Should It be this hard?

Jers -- Tue, 03/02/2010 - 19:00

Hello,
     I have been saving money for a new system for quite some time now. Depending on stock price I have a budget of about $12,000. I have been reading the magazines, web sites, ect . for a number of years know. I have a plan,which is to say I kind of know what I want/need. I just need to get out there and listen to some gear and make a final decision.
     I live in an area that has a few dealers, and I want to keep my money here in town. The conventional wisdom is to develope a relationship with the dealers in your area for the benefit of both parties.
     I have heard Focal speakers and liked them There is one dealer in town who handles them. Here is my problem. I spoke to the dealer on the phone about some gear, I asked if they were going to be open the following Friday(it was going to be New Years Day). "Ya we will be here come on down". So My wife and I took the 45min trip down town, When we got close I gave the shop a call to get directions. The person who answered told me that the phone calls were being forwarded becouse he was on an "emergency install" A coulple of minutes after I hung up with him he called back to tell me he remembered talking to me and to apoligize. I was cool with that I know thing happen and I thought it was nice of him to call back. A few weeks later I tried to go back on a Saturday. Their web site says they are open every Saturday. I get down to the shop and there is a sign on the door that says they are closed on Saturday and open on Sunday, the oposite as the web site. When I got home I sent an e-mail it was not angry or a rant I just told them I was disapointed. Three weeks later no response. Now although my wife likes the Focals she dosn't want me to do busisness with this store. And when spending this amount of money I want her full support.
     I am also intrestested in some Rotel gear. I stoped by the Rotel dealer and there was a sign on the door that said they were out servicing a customer. It was a Saturday but I will take the blame for that cus I didn't call First. But now they don't pick up the phone.
I didn't want to make an appointment becouse I didn't want to feel any presure to buy. I am still comparing gear and once I do decide what I want it will take a week or so for the stock sell to go through. But alas an apointment is my only corse of action.
     Thanks for reading it feels good to get it out.

naijeru -- Wed, 03/03/2010 - 12:53

When shopping for a system, a good idea is to start by shopping for a dealer first. Act like a casual shopper, do not discuss your budget at all, just get a sense of the customer service you will receive from a given store. Focus on the relationship; think about how you get along with the person, would you mind this person in your home etc. Having a great working relationship with a dealer is the best way to protect against making an expensive mistake.

Tom Martin -- Thu, 03/04/2010 - 08:41

I'd say flat out that this shouldn't happen. Of course, people make mistakes. But this is more than one mistake in a short period.

I do think it brings up a point that the industry does little to make clear: their are dealers and their are private consulting services. With dealers we should expect normal retail things -- regular store hours, good signage, convenient location, product on display, product in inventory. A private audio consulting service is more like a doctor -- you need an appointment, you may have to come back a second time, and you may not have giant neon signs outside. In audio, it can be hard to tell the difference between these two. When you can't tell, your expectations are not properly set and you are more likely to be disappointed.

CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC

naijeru -- Thu, 03/04/2010 - 11:13

I agree that it shouldn't happen, but if only life were as it should be! Instead I have found that audio dealers are usually condescending and occasionally downright hostile. Hence the advice to shop for a dealer first without even thinking about the system.

Tom Martin -- Thu, 03/04/2010 - 18:33

Good advice. Particularly since there are dedicated, knowledgable and helpful dealers.