High End Audio-Gaining Higher Ground?

I'm still waiting on that chance encounter of meeting or running into a fellow audiophile by accident

Don't worry, they are out there. I formed the LVAC (Las Vegas Audio Club) about a year ago and at the moment we're not real big in numbers (about 13-14 people) but the camaraderie is great. I didn't think it would go anywhere, but it has. I am surprised at this. For more info, check out the audio clubs section here under "Las Vegas." And check out our blog: lavegasaudioclub.blogspot.com Thanks!

Sad to say that the Magnolias in my city probably offer the best customer service. The sales staff may not be the most knowledgeable bunch but they are leaps and bounds more personable than the stiffs that work in the local HiFi shops.

That is part of the reason I feel like the brick and mortar stores are falling to the wayside. I would much rather take a chance on buying gear off here either new or used than deal with the apathetic owners if the shops.

Lately I've been checking out the TV show 'Kitchen Nightmares'. Wouldn't it be great to have a show like this but with Audio shops instead of restaurants with hidden cameras and a Gordon Ramsey-ish audio guy coming to critique and go nose to nose with some of these shops!? Of course there will never be enough interest in a show like this so it'll never happen. I remember decades ago when one of the audio digests, TAS or S'phile, ran a series of articles (or was it letters?) encouraging people to write in about shitty customer service and bad manners in the shops. With most brick and mortar shops currently on life support, it surprises me when I read about boorish behavior in the shops. You'd think they'd know better by now.

it surprises me when I read about boorish behavior in the shops. You'd think they'd know better by now.

True. And they're probably trapped in their own little world, but I can't say for sure...

Keep in mind that this is primarily a North American problem. And it's due to a number of factors, most of which have already been addressed here. However, audio (and high end audio) is thriving elsewhere in the world, especially in the Far East!