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

The main reason that Echo Audio in Portland is my favorite audio dealer is that they are always very responsive to all the questions I have, whether it's about a $25 dollar headshell, or something costing thousands.  I've been talked out of making purchases, and I've been treated the same as other customers that were clearly "high rollers".  No question has ever been "dumb" (even when they were).  More than once, Kurt has invited me to just sit and listen with him to some of the high end systems they've put together, knowing that they were out of my price range.  If he was trying to make a sale, I couldn't tell.  It seemed more like he was one of us, showing off his latest system.  He loves listening and freely shares his experience and enthusiasm and is never high pressure or snobby. 

Here's a 'non-audio' example for y'all, but it's an example of 'potential client approach'....at least, mine.

It's been a 'working Sunday'...one employ had short hours, the other can't work Wed. & Thurs. (new child, long story)....so we're 'blowin' 'n goin'....

I'm in a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals.

Young guy walks up, baby in sling on chest.

"Is this the playground company?"

Yes, can I help you?

"Do they have a catalog?"

No, we don't since most of our business is from our website or email.  But I'd be more than happy to help you.

"Do you work here?"

I'm co-owner with my spouse. (Who just happened to be walking behind us, 'airing out' our dog after a well-needed bath....)

Hey, he lit right up.  Interested in a 'natural playset' (our specialty)....his spouse and the 3 other children came over in a few minutes, having met the dog and spouse...).

"If you visit our website, I'm positive you'll see what we've done and find something you'll know the kids will love.  We're not inexpensive, but you will get exactly what you want."

Now, I'm not what I consider a salesman.  

But....like audio equipment, our 'product' sells itself.  Or it doesn't.
If you want something from Sams' or Home Depot, you'll go there.
But I refuse to treat anyone like I've been subject to in 'hi end' B&M stores....

Spouse and I walked into a 4 star hotel in S.F. covered in plaster dust after demo'ing walls in our house.
We were in a room within 10 minutes.
Now....that's Service.

Back in 60's , 7o's a lot of young punk rich kids bought stores .
They were that way 24/7/365  .

@big_greg I had a thread once asking about good shops to buy used and someone mentioned Echo Audio. I immediately bookmarked them and surf them all the time. Some of the deals they have there are *unreal* and correspondence has been great. Everyone should bookmark their used page.
    
  @asvjerry
  "We're not inexpensive, but you will get exactly what you want."
  That is the perfect, perfect sales line -- because it's honest and speaks both about your company's integrity and desire to connect with the customer. And it's short.
  And I bet if someone can't afford something of yours, you offer them suggestions even if it might not mean a sale right now.

@schubert , yup.
 And not all survived.  The ones that have been lucky and smart enough to get the right balance of stock and service.

Likely these are the ones that y'all mention on forums like this....

We travel around the S/E, since we design/build/install.  If I'm in a city where there's a B&M store ("Hey, Google!"), I'll drop in...

Usually in our company T-shirt, driving the company 4wd diesel dually.
Typically, I'll just nose about, checking out the wares.  I'll look for that which is mentioned on these pages.

It's what happens while I do that....is what I'm paying attention to.

If I get followed around like it's expected I'll paw at the stock or act suspicious....or get the 'down the nose' 'tude....I'm gone.

If I get engaged in conversation, there's a +.

If I get offered a demo, there's +*X.

The latter is Rare.

I carry a demo CD in our 'lectronics kit, with the 'puter, printer, cables (we 'take over' the 'in room' flat screen, since we're generally 'in town' for a minimun of 2 weeks on an installation)....

That cd has been out twice.

On one revisit, 'we don't demo'.  Different salesperson....

The other obviously didn't like my 'taste'.

This is why I buy online.