What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?

Many are def strongly opinionated/full of themselves- to their detriment imo. I stopped in a well known store on Park ave in NYC recently to specifically hear a 10k DAC streamer. The solo sales guy spent an hour talking about every other DAC he could think of, all of his high end systems he'd sold, watches, cars etc. and never walked me over to see or hear the DAC. He monopolized the conversation and had an opinion on everything- other than stopping to actually listen to me and demo a couple products. I was only there to hear that one DAC and was completely serious about buying it. It was as if he had to talk the entire time and thought I'd buy without hearing or even seeing the DAC- bizarre.

Denver for some reason doesn’t have many audio stores.  The nicest one has snobby sales people.  They make me feel uncomfortable.    I have never purchased anything there as a result.

I subscribe to Redfin in order to see what homes are selling for in my area.  What amazes me is so far I have not seen a single pair of speakers sitting in a room.  What also amazes me is how people live in very expensive home are watching TV and listening to their tiny TV speakers.  Are people over extended and don’t have money left over to watch TV through surround speakers.  To me at least 50% of a movie experience is sound.  Also are people allergic to music?  I think people are over extended and living for their mortgages.  I can understand how hi-fi shops are doing poorly.  We must be a rarity.

An interesting, and appropriate question. In reading through the replies, I have to agree that I have run into a few audio salespeople who “knew everything”, and had no interest in answering my questions. I had also agree with the “80-20” rule cited above. At a CES Show at McCormick Place, many years ago, I was fortunate to speak with Richard Vandersteen about how much more money is required to have a small improvement in a system. So while I agree that are those “sales types” in the industry, I would be remiss not to cite the “Great Ones” that I’ve had the good fortune to find and deal with. Eric Lang at Salon 1 Audio in Ormond Beach, Florida, and Taylor Everhart at Goldprint Audio in Lexington, NC. The most receptive, understanding, honest and helpful dealers that I have encountered in 40 years in this passion. I also need to mention the great folks at Rogue Audio. Always willing to listen and help, the aforementioned folks are some of the “Cream” of the industry. Allow me to extend a personal “thank you” to these folks, and offer to all who read this post, speak with these folks and you won’t be disappointed.

Liked Audio Dimensions, Harry was kind and a wealth of knowledge. The old Absolute Sound, who I bought a bunch of equipment from over the years as they patiently supported my regular visiting, learning, and long listens. And now have a really great relationship with the guys at of David Michael Audio. Real gentleman and music lovers, all in Royal Oak, MI. Can’t say enough good things about the DMA guys. They have even graciously hosted our SMAC Southeast Michigan Audio Club several times.

Have I experienced elitist a’holes in the audio business? Sure. Most of them don’t get repeat visits or any business from me.

Keep in mind; customers as well as proprietors can be insufferable, and less than kind beings. We all share a responsibility here.

The bottom line: I spend my money with the people that I like.

I hate shops with salesmen that tell you what they think you should be hearing in an audition, and have actually asked them to keep their opinions to themselves as they held zero interest for me - I was only interested in what I thought.