Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home


So, I had a great experience listening to some Devore 0/96 speakers yesterday. The challenge for me is that the room I heard them in is wildly different than any other room I’d ever listen in. (I’ll share a photo, below.) I really have no idea if spending $13k plus on these speakers would work out. I’d need to try them at home.

For all I know, these dealers might be ok with me trying some speakers at home. I don’t know and am not yet ready to ask.

But I’m curious whether folks here have any stories to tell about the reactions they’ve gotten when they’ve asked to try speakers at their home. If you have a story, especially if it’s a more expensive speaker, I’d love to hear your story. How did you convince them? If they turned you down, what was the reason? Did you agree?

 

128x128hilde45

@grislybutter You guys are being awfully mean to me, but let me be the first to admit I probably deserve it. ;-) 

@hilde45 I meant no harm or disrespect to you. Your question and dilemma is fun and valid and helpful to a lot of us. I was just silly and made fun of @wolf_garcia 

@hilde45 I have 2 local dealers that I work with. Now I did not always have sales history with these folks, so when I was in the market I explained I wanted to demo the equipment in my listening space. I let them process a deposit and come to my home and set the speakers up,also did this with amps, etc.

After spending some cash with these guys the are open to demos in my home. I also have a dealer in Nashville that sends me gear to demo. I pay shipping and insurance. 85% of the time I end up buying from Constantine. 
 

Hope this helps and please excuse any typos.  Bottom line just ask.

@jerryg123 Sure does help. Thank you!

@grislybutter No worries -- we're good. I'm in a light hearted holiday mood and that's how I'm taking these comments! Peace and good humor to all of us! This is fun!

“This is fun!”
@hilde45

Except it isn’t! IME, due to their sheer size, speakers presents the biggest challenge. I regularly go to audio shows for first hand feel on what’s new and which gear worth auditioning in my home. I know, I know, the rooms are not perfect and so on, but there isn’t another venue I know of where one get to see, admire and enjoy the wide selection of gear.

What say you, will I see you at AXPONA in 2023?