Charging A Fee To Demo An Amplifier In A Brick & Mortar Store

OK, katzenjammers, I apologize upfront if this gets pedantic, but I’m thinking from experience here and it’s kinda up my alley. Back in the golden years (1970-1990) I benefitted from all the yuppies-coming-of-age (I was one) and the simultaneous rise of audio/video toys in everyday life. It was fine! I actually made a decent living selling expensive stereo in a nice store to nice people. Think of it! In all that time, I NEVER asked for a demo fee. I can see scheduling appointments to audition a system, but what the hell am I there for?

I was general store manager in 4 major stores spanning both coasts and fly-over country. OMG! I worked the floor at Harvey’s in midtown Manhattan. 5th Ave. Hundreds of what salespeople call “strokers” AND buyers flooded in at lunchtime. Heaven on retail earth! But I would never ask for a demo fee. New Yorkers can get emotional.

I remember helping Stevie Wonder one day in LA. I think he had come in to see the owner about his Christmas presents. Remember the Sony D-20 disc-man? They were out for the holidays and he bought about 300 to give to his close friends. I talked him through the Tandberg stack (he had an older one in his bed) and he listened to some Stax. Previously, one of our guys had built him a fourposter bed with 4 KEF 105 mid/tweeter posts and a big sub under the bed. Can’t imagine why. Every one of those freaking Sony’s came back defective! First run! And it had to be practically a no-profit deal to begin with. I digress. But I didn’t ask Stevie for a demo fee.

Let me repeat myself: Brick and Mortar Retail Audio is DEAD! Deceased! A Goner! Look at that sellers AG page. He has huge sums tied up in incredibly slow moving gear AND a showroom in West Covina! West Covina is LA expensive but a Lifetime Away from the big money in LA. This guy is under tremendous pressure even in normal times and now all this? But I wonder:

1. Great demo music should be on ALWAYS in that store.
2. All that gear should be left on all the time anyway. Is it so hard to turn up a volume knob?
3. If I buy it online, without a demo, do I get another $500 off?
4. In another post somewhere I described the malaise that infects most retail salespersons who are caught in a downward spiral—of the economy, the dealer, their own income. When they begin to crack under the pressure, they can come to work with a negative mindset that just becomes further aggravated by strokers. It really is “retail burnout.” Friend of revolving doors everywhere. Ask anyone with more than 10 years selling anything retail.
5. Eventually, surviving retailers will realize that commissioned salespeople are not happy EVER! The owner figures that’s motivation—and it is when there’s traffic in the store. But when times are lean, like now, it’s too important to keep good sales staff happy. Pay them! They’re guarding your big investment! And SAD BAD!
6. Train, train, train. Not at 8AM Saturday! Train at night, after closing, with plenty of beverages! Air it out!

If I had the ability to buy those amps, I’d sure rather be dealing with a professional—given the choice. In fact, I would fly to Covina, listen to the amps, and bring them back with me. Crap! Those used amps are worth as much as the house I bought in the 70s with all that loot I got off nascent boomers.

Never heard of charging for in store demos. While I see the rationale for the charge, kind of defeats it's purpose by decreasing potential customer base. Also, forget the in store demo, doesn't tell you how its going to sound in your room. Seems more reasonable to charge for an in home demo, the store doesn't have to spend time to set up and you can lug the amps out of the store. All they have to do is collect the money, seems like a win win deal to me.

I do business with a class-act dealer in La Verne, about a 15 minute drive from the dealer in question in this thread.  Honestly, I didn't realize this guys business even existed.  Just for the heck of it I'll have to stop by his store and get a feel for the mentality and how he treats potential customers.  I'm not a "stroker", I do buy product and I am a loyal customer to those retailers who treat me well.  No matter the category, weather it be hi-fi or another such as the fishing gear or ski gear that I buy, I remain loyal to a quality, class-act retailer.  I see that the dealer is reading and watching this thread, as noted in his comments above.  My suggestion to him is that he probably should pay attention to the amount of comments in this thread that understand his requirement verses those that hold a rather negative disposition about his requirement.  To me, it seems, the negative dispositions far outweigh the understanding ones.  He may want to make some adjustments to his business policies.
Coincidentally, I am in the market for a new set of speakers.  Nothing terribly expensive but still, a good sale, in the $10K to $15K range.  My timeline is now, not months from now, but now.  I will be very interested to see how he does in convincing me that his product selection is right for me and that his business practices and ethics are also right for me.

This guy is the worst, a disgrace to the local audio community. I walked in several years with a sack of cash intending to buy, and was immediately turned off by his attitude and approach to customer service. Take your business elsewhere! For those of you in SoCal looking to visit a brick and mortar and receive the type of service that spending this type of money deserves, message me and I am happy to provide some excellent suggestions. 

Simple answer no.  A tire kicker today can be a customer tomorrow if you treat them well.