Needing to replace thirty year old speakers.

How does everyone feel about auditioning speakers at shops with the eventual sale occurring online/elsewhere for used equipment? I haven’t auditioned speakers in forever because I feel like I’m not being fair to the storeowner - using them and their time with no gain for them... thoughts? I really would love to start auditioning speakers but I’m a firm believer in buying used and having my budget go much further. 

Further to my post directly above, my thought is to approach some local retailers to see if they'd offer an hourly rate to audition speakers as I'm not really in the market to buy so at least they're covered for their time. I suppose I may fall so deeply in love with something that I could become a customer but I'd probably be more inclined to see if I could find it used if possible. 

I audition and buy from a local dealer. I agree, if you are going to buy on line then it is not courteous to do the decision making at a dealer. A good dealer brings enormous value to the relationship. Making the right decision is key if you are like me. I typically keep speakers fifteen years. My dealer is a great source of information, and guidance. He comes over and sets up the speakers. I’ll buy lots of stuff on line. But not high end audio gear... my office system Schist, sure, but not my main system. 

Don't overlook a conversation that can be had with a dealer.

Introduce yourself if not already occurred, explaining the interest in a certain Speaker Design or Brands Speaker. Also make it known your purchase won't be immediate, that the purchase is to be postponed for ? Months. Let the Vendor know if a demo' model was released for sale at a reduced cost, you would like to be informed of the sale price.

With a Speaker, there will is the possibility there will be a few 100hrs usage on it. Not a bad thing, and the Speaker Model that actually Won Over your full interest, could become yours. Additionally, this is building a relationship with a Professional Sales Representative, hopefully one who knows quite a bit about Audio and not where the best Mark Up's are to be had only. 

The Vendor needs a customer in the flanks, that is a sure thing, so no harm in asking.

I am myself prone to the odd occasion where I am to request a first refusal on certain items that are used as demo' models. In the past, a TT was purchased using this discussion and 6 Months later I was to become the TT's owner.

Much more recently following a similar discussion, after a 8 Month wait, I have just purchased speakers. This has been enabled following an earlier in the year discussion that contained info very very similar to this suggested method. The New Speakers were picked up by myself and brought home a few days ago.

Haven't heard from OP in nearly 2 months. Holidays probably got his $$ b4 hifi could :-{