Would you pay to audition speakers

The 500.00 he was asking for wasn't for a home demo. In fact he never said a word about a home demo. He wanted 500.00 If I wanted to demo more than one speaker system. He said that his time is valuable and he should be paid for it. He said he used to do speaker demos all the time but the people would just go on the net and buy them cheaper or find them used. That's why he now charges the 500.00 demo fee.

As kurk tank says, the problem for High End dealers is the dreamers and tyre kickers. Too many of us go for demos for a mornings enertainment and a free coffee. As far as I am concerned, I never trouble a dealer for a dem, unless I am at least planning a purchase and FROM A DEALER. Having said that, tyre kickers are part of the landscape a dealer has to live in, I would have thought. If you do'nt like it, find another job.
There is an excellent retailer of very very Low FI in the uk, selling kit for next to nothing, Richer Sounds. They are always helpful, no trouble with dems. They have a big notice in their stores
" The customer is alweays right. Even when he is wrong, the customer is always right"

Viridian - perfectly said.

This day and age, dealers should be quite excited to have someone (speakerkicker or not) coming into their showroom and expressing ANY interest at all! Just forces them to get off the internet or their ass and enjoy something. Music.

NO Way!

$500 for speaker listening?

Then, just tell him you wanedt to hear those Myrtle block footers, not the speakers.

… so to date, he’s tallied up what…. One of those fees? Or is it none? I’d vote for the latter.

I wouldn’t pay $500 in Monopoly money to listen in the store for 10 minutes or less to any speaker… amp… etc.

Ridiculous! Out right rude too. You sure you haven’t irritated this guy somehow? Does he have a sign up which says as much? Or does he just pull that stunt on unqualified time wasters? If he doesn’t have a sign up indicating such practices, it’s probably personal.

Without posting such business policies, and making it up as he goes along, I’d post the name and location of this business and said policy, online. Just so other’s would have a chance to drop by their bank prior to experiencing any inconvenience or embarrassment while at the store… sort of a public service notification, so to speak…. Then send him an email with a link to the post.

Business men like that do need our support, and we should let them have it.