I get that alot of people miss the social aspects of going to a hifi shop. Going in just to browse evolved into a particular kind of customer dropping in to talk about their own systems. They were looking for a “clubhouse”. Sometimes amazing, sometimes cobbled together, always a time suck.
Some stores have tried to “schedule” the massive time suck people at the same time by having a “cars and coffee” style time window weekly. Brooks Berdan used to do these kinds of “events” on Saturday mornings. Lots of DIY types trying to talk about their latest project, why it was better than anything Dave Wilson could construct and then off to unload the shyte out of their cars they had picked up at garage sales and swap meets earlier that morning. Its a generational thing. Heaven help you if you werent in to that vibe and wanted to just shop on a Saturday morning!
When seriously shopping, I have always made appointments. Its convenient, the gear I want to hear will be set up, warmed up and ready to go. Both my time and the dealer’s time is respected. Most importantly, I don’t have to verbalize my hifi resume to some slapdyck following me around the shop (and I’m not talking about the proprietor, I’m talking about the guy who has been constructing a set of speakers for 2 years in his garage).
I also find it quite ironic that some here talk about carrying wads of cash in their pocket as some kind of qualifier as to why they should receive some kind of perceived treatment. That’s a walking inferiority complex with a chip on his or her shoulder walking in to a store. No thanks.
Some stores have tried to “schedule” the massive time suck people at the same time by having a “cars and coffee” style time window weekly. Brooks Berdan used to do these kinds of “events” on Saturday mornings. Lots of DIY types trying to talk about their latest project, why it was better than anything Dave Wilson could construct and then off to unload the shyte out of their cars they had picked up at garage sales and swap meets earlier that morning. Its a generational thing. Heaven help you if you werent in to that vibe and wanted to just shop on a Saturday morning!
When seriously shopping, I have always made appointments. Its convenient, the gear I want to hear will be set up, warmed up and ready to go. Both my time and the dealer’s time is respected. Most importantly, I don’t have to verbalize my hifi resume to some slapdyck following me around the shop (and I’m not talking about the proprietor, I’m talking about the guy who has been constructing a set of speakers for 2 years in his garage).
I also find it quite ironic that some here talk about carrying wads of cash in their pocket as some kind of qualifier as to why they should receive some kind of perceived treatment. That’s a walking inferiority complex with a chip on his or her shoulder walking in to a store. No thanks.