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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
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,085 posts
 
Hilde- I travel the world, wine, shotguns, cars, audio, guitars.. boats... it is all the same. spend your $ only at places of mutual respect. Never judge a book by its cover, but also don’t put up w abusive a holes. You have been pointed to two very excellent dealers about as far apart as you can get in the conus: Johnny R in NJ and Bob and Victor at Advanced ( by the way the owner is Definitive now... funny how it’s the people, or in this case perhaps Definitive in Seattle suffer no egotistical fools ? )... check them both out !!! Many other great dealers out there 2

and to the dude rebuilding the MC275 and the Delphi - good on ya, those are legendary building block esoteric components that can mix it up way way above the weight class !!!!

finally, of course Andy at Vintage tube is awesome 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,085 posts
 
Johnny R and I got off the phone earlier, we talked music, time alignment, a jazz instructor at Julluard, a trade he took in long ago, and got around to retube of my ARC - he recommends a path where he makes ZERO $$$$$$$

wow

and you know what ? There’s a rare D2D headed his way

all about relationships 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,085 posts
 
@minorl  yes, sadly race can matter. I also enjoyed Stereo Design and was also treated fairly and well. I get the run of Stereo Unlimited, much as you did - I enjoy that level of relationship, IF we get thru this COVID junk and you get to Carlsbad stop by for some music and fellowship 

jim
brianlucey's avatar
brianlucey
163 posts
 
Instead of projecting or guessing how they feel ... best move is to make an appointment with a manager, or ask for the mgr in store on a slow day.
Let them know your ethical compass and your feelings and see how they respond.
johnread57's avatar
johnread57
237 posts
 
A third world problem...there are no Hi-Fi stores in the country I live in. I buy and ship. That has interesting ramifications for developing relationships too. Misunderstanding is easily come buy. Frustration and delay is normal. Then we can talk about shipping...no.
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