treblebob,
"It’s hard to fake being able to afford those things, and some shops use this to avoid spending time to explain their qualities."
It happens even if you can afford it. That approach is puzzling, to say the least. I was not allowed to enter the listening room in one place, even after I had clearly stated that I am interested in auditioning something and deciding about purchase that day. No, look at it through the window on the door.
However, I once entered Lyric HiFi in New York City and went through their rooms, from the "cheapest" towards more expensive. It was clear that I just walked in to look only. I even mentioned it to the salesman. As I was about to leave, he said I should check the last room, which I somehow did not notice, with the best stuff they had. He led me there and played music for me and seemed genuinely interested in informing me what he had there and what he had was the top of the game, I think. It was great and, in line with this thread’s topic, it gave me some reference point I still remember.
"It’s hard to fake being able to afford those things, and some shops use this to avoid spending time to explain their qualities."
It happens even if you can afford it. That approach is puzzling, to say the least. I was not allowed to enter the listening room in one place, even after I had clearly stated that I am interested in auditioning something and deciding about purchase that day. No, look at it through the window on the door.
However, I once entered Lyric HiFi in New York City and went through their rooms, from the "cheapest" towards more expensive. It was clear that I just walked in to look only. I even mentioned it to the salesman. As I was about to leave, he said I should check the last room, which I somehow did not notice, with the best stuff they had. He led me there and played music for me and seemed genuinely interested in informing me what he had there and what he had was the top of the game, I think. It was great and, in line with this thread’s topic, it gave me some reference point I still remember.