Retail store question

sts9fan · « **on:** 15 May 2006, 12:49 pm »

So the other thread about stores made me think of this question but I did want to hijack the thread.
So here is my question/situation:

I am 28 and pretty new to this hobby but I am sure I have not yet reached my spending potential. I have spent some money on an amp I like very much and speakers I am also happy with. I want to investigate tube gear mainly to see what it’s all about. I currently am not using a pre-amp so I would say I am in the market but I am not going to pull the trigger too soon (maybe month or two).
Am I welcome at a high end retailer? I live near a few stores here in MA one being Goodwin's Highend in Waltham which my friend lives literally one street down and myself about ten minutes away. I would love to hear some of the speakers they are always advertising in TAB and Stereophile.
So basically I am being pushed to online retailers buy the belief that I would be wasting these peoples time. Am I crazy???

BradJudy · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 May 2006, 12:58 pm »

IMO, anyone who is considering purchasing an item, even if not immediately, should be welcomed in a store. Heck, I think anyone who's just interested in the product should be welcome. The only time I think you'd be wasting someone's time is if you are going to purchase from another location, like online, but just want to hear them first. Even then, if you're open to buying from the store if you receive great service, I still think you should go.

If you're already set in a decision to buy online, then find an online place with a good return policy and bite the bullet. Otherwise, visit the stores and see what they have to offer in product and service.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 May 2006, 01:22 pm »

I would say that you certainly should be welcome in such a store - you are honestly considering a purchase, and have some sense of the direction that you want to take.

I would share that information honestly with the staff, and guage the reaction. If you get the feeling that they are too quick to jump to sell you some kit, you are in the wrong store. If, on the other hand, you get the sense that they take the time to explore your thoughts, and offer some ideas, and allow you to play around with some potential gear, then that is where my money is closer to being spent.

In the end, you will decide if you want to spend there, but I would suggest that you clearly are a potential customer for them, and at your age, they should be very interested in closely partnering with you... for your eventual upgrades etc.

Perhaps it is just my own years of sales speaking...

sts9fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 May 2006, 02:17 pm »

thats what I am hoping they will think but I am worried they will be dismissive if they do not think I can afford Wilson speakers etc. I guess I should just go and find out if they are people I want to do business with and not let it be the other way around.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 May 2006, 02:30 pm »

Quote from: sts9fan

Am I welcome at a high end retailer? ...

I would assume so...

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 May 2006, 03:06 pm »

I can not see why any retail store would want to push away a potential customer. Even if you don't buy at the time of the visit, it would simply be wrong for any dealer to make assumptions based on your age and/or experience with various audio gear.

Just do yourself one favor. Make the decissions yourself and don't let a salesman tell youwhat you "need" to have. You can always listen to his suggestions and or recommendations but it is you that makes the final purchasing decission.

If he doesn't want to give you the time of day, it's not a place to be spending your money anyway. (this is for dealers in general, not the particualr dealer you mentioned).

mcgsxr · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 May 2006, 03:10 pm »

Quote

If he doesn't want to give you the time of day, it's not a place to be spending your money anyway. (this is for dealers in general, not the particualr dealer you mentioned).

This is for ANY establishment in general, FAR beyond just audio!

Any good salesperson knows that they have to put the time in with a prospect, to eventually convert them to a client, that is just the nature of the game of sales (in the B2B corporate world where I have always operated in any case).

Remember, as a consumer, you should judge a salesperson more by the questions that they ask you, than the answers that they give you... sure you want to see product knowledge on their part, but the more they try to honestly understand where you are coming from, the more likely you are dealing with a competent, consultative salesperson, interested in seeing your goals being met, NOT their monthly targets.

Sure, they likely have to sell to survive, but the approach is everything...

good luck!

JLM · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 May 2006, 06:52 pm »

If you show up in the middle of a weekday you'll probably provide some much needed company if it's anything like the places we have out here in the hinderland.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 May 2006, 07:57 pm »

Quote

If you show up in the middle of a weekday you'll probably provide some much needed company if it's anything like the places we have out here in the hinderland.

You hit that nail right on the head. I spend most of my time sniffing solder fumes at the work bench. The company is very much enjoyed!

JLM · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 May 2006, 10:45 pm »

sts9fan,

Thanks so much for your consideration of not hijacking my retail thread. Certainly a degree of diversion is to be expected, but when the pack is hot on a trail I'm into it's fustrating to have it get derailed.