Ever feel like a "low dollar" customer that your dealer doesn't think worth their time?

The only "Survivors" in today's retail world will be those who
understand how to forge a relationship with a customer.

That means most hourly or commission help are eliminated
as the principle of treating everyone equally is not taught
or valued as viable any longer. 

The retailer offering home automation, theatre, lighting and security combo is the new survivor. Limited knowledge of high end audio should be expected from the store.

Covid is going to take down many of the few existing hifi retailers.

I hope I am wrong but...

There are other professional dealers who respect and enjoy to earn your business. The smart ones know referrals and return business is  everything in today's world of the internet and online forums like this. 

@hilde45
Your local dealer just gave you a pass to take your money elsewhere. It happens and it was theirs to lose.  They lost and another dealer will gladly earn your business - and do a better job helping you to select the right speakers for your cool new Quicksilver Mono 60 tube amplifiers!  

I can't believe some of the stories I'm reading here. 

@wideload ... Wow. Sickening.

Unfortunately, I would have to add a "Yes" to the count. I had sold my old system (mostly Linn and Naim stuff, but with Fried Speakers...I miss them the most!) a while ago and wanted to get back into throwing my retirement money at audio equipment. I had just retired and moved and found a cute little audio shop near the center of town. When I walked in and told them I wanted to re-enter the hobby, I told them what I wanted and could spend (I knew I had to keep it under $2000 to avoid a divorce). Knowing that would mean that I would have to upgrade soon, they could have sold me a nice little system to meet my budget, but instead quoted me a McIntosh MTI100 and B&W 705 speakers. They "threw in the stands" for me. Total cost with wires, etc. was over $10,000 more than my budget! I went out and found a record store that sells used vintage stuff, and started there. It's all been replaced, but it was fun and a lot less costly (both in the wallet and peace-at-home). And I still have no idea why McIntosh would put tubes right next to the tonearm...just sayin'!

@fuzztone I only used the phrase "your dealer" in a weak sense — in the sense that they are local, carry gear of interest, not a lot of alternatives for try out. I’ve lived places where we said "our supermarket" because it was one of the only alternatives nearby. We didn’t like it much, but it was "our" market. But I hear you about "direct." I bought my DAC direct and am dealing direct for speakers, most likely. Thing is, I don’t object to dealer markup if I’m getting something for that. But in this case, it *subtracts* from the exchange in both money and respect.

@chorus

"The retailer offering home automation, theatre, lighting and security combo is the new survivor."

That’s exactly right. There are at least three dealers of good stuff here that are now mainly this. They still have good gear, but they’re mainly installing Push Buttons for Busy Executives. That said, at least one of them (the Totem dealer) was super helpful and good with my tryout visit there. I may go back to hear more. Problem is their gear is limited and aimed at super rich houses who want "elegant" looking gear (e.g. Burmester). So I can’t really hear more than 1 thing there.

@decooney You’re exactly right. This is my ticket to shop elsewhere. They carry Dynaudio and I’m intrigued by Dynaudio, I won’t lie. But others sell Dynaudio, too. Hell, some are even on Agon.