Fee for home audition

I wouldn’t do it as a buyer but I can understand why some vendors might charge a premium to demanding customers that are unsure of what they are buying in regards to streamers in general. Features vary widely and those less technically adept in particular may have trouble sorting through the options effectively.

@grislybutter 

“I don’t know any other country where you can do this, order things, send them back, take it home from the dealer to try, the US is an amusement park for adults. “

I don’t necessarily think that’s a USA thing. I lived in Communist Shanghai China for 6 years and same thing from any place half way reputable. Took back 2 different pairs of speakers after a week or so for full refunds. Although I did tip the sales guy like 200 rmb (30 bucks) in both instances. 

@mofojo

I would have never guessed.

"He had a demo unit and was willing to bring to my home for an hour and let me try."

A whole hour? That’s funny.

@xtremefidelity +1

your description of the process of auditioning a product from a dealer then searching for the lowest price from ANYBODY is spot on. Having said that, if the product is already a store demo, I wouldn't charge a rental fee for a couple of days (I agree an hour is ridiculous, it would be like marrying someone after a coffee date) but any transport/setup would include a non-refundable charge (can't return labor).  Also keep in mind that every day that product is out of the showroom could potentially lose a sale to a customer who wanted to hear it in the store. The rental fee is a bad look, but perhaps the dealer isn't the ogre being portrayed here, but instead just has experienced this scenario before.