Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home

Twenty odd years back the good Colorado Springs and Denver audio retailers would let you do weekend demos, if you were known and or used CC as security. I listened to a lot of preamps and power amps over the years.

I never did ask to take home speakers. Floorstanders would be a chore but I'd have done it. Fortunately the ones I chose did work fine in my home (and lasted 16 years...).

I would think in the changing times that borrowing equipment is more rare now than before, but the best high end dealers probably should get it.  I'm curious to hear the recent experiences of others.  thx.

Think you know what you need to do. Before asking, might be worth buying something from the dealer that you were going to buy anyway, to establish the relationship (not necessarily a big ticket item). Dealers I've previously bought from are happy to let me borrow gear, no deposit needed, because they trust me and know I'm serious. That said, speakers, especially in-demand Devore speakers, are a big ask (especially with that delicate finish).

Audio Advice and Crutchfield have great return policies if you're looking to try out what brands they rep. and return in the window of their respective return policies. A local shop may have extra demo models to loan but you'll be limited to what they have and not necessarily what you want to borrow.  Never hurts to ask. 

I have mixed feelings, since I can only afford to buy smaller things from the local hifi dealer. Why would I take home speakers if I know I wouldn't buy it from him? It feels dishonest. If you do want to buy it, it's in his best interest to let you try it. All I would say is "I'd love if it worked with my system, in my room, but there is no way to tell without trying" 

If you've never bought from a local audio-stereo dealer before, and they are just getting to know you, developing a trust relationship can take time, maybe years.  

"Try" is the word they'll run from on brand new higher $ furniture grade speakers.  

"Buy" with a discussion around Return Policy may be a more acceptable approach.

And, if you do return them, be prepared to buy something else if you plan to come back to the store again. As a dealer I'd have some reservation letting people try stuff. Not until they become proven customers who buy from the store over time.    At least a discussion around the dealer coming over and setting them up for/with you may open the door in a more mindful way.