Charging A Fee To Demo An Amplifier In A Brick & Mortar Store

Back in the late 70's/early 80's I worked in a high-end store and we would take someone's credit card number or a check we would hold onto, in case the customer didn't return the loaner, but I've never heard of having a potential customer having to "rent" a demo unit.

One of the dealers I visited when shopping for speakers, on a hot, humid, rainy day in August asked me if I had "an appointment".  Though the store was empty they would only allow me to audition speakers in their secondary room, the models I was interested in were in their high end room.  Too bad for them, as I spent my $ elsewhere.

Hello,

The fact that he gives in-store credit solves the problem for me.
 
Personally I would really value a good shop and a salesperson who could give me critical information, guide me in my purchases as well as offer second-hand deals. They meet people all day... clients, reps, technicians and quite often know things in and out.

If you are seriously considering to buy those 17k amps then why not spend several hundred dollars on something you something and then ask him if he would do a brief demo. If he sees that you are a genuine high-end client with the budget, he'd be stupid not to serve you.

A amp demo can be very brief or it may take one hour or more with different speakers, DACs and cables etc. With the previous shop I was dealing with, they would routinely loan me expensive items for multi-day demos and let me know when some great second hand item came into the shop.

If a shop spends considerable effort in giving me good advice and service I will do all my purchases there meaning I will even pay extra than going to the dealer of that product but use them as an intermediary. Good advice and extensive demos saved serious money for me by making proper purchases.

mk00

I've been in the retail automobile business for over forty years. While I realize that the two businesses are different, if we treat all of our potential customers with courtesy and respect we might have a chance to earn their business. While I realize that not every looker can afford to buy something he may have an interest in, we try to offer guidance and information too all who come to our dealership. No, we don't let every Tom , Dick, and Harry drive a Charger R/T, but you'd be amazed when treated well how many come back and do business with us, or at least give us an opportunity. They might even recommend a friend or relative give us an opportunity too! Business is hard enough today without having a bad reputation. Then you don't have a chance in hell to be successful.

Tire kickers are the price of doing business, thats just the way it is.  If you have an issue with it or are incapable of selling to someone who might not be "real" then its time to find a new business to deal in.
I was a salesperson at Sound by Singer in NYC and we dealt with tire kickers all day.  You educate and show people the difference between high end and the junk they listen to and you maybe earn a sale down the road

Most of these problems can be solved by putting audio sales staff on salary or salary + commission.Most of the remaining problems can be solved by the customers who fail to realize the importance of "cultivating" a likeable salesman by showing something more than adversarial attitudes. I always try to come up with something I need before going into the store. If you get a lot of good attention, pay the guy by buying something on the way out: cables, accessories, etc.Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, even salespersons! All stores owe everyone that deference. But if you want a salesperson to set up special demos, cart stuff to your house, do research with suppliers, and THEN cut you more than a token discount--which will usually come out of his paycheck--then you should expect to show the guy that at the very least he has a CUSTOMER and not a stroker.