i wish i was more knowlegeable about business models but i'm not. but the ONE thing i believe is that you need to find out what kind of loudspeakers the customer wants (size, style, how much air they want to "push", and how much refinement they are looking for). do they want polks or magico's? or?? ONCE you can get them to commit to a certain specific catagory and/or model, then you can determine what sources and amplification, etc. they'll need. you also might want to make a trip to their home and look at the room(s) they want to listen in. it would be nice to show up in a van, take out a pair of monitors, a really good (but small) amp, and a cdp- something that won't take up much room and you can set up in 30 minutes. play music THEY like, but bring along a couple of very well recorded cd's as well.
if you can leave them with the impression of how much more music they'll hear with gear that's very carefully designed to turn dry two-dimensional sound into music that "breathes" and has some real "life" to it, then they will be able to
decide if they want to spend the money or not. naturally THEN you will hopefully be adept enough to accomidate them if they can only invest a small amount of money at a time.
as for a store full of expensive gear sitting there waiting
for someone to like it enough (or try to get it used here on audiogon) i honestly don't have a clue other than of course to provide alot of personal service, a one year upgrade policy, etc. and of course try to sell their old stuff for them as well. i would also try to save customers as much money as possible on WIRE. not to besmerch anybody (i own transparent!) but unless THEY want/demand premium wires, i believe there are alot of excellent cables without big price tags. i also wish dealers could find good local Carpenters that could build equipment racks and audio furniture- AND help with the local economy.
if you can leave them with the impression of how much more music they'll hear with gear that's very carefully designed to turn dry two-dimensional sound into music that "breathes" and has some real "life" to it, then they will be able to
decide if they want to spend the money or not. naturally THEN you will hopefully be adept enough to accomidate them if they can only invest a small amount of money at a time.
as for a store full of expensive gear sitting there waiting
for someone to like it enough (or try to get it used here on audiogon) i honestly don't have a clue other than of course to provide alot of personal service, a one year upgrade policy, etc. and of course try to sell their old stuff for them as well. i would also try to save customers as much money as possible on WIRE. not to besmerch anybody (i own transparent!) but unless THEY want/demand premium wires, i believe there are alot of excellent cables without big price tags. i also wish dealers could find good local Carpenters that could build equipment racks and audio furniture- AND help with the local economy.