Can't tell you what's going on over on the West Coast, but my local guys are just different. They have the coolest audio store I've ever been to. Old mill building on Boston's North Shore that houses the most incredible collection of vintage & contemporary gear I've ever seen under one roof. I head over there sometimes on Saturday when the full bar is open. Cold Peronis and bourbon sours being handed out. It's a scene for sure. The place is 3 floors of amazing audio. It's a museum, workshop, and clubhouse all in one, lol. Maybe you're just shopping at the wrong places?
Visited a Store and was shunned
I live in an area where brick & mortar stores are not easily assessable to demo equipment. While traveling for business, I decided to stop by an establishment on the U.S. West coast. My interest was in the Dynaudio Confidence 20 since I’m looking to upgrade from the Contour 20i. I’m not here to name names or throw anyone under the bus, just purely to voice my frustration and disbelief on how I was treated.
I was greeted with skepticism and a general lack of interest in discussing the product. There were two gentlemen working that day and neither had any interest in answering questions or providing a listening demo. As a matter of fact, when I asked to listen to the Confidence 20 speakers one of them immediately said “no way”. Both speakers were on stands sitting next to several amplifiers so it wouldn’t have taken much time to setup.
I was intent on making a purchase that day and having the speakers shipped to my residence, but decided to leave the store based on my experience.
It’s a shame that most of us have to relay on equipment reviews when establishments such as this lack interest in the customers that support the hobby.
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When I worked in the ID industry decades ago (for over a decade) I used to order/pay/pickup corporate gifts @ Tiffany and Company (I was a purchasing agent/bookkeeper/personal assistant to the owners/AllJob guy working under a President and CEO that I could not stand - loved the owner's though). Anyway, years later when I took my then fiancee there to purchase an inexpensive Elsa Peretti silver bean "engagement" ring one of the sales people said something like "what a catch" to my wife - implying that I was filthy rich. Back in the day I usually picked up the corporate items on Saturday (on my own time) as I was swamped with work during the week. I was physically active back then spending many Saturdays hiking at Runyon Canyon, Bronson Park or Mt. Wilson, if staying local, and I usually showed up in ratty hiking clothes. The sales person assumed that I was not just rich - but filthy rich due to crappy clothing I wore. Well, her observation was incorrect though I did continue to be a repeat customer for many years afterwards - though @ a reduced monetary rate. Not certain where this is going but when I worked with public sales (specialty food/wine/spirits) in the 1990's (first time I ever did such a thing) I assisted every customer as best I could as that was what I was being paid to do. Otherwise I could have just stood around with my fingers up my butt prejudging people while collecting the same salary. I liked my way better and had a lot of great repeat customers. PS: I'm responsible for Darin McGavin (one of my favorite customers) being a guest star on The X Files as I asked him why the hell he had he not been on the show considering that it was based upon his The Night Stalker series. He agreed with my sentiment and said that he would call his agent as soon as he got back home and ask him why the hell he had not come up with the idea. PS: I do not really own a Bentley (sorry Frank009 - I fibbed), but I now know how to open the hood on one.
DeKay
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@larsman I know that place. I went through that when shopping for floorstanders. They set up Dali, Dynaudio and a third pair I can't remember. I bought the Dynaudio's. Great gear, I would have bought more, lesser priced stuff there, but meeting those conditions for smaller change is definitely discouraging. They're never busy, so... Whatever. I'm sure they get a lot of phone-ins from people with more money than God. But still. Also, I haven't read any mention of walk-ins who audition, only to leave and purchase their choice online. It's common, and understandabley very discouraging for salesmen. |
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