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
Wow, I thought that it was just me. I never really forgot about an experience in Phoenix, Az where a buddy and I visited a High end retailer or two. The visit that I remember most was at a place called Jerry's. We walked in with cash to spare. Wanted to at least look at some McIntosh equipment. Two pieces in a row that we asked about were taken off the shelf as if they had a place to go. I really can't make this up, and it was obvious to both of us that we were in the way. We walked out. Next shop was completely different, but not so good either. They seemed to want to show how damned good the Quad ESL speakers were and they right. Never heard anything like them since. But with nose high in the air, the salesman seemed just want and let us know. That was the end of that shop. Dam! So the 3rd shop was two guys who were making speakers that were quite impressive for the day. They were friendly, ready to advise, and finally we got the feeling that we could actually be customers in the future if there was a need. Drove 100 miles to just look and maybe buy some equipment. If there was a sale to be made that day it would have gone to the 3rd shop.
 Thing is, I probably made more money and had more knowledge than any of the sales people in those stores, except perhaps the two who built their own product. Take note, we are not chumps, so how is treating people like that going to make you a living?
Sorry @hilde45 , my post wasn't meant as a "talking to" but more about my distaste of folks treating others poorly and a reminder that you have options.  Unfortunately, those people just don't get it and don't understand the power of relationships and networking as related to sales.
@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.
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.
@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.