Anyone else experiencing the rude highend retailer


I was recently following a thread because I was interested in buying a CD Player and contacted the retailer.
WOW! I thought I was the customer?
Everything I said was wrong and everything he said had to be gospel.Come to find out he was wrong and did not have complete knowledge of the product.
I then figured I'd go to a local shop and see what if any
new product lines they have.As soon as I told the gentlemen what I was looking for it was "why would you want to check out a cd player made in Italy".He continued to bash everything made outside the US(He is a Krell dealer).I am as Patriotic as they come(my dad was a lifer/Army Ranger's)But come on don't tell me everything else sounds like !@#$.Needless to say I won't be going back there.
I then took the plunge.I went to BEST BUY to look at an HD
Plasma(mine is an older ED)I could't even get any help there.
I know it's the XMAS season,however,I was literally the only customer there in both occassions.
Now,I go back to looking for a pre-owned unit and contact a few Audiogon members.I now get the the type of service I would have hoped for.I get to talk to someone on the phone who is not talking at me,but with me,I get info from folks whose product knowledge far exceeds the folks at the so called "high-end" store.
What would we do if Audiogon didn't exist?
The Highend retailer rolls his eyes if you even say the word Audiogon,however,in my opinion it is they that has allowed this gentle monster to grow due to their own greed and arrogance.
I know there are some fine HighEnd shops still out there,just not enough of them.I know of at least 3 smaller
shops in my area alone who just couldn't compete with the guys with all the money.Because of course that's where the Manufacturer wants his product line(more money means they can buy more)The small shops that educates,qualifies and helps the customer in a courteous manner does not have the space or money to display or stock the required amount of gear to be a dealer.So they are left with in some cases 2nd tier lines that in this day of hype just do not sell.
What a mess this all is ACCEPT FOR AUDIOGON that is.
Essential feedback welcomed,just not from Essential.
hiernote

Showing 1 response by tplavas

I'd like to point out that, at least for Brick 'n Mortar stores that I've visited lately, there's a big difference between 'high-end' and 'audiophile'.
Many of these stores are nothing more than a place for those concerned with one-upping their family and friends to buy large, expensive-looking HT systems, without any concern for whether the gear is actually the 'best' at what it does. The price tag alone is what sells the gear. Of course, if they can claim that reviewer 'X' from some Audio/HT magazine reviewed the gear as being the best in the universe, then that just gives these clueless snobs more motivation to buy.
I have one of these 'upscale' retailers in my area, as well as one true Audiophile dealer. The upscale dealer likes to imply that you can't assemble a decent system for less than 40 grand, while the Audiophile dealer has managed on at least one occasion to assemble a two-channel rig that bettered every system I've ever heard at accurately reproducing the recorded event; at a total cost of 8 grand.

I do confess to enjoying pointing out the flaws in the 'upscale' retailer's reference system though. :)