Walking Into A Brick & Mortar High End Audio Store

"So, my opinion is to establish good relations with the B&M stores and dealers."

No doubt always a good idea to operate with good faith.

There are limits though. Good relationships are a two way street and can be hard to accomplish when goals and priorities are different.

Personally, I have bought recently both online and from a couple local B&M stores. I am willing to pay a premium for good customer service. Good sound in home audio is not easy. Most people need the kind of help that only someone knowledgeable in the area can provide. That has value.

It would not be proper for one to go into a store, spend considerable amount of time with a consultant there, end up liking the product being proposed, and then buying elsewhere for less.

Thing is there are many reasons why a particular sale might not occur and the seller will never know the reason for sure. SO best to just invest their time wisely if truly so busy, and let the cards fall where they may.

Many times these days when I go into audio stores, the stores are mostly empty and salespeople not busy helping others and seem more than happy to spend some time chatting on whatever topic I might have in mind.

as a former real estate agent i can offer my opinion on 'lookers'...it is part of the job to take risks with potential customers and if you are only willing to work with people that need a house in 5 minutes you are either a billionaire or not cut out for the job. salesmen all get together and tell war stories but at crunch time you put on game face and try to make the best of it and figure out what the person is really looking for etc. i see nothing wrong with shopping if you honestly tell the guy you are just in the looking stage and tell him you do not want to waste his time etc.. HOW ELSE IS AN AUDIO SHOP GOING TO ATTRACT LOYAL CUSTOMERS IF THEY DO NOT EXPECT AND TREAT KINDLY THOSE NOT READY TO BUY RIGHT NOW? a bona fide audiophile salesman will hopefully enjoy the opportunity to talk shop and create a return customer. if not, then too bad for him and the owner who has this guy on the floor. the abuse you took on this post was not justified in my opinion.

I've walked out of hifi stores when sales people don't bother to come up and ask me if I need help. Perhaps they think I am not a useful commission. Their loss.

I've walked out of hifi stores when sales people don't bother to come up and ask me if I need help. Perhaps they think I am not a useful commission. Their loss.

Serious Brick & Mortar stores will know how to qualify you and your intention not to buy. If they do not, they would have been put out of business long ago. So, if you are near New York City, put yourself to the test by going into Lyric, on Lexington Avenue. Oh, be sure to bring your brokers monthly statement with you, otherwise they will know you are not a serious buyer. Lyric knows how to 'qualify'. As a 'relationship' store they want to visit your home to check out how 'serious' you are. Let us know.