Walking Into A Brick & Mortar High End Audio Store

Lot easier to pick out guitars and play while the sales guy is eating his lunch or selling some else a Martin guitar. Poor analogy. Audio salesman have to move around 40 to 500 pound equipment and stay with you while they lose a sale to another person who just bought a Wilson speaker.

Back in the old days, circa the 70's-80's, I used to frequent various hi-fi dealers, and would buy from them. This was in the days before Audiogon and dealers often had trade-ins. (The early Stereo Exchange in NYC used to be a mecca for used high end gear and if you knew what you were after, you could usually find it, and surprisingly quickly- Dave W. did huge turnover back in the 80's). In those days, Singer, Lyric and a few others were around, but everybody had a different take on their preferred dealer, based on personal experience, $ and available lines.
The problem, even in the best of circumstances, with any dealer, is that trying to evaluate the sound of a particular piece of gear through an in-store demo is of limited value; limited not only by the different room but by (usually) different associated gear. Building a relationship with a dealer that permits in-home trial is invaluable. Yes, you are paying a premium for this kind of service. But, it can also help you avoid the cost of churning through equipment. And, the right dealer will provide loaners if your equipment has a failure (these days, it is very rare for a dealer to do its own service- it seems that they all rely on factory (authorized) external service).
Among the hi-end dealers in NYC, one of the best I've encountered is the guy at High Water Sound; he spent a half hour on the phone with me years ago discussing step up transformers for phono stages- none of which he carried. I've met him briefly at shows and he seems to be a stand-up guy. (If I weren't still committed to the gear I have, he'd probably be one person I'd be happy to deal with). I have a good relationship with another dealer who makes house calls, lets me do in-home sessions with gear so I can get my head around what I'm hearing and is a generally good guy. I've found a few others that are like him, in other parts of the country, but I think you almost have to choose the dealer as carefully as the equipment. I've met a few dealers over the years who are arrogant and clueless on customer service and I respond by going elsewhere. The worst is paying the premium for so-called 'high end' dealer service and not getting it.

P.S.: FWIW, I would rarely just walk into a dealer 'cold'; instead, i would call ahead, usually try to talk to an owner, and tell them I'm thinking of visiting, make it clear that I am serious but not necessarily coming in to write a check on the first visit. I have found that to be very effective. I'm not a time waster- and I don't want to waste my time either.

It's really funny to me how controversial someone walking into a store is around here. Also somewhat sad.

I thought audiophiles at least had an appreciation for the way things used to be, but times have changed it seems.

Kick tires in the store then buy on Audiogon.