As far as the shop owner driving an 'expensive' car, you really don't know what he actually paid for the car. I get the same kind of reaction from people all the time, especially at work. When people see my driving my Cadillac they automatically assume I'm making too much money. It also sets the impression in their mind that I charge too much.
the fact of the matter is I use the 3/30 rule when I buy a car. It has to be three years old and have 30,000 miles on it. I turn it usually pick them up for much less than half the sticker price. In my Cadi's case it stickered at $49k, I paid $21k for it. My wifes S type Jag was the same way. It stickered at $58k and we paid $20k for it. Both fell into the 3/30 rule.
When I let owners know that I probably paid less for my car than they did theirs (and why), they now look at me in a different light.
On the other hand, St Louis' premiere audio salon is Music For Pleasure. They carry Krell, Dynaudio and tons of other high priced gear. The owner collects cool cars. The key here is that the store is his hobby. He made all of his money manufacturing and selling refrigeration valves. His company is Sporlan Valve Co.. He has way more than 50% of the domestic refrigeration valve market. Chances are if you were to check the refrigeration specialties (valves, dryers, moisture indicators) on your condensing unit at your house or office, they'd be the Sporlan brand. Needless to say, he is a gozillionaire which has absolutely nothing to do with any money he may or may not make at his audio store. His primary business bought all of his toys which includes the store. I say, more power to him. If I had that kind of money, I wouldn't stop with just a car (or a few cars) and a store.
The retail business literally sucks. Whomever mentioned that all of their money was made on HT installs was right. The margins (regardless how large they are) barely cover the cost of stocking the gear and overhead.
I'd bet if you walked in that store you'd find a fellow enthusiast. Chances are he's middle aged and is trying to fulfill a dream he had as a teenager back in teh 60's or 70's of owning a cool car and a high end stereo store. Since retail sucks so bad, especially on walk ins, I'd bet once you get to know him he'd cut you as good of deal (maybe better) than you could find on the internet. Who knows, he may turn out to be an audio savant and could pass on tons of wisdom too.
As Kevin said, 'it's far easier to judge somebody when you don't know them'.
Take a chance....go pay him a visit.
