The list of turnoffs is a long one, but the closest to arrogant I have seen was really more elitist than arrogant. Or greedy. What is the word for when they radiate the impression you aren't worthy to lick their shoes? That you should write a check or better yet shower them with cash then make an appointment to see if they will grant you an audience to negotiate your worthiness to hear one of their magical marvels. That one. Hey maybe it was arrogance after all!
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In 1978 I made the trip into Manhattan from Stamford, CT to visit Lyric HiFi. I wanted to purchase a Dynavector 20B homc cartridge ($240). I arrived at Lyric's uptown store and was met at the vestibule by Mike Kay the owner. When I told him what I wanted he sized me up as a peon not worthy of his time. He did sell me the Dynavector 20B - but would not let me into his store!!! What a pr*ck! |
I will play Devils Advocate here. So many people use the remaining bricks and mortar stores to audition a dealers wares, and then buy it on the Internet, that instead of perhaps considering them as retailers, some of them wish to be viewed as consultants. Think of them along the Financial Planners model. Some Planners charge a yearly fee based upon your net assets. Others base their fee as a percentage of the assets that they actively manage. Others charge a straight hourly fee for their advice, the same for Princes and Paupers. In this case, the audio dealer could argue that he is some sort of hybrid of these models. Where this analogy breaks down is that a FP can discuss multiple products without having to physically demonstrate anything, a high end audio dealer has to have a physical product that we can listen to. I would appreciate a dealer whose model is the following: 1) Charges a flat fee, for a defined time period (say, yearly) for their advice 2) will demo, as part of that service, components that they may actually have in stock, and charge the usual markup should you choose to purchase from the dealer (the dealer would presumably provide additional troubleshooting service above and beyond what the manufacturer can provide). 3) the dealer would provide access to many other manufacturers who can then ship components to the dealer for the customer to pick up and return to do home auditions. |
The highest paid people in the world are salesman/women. That being said, the lazest people in the world share the same title, Salesman/woman. They show up every day to stand there and consume air and because they show up, they actually expect to get paid.. Their function, to keep every other yacking employee as far off his or her game as they can.. The work force is full of FAT LAZY, cell phone talking people.. What's left over call themselves "out of work". From the day I was born, I was working. The difference now I think about working.. I talk to the Dog and the Rabbit and they both make more sense than most folks I talk with including my own kids.. My brothers are pretty like minded as long as we stay in our neutral corners most of the time.. We are brothers after all. Not a lot to say, but a whole lot is understood. WORK and pay attention. LOL Regards |
Salesman/saleswomen not on this list
https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-paying-jobs |
Salesman/saleswomen not on this list
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Salesmen I know are well over the million dollar mark selling heavy equipment.
I said salesmen, not Best Buy
Look at realitors, I know a FEW that made millions, went to school with two, still see them in their old PU trucks.. Sold commercial and farm land leasing.. BIG money.. Salesman.. Buddy I made more than a surgeon did acording to your "Top Ranking Jobs" As a Heavy Duty Master Machanic, 5 years ago.. Drilling platforms when I was younger and tieback rigs when I retired from a broked everything, including my neck. The difference is the surgeon won’t need 500,000.00 worth of work to stay mobile and alive when he retires.. My insurance was actually more than a friggen one handed surgeon (bonding). They paid though.. NOT ME.. Never a claim.. Ever.. Regards |
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I will say this. We all have been in the hobby awhile and typically we have the money to play in the hobby so we are going to get more knowledgeable as we go on. I guess I get disappointed by some who think that a person that does this 15, 20,30 years isn't going to know more and more. In addition there are a lot of greedy folks out here. There is a place up here in Dallas where they take your name down the first time you come in. The second you come and don't buy they literally will turn equipment down or off so you can't demo or hear it. If you are too iffy too bad for you. In addition to that in this Information Age one would be foolish to think that folks aren't going to do their research before dropping mega bucks on gear. Some with these attitudes really take the fun out of it |
I totally understand that time is money. Hell I'm a lawyer. But when folks think you just listening and won't buy if you like is agitating AF. I try to only demo stuff I intend on actually buying or consider buying. If I ask about a specific item that means I have heard researched it and I might be ready to go in it. A dealer would have to at some point realize that people that run businesses or can afford this stuff probably researched it pretty damn good. In the past that wasn't the case but now it is. They have to adjust |
I wear a 25.00 doller Timex and bib cover alls.. They can ALL kiss my fat wallet pocket in my wifes purse with a pistol in it to boot.. I've told the 60K story.. It's like 120K now..
Put me on "THIS LIST". My list is hangin' I was at a place in Sacramento it took the guy a few minutes to look up and tell me where the repair facility was. You'd a thought I was asking for a kidney.. Bars on the windows, shotgun in the corner, I felt right at home.. Glad I wore my vest..
Regards |
Not everybody is built to work with public. And , salemen must interact with all sort people . How much time , would you spend with someone with ragged cloths , asking about laws informations in front of your office door ? Next time you go to demo audio gears, give your lawer business card to the receptionnist or a saleman ...... you will be offered a coffe . |
The summer of 1978 or 1979 I worked at a high-end audio dealer in the Georgetown neighborhood in DC. What appeared to be a "smelly homeless guy" and his friend were enjoying our Bang & Olufson display; all the other salesmen left the front of the store, instead of engaging these two customers. Long-story-short, the "smelly homeless guy" was a neurosurgeon who was on duty so long, he hadn't shaved or probably showered for a few days, catching whatever sleep he could, in between surgeries. I sold him $38k worth of equipment. He returned in a few weeks to snag a pair of Yamaha NS1000's for his garage, which was home to his Rolls, Ferrari and Benz. You never know who will walk into your shop. |
@ejr1953 , That is what many salespeople don't get. The high earners go for the obviously moneyed client and ignore anyone who looks like an average person. I experienced it at Sound by Singer when they were on 8th Street. They let my very nice umbrella get taken by another 'customer', while doing business and just shrugged their shoulders when I told them what happened. I cancelled the transaction and let them know what I thought of them. Of course the reaction was a smirk and a shake of the head that let me know what a loser I was. I swore off dealers for years. Then the internet allowed me to buy used directly. It took more than 30 years for me to find a dealer that not only respected me, but understood me- Audioconnection. Bob |
I learned a valuable lesson long ago. A man walks in my office overalls with a hole in the knee driving an old truck. Older gentleman walking slow and bent over. Told me what he needed I said $2500. I said I will give him a payment plan. He said no need you fella. He raised his pant leg. Had a wad of cash on it. Peeled of 25 100 dollar bills smiled and walked out. That guy was the wealthiest guy in southern dallas. Owned 8 million in property alone and sn historic theater. I learned that day that you must treat all people with respect regardless if you think they have money or not! |
dealers definetly make strong judgments fairly rapidly. The last dealer i went to I happened to drive my bmw m5 that day. I purposely parked it as far away as possible; i didnt see any cars in the front lot and didnt want attention so i parked in in the rear lot Well, they saw it on camera and kept asking me about it. It’s a nice car but its not like its a McLaren. Didnt matter i was treated like a king. I think a dealer will judge you right away by how your dressed, how serious you sound, what you drive, your age, ext if you come in dressed like a slob and you say your "just looking" they may not like that very much and may come off to you as arrogant |
This isnt just audio dealers this applies to specialty stores of high priced items in general If you enter and it looks like you just want to pay as little as possible the owner might come off as Arrogant. In the early spring I went to buy a pump for my bike. Just wanted a hand pump you know, looking to spend $20-30 bucks max. This guy had nothing cheaper than $120.. and acted like he was donald Trump and that you were wasting his time. Definitely talked down a lot. I simply took my bike to the gas station and filled up there.... These small shops rely on high revenue/high margin sales and get frustrated when they think you arnt trying to spend "real" money |
I was going to help a freind moving and I knew I had lots of time in front of me so I brougt with me , my McIntosh MC8027 power Amp. ( front glass screen broken ) for repair by this dealer new to me. I parked my rusty pickup truck in front of his fancy place.( it is a heavy gear) I was wearing ovealls and big boots. The saleman opened the door and let me in. The first thing he asked me : Is it yours ? I said : no , I have just stolen it three blocks away, can you keep it for a while. All McIntosh gears with JBL syntethis speakers ..... I ending up pruchasing an audiophile power bar and highend Power cables. You never know. |
@fiesta75 Wow. A high-end shop in Honolulu. The best...er only...high-end shop I've come across on the Big Island is the Hilo Office Max. Hey, they actually do have interconnects and ethernet cable...though the cheap stuff. Yeah, my nearest high-end retailer is cyberspace. I can shop there guilt free. |
Yes. I think everyone eventually runs into some arrogant jerk. Although as my career moved on, it happened less and less. Audio folks can typically figure out what you can afford. Some of them are only in it to make money, they are not there because they love the music and high hi. So they will make a call and write you off, right or wrong. Although if they are disingenuous, I'll write them off and not buy there.
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There are those that 'get it'....and those that don't, and may never.... Local ACE hdwr. relocated...new shop center, don't know me from the mulch in the outside bed with typ. plant... 'Hey, you're a Stilhs' dealer! Kewl...." Got treated with respect and good 'tude since I pushed the door....cruised the display, no pressure.... Came back w/my foreman..."Which?" Needed some hardware, bought all they had, asked if they could order a case of same. Did it. Didn't know me from a wheel stop. Foreman came in & picked that case. I came back separately and dropped $ on a mid-level saw and some this 'n that. 800$ bang to start their day. Friendly and good cheer at all times...and knowing enough to get out of the way while the decisions were made....even if elsewhere.... No, not audio, but smart sales....let 'm look, costs nothing but an eye....Serious will ask serious queries, perhaps pull the trigger. It's like fly fishing, although I don't.... Bait is overhead.... If they come in asking for Nirvana, it ought to be obvious within a minute what's in the mind of the 'client'.. If not...hire a new sales stiff. If it's your brother-in-law....shoot self. On-Line? Do your research like you'd buy a house. If it stinks, don't get hosed with it as well. PayPal ain't perfect, but neither are we. Gird thy loins.... If I'm only preaching @ the bored choir....well... Shut Up & SING....fer G's sake.... |
I'm not a high roller in audio gear, but my three local shops have always been very friendly to me. The one that is probably the highest end dealer with Focal Utopia Grande (or the next one down) speakers typically available for demo. The salesman that I worked with when I made my first real dive into hi fi gear really would just sit and listen to music with me. They setup whatever I was interested to hear. I have always tried to be respectful of their time and only asked them for something specific if I was intending to make a purchase. If I'm just browsing I'll just listen to whatever they have setup and am upfront about my intentions. The second shop has a very community based atmosphere. I was planning to purchase a used tube amplifier from them and the owner recommended that I purchase a Yaqin amplifier that was available on eBay instead. He actually ordered it, set it up for me, and charged me exactly what I would have paid for it had I made the purchase. I tracked down an LP of one of my favorite albums that's fairly unique and gave it to him as a thank you. His approach to building a business is exactly what every shop should do. Most of the time when I'm in the shop he's working on something and beyond a welcome he just continues what he's doing unless you make an inquiry. I will say that it's never felt like he's ignoring you, more like you're considered to be a friend and welcome to make yourself comfortable. I've only had one experience at the third shop and we did have a conversation where it was clear that they didn't want me to waste their time and then buy online. When I confirmed that I would make the purchase from them if I decided to move forward they were happy to show me whatever was of interest. |
What I have noticed is most of the dealers are not willing to sell below full retail. Some of the out of town retailers are willing to sell for less because they can burry the sale without anyone being the wiser. Let's say they drop their price on an out of state sale and mark it up 10%, I would rather throw in a few of those deals because they all add up to a total gross profit number at the end of the month. It also helps them to turn their inventory so in turn they are able to increase their volume with their suppliers which in turn makes them more valuable to them. |
My former Dealer Bob Spence was great. He really made you feel right at home. He would give me long demos and bought things from him time and time again. He also educated me along the way in audio. We have even had listening sessions at each other's houses. He was old school. Did lots of business. I referred lots of clients to him. That's the way it was supposed to be. |
I always have a way of dealing with arrogant and people that thinks their crap don't stink. I will yell at their face right in the store in front of all the customers where the arrogant people will just shut up, surprised and end up listening to you, then at the end I always the one that's right and they're wrong and 99.99% of the time they beg to apologize to me. As a customer no one wins over me. |
The place I go to has greeted me like a friend. I walk in they give me a hard time with a smile and will put on music in one of their rooms just for me to listen to. I once was asking about buying a subwoofer and told him what for. He said go right to the -------- dealer they are having a great sale online, I can’t beat it. The cash was in my hand. Over the years I have spend a few k there. Sometimes they have what I need or they think I like, sometimes they don’t and direct me elsewhere. Always have the policy of take it home and listen to it first, then come back and tell us what you think. Went through 3 choices of speakers one time, bought the last onces which were what he thought I might like with the electronics I have. Even when I thought I liked something but it just wasn't right or I was hedging, they said don't spend the money if it isn't right. Superb place, they want you happy. Happy customers return. |
Thankfully over the past decades I've had a lot more positive experiences than negative, so have relegated the names of the jerks to the mental dustbin. Dealers who were more than helpful (even when I was a high schooler and college kid with little to spend) were Jonas Miller, Havens & Hardesty, Middleton, White and Kemp, and of course Neil Sinclair and Evelyn at the original Absolute Audio in Santa Ana. These days I consider Mike at Excel Audio (Newport Beach) to be my "go-to" dealer, and have made two (for me) major purchases from him in the past year. |
My second week open at my high-end store (1974--South Florida) a young man walked in with no shoes, no shirt, cut-offs, and really long, stringy blonde hair. Surfer, I thought, but hey, I was only open two weeks, so what the heck? He bought the most expensive Audio Research and Magneplaners in the store, along with a Trinitron TV (remember them?) and a Thornes TT, SME arm, and Supex cartridge. He ordered a Nakamichi, which was not out yet. He then went to his car and came in with a suitcase of cash. SO, I learned very early that, one, never discount a customer over appearance, and two, NEVER ask a customer what they do for a living. In those days in South Florida, and thoughout the 1980's, we had MANY cash transactions from people one may not think on first look could make those purchases. Now, the man I sold the business to had two rules: treat customers like crap, and if they don't squeal at the price, double it. Different strokes for different folks, I guess... |
Back when we lived in the DC area, I visited a lot of "brick and mortar" shops in search of a new pair of speakers. If my memory serves me, I stopped at one in Bethesda, MD on a dreadfully hot, humid day, with on-and-off rain all afternoon. When I walked in the front door, the sales rep greeted me with "do you have an appointment?" It pretty much went down hill from there. They had the speakers I was interested in driven by a high-quality amp that was in a rack on the shelf above the amp I owned, but they were not willing to unplug the speaker cables to plug them into the same model I owned. Being a hot day, the AC fan was so loud, I asked if I could have them turn the AC off for 5-10 minutes, but they weren't willing to, saying they would be happy to increase the volume. I don't know how dealers like this survive... |
