’m not interested in assisting these sorts of people. Our pre-paid advisory service solves most of these issues.

Advice seekers can pre-purchase customised consults tailored to their needs. Extra time can be added as needed and the service is perfectly matched to customer needs, aligning with our core values of maximum quality, value and minimum wastage.

Pre-payment reduces time/energy/goodwill-draining interactions like those mentioned and instead fosters positive, productive, mutually beneficial exchanges with decent people who respect the time of those assisting them. That’s what my business is all about 🙂