Ever feel like a "low dollar" customer that your dealer doesn't think worth their time?

hilde45....Precisely. *S*

I've some recognition that we deal in dreams....

"THIS is the playground I wanted as a child!"
"Our kids love it!  And the neighborhood ones' do too!"

We received an email yesterday from a former client for which we did the most expensive residential playset we'd done up to that time.

"We're planning to build a house.  My wife said that either we're going to have to move That playset to the New house...or have another one made for it...."

(We've moved playsets....it's worse than a 4th floor concrete sofa....)

*blink*  I'll call that Success.....on enough levels...*S*

For those who can't afford us, we're happy to advise.
For those who want to DIY, we provide access to that which they can't normally get, or could only get through a contractor....
Better parts.  Where to get the parts for a zip line that's of a better standard than a cheap plastic one...and the proper harnesses and gear to make it safe....and advising of the inherent risk of a zip line that's DIY.

"Don't cut corners or take 'shortcuts'...unless you've Spectacular Insurance."

We build to commercial standards...on everything.

I like it....or it doesn't get done.

I refuse to risk your kids for a buck.

Can't deal with that?

Go away.

Here's a 'non-audio' example for y'all, but it's an example of 'potential client approach'....at least, mine.

It's been a 'working Sunday'...one employ had short hours, the other can't work Wed. & Thurs. (new child, long story)....so we're 'blowin' 'n goin'....

I'm in a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals.

Young guy walks up, baby in sling on chest.

"Is this the playground company?"

Yes, can I help you?

"Do they have a catalog?"

No, we don't since most of our business is from our website or email.  But I'd be more than happy to help you.

"Do you work here?"

I'm co-owner with my spouse. (Who just happened to be walking behind us, 'airing out' our dog after a well-needed bath....)

Hey, he lit right up.  Interested in a 'natural playset' (our specialty)....his spouse and the 3 other children came over in a few minutes, having met the dog and spouse...).

"If you visit our website, I'm positive you'll see what we've done and find something you'll know the kids will love.  We're not inexpensive, but you will get exactly what you want."

Now, I'm not what I consider a salesman.  

But....like audio equipment, our 'product' sells itself.  Or it doesn't.
If you want something from Sams' or Home Depot, you'll go there.
But I refuse to treat anyone like I've been subject to in 'hi end' B&M stores....

Spouse and I walked into a 4 star hotel in S.F. covered in plaster dust after demo'ing walls in our house.
We were in a room within 10 minutes.
Now....that's Service.

@schubert , yup.
 And not all survived.  The ones that have been lucky and smart enough to get the right balance of stock and service.

Likely these are the ones that y'all mention on forums like this....

We travel around the S/E, since we design/build/install.  If I'm in a city where there's a B&M store ("Hey, Google!"), I'll drop in...

Usually in our company T-shirt, driving the company 4wd diesel dually.
Typically, I'll just nose about, checking out the wares.  I'll look for that which is mentioned on these pages.

It's what happens while I do that....is what I'm paying attention to.

If I get followed around like it's expected I'll paw at the stock or act suspicious....or get the 'down the nose' 'tude....I'm gone.

If I get engaged in conversation, there's a +.

If I get offered a demo, there's +*X.

The latter is Rare.

I carry a demo CD in our 'lectronics kit, with the 'puter, printer, cables (we 'take over' the 'in room' flat screen, since we're generally 'in town' for a minimun of 2 weeks on an installation)....

That cd has been out twice.

On one revisit, 'we don't demo'.  Different salesperson....

The other obviously didn't like my 'taste'.

This is why I buy online.

...as for my 'personal audio attitude'...

I'm just as bad about it.
Just because I've not dropped the $ on it rivaling a Benz or Beemer doesn't mean I'm not picky.

"Think Outside the Box!"

The box doesn't exist.  Get over it.

Today's email included this:

https://www.parts-express.com/tectonic_intro_to_bmr?utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Learn+More&utm_content=Tectonic+-+Revolutionary+BMR+Drivers+ON+SALE!&utm_campaign=200614_Tectonic+BMR&_bta_tid=130977682521392152575322640022414824641275317498159592086943907300185205978391113999002050383311511396

I've been fascinated by DML's, much like class D amps.....mostly because of the potentials both exhibit...

The BML driver, an interesting 'hybrid', could make for a great line source speaker pair...If the trace depicted holds water...

...so to speak.....sans immersion, of course....;)

"Novelty LP Records!"  signs in the antique shops of the 2030's.....

I think we've moved on and into the era of the 'boutique' dealers...

To survive, they offer a 'complete package' vs. the individual item(s) of interest to that diminishing group of shoppers.

Yes, we've become dinosaurs....the digital comet struck, and the shock wave is wiping out the substanance of our desires.  We can either adapt (and quickly), or bleach our bones as the 'famliar' becomes scarcer.

We, as well as our equipment....have become...'vintage'. *G*

minorl, I'll pass on the invite...but admire your approach...
It's beyond reproach that you need to apply it daily at all, especially in CA.
(CA native, grew up next to Compton....'nuff said....)
Hopefully, The Lesson will stick better this time around, but hoping some will finally be 'woke' is still a dream unrealized...but I'm still one happy to be surprised...

Have a better world and day tomorrow...;)

Cheers, J.