Walking Into A Brick & Mortar High End Audio Store

Back in the old days, circa the 70's-80's, I used to frequent various hi-fi dealers, and would buy from them. This was in the days before Audiogon and dealers often had trade-ins. (The early Stereo Exchange in NYC used to be a mecca for used high end gear and if you knew what you were after, you could usually find it, and surprisingly quickly- Dave W. did huge turnover back in the 80's). In those days, Singer, Lyric and a few others were around, but everybody had a different take on their preferred dealer, based on personal experience, $ and available lines.
The problem, even in the best of circumstances, with any dealer, is that trying to evaluate the sound of a particular piece of gear through an in-store demo is of limited value; limited not only by the different room but by (usually) different associated gear. Building a relationship with a dealer that permits in-home trial is invaluable. Yes, you are paying a premium for this kind of service. But, it can also help you avoid the cost of churning through equipment. And, the right dealer will provide loaners if your equipment has a failure (these days, it is very rare for a dealer to do its own service- it seems that they all rely on factory (authorized) external service).
Among the hi-end dealers in NYC, one of the best I've encountered is the guy at High Water Sound; he spent a half hour on the phone with me years ago discussing step up transformers for phono stages- none of which he carried. I've met him briefly at shows and he seems to be a stand-up guy. (If I weren't still committed to the gear I have, he'd probably be one person I'd be happy to deal with). I have a good relationship with another dealer who makes house calls, lets me do in-home sessions with gear so I can get my head around what I'm hearing and is a generally good guy. I've found a few others that are like him, in other parts of the country, but I think you almost have to choose the dealer as carefully as the equipment. I've met a few dealers over the years who are arrogant and clueless on customer service and I respond by going elsewhere. The worst is paying the premium for so-called 'high end' dealer service and not getting it.

P.S.: FWIW, I would rarely just walk into a dealer 'cold'; instead, i would call ahead, usually try to talk to an owner, and tell them I'm thinking of visiting, make it clear that I am serious but not necessarily coming in to write a check on the first visit. I have found that to be very effective. I'm not a time waster- and I don't want to waste my time either.

I think it depends on your expectations. If you just show up at a store and expect to demo a particular combo of gear that isn't already set up, you aren't likely to get the time and attention that you need. For starters, the owner or salesperson may already be busy with another customer.
If you are just browsing, fine, but I've still found that, unless the dealer knows you, you are better off making contact and arrangements first. Obviously, one can do whatever makes them happy, but if people complain about not being treated 'right' at a dealer's, they should consider how to approach the process in a way that will maximize service and minimize attitude. At least that's been my experience over many years, dealing with a variety of so-called 'high-end' products, in audio and other things. And, I've ruled out some dealers simply based on my experience in talking to them over the phone.

My suspicion about the Guitar Center is that if you wanted to play a real 59 'burst (presumably at the LA store, not some outlet in the 'burbs) rather than a new, 'production' guitar, you might have to run the gauntlet.
CZ- nice, offensive and unnecessary comment about jews. But, don't let me stop you from continuing to express who you are.

Crarivey is now making physical threats. Nice.

To echo Charyo's remark, I think we all owe each other a little respect. I come on this forum, either to get information, or to provide it when I can. I'm not a PC type person, but I was the one who called out CZ on his remark, and from what I gather, he didn't intend to be mean-spirited. Frankly, although I'm jewish, I'm not a very religious jew, and am not unduly sensitive to a good joke, which often pokes fun at stereotypes. But, having said that, my concern was perpetuating a stereotype that is offensive. Macro- I'm not sure there is a legacy of prejudice against well diggers, so the analogy doesn't work, but as I said when I first brought it up, let people say what they will; I'm certainly not into censorship or making people toe the line in terms of PC sensibilities (or whatever you want to call it).
I have no interest in perpetuating this aspect of the thread; I made my contributions to it in substance on the issues of dealers and courtesy. I also think that public statements can be tricky, which is why I usually try to keep it light. If CZ meant no harm, I'll take him at his word. But word do have consequences, as we see everyday in the media.
Not trying to play gotcha here, but since I was the one that raised the issue with CZ's remarks first, I thought it fair to give you my perspective. No snark intended.

There is an interesting piece about what separates mediocre dealers from good dealers from superb dealers written by Jim Smith on the site for High Fidelity Report. Based on the criteria that Jim describes, I'd say that only a fraction of dealers I've encountered over the decades meet his standards.
Cajun: I hear you, but think about this: if the car shopping (say an older exotic) involved the kind of work on the part of the dealer comparable to asking an audio dealer to set up a particular turntable/cartridge with a particular rig in the shop and you went in on a Saturday, asking that the car dealer let you do a compression test on the motor, and put the car on a lift to see the underbody, and maybe pull a wheel, I doubt you'd get much traction as a casual walk-in. You'd call first, and say, I'd like to look at this car, and have a quick PPI.
I walked away from a car once because the sales guy was busy with another customer, and I hadn't called in advance. (It was a vintage exotic). I shoulda bought the thing; it's value skyrocketed over the course of the next couple years.
Enjoy the Audis.