My only experience was when visiting my sister in Manhattan around 1991. I was merely a prospective law student, not the full fledged lawyer I am now. I went into the store just to look. After all, SBS was the pre-eminent store in the U.S., and how could I go to NYC without visiting the mecca of high end audio?
The listening rooms at the time were separated by sliding glass doors. When I entered the store, the sliding glass doors to all the rooms were open. I went into the first listening room, and kept my hands behind my back for fear that someone might think I was going to play around with the equipment. No other prospective customers were in the store, and I did not ask any sales personnel for assistance because I did not want to take a salesman's time knowing I was just looking around.
After I walked out of the first room, a salesman closed the sliding to the next three or four rooms. Nobody was in them. For whatever reason, he clearly did not want me even looking around.
I very much doubt I was the only person who experienced that type of behavior. In a hobby that has difficulty attracting the newbie, it can ill afford to offend prospective members. I think SBS wanted an exclusive clientelle, was proud of it, and became a victim to it. I lament the passing of a high end audio store, but I really wonder how much SBS added to our hobby.
The listening rooms at the time were separated by sliding glass doors. When I entered the store, the sliding glass doors to all the rooms were open. I went into the first listening room, and kept my hands behind my back for fear that someone might think I was going to play around with the equipment. No other prospective customers were in the store, and I did not ask any sales personnel for assistance because I did not want to take a salesman's time knowing I was just looking around.
After I walked out of the first room, a salesman closed the sliding to the next three or four rooms. Nobody was in them. For whatever reason, he clearly did not want me even looking around.
I very much doubt I was the only person who experienced that type of behavior. In a hobby that has difficulty attracting the newbie, it can ill afford to offend prospective members. I think SBS wanted an exclusive clientelle, was proud of it, and became a victim to it. I lament the passing of a high end audio store, but I really wonder how much SBS added to our hobby.