Why do you need to wait 3 months to buy it?
I can think of 10+ reasons easily. None of our business really
How many times can u visit a hifi store before it annoys the store if u plan on a purchase
I plan on buying a McIntosh system C12000 and 2 MC611 monoblocks in a about 3 months from this Stereo shop I have chosen. I’ve been to the store about 4 times over the past year and half to listen to various components trying diff equipment.
My question, is, what would be considered visiting the store to much before I buy a system? I plan on spending over 20k but I didn’t know what is proper etiquette.
55 responses Add your response
Why do you need to wait 3 months to buy it? if you know you want it? Do you plan to go in there several more times to look at it in the next months, see if it helps make up your mind? It’s not that big a deal, just a preamp and a pair of monos that gets sold en masse around the world. It shouldn’t cause you so much anxiety and mental chatter.
|
I agree with @jond during my college years I worked at a family owned hifi store, for our town some really excellent gear, Conrad Johnson, Phillips, Cary, Mission/Cyrus, Tannoy, Paradigm, Ariston, EV, NHT, NAD, Proton etc.. we had a small group that would come in in Saturday’s and make a visit. Always with some sort of doughnuts or pastry. We called the leaders of this band Siskel and Egghead. Fun guys, would buy some good stuff at times. (Like @larryi said the treats helped). Great conversations, introductions of new music and passing the time when sales were slow. My boss taught me that this was part of the gig, our local clutch of audio heads. They all have friends that they push our way with potential sales etc.. If the gawking didn’t interfere with business, no harm no foul. (He also told me that I could chop off their fingers if anyone pulled a grill cover off) |
Go as often as you want. If you are friendly, and don't act as a pest--meaning you don't demand immediate service, you wait patiently for other customers to be served before you ask for any work they would have to do to set you up for a trial, etc.--you are not making much of a demand on their time. Also, don't argue with them or try to prove them wrong; more than anything dealers don't like know-it-all customers. I know dealers who actually like certain customers that don' buy much but bring to their day pleasant social interaction. As mentioned above, bringing food treats helps too. |
Some audio stores they are annoyed on one visit if they think you can’t afford their stuff. Quintessence audio here at Morton Groove , ILLinois , Mike who is now successful audio store, He is super nice.Even when I can’t afford his stuff. He greet you with a smile, and invite you to listen of the system you choose. |
Most audio equipment store operators possess extensive experience, allowing them to smell it out real buyers through intuition or conversation. Given that HIFI audio stores typically have relatively few customers, they highly value every visitor and each potential sales opportunity. In my point of view, its highly depends on the customers themselves. Most male customers have a very clear understanding of what they want basic on what they have at home and wallet. Its totally fine that you sit there enjoy the music even with snacks but if you keep asking to switch the speaker or audio source etc, we will began to think “you gonna buy or what” |
That's...insane. Makes me think they were antsy to clear out the store so they could, I dunno, bust out the coke! Nice to hear they got hurt in the end by their extremely poor treatment of you. |
Many years ago, when I was fairly new to this hobby, I would do all of my business with one local shop. I bought a fair amount of gear from this fellow and his company along with records etc., At the time he was the Linn turntable dealer, so i bought my first Linn table from him. One day I was in his store looking for a particular record. I asked his sales guy if they had the record in stock, only to be told to get out unless I was planning on buying something that visit. I immediately asked for the owner, whom I knew well, expecting him to be a little more courteous to me. Nope, the guy was on the same page, either buy something immediately, or get out! I left his store and never bought another thing from him, plus I told all of my a’phile friends of this occurrence, and they too boycotted the store. Many years later, after i had acquired numerous pieces from another local store, I ran into the first stores prior manager. He told me that he had heard of the circumstance with me and that he was shocked that not only the other salesperson spoke to me in that manner, but that the owner himself behaved in such a fashion, wherein he apologized profusely for their actions.Needless to say, the store in question closed up shop several years after my experience with them...and as they say...good riddance. |
Build a close customer/salesperson relationship and they won't care how often you go back. I had this in my dealer decades ago (back when customer service wasn't an exception). and was allowed to listen to systems & components costing two to four times what I had bought from them. Not only did it validate my home system, but it allowed me critical listening time to see upgrade paths. I have recommended this store to many other people which has probably "paid" for my extra visits ten time over. |
I operate a business that has an average $20k unit price tag, so I feel a little bit of confidence in saying that I would be very happy spending time with a customer that brings me anywhere near $5k in retail sales for each trip in the door - Please don’t let the current value that our sales people seem to think they are entitled to deter you from the task at-hand - Our customers average 8-10 trips into the store before they pull the trigger - and the better we send the message that we value them as a family member, the greater the odds that you will continue to spend your Audio dollars there - Keep letting them know you value their assistance in making your SIGNIFICANT monetary decision - Remember, this isn’t like buying a set of tires, high end audio equipment is like buying an Indian Motorcycle - It’s a Lifestyle purchase !! They should offer you your own dedicated theater seat during your process !!! |
@dekay 🙄 ...not the kute kucumber kats Again?! *groan*
|
It's sad you have to worry about this, esp if they've made you feel this way. I can imagine if it's Best Buy or some other big box busy store they may see you as a "cry wolf", situation. But most hifi stores of the caliber who carry the equipment you're looking for should understand this: "Today's dreamers are tomorrow's buyers!" If they act put off by you, keep bothering them all you want and when you find the exact pieces you want, buy them elsewhere. |
The approach that’s worked for me is to be courteous and professional to everyone, period. What’s really gonna wear on you is trying to sum up every potential client...I’ve been in the investment biz, owned my own mortgage banking company, and been a pro musician producer and sound tech and it never pays to be rude. You never know what's gonna be referred to you and if you think you do you're wrong. |
If you are there to genuinely look and learn, with an intention to buy something some day, somewhere, just let them know. Most dealers are understanding. However, if you are not serious about buying right now, and just looking, they’ll appreciate knowing this too - and/or so they can go help others in the store. Most are acutely aware of tire kickers and online shoppers. It helps to let them know what you’d like to do. Ya never know, sometimes they can work something out for ya on a purchase -and- offer valuable warranty support later if something goes wrong. My local 56-year-in-business dealer developed loyal customers this way.
|
Lol personally I like to drop off a gift certificate for Starbucks or something like that. Lol when they like you they will tell you more information you should know. Likely you will gets at least 20 times your money out of what you paid for a few gift certificate s here and there. When they thank you pick there brain.
Regards |
I have read many of the BS responses you have received regarding placing a limit on visits or what is respectful for a dealer. You are obviously interested in their products. I would go in every day until you make the right decision for you. If you receive any BS from that particular dealer, I would buy elsewhere and then go in and show them the paid invoice! Also, ensure you get at least a 15% discount off retail since there is a 40-50% markup regardless of brand or what a dealer tells you. |
As an ex stereo salesmen (many many years ago) it really depends on the situation. If the store is empty I'd much rather talk to someone about the hobby and maybe learn or teach something. If the you are taking away time from a paying customer you are infringing on my lively hood which is not OK. If your respectful of others time and willing to build a relationship it could be beneficial to both parties. |
Hello Dman 777, As others have opined on your question. Go as often as you wish. You indicate that you’ve been to that store 3-4 times in the past year. That’s not very often but Imo there’s no “max” number of pre-purchase visits before you lay out some serious jack to purchase at that location. If you feel guilty about multiple visits without a purchase maybe buy an inexpensive accessory if they have something on hand during one of your looking/listening visits. |
The factors that determine how many visits you can make depends upon the personality of the business as set by the proprietor, the personality of the sales person you get assigned, and your personality. I had a similar experience as @jasonbourne71 at Lyric Manhattan where I could not get in the door but was always treated well, even when just inquiring without intent to purchase at Lyric Westchester. There was a high end store in Great Neck NY that actually was yelling aggressively at me because I couldn’t sing along with the bass line concluding I had no ear. His premiss, documented in a position paper he provided, was that a high end system was of a resolution that permits you sing along with the melodies. I guess he was not selling me a high end system. Yet another proprietor in Manhasset down the road apiece let me audition at my leisure, being informative without trying to influence. You know who got the sale. Recently, Bill Parish at GTT Audio was extremely patient suffering from multiple calls, never pressuring or putting me off, for over a year, until I finally purchased a Mola Mola Tambaqui from him. The key is to be sincere and try to set appointments. If you are, the seller will let you demo as often and long as you need. |
| Post removed |
You need to be respectful of the dealer’s time with your visits without buying anything otherwise the dealer’s radar will go up on you, you might be discussed negatively within their shop, and your experience with them will suffer. No problem visiting occasionally of course but avoid long conversations or demos that distract the dealer from real paying customers assuming that you never purchase. Once the dealer’s radar is up on you, your only recourse is to reset by admitting that you were a time waster, then buy something then and there, preferably without a lot of negotiating and even better if you cheerfully pay at or near full retail. The only exception is if you have a personal friendship with the dealer, but even then be respectful and circumspect about your visits and discussions. |
In the 80's there was a Boulder Sound Gallery in downtown Denver. As I worked downtown I'd pop in about once a week to see what was new or just shoot the breeze. I never gave them the "someday" line. I never monopolized their time and when there were other customers, I'd just nod or wave and stay out of the way. It didn't take long until they were comfortable with me and moreso when I did start buying things. (I had a young family and money was tight.) One day I went in to buy some Monster Cable and connectors to make my own. They asked if I'd be interested in a barter: I'd make cables for their listening room and in return, I'd get mine for free. Win-win! Eventually I bought my Acoustat 1+1s and an ARC SP3-A that had come in on trade. My point is, there's a right way and wrong way to hang out in an audio store or any business for that matter. Don't be a dick and you should be okay. |
+1 @celtic66 You get it. Cheers |
I managed a stereo store back in the mid-1970s and we had several types of "regulars."
So, how often are you welcome at a store? It depends on you. (Of course, there is no shortage of arrogant jerk audio store owners and salespeople, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure out you don't want to spend time there.) |
@curiousjim : "...and I just chuckled." |
I remember back in 1977 going to Lyric HIFi in Manhattan to buy a Dynavector 20B cartridge. Mike Kaye owned the store then. After sizing me up as someone not likely to spend thousands he made me wait in the vestibule while he went to fetch the cartridge. Apparently this was his behavior if he didn’t like the cut of your jib. |
| Post removed |
Speaking as a buyer of equipment and not a dealer, I find that visiting high-end dealers is often one of the joys of the hobby. There are different kinds of dealers with different outlooks, of course. I've visited some that seem to be pretty focused on first-visit sales where staff lose interest the moment they perceive you're still just looking. But that's not necessarily typical in my experience. What makes high-end audio shops most interesting to me is that the staff are often quite knowledgeable about the industry and technology-- not only with the brands they offer, but also those they have offered previously and those they've chosen against adding to their lineup. Unlike your average trip to Best Buy, good dealers will talk to you, teach you, tell you stories about performers and music, and show off their products with pride. They understand why you're coming to see them. They're usually not just sellers, they're also avid listeners. Maybe even formerly or currently recording engineers, musicians, or otherwise involved in music production. |
Do they know that you intend to buy and your reason for waiting? My first job out of college was retail audio sales. Nothing high end. Stuff like Onkyo Integra and Acoustic Research. Decent stuff in the mid 80s. If I had a dime for every time somebody auditioned gear, said they would come back to buy, and didn't.... |
If there a great dealer and get to know you they should not have to spend much time in the room with you.i have the mc12000 and 611 great synergy and more and American made.if they truly are smart they could have a customer for life. In my area the brick and morter stores are 4 hours away.enjoy the search and the music. |
Just a recommendation, but if you plan to go for another audition, and this would take up the employees time and effort, do so when they are not likely to be busy with other customers. Not that high end audio shops tend to be packed these days, but if you see the sales guys with multiple customers, maybe you should pick another day/time? I don’t know, but maybe avoid Saturday around noon? Don’t show up 30 minutes before closing? If you see the sales guy surfing on his phone on a Tuesday morning, perfect. |
| Post removed |
We only have one high end store here and I go there about once a year to listen to a couple of their rooms, but for some reason they just don’t sound good to me. I mean an all Boulder system with the top of the line Transparent cables, a couple of different speakers and it just sounds okay. I’m pretty sure it’s the room(s), yet these guys have been in business for years. They probably know who I am by now, but I don’t care. I went in to ask about DAC’s and one of the owners pulled out something, said it cost $67K and I just chucked. I never asked the brand name, nor did I ask him to demo it. |
Having customers come in and audition is part of the audio business. I think it is perfectly ok to shop. What is not acceptable IMHO is to go audition at a store and negotiate a better price with a competitor or buy on line afterwards without giving the opportunity for the store to price match. |
There are plenty of people that have no intention of buying and these people don't care how much of your time they consume. "Knob twisters" "Tire kickers" "Gear gawkers" "Lookie-Loos" Good sales people know who you are and see you coming. Don't be surprised when they don't return your calls. It's YOU who is the problem not them.
|
Go as often as you want. Maybe don’t waste their time auditioning equipment you never intend to buy, but don’t feel guilty about making sure that you’ll be happy with a future purchase. If they get annoyed with a future customer, I would be concerned with how they would act if you purchase the equipment and then have a problem with it. . . . . |
