2. misc-audio
  3. 126495-868

Aggressive know it all salesman

Why is it that of all the things I have ever bought - fast cars, nice watches, nice clothese, good food - it is the audio salesman that is the snootiest know it all snob of the lot.
I don't adertise my knowledge of audio, which whilst not encyclopeadic, is not that of an idiot either. I recall calling up one supplier to just ask about a pulley for a turntable, and before you know it I got lectured about why DC motors are better than AC. I ended it saying that: I have an ongoing project; a very good battery powered DC turntable as well; two superb DC direct drives, and an idler drive project on the go.
This isn't something to level at all people in audio, I found the guys from Absolute Sounds i nthe UK very approachable and enthusiastic - they weren't the 'audio snobs' I either feared or expected. Likewise it is lamentable that Les Wongs Walrus Systems is now defunct. But we all know the dealers and suppliers out there that are such idiots - bit like the 'haughty' french waiters of yesteryear.
When I want to buy something specific, or if I was just enquiring I really do not expect, nor appreciate being spoken to like an idiot or a child, nor do I think it helps the industry when the people in sales think that you almost hae to be part of a kind of 'in the know club'.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this
lohanimal
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jayh
63 posts
 
I am an MD, was once employed by large multi-specialty clinic before I left & went into solo private practice , there was a big discussion about how to get good patient satisfaction.
Having waited tables in my youth, I said select only employees who have waited tables because they understand customer satisfaction because if the don't, they don't last long (snooty French waiters need not apply)-somebody asked "what about the doctors?"
I said "ESPECIALLY the doctors!"
They thought I was an idiot.
I'm not there anymore.
I think it fits here as well.


Post removed 
octet11
41 posts
 
A good approach from the sales perspective would be to ask your experience and knowledge in the audio field for yourself and then go from there and have humility. It's such a broad field I'd like to think I know a lot but there's a lot I don't know.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
When I lived in NYC long age they would not deminstrate anything unless you told them you would buy it. I had a close relationship with the owner and suggested that I work there part time as he often ask me what was new in audio and bought a tonearm from me as he had never seen one. No he said, you will want to talk to people. His name has just appeard from the recesses of my mind. It was Russ B!  PS One of his salesmen ask me why I changed exuiptment often as he had had the same things for years! This was in 1970

stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
He had seen tone arms before but not that one. It used mercury to reduce friction from wires. I think it was Audio and Design.

More to discover