New buy, no return policy

In this case apparently the dealer had a demo model on the floor that the OP was able to hear so there was no need to use new speakers for the OP to be able to hear them at home.  The dealer missed out on a $20k or so payday.  Good call. 🙄

Most dealers don't have ultra expensive floor demonstration models from a company's lineup.  If they do, it is still a big deal to move that speaker into a prospective buyer's system for a home demonstration--the speaker has to be packed for moving, it has to be transported and then set up for a demonstration.  The dealer is out of a demonstration model for the duration of the audition, the speaker has to be re-packed and transported after the demonstration, and the dealer is at risk for any damage in the whole process.  If there is a charge for this, or some assurance that the "buyer" is not a tire-kicker, I can see this working better.  I know a dealer who went through all of this trouble to set up a home demonstration which did not result in a sale only to be shown an on-line discussion where it turns out that the "buyer" borrowed gear from all around the town, held an audio party where friends got to hear various fancy components and no one was seriously interested in buying the stuff.

With most of my purchases, I have been offered the opportunity to do a home demonstration or I had return privileges.  But, I had previously bought gear from these  dealers and they knew I would buy what I liked.  Once, when I was shopping for a high end linestage, the dealer offered to bring in models from two companies for which he did not already have the flagship models I wanted to hear.  On a handshake deal, he agreed to buy both for a demonstration if I promised to buy one of them.  I ended up liking the first model he got in, which I heard in my own system, and told him he did not have to buy the other model for a comparison. 

I think the OP and the dealer both made the right move for themselves.  As detailed above there is much work and risk involved in doing an at home demo for expensive large loudspeakers.  The buyer had a less costly alternative with the option to return if he so decided.  Either party could be second guessed, but if they were to start over again I think they would still make the same decision.

Not everybody is going to get an at home demo.  The answer for a valued long term customers will be different than for just anybody walking in off the street. 

Perhaps not a speaker, but I was very interested in an Audio Tweak that sells for $1100. The dealer offered a $100 discount but then would not grant return privileges.

So, the question is do I trust an unknown tweak for $1000 or pay full price to have the advantage of returning it for a refund if not impressed.

I chose to pass...

ozzy

I would have gone with the full price option, if anything.

A $100 mistake is a lot easier to digest than a $1000 mistake.