What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?

The same as with snooty wine/realestate/spirits/ anything else salesmen. Mutter f+++k off under my nose and go somewhere else. At 74 I'm too old to put up with anyone's nonsense.

I used to live in the SF Bay Area. I have had good luck with salespeople at Stereo Plus (Berkeley); Music Lovers (Berkeley); Audio Chamber (Berkeley); Western Audio (Palo Alto); and, my personal favorite "The Soundwell" (Berkeley). I had less than good luck at The Audible Difference (Palo Alto). 

We moved to Arizona, and it is a wasteland for hi-end stereo. The best shops I have found are AZ Hi-Fi (on Central), and Woolson's (Phoenix). I enjoy shopping at LMC (Scottsdale), but I prefer their Tempe store. Somehow, the LMC stores make me feel uncomfortable if I don't buy something...or maybe it's just me.

@curiousjim that's awesome! We're pretty fortunate to have 3 local very down to Earth and very accommodating shops with true customer service reps. I'm not surprised as every time I have been to AV Therapy they make you feel comfortable the minute you walk in the door. Glad they took care of you. Like I said, even though I had to wait longer and could have saved a decent amount of $ going online I still went with my local shop because they took the time to really set me up and give me a great experience. 

@deone 

They were super nice: said there were no customers in store so there was no problem if I even listened to a system.  They took me to a room (Ayre amplification; don't remember speakers) and played for me and also chatted for a while.  Super nice people, nice equipment, and great attitude. 

Being super nice with a great attitude just seems like a better way to live, let alone make a sale. There seem to be two possible prompts for a sales person being a jerk -- they're in the wrong business or the customers and/or environment of the store have made them jerks. Not many here are admitting to be part of the problem, and maybe we have 100% sweethearts on this thread, but I bet those in sales could spin a tale of the Customer from Hell.

ronboco
Yes Sir, If yo notice my posts, I TRY to NOT name names unless someone brings it up. The story is the important part. I hope to get down to the tech center and check them out. By now they should have their new store all set up and possibly they will be the new face of Audiophile equipment in Denver. There sure isn't much competition.
There was one outfit up around 40th and federal (close by) they operated out of an old house. They advertised the MOST ELITE of all equipment, but from what I could tell they didn't actually have any equipment set up . They were just a broker. I haven't seen anything from them for about a year. But you had put down $100K just to look at their web site hehehe.