Why are brick and mortar HiFi dealers so bad?


I have rarely found a reasonably decent HiFi dealer and I live in the New York metro area where there are probably more per capita than anywhere else.  I've been to a lot of shops and I'm tired of the smug attitudes, the lousy customer service, weird return policies, etc.  Friends state that the owners are jaded because people come in and listen to a bunch of gear and then go buy it elsewhere or pre-owned on web sites like Audiogon.  If that is the case, figure out a better sales strategy or shutter your store.  I've moved onto Music Direct and Audio Advisor and Upscale Audio.  Buy it and try it on your own system in your own listening room with a money-back guarantee.  If you know a decent HiFi retailer, please pass it along.
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Here in Asheville NC I'm basically limited to:
-Best Buy, with it's always changing floor personnel.  You generally know more than the sales person, so it's 'get in/get out'.
-Guitar Center, good for the odd hardware-ish stuff.  If you're not buying an 'axe' or drum kit, you're left alone.
-Moog; the museum is fun, but...*shrug*

ATL is the closest 'serious' venue for Anything.
Just because AG is in Greenville doesn't mean squat.  AG itself is an 'on-line entity' without a storefront....

Other than the venues listed above by their supporters, the storefront 'boutique audio shop' is a rare breed.  Treat them well, give them your support and business when you can.

I've visited various vendors in the Triangle area, Charlotte, and others in my travels with a 500 mi. radius of 'home'.  Most are HT shops; when I walk in I get 'short-shrift', since I'm driving my company Dodge dually (a 'working truck', not a 'Cowboy Cadillac' that will Never see dirt).

Most of what I see within their walls is Familiar...
I haven't seen anything I would call 'exotic' since I  lived in the Houston metro area some 15 years ago....

That was the last time I saw some Krell gear.

It's become an 'on-line world'.  Resign self to 'shipping costs' to/from your door, or lavish your IRL time to your 'local' shop...

...or they will follow the dodo into extinction.

(Hi dwmaggie...;) ^5's *G*)
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@asvjerry if you ever find yourself in Nashville, TN I'd love to have you visit. I spent some time in an Asheville after a motorcycle crash in the mountains; lovely city from what I saw in the helicopter. ;P

- Colin

https://gestalt.audio

@gestalt some wicked good riding and driving roads near Asheville as you no doubt knows.... the devils corkscrew comes to mind
@fatdaddy2 I second your high opinion of Jay but I had heard he hung up the spurs and retired ????