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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It must be the places you guys frequent. Have you brushed your teeth lately? Just kidding...

In my area there is only one Hi-End Store left. Paragon Audio and they have always treated me well. Years back when there were more stores, again, they were always kind and willing to demonstrate anything I wanted to hear. Sometimes I would call ahead so what I wanted to hear could be connected.

Why would they not try to be helpful? Stating that, I am sure there are bad apples, they are in every profession, but they will be weeded out when they don’t eat.

Perhaps, some of you guys are starting out with a bad attitude?

ozzy

@ozzy  I have to agree with you about Paragon audio, they will let you listen to any system they have even if you say you are not buying anything today.

Snobby. Thats funny. Its like a car purchase ranked in tiers. Not many people will spend 5k on a system, let alone 100k.  In the end it plays music and no more.  Hi-fi enthusiast dont listen to music, they listen to the equipment and I have been guity of this many times.  Once the honeymoon phase is over on the.equipment, back to music.  I keep a few vintage eq to change up sound.  But for me, its all about music. If I had unlimted funds, maybe I'll spend alot on it. But right now, I enjoy what I have and its still a pretty penny for sure.  I'm listening with Luxman 590AXII with Silverline Sonata II

Tier 1

Ferrari, Lambo. Bentley

Tier 2

Mercedes, BMW

Tier 3

Chevy,  Ford

Upon reflection in addition to Cresendo...I have had excellent experience with Music Direct and Upscale.....

During my search I did have an amusing experience with a manufacture (US based) ... During my conversation with their TECH EXPERT... after I explained what I was looking for his next comment was "The minimum I WOULD ALLOW, was such and such components"

I just started laughing, thanked him and disconnected...