Trouble Auditioning Hi-fi Components?

Play their game; make an appointment under the ruse of auditioning a theater rig. Use a pseudoname if necessary. Once you're there, humor them a bit in the theater room, then moving on to what you really wanted a bit later.
Even if you don't buy from them, I wouldn't feel a bit guilty for using their shop & buying here or wherever. Serves them right for the way you're being treated.

In Kansas City area, there are only three high-end places worth considering. And two of them are an absolute joke when it comes to customer service and wouldn't give 'em another dime. The third one is quite good with customer service and wouldn't hesitate to give him top dollar for a product because he takes his store very seriously.

But that's what audiogon is for. By it used at a good price and demo it in your home. If you're not happy with it, you should be able to sell it for about what you paid for.

Save your extra money for when you purchase from somebody who really cares or at least pretends to care.

If you need to spend bucks for the road to audition, the best probably idea is to
a) either buy products from dealers that guarantee a return within 'n' days minimum 15
b) or ask for advices here and buy used products online and re-sell whatever you feel doesn't match.

I hate those Voodoo salons--truly. I suggest you develop good relations with four or five of us and exchange ideas. Also work on finding good dealers you can trust over the phone. Bill Parish of GTT Audio and Steve Monte of Quest for Sound are two who I trust. People like them will help you from a distance.

We're down to only one real mid-high shop here in MouseLand and it is increasingly preoccupied with HT installations. I carefully cultivated a personal friendship with one of the senior salespersons and it has made all the difference. Sharing the occasional pitcher of beer with this guy has been illuminative. When they can sell a $100K custom installation on the basis of a one-hour appointment, during which the most important topic is gaining the wife's approval of the grill fabric for the in-wall speakers, it isn't difficult to understand why 2-channel gets short shrift. Especially when they are plagued with braindead twits who insist on bringing three of their own interconnect sets and switching them in and out--and then announce that they found the same gear on ebay for 60% off and just wanted to hear it live before they bid on it.

Between the arrogance and highhandedness of retail owners and salespersons and the whining, bitching, niggling, and freeloading of "audiophile" customers, it is no wonder that mail order and internet shopping are rapidly becoming our only alternatives.

Will