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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?

 

cbl117
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 

We teach people how to treat us.  Besides, demoing audio equipment is akin to the 'test drive' when buying a new car.  We all do it, but all it proves is that the car can go around the block a few times.  For any big ticket purchase, you should, beforehand, know more about the item than any salesman.

Cheers

ddrave44
146 posts
 

Well judging from the response, this question really struck a nerve. Whatever the exact conversation was between OP and the dealer (FWIW I believe OP), we’ve all been in this type of situation.

I normally make the purchase from the dealer that spent the time to demo a product, which irritates my wife (the household CFO), but how else to assure that the dealers are here for new products, upgrades (many, many with my Linn TT dealer) and service?

Over the years I’ve focused my buying with a few sellers and developed good relationships that have proven beneficial many times over. This often includes at-home trials because of those relationships. Probably 2/3rds of the time those loans lead to purchases and those that don’t are for specific reasons that a dealer has never found objectionable.

As far as the dealer community, I appreciate the comments they’ve made. It somehow seems that a dealer ought to be able to spend under an hour with a potential buyer under most circumstances. I think a potential purchaser who is asked to keep the demo to say 30-60 minutes until they’re ready to make a purchase wouldn’t have reason to object. In this case OP was asking for an appointment so dealer could have suggested a time that would be less busy perhaps. The dealer doesn't need to sit with the potential client the entire time either, so really much less dealer-time involved.

 

frankmc195's avatar
frankmc195
175 posts
 

Sorry, I did misread the post.... I wouldn't buy anything from this dealer as he was obviously showing you he wasn't anyone you would want to deal with.

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 

Let's assume the OP has accurately portrayed the interaction without bias or self-serving emphasis.  It so, then the dealer should be respected for his honesty.  He said call me back when you're ready to purchase. He didn't say ready to buy a Brinkmann from him, but when you're ready to actually buy a turntable, then come see him.  Now when that time comes the two of you can meet and be serious.  At that point he should give you his best offer.  Maybe you'll make a deal, maybe you won't.  It takes two to tango and being overly sensitive about the initial interaction can mislead.   Remember, he did call you back within a few minutes.

grislybutter
3,102 posts
 

@clearthinker @raysmtb1

this is why I don’t listen to gear at hifi stores. I look at it. I know they can tell when I walk in that I will not buy anything.

I’d like to get the most value for my money and usually I buy used, and I don’t feel I should waste the dealer’s time with pushing buttons for me.

"Fortunately" in high end stores there is nothing I could afford anyway so it wouldn’t help my decision to listen to a $2.5K component.

I think the answer to the dealers’ problem is buying and selling used gear, or just "trade-in". But so far, they weren’t interested in anything I offered, including what they sold me a few years ago/

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