Was I Expecting Too Much

Their actions and poor customer service will end up putting them out of business. I grew up in NW-Arkansas the headquarters of Walmart, Tyson Foods, and JTL Jones Truck Line. I was a young engineering manager and a rotary member. Old man Don Tyson gave a talk one time at rotary as usual dressed in blue jeans, flannel shirt and really old cowboy boots. He related the importance of customer service in EVERY interaction by telling the following story. He had visited a Freightliner truck dealership in his old beat up ford pickup and was walking around the lot inspecting the various semi trucks. A salesman appeared and asked him to :not play on the vehicles" as they were brand new. He then turned and walked away. So... Don got in his old ford and went a couple miles down the road to the International dealer which politely answered questions and asked if Don would like to test one of the new rigs. Don said no BUT I would like to buy 100 trucks about a $30M purchase. To this day Tyson’s Foods uses International trucks exclusively. Oh did I mention that Freightliner pulled their dealership license from the other guy in the following months. News travels fast!

Some of the newer audio folks here might find it amazing that we used to be able to take home components to try in our own systems.   Since most stores were closed on Sunday to Tuesday at noon you had a few days to try digital and amplification products, as well as cables.   If you had a strong purchase history, you could try speakers up to modest floor standers at home as well.   While most dealers can’t afford this now. The cost of in store demo is basically a fixed cost.  If you know the product. That already establishes a knowledgeable customer.  If the owner thinks you can’t discern the difference, sell you another product that fits your system

cbl117, I've been researching a new amp/preamp combo over the last couple of months.  My experience was similar to yours when I explained that I was selling some real estate and that was under contract but wouldn't close until the beginning of May.  As soon as they were done qualifying me and found out that they might have to wait a couple months until the sale was finished they wrote me off and told me to call back when I was ready to purchase.  Now the helpful dealer or two I will get in touch with the end of next week.  I have a very long memory and those that were less than helpful won't hear from me again.  Big mistake as I will be dropping some serious coin.

Unacceptable.  I would send a note to the U.S. distributor.  They should know how their chosen dealers are representing their brand.  All should be accountable.

An interesting aside, I have purchased all of my recent gear either from an online dealer or directly from the manufacturer and have not had one single bad experience. To the contrary All the online shops have been very accommodating even when problems develop.