Walking Into A Brick & Mortar High End Audio Store

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.

It's only controversial to a small number of audiophiles, in other words .01% of the general population. Everyone else understands that people walk into stores and just look around to see what's interesting. If that's a problem for the store owner he should run his business by "appointment only" with a qualification questionnaire and pre-appointment credit check.