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Ever feel like a "low dollar" customer that your dealer doesn't think worth their time?

I'm a careful researcher for audio gear and I also understand the value of brick and mortar stores. I am not OCD and I am not an irascible haggler. Indeed, I have told my local stores that if they carry something I like, I will buy from them and not try to find it cheaper on the net. I have purchased major pieces of gear from them.

Nevertheless, one local shop is erratic in how it treats me. Emails can take a long time to get acknowledged, and often exchanges take several back-and-forths to get clear questions answered. This shop sells gear at my price point and up to 10x more (think Wilson speakers, $7k power cords). I often feel I'm more like a fly buzzing around their heads than a valued customer trying to establish a customer-dealer relationship. I am trying to be loyal, but it makes me want to shop online. I could be reading the situation wrong, but this is definitely a pattern.

Has anyone else had the sense that they were too much of a "low dollar" customer to be worth the dealer's time?
128x128hilde45
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,842 posts
 
@mitch2 -- I didn't get that tone at all from your comment. I was re-framing it that way because I found you saying something that I was kind of saying to myself! No worries!

@4krowme That's a great story. And I keep hearing about how much trouble the brick/mortar folks are in. But if the bookstore people are willing to walk me all over the store to find a paperback or talk to me about other books I might like, why is it so hard to do that with someone buying an amp? After all, the bookstore people are not going to sell me a $500 cable a month from now.
skypunk's avatar
skypunk
499 posts
 
Never!

I only deal with Audio Concepts in Dallas Texas and Raven Audio in Texas as well as PS audio in Boulder CO. They all make me feel like I am their one and only customer and treat me right.

To bad. you should move on to another dealer that makes you feel special and treats you right.
aewarren
582 posts
 
@wideload 
I know both of the Seattle area dealers you mentioned and I am not surprised at either of your experiences as mine were very similar. I used to get different service at my bank's drive-thru when I was on my Harley than when I was in my Lexus. No one wants to be treated as if they're doing you a favor by taking your money.
nitroxpro
16 posts
 
Not just "Yes," but "HELL YES."
gs5556
1,218 posts
 
When you tell a store you are an interested buyer IF they carry something you like, you are not seen as a low dollar customer. You are seen as a waste of time. A dealer has a product line. If you are interested in one of those products -- and make it clear you are in the market for it -- you will get a much better response from that dealer. Even if you say I like the Wilson speakers you carry but I can't afford new do you have anything used, demo, blemished, etc., you will get just as an enthusiastic response.
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