Describe the ideal high end audio dealership

6550C has stated a lot of good points.

Other items that for me would make for a great audio store would be:

i) A nice selection of electronics with both solid state and tube equipment being offered. I want to know what is the best of both worlds, so I can make an informed decision, as to which type of equipment suits my tastes best.

ii) Several turntables, both entry level and high end, from several manufacturers, as well as tone arms and cartridges. These should be setup and ready to play.

iii) A nice selection of software, (particularly LPs), so that I can come to the store to both look at the equipment, as well shop for my music. (To me, this is a must for a "great" stereo store. I love to go record shopping, so I will always stop by to do that, and if I can then check out the latest and greatest gear that is on display, so much the better.) There are only a couple of stores that I know of that do this, with The Analog Room, in San Jose, being the premier example. (Now if only they would cut down on the cigar smoking, it would be a near perfect store.)

iv) At least two, or preferably three, large listening rooms, that are not packed to the gills with equipment.

v) No home theater equipment, (including TV's, DVD players, etc.) I'm there for music, not videos.

My two cents worth anyway.

It isn’t going to happen… the perfect dealership, that is. Even close to perfect won’t be a reality.

Whatever the business model, or equipment array, all I would ask of any dealership is to be professional and not erudite or arrogant. To not be condescending or pushy. In short to have a level relationship with prospective customers rather than the Holier than thou which seems the typical model.

Dealers should be flexible and competitive with pricing. A trade in or up program in a set time frame would also be advantageous. Providing means for financing couldn’t hurt either, if the resource (s) aren’t laughable with their terms.

If by appointment sessions are the norm there, allow the customer to preview their own software, not something totally unfamiliar to them… and within reason, at their own pace.

Some time frame for demos in home should also be addressed, and if a non sale results than some modest fee should be incurred. Such fee (s) determined on an as per basis to the nature of the demo & components being previewed and that total time frame. A weekend? A Week? A pair of full range speakers, or a pair of ICs?

All pieces should be run in prior to any in home demo too, or for in house uses as well. It serves no purpose to hear, “this is a great item, but just came out of the box so it isn’t up to snuff just yet…. Whadaya think?”.

To ignore wholly the world wide web is ridiculous these days…. And likely what prevents BM stores from continuing or sprouting up… but it is indeed a fact and has been for some years. To claim said dealership is worth the prospect of paying an additional 30-50% more for same same items, is sheer fantasy. 20-25% Perhaps. 30% maybe. 40-50% more? Well… one can always ask I suppose.

I really don’t see any audio BM store these days being solely high end audio. There has to be more diversification. Lower levels of merchandise. Accessories. Installations. Offers of setup and pro tweaking of higher end items in homes. Software sales. Inventories themselves seem likely killers to store fronts now.

Regardless the prospect, in home or in store, if only people are treated as people, and not morons or cattle, I’d sure attempt to do business there. But that snobby, arrogant, pushy ‘our stuff is the best out there and everything else sucks’ or ‘you haven’t a clue, let me tell you …. Attitudes must go. Only simple ‘sheep’ can be so influenced or intimidated… and then they’ll become remorseful later on most likely and seek to return the item..

Good luck finding one of those… and if you have… do continue to support it.

1. I prefer a brick and motar audio hi-end dealer to big audio chains, even though they may have limited inventory on display. 2. Attitude : (A )I would never tolerate the snobby attitude of the owner/salesman who would implicitly or explicitly put down other brandnames carried by their competition. (B ) I would prefer fact finding question type to know my need(s) than sale pitch. (C) I would not tolerate to be closed on the deal with high pressure tactics. (D) I would not need to be voluntarily disclosed the price of the products unless being asked. When I am ready to make a deal then it is a proper time for me to ask for the pricing disclose 3. Most audiophile guy knows what they are looking for in term of sound preference and quality of the products so save me the mumbo/jumbo specification disclose, I am into the sound quality not the data literature print-out. 4. I prefer to be alone in the demo room with the door closed since I always bring my own CDs and if the products do not sound any better than my current system, then why spinning my own wheels and wasting my time and the owner/salesman time. I do not like to be interrupt while I critically have my audition. 5. Service after the sale is crucial. Do I have to call the manufactures for servicing or would the owner/salesman will happily take care of my issues? Just to name a few of the factors that would make or break a deal and again, it is my own experience and my requirement before I spend my hard earning disposable income.

A sincere effort to understand your system and what you seek to improve.Best case scenario-a home visit to hear your system and make comments and suggestions within your monetary parameters.Full focus and attention to you as a client and your needs.How many times have you been in front of someone at any retail biz and were asked to wait while they took an "important" phone call.That is a big red flag to me.Speak in specifics not superlatives and let me think you know what you are talking about.Don't schmooze me with "i just want you to be happy" when you hear that you know you are in trouble! After sales issues-please treat me with the same respect i got at the time of purchase and return my calls.I am still waiting for one dealer to call me back about a problem for over a year.He lost my biz and my confidence in him as a retailer.Another retailer could just not get it together to give me an itemized receipt for insurance purposes,after asking 4 times i gave up.He made me,the customer feel like i was bothering him.He lost my biz and any respect.These dealers have driven me to the used and manufacturers direct market.Last thing-never whine about how little money you are making on any particular piece of equipment,this always seems to happen and i am not sure what can be gained by this?You know,i think i feel a little better now.

I like the brick and mortar store. I have been buying these black boxes for 50 years or so, and have often wondered why the store completes their sale and never gets back with suggestions of a new upgrade, component, or accessory that would improve the customer's system. I have always found that I get generic clearance bulletins, etc after the sale, but no continued personal interest in my evolving system. It would be so easy to keep the buyers system on file and when an appropriate upgrade is available for the store to let the customer know. It would improve sales and customer relationships