16.1 Should I use an up-scale retail store?
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This article is from the rec.audio.* FAQ, by with numerous contributions by Bob Neidorff others.
16.1 Should I use an up-scale retail store?
This is probably the best place to listen to gear in a
controlled environment, next to your home. This is the best
place to find expensive, high quality gear. This is the place
which is most likely to have a good policy on home trials and
a liberal return/upgrade policy. This is also likely to be
the most expensive place to shop. One exception to this is
that these stores have the ability to sell demos, returns,
and discontinued gear at very advantageous prices.
Some up-scale dealers will negotiate price on large
systems or expensive purchases. It never hurts to ask.
There are definitely better and worse local hi-fi stores. If
you find a really good one, it is probably worth the extra money
to buy from them, rather than from discounters. A really good
store will not push you to buy what they want to sell. A really
good store will allow you to take your time with your decision.
A really good store will not distort the truth in describing
equipment. A really good store will help you get the most out
of your purchase by showing you how to set it up. They will
tell you what placement works best for the speakers. (Don't
believe them if they tell you to put them anywhere.) A really
good store also selects their lines carefully. They don't want
dissatisfied customers or warranty returns any more than you do.
A really good store will also have technical equipment and/or
skilled technical people that can perform tricky adjustments
correctly, such as cartridge and tonearm alignment.
Due to the nature of the customer, a hi-fi store in a shopping
mall is likely to use high-pressure sales techniques. They know
that the majority of their customers are distracted easily by
299 other stores. Most of their sales go to customers that
come in for 3 minutes, select something, and leave. There
are exceptions to this, of course, but if there was a good
generalization, it would be to look elsewhere. There are stores
in large buildings, small buildings, private homes, shopping
plazas, and every other conceivable venue. Search from among
these to find one that meets your needs and fits your style.
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