Would you pay to audition speakers

Agree with Tvad. Wait for the "going out of business, everything must go" sale, and then strut in there with your best sh*t-eating grin.

If he had every speaker you could buy then it might seem less insane but I can't help thinking

'What if you don't like any of the speakers he sells?'

Would you lose your $500.

Let's say you really liked a Thiel speaker another dealer has and he has some speakers in the same price range but doesn't sell Thiel. After listening, what if you preferred the Thiel but now you are forced to buy a speaker you think less of.

It's absurd.

Hell no! Nobody locks me into anything! Cars, coins, stereos, hookers or anything else. Money IS the most important thing... period... There will always be something else (maybe better) for sale. Maybe the items for audition aren't as good as they are bragged up to be, and the seller is using the deposit for an excuse, to take the place of wasted time. I'll waste my time or anyone elses, before I waste my money. Time may be money to some, but SAVED money is more valuable than time that hasn't happened yet. Good luck to all!

Giggsy is right. If I had a nickel for every beer I ever drank, I'd go out and buy beer with it.

I could see charging your credit card as a damage deposit, and refunding the money if the speakers are returned "on time" and undamaged. There is some risk for the proprietor in releasing his inventory - especially heavy, highly finished pieces of furniture with some delicate moving parts.