what is it in audio that you dislike most?

Tidal and Spotify search engines which do not
provide an option to search for Composers of classical music and the use of first names rather than surnames for search purposes. Who on earth would think to search for Chopin under F?

Thin sounding music with no thump. Very little impact that some folk call neutral. It can be crystal clear, but without some dynamics, I'm not a fan

mahgister
People who swear by measuring rod,

blindjim>
there is wisdom in that line.
specs have their place, but it is ears and heart that pays for it in the end.


rickallen
Snobbery.  ... when someone gets uppity or condescending or judgmental even, it really grinds my gears.

blindjim>
I've no clue where an arrogant attitude came on board in the Audio industry, but in numerous such venues, it sure did!

in not one sales tactics or salesmanship handbook have I read where a succesful way to close a deal is to belittle the buyer or come off demeaning competition or as you said, direct someone to buy this or that as it appears to suit them, without the buyer being ihn accordance with the item being offered.

I used to get really offended by those who thought they could read my mind or make it up for me.

now it makes me laugh and just ask for the owner, and let the owner know why they lost the sale. then see if the owner tries to salvage the deal.

locally I've gone into audio shops and left nearly as quickly as I walked in due to the shop's inherent lack of product knowledge and or a salesman's attitude that leans heavily on intimidation or arrogance and not properly qualifying desires and ability of the buyer properly.

in fact I'll never return there though they mnay have exactly what I want. life is too short.



jameswei
16 years ago, I bought a turntable, arm, and cartridge rig from a well-known retailer and I paid the high end price.

A month or so later, the retailer called me and said he had to ask me for another $2000. There must have been some miscalculation.

I did pay him, but I didn’t like it.

blindjim>
wow. you are one helluva guy.
that dealer would not have seen more $$$ from me on that deal.

well, not without a gun in his hands.

sorry. I have a long standing policy.
all deals once agreed to and paidin full, are final and the buyer is not allowed to make additional payments.

so far that policy has been flawless in its implementation and application and it seems to work for both parties.

I did run across a dealer that enjoyed naming one price in the showroom and at the register enjoyed it just as much to increase the price.

I said we need to go back into the demo room and pay for this thing. paying at the register costs too much!

yeah. really. and more than once

nice enough guy but i guess he deals with a lot of alzheimer paitients., or may be one himself.

The disappearance of record stores, and the high price of good equipment. Fortunately I don’t have small children to starve to afford further upgrades.

James, I had the same experience of a dealer upping the quoted price $200 at the register. I was so excited about the purchase I didn’t catch it until I got home several hours later. He did return the overcharge the next day when confronted, offering up a lame excuse. I was going to buy a $6000 amp from him too, but took my business elsewhere.

Mike.

Most dealers operate on a shoe string.  They don’t have inventory to demo and if they do, they assume you will not buy the higher end lines.  Their show rooms are usually low budget and they don’t bother to master set their speakers.  They want to sell things like REL subwoofers, but they aten’t even hooked up with their high level Speakon cable.

Albert Sportis at Precision Audio in Chicago is the real McCoy.  He had huge inventory and does things right.  And, no I do not work for him!