This might just be the end of brick and mortar

Well said David12 except I don't feel much lose with B&M demised. Positives definitely outweighs the negatives to ME.

Taters and Yogi, thanks for calling me out on that post. I have MS and deal with cognitive issues at times. I thought I was posting on another thread where many of us were discussing meeting up on Saturday.

On topic, I don't understand why some of you come across as hoping that B&M stores go away. Why can't there be all options? In the end, that's the best thing for everyone. It gives those of us the ability to go listen before we purchase and it keeps many of us who can afford nice components a place to purchase them. That still leaves plenty of room for the rest of you who want to play hit or miss purchasing online. I realize times change, but I've lived through the demise of vinyl, which has never gone away for many of us. There have been some bold statements made in this thread as if it's an absolute that B&M are going away. It makes no sense and neither does it make sense that the MD guy is the best analog guy in the country. I think when you make statements like that, it takes away from some of your other points that are interesting (at least for me). Like I posted earlier (I think it was in this thread), I like MD and have dealt with them since they started, so it's not like I don't like the guy or his business. Just think that your original post is wrong and that just because he offers a return policy that REQUIRES an explanation (it's written on their site so it's irrelevant what they tell you on the phone unless you can prove it in court, which would never happen), plus you are also out the shipping costs. I just can't see how this type of policy would ever do anything to hurt a store.

In addition, based on the brand they carry, I haven't found anything that I'd have in my system other than some digital stuff as I went cheap until things work themselves out. When you deal with higher end audio, many folks want the whole experience of sitting and listening to their own music and hearing how things work together as a system. Even my kids like audio stores and the oldest is 18.

Again, I wasn't trying to hijack your thread.

Knghifi said: "Well said David12 except I don't feel much lose with B&M demised. Positives definitely outweighs the negatives to ME."

Look at it this way, if all the B&M stores evaporate, you would be left only with two options to audition & buy new audio gear.

1) Buy the item from an online dealer and have it shipped to you.
2) Listen & buy the item from an audio show.

Both 1 & 2 will cost you money if you want to return it.
Only option 2 allows you to listen to it before you buy.

Most B&M stores in this country will let you listen for free, some will let you take the item home for audition for free.

Now, if you do not want the item option 1 & 2 will cost you money, while your local B&M store might not.

Bottom line, without B&M stores it will cost you to audition gear in your home system.

Ct could you give me the link of the thread you mention?

I certainly wasn't suggesting I am happy to see the end of B and M stores, just that their day may be over. I think we will all lose without them. There simply aren't enough Audiophiles around to make them viable and those who are left have adopted a new model for making purchases. Many of us are looking for buy direct or second hand bargains and won't pay the premium for personal service in a store.

Store owners need to wake up and smell the Roses, and do that soon. Giving up the Main St store and working from home or a cheaper lock up small industrial unit, open by appointment. There are many ways to develop interest, small shows run by a single store in a local hotel, having open evenings with wine and canapes demonstrating how good music and film can be with the right kit. Business's in the UK are doing that now and I am sure they are in the US. You can't just sit there in an empty store waiting for the odd customer to come in. They also have to be welcoming. All of us have experienced the assessment as you walk in a store, mentally weighing your wallet, before they even deign to acknowledge your presence. If you are welcoming, maybe you won't make a sale the first time, but the 3rd or 4th time they come back