Disappointments

Had a 1961 VW Beetle, they had a space behind the back seat.

When we were small, my sister and I would fight over getting into that space.

YES on the Q.

Yes. From drawing a conclusion about the sound too soon before the component was broken in. Typically I knew better... but just could not help it on a couple of components. 

A couple times very early on, when I suddenly really understood the sound and learned what a  new negative attribute was... one was what grain sounded like in a preamp... wow, when I heard it I could not unhear it. Then a warm sounding preamp (Amber ~ late 1970’s) warm, but without detail. 

@wsrrsw 

We 3 Sons fought to get the 3rd seat in my Mother’s Mercury Station Wagon

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/we-call-the-back-back/

I don’t even remember, it must have had a radio, I was usually in the back!

Maybe she kept it off or low so she could hear if one of us fell out. No seat belts back then.

Yes. 

Definitely. It was a big lesson.

I have never again bought gear based solely upon a showroom demo and don’t expect I ever will.