How many times can u visit a hifi store before it annoys the store if u plan on a purchase

The factors that determine how many visits you can make depends upon the personality of the business as set by the proprietor, the personality of the sales person you get assigned, and your personality.  I had a similar experience as @jasonbourne71 at Lyric Manhattan where I could not get in the door but was always treated well, even when just inquiring without intent to purchase at Lyric Westchester.  There was a high end store in Great Neck NY that actually was yelling aggressively at me because I couldn’t sing along with the bass line concluding I had no ear.  His premiss, documented in a position paper he provided, was that a high end system was of a resolution that permits you sing along with the melodies.  I guess he was not selling me a high end system.  Yet another proprietor in Manhasset down the road apiece let me audition at my leisure, being informative without trying to influence.  You know who got the sale.   Recently, Bill Parish at GTT Audio was extremely patient suffering from multiple calls, never pressuring or putting me off, for over a year,  until I finally purchased a Mola Mola Tambaqui from him.   The key is to be sincere and try to set appointments.  If you are, the seller will let you demo as often and long as you need.  

Hello Dman 777,

As others have opined on your question. Go as often as you wish. You indicate that you’ve been to that store 3-4 times in the past year. That’s not very often but Imo there’s no “max” number of pre-purchase visits before you lay out some serious jack to purchase at that location.  If you feel guilty about multiple visits without a purchase maybe buy an inexpensive accessory if they have something on hand during one of your looking/listening visits. 

As an ex stereo salesmen (many many years ago) it really depends on the situation.  If the store is empty I'd much rather talk to someone about the hobby and maybe learn or teach something.  If the you are taking away time from a paying customer you are infringing on my lively hood which is not OK.  If your respectful of others time and willing to build a relationship it could be beneficial to both parties.

I have read many of the BS responses you have received regarding placing a limit on visits or what is respectful for a dealer. You are obviously interested in their products. I would go in every day until you make the right decision for you. 

If you receive any BS from that particular dealer, I would buy elsewhere and then go in and show them the paid invoice! Also, ensure you get at least a 15% discount off retail since there is a 40-50% markup regardless of brand or what a dealer tells you.