Walking Into A Brick & Mortar High End Audio Store

Id say retail sales is a two way street.

My experience back in the day was when both customer and salesperson were thoughtful and considerate of each other, things tended to work out for the best. I had very few cases personally where that was not the case over the years in that I was formally trained (by Tandy Corporation/Radio Shack) to always focus on the needs of the customer.

We were taught that anyone who came into the store had some problem that they were looking to solve and our job was to solve it. That included the many "potential customers" who were "just looking". If you focus on their needs, they often become actual customers.

PErsonal face to face customer service is the ONLY thing a B&M store can offer people these days.

With the attitude that if you come into my store not intending to buy you are a nuisance, I fear one is doomed to eventual failure.

Just my two cents as a former retail guy back in the day no longer involved but perhaps with some useful perspective.

This is for Lowrider57......

I have gone into no less than 3 high end shops in the greater Boston area and at any one time or another, all the salesmen were hanging around the front desk engaged in idle chit chat with one another. How in the hell am I wasting their valuable time when the store is dead and they are just killing time waiting for 6pm to come so they can go home?

There are some rules to follow, I believe. Mainly don't ask for a demo of something you intend to buy elsewhere. I go to 2 or 3 stores or have in the last few years, who are interested in HiFi and me, put on local small shows etc. They won't get a sale first time, but I respond to their enthusiasm and interest.

I bought an Arc Reference 75 from one last year and have just ordered a Grounding product from another. We had been in E-mail correspondence on this and that, teaks etc and he volunteered that he though this product would work well, he sent me it, no cash deposit, it did work well and I bought it.

This is a luxury not life basics business, sometimes you have to show interest and for want of a better word, develop a customers interest. I respond to that and they get a sale. Most of these guys are sitting around all day waiting for a customer, they need to get out there and develop an interest from customers with small shows, music or cinema evenings etc

ALl this protocol for what to do or not in any store is a load of crap.

Go ahead and kill off B&M stores all the faster if that is what people want by making rules about when to go or not and how to act.

Just don't complain when the tables are turned and others do the same to you!!!!

Total stupidity!!!! I don't think I've ever been inclined to say that about anything I read here until now.

Customers have their needs and that is what the store should be concerned about period in order to suceed.

I'd encourage everyone to go to as many B&M stores as they can but of course be forthright in why you are there when asked. Then the sales guys can decide what to do or not from there.

It's that simple. Good honest communications. Then just let the cards fall where they may.

07-11-14: Jwm
If people don't want to bother an audio salesman with no intentions of buying they can go to an audio show instead. There are so many now that one can go and hear without buying anything and not feel guilty. The shows have way more equipment and so many people under one roof that you can have a great time.

Amazing to think that someone that walks into your store could be a 'bother'. Also, I believe that walking into any store with no intent to buy that day that one should not feel 'guilty'. Yes, there are audio shows that one could attend...but why can't I just go to a store and look around?

Something is wrong with a hobby if one needs to steel himself before walking into a store.
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