One big reason why brick and mortar high end audio dealers struggle.


I live in a major metropolitan area with several close by high end stores.  I never go in any of them.  A dealer just opened a new location 5 minutes from my house.  Major dealer with Magico, Constellation, McIntosh and many other serious brands.  I went by a couple weeks ago mid day on a Friday.  Door locked, nobody there.  I call today to make sure they are actually open for business.  Guy answers the phone and says that they were out on an install when I can by and that they are short staffed.  No problem, I understand.  But from that point on the guy takes a subtle but clearly defensive and pissy tone.  He states that they recommend setting up an appointment for customers to view their products.  Sure, and I recommend never going there.  Off my list.  Back to buying online.  Here's the issue.  So many of these high end dealers are only after the wealthy guy that comes in, spends less than an hour there and orders a complete home theater or 2 channel system and writes a check for $50k or more on the spot.  That's there customer base.  I get that it can be annoying to allow a bunch of lookers to come in and waste their time and not buy anything, but isn't it good for business to have more customer traffic?  If someone comes in, spends an hour there, listens to some amazing gear and then buys nothing, doesn't he tell his friends and family and coworkers about his great experience?  Isn't this word of mouth valuable?  These brick and mortar dealers almost universally are unwelcoming and unfriendly to people that want to come in and just look and listen and not buy.  Sorry, but the vast majority of potential customers are not going to spend 20 minutes by private appointment to order their new $100k system.  Why not encourage people to come and spend time with zero pressure to purchase.  I have purchased dozens of high end speakers and electronics over the many years I have enjoyed this hobby.  I might well buy from a dealer if they were actually nice, friendly, and encouraged hanging out and getting to know their gear.  But they don't.  I would never go to a high end store that required an appointment.  Because this creates a huge pressure situation for you to purchase that day.  I'm not ready to purchase on my first visit.  And neither are thousands of other potential customers.  If they can make a good living just catering to the wealthy one time buyers, then, ok, good for them.  Doesn't seem like they can though since so many have gone under.  Maybe it's time to try a different approach?  Step one, no commission sales people.  Step two, welcome people to listen and not buy anything.  Encourage it.  This will create positive word of mouth and significantly increase customer traffic and ultimately create more paying customers it would seem.  I don't get it.  Rant over. Please don't respond that you have an amazing dealer.  I'm sure they exist but they are the exception.  What I am describing is the typical customer experience.
jaxwired
Great story oldhvymec. Goes to show you can never judge a book by it's cover. Never pays to prejudge anyone based on their looks.

Reminds me of the time when I used to go listen to a friend learn to play piano back in jr. college. They had many sound proof rooms and the one my friend used also had a harpsichord. He was a quick learner having only played guitar but made some really impressive progress. A natural if I ever saw one.

One day this kid came in after he'd finished and we were just hanging out. That kid had old overalls on as well with hands that looked like he just got done planting the lower 40.

When he sat down at the harpsichord and started to play some Bach, our jaws dropped. We stayed the whole time he played just soaking in the music. You never can tell.

All the best,
Nonoise
I agree with the OP.

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"Buy local"

I think the local retailers need to realize it is almost 2022 and adapt their business to current times and expand their market via the Internet. There is no denying that this is how the world is going especially with the younger generations.

"Local" is relative. The world has gotten smaller.

To be fair, manufacturers also need to adapt to this and stop limiting their dealers by geography. I don’t get it....sounds like a racket to me.

Maybe these local shops could become the next TMR Audio or PS Audio.

I would bet that in the future more manufacturers will start making the move to a direct to consumer model that would make all of this moot.
The new model is to be internet based and perhaps have a show room or demo area where people can touch the product and you can also use it to discount demo units and returns. 
I think the reality is that the stores who make it have climbed the ladder from selling to enthusiasts to McMansion builders.  Installers, not dealers.