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Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home

So, I had a great experience listening to some Devore 0/96 speakers yesterday. The challenge for me is that the room I heard them in is wildly different than any other room I’d ever listen in. (I’ll share a photo, below.) I really have no idea if spending $13k plus on these speakers would work out. I’d need to try them at home.

For all I know, these dealers might be ok with me trying some speakers at home. I don’t know and am not yet ready to ask.

But I’m curious whether folks here have any stories to tell about the reactions they’ve gotten when they’ve asked to try speakers at their home. If you have a story, especially if it’s a more expensive speaker, I’d love to hear your story. How did you convince them? If they turned you down, what was the reason? Did you agree?

 

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Showing 1 response by duckworp

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duckworp
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I would suggest an audition fee if you don’t purchase, to cover their costs and time. 
 

I auditioned speakers at home from 4 different dealers.  One brought Magico and Wilson speakers around on separate occasions neither of which I bought.  I offered an audition fee if I did not buy which he appreciated, but in the end  I did buy a few thousand $ of cables from him.

Another loaned me two sets of Avalon that I did not buy, but I’d already bought an expensive amp and cdp from him so I was a good customer. 

Another loaned me some large Proac K series floorstanders and some Sonas Faber neither of which I bought. From him I bought two dac/streamers  I needed for a second system, giving him the business as a ‘thank you’. 

Another shipped three sets of speakers to me for home demo.  There was no cost to me, which is incredible as their shipping costs were large.  I would happily have offered to pay the shipping costs too. Anyway, I bought my final speakers from them in the end so he was happy. 

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