Borrowing equipment from dealers

I developed a relationship with a local shop and can pretty much try anything I want... gotta at least try.

Let me cut right to the chase: waste of time.

Here is my system: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367

You want a story? Read the stories in the comments. People who have been here and heard it.

One guy the guitar was so much more dimensionally real and there he did not even recognize his favorite Fleetwood Mac until he heard the voice. Another one, you can tell he is no fan of vinyl, the whole time he was here he was wishing it was more analytical- until he got back home and found himself longing for a sound his system is missing. His own words. Read ’em. And more.

Point is not to brag. Here’s the point: everything in that system, how much of it did I bring home? Or even hear in a store? Zero. I am in the Seattle area, willing to drive from Canada to Portland. How much of what I have could I find here? None of it. Not one single thing.

The cold hard fact of the matter is in the world today you can either take the time and learn to read reviews and comments that will enable you to find the very best value for your money- whatever your budget!- or you can throw darts and flip or buy whatever you can manage to scrounge up in your area.

Now, I could tell you a whole big story, about how the greatest dealer I ever knew showed up one day with a mini-van full of awesome gear I never heard of before, let me enjoy one after another for two weeks, followed by several years of access to some of the best gear on the planet. Like that will ever happen again. You could say I learned so much from that it enabled me to get by without it now. You could, but you would be wrong. The truth is looking back that was a crutch. Once Stewart retired, once I was on my own, that was when the real development began. Hardly ever set foot in a store again. When I do, it is downright hilarious how far behind I have left them.

You can do it. I know you can. Start by looking elsewhere for your answers. The information is already out there. I never ever ask anyone here. Read through my posts. Look for where I asked anyone about Koetsu, Herron, Tekton, Townshend, any of it. 8k posts you would think if that is how its done I would have done it. Go ahead. Look. Good luck!

From a dealer's standpoint, lending gear is lose-lose proposition
for them most of the time.  If you do not have a buying history with
the store It is unreasonable to even expect it I believe.

After all the retailer is not an A to Z Tool rental shop offering bullet-
proof, drop proof, idiot proof equipment. This poor fellow has one
one of each item you covet and fussy buyers who expect new mechandise to be "Flawless". Not open box, been around the horn stuff, right?

So if you as a buyer have:

A. Done your homework reading reviews/forums
B. Been to a store or a show to hear/see the item in question
C. Checked with a local Audiophile club's membership
for opinions/who owns one. No club in your area? Join one
somewhere that provides good information. Major payback
will come your way. 

After your due diligence:
You should feel certain enough to buy the item and have a trial/satisfaction period. 2 weeks is not enough to burn in most gear
for most people. 30 days is better. 

If you have something you carefully researched, buy it on a trial basis
and decide no on day 29, in my mind the freight should be on you.
Wear and tear should be on you. A 5% restocking fee is in line also.
You just "rented" something for 30 days after all. 

I do not own a store but have a retail background and sympathize
with their plight.

It is up to a dealer and what kind of relationship between the two. The thing is if you want to do it that way. Otherwise all above comments are valid.

G

It is all about relationships. I don't think any dealer is going to casually loan equipment to someone who just walks in the front door.

I've been an audiophile for decades and worked with a handful of dealers over the years. Each of them has been willing to loan me equipment for evaluation at home.