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Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home

So, I had a great experience listening to some Devore 0/96 speakers yesterday. The challenge for me is that the room I heard them in is wildly different than any other room I’d ever listen in. (I’ll share a photo, below.) I really have no idea if spending $13k plus on these speakers would work out. I’d need to try them at home.

For all I know, these dealers might be ok with me trying some speakers at home. I don’t know and am not yet ready to ask.

But I’m curious whether folks here have any stories to tell about the reactions they’ve gotten when they’ve asked to try speakers at their home. If you have a story, especially if it’s a more expensive speaker, I’d love to hear your story. How did you convince them? If they turned you down, what was the reason? Did you agree?

 

hilde45
larryi
4,591 posts
 

You will have better luck if you are a regular, and reliable customer (one that does not abuse privileges).  The problem with in-home demonstrations of speakers is that it is so easy to damage the finish of speakers in transit and it setting up at home.  The dealer can easily get into a conflict over whether some scratch or chip was was done by the customer or already in the dealer's model.  

rsf507
2,578 posts
 

May also have to do with size (yes size matters) of speakers. Are they bookshelf or large heavy speakers like the larger Wilson's or even things like the Acora speakers that weigh close to 300 pounds! Is the dealer supposed to deliver and setup?

musicaddict
382 posts
 

Twenty odd years back the good Colorado Springs and Denver audio retailers would let you do weekend demos, if you were known and or used CC as security. I listened to a lot of preamps and power amps over the years.

I never did ask to take home speakers. Floorstanders would be a chore but I'd have done it. Fortunately the ones I chose did work fine in my home (and lasted 16 years...).

I would think in the changing times that borrowing equipment is more rare now than before, but the best high end dealers probably should get it.  I'm curious to hear the recent experiences of others.  thx.

metaldetektor
162 posts
 

Think you know what you need to do. Before asking, might be worth buying something from the dealer that you were going to buy anyway, to establish the relationship (not necessarily a big ticket item). Dealers I've previously bought from are happy to let me borrow gear, no deposit needed, because they trust me and know I'm serious. That said, speakers, especially in-demand Devore speakers, are a big ask (especially with that delicate finish).

bipod72
179 posts
 

Audio Advice and Crutchfield have great return policies if you're looking to try out what brands they rep. and return in the window of their respective return policies. A local shop may have extra demo models to loan but you'll be limited to what they have and not necessarily what you want to borrow.  Never hurts to ask. 

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