That is the mark of a retailer actually telling you he doesn't need your business. Pure and simple laziness. Go to the next audio show near you and you will hear all of those you wish to audition. Bring a record or two along.
Was I Expecting Too Much
Hi everyone. I'm looking for a heading check with a situation I encountered yesterday.
Background:
I'm planning to upgrade my turntable later this year - Q3 is my target. After my research, I've narrowed down to AMG and Brinkmann. I was able to audition an AMG Viella yesterday, and was looking to audition a Bardo or Taurus for comparison. I know my thought of trying to fit in a Brinkmann demo was last-minute, and some dealers are particular when it comes to appointments and allowing them time to setup their demo.
The Situation:
So I called the local Brinkmann dealer and inquired to see if a bardo or taurus happened to be setup. The salesman I spoke with said they had both, and he was going to check if a demo was possible. After a few minutes, I get a phone call back from the owner who seemed rather dismissive of my request. I explained that I'm currently doing my research and looking to hear some demos to help down-select, and that my purchase would be a few months from now. He asked for my budget which I found strange as I already stated what I was interested in demoing. Then the conversation turned to what gear I already own, which I understand sort-of. Then the owner basically said it doesn't make sense for me to demo anything now and to call back when I'm ready to purchase.
How am I going to know what I want to purchase without demoing the options?
Was I expecting too much by asking to hear equipment that I'm interested in? My opinion is a sale isn't guaranteed and an audio dealer, just like any other dealer, needs to invest some reasonable amount of time to capture a sale. You don't capture all the sales, but I didn't think I was being unreasonable in my request and certainly was not trying to waste anyone's time. I was pretty transparent with where I'm at and I guess he was reciprocating my transparency by telling me to go away. I felt "less-than" by this experience. As if I wasn't worth investing any time into.
Thoughts?
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- 93 posts total
@cbl117 I think you were perfectly reasonable in your expectations. In my personal opinion, there are lot of dealers who feel they carry the brand and they own the region and act arrogantly. I had a similar experience recently. I recommend you reach out to another dealer, who carries the brand and shop around for the best possible sales experience. As a customer you deserve the best service. |
I do understand where the dealer was coming from.... "I'm not purchasing now but down the road".... Demoing at your place when you aren't going to buy something is not practical. The bottom line is price so if he brings it to you to demo and you find a lower price somewhere else on what you liked, you'll buy it there. The dealers usually have demo rooms which they have set up for optimal sound quality and they only have to do it once at their place and not many many times at potential customers who aren't really buying now anyway. Go to the dealer, sit down and listen there. |
You don’t just demo equipment (which isn’t usually very useful; too many variables), you are evaluating the dealer, who one day may be needed for service, support or advice - or a positive buying experience on a c. $20k purchase, which should be a good experience, not a painful extraction of gear from an asshole. If you were a masochist, he’d be perfect. But then, you’d probably be buying a boat or Italian car instead.
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There is a huge difference between “sales” people and people who provide customer service that results in a sale. I would walk away from this store as fast as you can. They have zero interest in their customers outside their wallets. If they are acting his way presale I can only imagine how their post sale service is. |
- 93 posts total