Walking Into A Brick & Mortar High End Audio Store

Isn't it kinda simple? The barebones no frills cheap price can be had impersonally and at potential risk online or you can go to your friendly local hifi emporium to be catered to and demonstrated and educated. Either way you get the product. If you prefer the security and human interaction afforded by the latter, then you should expect to pay a premium.

As for those who abuse these outlines, well they have to live with their transgressions. The store who fails to honor the unwritten understanding I outlined above will learn soon enough the he has to earn his premium or he will soon be earning nothing. The hybrid walks a tightrope but there are many examples like the few mentioned in previous posts who appear to do so rather deftly. And then we have the schmuck who milks the goodwill out of the retail store for the rest of us by abusing the unspoken but widely understood dynamic of putting his money where his mouth is.

I think that our society has reached a dangerous point in its evolution. We have come to place more value on money than we allow for other things in life that are inestimably more important. Certain elements among the reporting fraternity have worked tirelessly to pit us against one another and to generate as much animosity and suspicion as the can engender. We need to understand that we are more different in our individual fears and desires than we are in any genetic or generic front. We need each other. Petty crap like the offense taken over the offhand use of a common catchphrase created a dispute here that never needed to happen. We all know what the reference means because it is a common catchphrase and it targeted no one in particular and no group at all. It was just a phrasing that could easily have been overlooked but some of us had to make a big deal out of it. For god's sake, isn't it likely that all of the stereotypical crap that lingers in our minds as cliche is actually based in some truth somewhere? I always liked Tom Waits line from one of his songs -"colder than a well digger's ass". Do you think he he heard from an attorney representing the well diggers local? Should he have been chastised, sanctioned, prosecuted? Of course not. Let's just relax and blow off the sensitivity remarks.
We have stores to save. Not that I'm any help. I have way too much gear as it is, and the next thing I'm apt to buy will have to be purchased online. There are no vendors within 200 miles. I'm going to be buying a pair of fairly expensive professional active studio monitors. Suggest you all consider whether that can work for you. Flat out destroys much audiophile folklore. Just imagine no more concerns whatsoever about choosing speaker cables. No more matching amps and speakers. Plus even the very affordable, home studio versions have room accommodation adjustments.
And don't forget about Kinky Friedman. I've heard him say several times he intended to christian the guy down on his price.

The retailer owes every customer a level of courtesy and respect. The customer owes the same to the retailer. All parties have obligations to each other. Such simple things, yet so hard to come by.

07-15-14: Macrojack
We all know what the reference means because it is a common catchphrase and it targeted no one in particular and no group at all. It was just a phrasing that could easily have been overlooked but some of us had to make a big deal out of it. For god's sake, isn't it likely that all of the stereotypical crap that lingers in our minds as cliche is actually based in some truth somewhere?

The fact that a catchphrase may be common in some circles does not mean that its use should be condoned or tolerated. Would you feel comfortable using the aforesaid catchphrase in person, in the presence of an audience of diverse and unknown background?

The mention of Donald Sterling in one of the above posts, btw, brings to mind a different catchphrase, or more precisely, catchword, that was also "common" in certain parts of the country for a couple of hundred years or so. Does the fact that it was commonly used in some places make its use acceptable?

Regards,
-- Al

To echo Charyo's remark, I think we all owe each other a little respect. I come on this forum, either to get information, or to provide it when I can. I'm not a PC type person, but I was the one who called out CZ on his remark, and from what I gather, he didn't intend to be mean-spirited. Frankly, although I'm jewish, I'm not a very religious jew, and am not unduly sensitive to a good joke, which often pokes fun at stereotypes. But, having said that, my concern was perpetuating a stereotype that is offensive. Macro- I'm not sure there is a legacy of prejudice against well diggers, so the analogy doesn't work, but as I said when I first brought it up, let people say what they will; I'm certainly not into censorship or making people toe the line in terms of PC sensibilities (or whatever you want to call it).
I have no interest in perpetuating this aspect of the thread; I made my contributions to it in substance on the issues of dealers and courtesy. I also think that public statements can be tricky, which is why I usually try to keep it light. If CZ meant no harm, I'll take him at his word. But word do have consequences, as we see everyday in the media.
Not trying to play gotcha here, but since I was the one that raised the issue with CZ's remarks first, I thought it fair to give you my perspective. No snark intended.

Just a follow up to a statement made earlier. In my opinion and experience, everything is negotiable. If you allow salespeople to convince you otherwise, then you have fallen for the trap. Cars, home appliances, clothes, watches, expensive audio equipment, etc. The prices are limited somewhat by what the manufacturer allows dealers to sell their items for, but, there is some float on most things. Especially demonstration equipment. Anyone that walks into a car dealership beliving that the invoice price is what the car really sells for or worse, is what the dealer actually paid for the car (or leased), didn't do their homework. In my experience, once you have established a good relationship with a dealer, and they know you are serious about a potential purchase, they will deal with you on price. Again, they can't give it away, but they can negotiate. I tried to teach my Daughter to always ask for a least a 10% discount on most things. Most stores can actually give such discounts if requested. Also, with respect to the name calling and sensibilities regarding phrases and words here, lets just slow down, calm down and think a little. Everyone is not the same. Some people have very thick skins (can take a lot before becoming offended) and some have very thin skins and have low tolerance. Some people have never experienced prejudice or hatred in any form and others have. That said, there are reasons why some people are insensitive to certain phrases and some are vey sensitive to them. Both may be very good people. However, if someone tells you that a word or phrase you are using is offensive to them. Stop trying to convince them otherwise and listen to them. It offended or hurt them. period. Stop using that phrase around them. They have their reasons why it offends them. Respect that. A person's right to smoke ends at my nose. A person's right to rediculously loud music ends at my ears. people can talk about women and certain aspects of women's bodies until the cows come home. However, the moment a woman hears that and is offended, maybe that person should take a step back and realize that just maybe it was offensive and you are in the wrong. Almost every company has harrassment, discrimination and sensitivity training for a reason. In my company, we have to take this very long course every year, and you know what? That is a good thing. Stop trying to explain yourself and why you are sticking with a certain aspect of your character. If someone is offended, leave it at that and stop. I'm offended when a dealer looks me up and down as if I'm not worthy and doesn't give me the time of day. Sometimes it is funny, sometimes it hurts and sometimes it is just sad. I also realize that money is the same color (in America), and my money is just a good as the next person's, and if they don't realize that they are going to lose out on a potentially large sale because of their rudeness, insensitivity, lazyness, lack of respect, lack of consideration, ignorance, or maybe, just maybe, they don't like my race, color, religion, etc. Then you know what? They can go pound sand. I can go elsewhere. But, fortunately, this is not so much in the open anymore. I've also found over the many years that how I initially treat and address some people determines how they will treat me. So some times, it starts with me. Get pulled over by a policeman. You can be angry and obnoxious to them or place your hands on the steering wheel in plain site and stay calm and quiet. you will get a totally different reaction most of the time. So, please don't expect everyone to belive in what you believe in. Don't expect everyone to look like you, talk like you, live like you and especially, like the same equipment (tubes vs solid state), or same type of music. I'm older and come to expect a degree of courtesy. If I don't get that or if a saleperson is rude, etc. I can walk out (which I typically will do) or/and write a letter which really does have an impact on most companies. But, sooner or later your choice to not do business with that store will be cumlative and will have a very negative impact on that store. The problem is, they will not know why their sales are failing or why they are going out of business. But, enough letters will help document the problem that they can refer to and hopefully fix before it is too late for them. Many high end manufacturers don't allow their products to be sold on the internet. Some are coming around to that potentially large consumer market. However, if they do, they do not want to put their brick and mortar dealers out of business and therefore, they are very strick on internet and B&M prices. Also, if one wants to buy new on line, you really need to be very careful because it may be grey market and not come with manufacturer's warranty.

So, please, enjoy