We are not stupid and so ignore their condescension. Remember that salespeople are trained to separate you from your money; don’t take it personally. 😉 Act accordingly by protecting your own interests and money as family members. In my experience, the boutiques are more interested in home theatre installations so if you don’t have at least $20K to spend you’re wasting your time. Regarding electronics, I learned from reading circuits and chipset literature, there is much commonality or "me too" with the expensive and affordable equipment. Open the hood and you may see different power supplies and passive components; however, the circuit topology coupled with the usual Analog Devices, AKM or ESS Sabre chipsets are exactly same as you would find in cheaper equipment. The technologies in Class A, AB and D amplifiers has matured so don’t believe the hype. Unless you really want to have a specific name plate on your stuff, you guys know the usual suspects, you may be restricted to dealers only. Go into the stores, have them turn on the equipment, don’t make small talk and only ask questions you already know the answers too. If you want to control the conversation, show interest and ask nicely "Why should I buy from you?"
What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?
I began my Hifi journey in 1976 at a shop in Birmingham MI called Audio Dimensions. He was a Magnapan and ARC dealer who was kind to a 15 year old kid who bought a set of MG 1s with paper route money. The ARC amps he carried were about $4K back then- a LOT of money in 1976. In the beginning I drove my MG 1s with an old Fisher Studio Standard integrated amp. Since those lovely innocent days I have encountered some real buttholes. They act like they are doing me a favor as they quiz me about what gear I have and if I'm listening to "approved" recordings. Needless to say I don't buy from those guys. Several wives and businesses later I'm back into the hobby with a much vengeance as a 61 year old can muster given only so many free hours in a day and only so much cash to apply due to my other vices: Classic cars and salt water fishing.
Have you ever encountered a really good or really bad dealer (or employee) that changed your buying actions?
Darko posted a video on this topic which I found really enjoyable. Many of you have already seen it but for those (like me) who discovered it much later here's the link:
https://darko.audio/2022/09/audiophiles-are-snobs-with-money-to-burn/
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+1 same company in Boulder same behavior. I buy cables from them sometimes if the price is right, I think you’re being very generous by saying they make you uncomfortable. I ordered my cables over the phone, walk in and pay for them and leave
Bent in Boulder |
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