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What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?

I began my Hifi journey in 1976 at a shop in Birmingham MI called Audio Dimensions. He was a Magnapan and ARC dealer who was kind to a 15 year old kid who bought a set of MG 1s with paper route money. The ARC amps he carried were about $4K back then- a LOT of money in 1976. In the beginning I drove my MG 1s with an old Fisher Studio Standard integrated amp. Since those lovely innocent days I have encountered some real buttholes. They act like they are doing me a favor as they quiz me about what gear I have and if I'm listening to "approved" recordings. Needless to say I don't buy from those guys. Several wives and businesses later I'm back into the hobby with a much vengeance as a 61 year old  can muster given only so many free hours in a day and only so much cash to apply due to my other vices: Classic cars and salt water fishing. 

Have you ever encountered a really good or really bad dealer (or employee) that changed your buying actions?

Darko posted a video on this topic which I found really enjoyable. Many of you have already seen it but for those (like me) who discovered it much later here's the link: 

https://darko.audio/2022/09/audiophiles-are-snobs-with-money-to-burn/

yesiam_a_pirate

Showing 1 response by brianq68

brianq68
2 posts
 

I'm also glad to see Natural Sound mentioned.

I started going in there back in the early 90's as a college student. They were always patient with my tire kicking... I took advantage of their trade up policy and assembled a system I still have today.

Recently,I would drive by there wondering if they were doing OK, with all the internet sales and discounted websites.As I haven't been in the market for a long time. I eventually decided to upgrade my B&W speakers.

After a couple demos at a different dealer, for a brand NS didn't carry and one they didn't stock. I scheduled a demo for a pair of Revel speakers at NS, Mark was more hands on than the other salesman, but never pushy or rude. After starting me off with a few tracks he recommend, he let me choose my music and volume level, while he leaned back and nodded his head  along with the music. I ordered the Revels a few days latter!

Aaron at Safe and Sound was also great to deal with. No pressure, but a few hints as to what he liked or thought I would.

He even demoed the speakers with the amp I bought from him a month ago. He just set up the speakers, handed me a tablet and said take as long as you want.

I bought the amp after my second visit as I sometimes feel guilty for wasting their time.

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