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

I'm a careful researcher for audio gear and I also understand the value of brick and mortar stores. I am not OCD and I am not an irascible haggler. Indeed, I have told my local stores that if they carry something I like, I will buy from them and not try to find it cheaper on the net. I have purchased major pieces of gear from them.

Nevertheless, one local shop is erratic in how it treats me. Emails can take a long time to get acknowledged, and often exchanges take several back-and-forths to get clear questions answered. This shop sells gear at my price point and up to 10x more (think Wilson speakers, $7k power cords). I often feel I'm more like a fly buzzing around their heads than a valued customer trying to establish a customer-dealer relationship. I am trying to be loyal, but it makes me want to shop online. I could be reading the situation wrong, but this is definitely a pattern.

Has anyone else had the sense that they were too much of a "low dollar" customer to be worth the dealer's time?
128x128hilde45
arro222
142 posts
 
As a former owner of audio stores, I can vouch for the absolute stupidity of some in the business of audio retail.
Not only for the rudeness stand point, but the total dismissal of future business because your nose is in the stratosphere while your brain is in a tire rut, is certifiable lunacy.
arro222
142 posts
 
@audioguy85. Boy does that bring back memories.
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
"Did you ever feel like the whole world is a tuxedo and you are a pair of brown shoes"? - George Gobel
jerbeast
5 posts
 
I've haunted this forum for some time for the great advice and insight, but I've felt intimidated from joining the conversations for just that reason.  Not all of us have the money to throw around that some of the members have.  I've been lucky enough through patience and being a thrifty shopper (ok, cheap m*f*), to put together a decent system, and try to improve it as I can.  I've managed to get a Gryphon Elektra pre-amp from Goodwill, just needed to make my own cables to link the power supply and main unit.  I've almost gotten my McIntosh MC275, also a Goodwill purchase, restored.  I'm in the process of restoring an Oracle Delphi Mk1.  All too cheap for most of these salespeople to even look at me.  I've found there is much nose-turning in this hobby, but questing for truer sound reproduction shouldn't be a class or budget thing.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
It has been a mixed bag of experiences with me.  I've had some iffy encounters with B&M stores, but borderline rude treatment in my experience seems to hinge more on being recognized as audiophile cogniscenti than looking like a fountain of cash.  I've seen attitudes completely change with a few words indicating my next purchase wasn't going to be just a cool looking bobble used to impress my friends.   However, I've largely moved on from B&M stores at this point.  I get better guidance from the AG forum than I ever got from a salesman.  Don't need them anymore.  They are more trouble than they are worth, and the savings associated with buying used or the direct to customer model is too compelling to ignore.
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