Burned out hi fi salesman

Rhljazz,
MOST ASSUREDLY!!! That is axiomatic for any good salesman.
Very good point though for someone who thinks that dress dictates treatment.
I don't wany anyone to think I responded only because he was dressed well--only that I noted we 'seemed' to be letting someone who 'appeared' APPEARED, to be underpurchasing, that is just reconing speakers when in fact, he was probably ready for a better system.
I made it a point to treat everyone the same, yet be careful to note when someone of obvious 'means' or at least spending habits seemingly apparent.
NEVER judge a customer, by the look, that is totally foreign from this message, just a factor in what happened.
Thanks for the question.
Best,
Larry

Cwlondon,
I was only describing events--you've missed the point entirely.
The man was decked, I saw it and acted.
I can also recant the time when the leader of the band Nickel Creek came in in a tattered tee shirt and wanted a system. Not having heard of Nickel Creek,(before their success) I happily sold him a system that was terrific for a reasonable price. We together loaded it into an older Nissan, which was loaded with paper and cans, etc. Very non pretentious--this was an example not a message to sell those who seem wealthy, just being aware of situational moments.
Please understand, selling is selling, not judging---ever!!
If you read that, I apologize as it's not that message.

Larry

Lrsky

Again, I appreciate what I interpret to be your good intentions and sincerity here.

But 25 years later, I still cringe at my memories of fellow audio salesmen peering through the glass door to check out a customers car before deciding if they should pounce or continue reading the paper, and/or cheesey leading questions like "Is that a DAYTONA?! (watch)" or salespeople whose most valuable asset was their own watch, trying to project that they were somehow on the same level as what they assumed to be a rich customer.

And to me, this type of superficial analysis contributes to all of the worst stereotypes about high end salesmen with patronizing, chippy attitudes.

While we are on the subject, here is an anecdote for you:

A few years ago, I had a similar conversation with a guy who specialised in selling rare, low mileage air cooled Porsche 911s and Turbos.

He explained to me that one of his best customers was an African American man who drove up to his showroom in a rusty old van wearing a ripped T-shirt and dirty jeans.

The moral of the story is that after he treated this customer with SERVICE and RESPECT, he bought his first car the very same day on the spot.

As he began to trust the salesman, he confided that he ran a cable television company in NYC (made $ millions) but was so sick of being stereotyped either negatively because of his race or positively because of his job that he went shopping IN DISGUISE with the old van and T-Shirt routine, just to see which salesmen would treat him well, regardless of appearances.

To me, this simple lesson in business could cure the majority of problems in high end audio stores and has nothing to do with noticing whether or not someone's shirts are monogrammed.

Cheers

Cwlondon

The reason that all the components HE has heard sound within 5% of each other is based on the principle that 95% of ALL stereo equipment is absolute JUNK to begin with.

he went shopping IN DISGUISE with the old van and T-Shirt routine, just to see which salesmen would treat him well, regardless of appearances.

It is a routine, isn't it? Either that, or an urban legend that gets recycled over and over in order to prove a point. But exactly what point does it prove? That someone should introduce himself deceitfully in order to expect honesty in return? What a disingenuous way to get what you really want, whereby the only one who wins the petty game is the one who ultimately outclasses even you.