Fee for home audition

@svenjosh 

I am not sure you know the dealer. 

I’m almost positive I’m right about the dealer…in fact, I would wager the cost of an in home demo that I’m right LOL! I hope you like the Grimm.

@soix 

I don’t think we’ve seen any dealers whining…your points may be valid…or not, depending on the dealer’s goals.

If it’s the dealer I’m thinking of, this person enjoyed a very successful career, retired and started his audio shop. He carries some super high end gear and imports certain other high end, well regarded gear. I’m so very sorry the OP and this dealer found themselves with opposing goals because the OP seems like an outstanding individual and i know, first hand, that the dealer is. This dealer is indifferent IMO as to whether he sells a box or not. He would probably be the first to tell you that he doesn’t sell boxes. You say adapt or die? That doesn’t apply to this dealer I assure you. I would say that he curates systems rather than selling gear.

All’s well that end’s well and the OP was able to accomplish his goals.

Crutchfield also has a good return policy and offers online support. I bought a Cambridge Evo 150 there awhile back because it was a safe bet for me in that the Evo was a huge experiment and I had no idea exactly how it would turn out. Much of this hobby is that way. You take a risk buying expensive, complex lesser known boutique products from boutique dealers. Worth it to some but not for many.

If I’m a local dealer and I have a chance of selling a $12,500 DAC, I DAMN WELL LET HIM HAVE IT FOR A DAY OR TWO!!!  What???  What’s absolutely wrong with this dealer???  HOW ARROGANT, and I’m so glad you decided to go elsewhere.  When you buy this excellent streamer, and I have a strong inclination you will, go back and rub it in this dealer’s face.  He needs to know what a disservice he’s doing to his prospective customers versus what other dealers are willing to do.  He’s an idiot. 

I think it makes sense that the dealer does not want to "loan" you the unit, even with CC hold.

The problem is that you could damage the unit, possibly not even realizing it.  Or realizing it but then not wanting to buy the unit.

The headaches would be huge either way for the dealer.

Buy from Amazon and don't deal with all this nonsense...

@soix

The Grimm is a streamer/server rather than a dac. Second, and I repeat this respectfully, if you find the policy distasteful, you aren’t that particular dealer’s target market. $12,500 is alot of money to many people but I promise it isn’t to this dealer. He isn’t arrogant in the least in my experience, just pragmatic.

If I happened to be a dealer of hifi gear…and if I voluntarily chose to have a policy of a 5% fee to demo a piece of gear in your home…. and if you rejected the offer…swinging by the shop to “rub it in the dealer’s face” would absolutely validate the strategy that was employed.

The OP was obviously an exception, but smaller headcount dealers must allocate their time to maximize either financial returns OR maximize what they enjoy doing. The dealer to whom I am referring (who I’m certain is the dealer in question) doesn’t appear to be driven by the money, he is comfortable. Sure he wants to do business but he does it the way he wants.

Prior to selling my company almost 30 years ago, it didn’t get really fun and really profitable until I began being more selective with whether to take on a new client or to decline an engagement.