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

Unfortunately, I would have to add a "Yes" to the count. I had sold my old system (mostly Linn and Naim stuff, but with Fried Speakers...I miss them the most!) a while ago and wanted to get back into throwing my retirement money at audio equipment. I had just retired and moved and found a cute little audio shop near the center of town. When I walked in and told them I wanted to re-enter the hobby, I told them what I wanted and could spend (I knew I had to keep it under $2000 to avoid a divorce). Knowing that would mean that I would have to upgrade soon, they could have sold me a nice little system to meet my budget, but instead quoted me a McIntosh MTI100 and B&W 705 speakers. They "threw in the stands" for me. Total cost with wires, etc. was over $10,000 more than my budget! I went out and found a record store that sells used vintage stuff, and started there. It's all been replaced, but it was fun and a lot less costly (both in the wallet and peace-at-home). And I still have no idea why McIntosh would put tubes right next to the tonearm...just sayin'!

@fuzztone I only used the phrase "your dealer" in a weak sense — in the sense that they are local, carry gear of interest, not a lot of alternatives for try out. I’ve lived places where we said "our supermarket" because it was one of the only alternatives nearby. We didn’t like it much, but it was "our" market. But I hear you about "direct." I bought my DAC direct and am dealing direct for speakers, most likely. Thing is, I don’t object to dealer markup if I’m getting something for that. But in this case, it *subtracts* from the exchange in both money and respect.

@chorus

"The retailer offering home automation, theatre, lighting and security combo is the new survivor."

That’s exactly right. There are at least three dealers of good stuff here that are now mainly this. They still have good gear, but they’re mainly installing Push Buttons for Busy Executives. That said, at least one of them (the Totem dealer) was super helpful and good with my tryout visit there. I may go back to hear more. Problem is their gear is limited and aimed at super rich houses who want "elegant" looking gear (e.g. Burmester). So I can’t really hear more than 1 thing there.

@decooney You’re exactly right. This is my ticket to shop elsewhere. They carry Dynaudio and I’m intrigued by Dynaudio, I won’t lie. But others sell Dynaudio, too. Hell, some are even on Agon.

Let’s add another good story to the mix:
I am what I would charitably call a thrifty audiophile who almost always buys used; the key pieces in my system are a 55-year-old Mac preamp and 35-year-old Cornwalls. A couple years ago, I was in Omaha and stopped into Absolute Sound just to check it out. My wife and three young kids were with me (we were in the city for one of the kids to play a football game). I’d never been there before and clearly had the look of someone who was doing a good job to keep making payments on the minivan I pulled up in, but the family and I were treated with kindness and respect; they even auditioned what had to be a half-million dollar system for all of us for more than a half hour. I ended buying about $50 of speaker wire, but I never felt like I was wasting the salesman’s time at all.
I’ve since returned to upgrade my wire and interconnects with entry-level products, but again, I never felt like anything but a valued customer.
If my youngest ever makes good on his dreams of being in the NFL and he wants to buy his old man some new stereo gear, guess where we’re going?

Boy I miss the Tech HiFi back in the day....and also Spearit Sound in Boston....those were the days....

Let me add examples of my experience, and I'll tell you, how I am treated by a business means whether or not they get my money.
When I call Vintage tube services and talk directly to Andy or I call Brent Jesse Audio recording and speak to Brent (both NOS tube retailers) they take their time with me. They are polite and very helpful. They both are happy to answer all my questions so I can make an informed decision and that is why I continue to give them my money.
When I called a speaker manufacturer, here in the U.S., about some upgrades that he offers to the speakers they sell I spoke to the owner and I was treated like he couldn't be bothered. His attitude was horrible. It was his product, you would think he would be proud to discuss any questions I had about them. I can't imagine wanting people to buy my products and me treating them like that.
What he didn't know was, I was asking because I was planning on buying a pair of speakers further up the line from the ones I already owned, from his company. My plan was to give my current speakers to my nephew.
I'm glad that the speakers I was going to hand down were purchased used, and because of how he treated me, I will never give his company a dime of my money regardless of how many tweeters his speakers have!
Moral of the story is you never know who you're talking to and what means they have. So when you mistreat people you may never find out.

John