sridhar@uunet.UU.NET (02/06/91)
In article <9323@uwm.edu>, ST801804@brownvm.brown.edu writes: > > I am not sure if comments about dealers of high-end audio fall within > this category. However, I am a Providence person interested in audio, > and I am outraged with the service of my dealer. I am not sure if I > should mention anynames, but if anyone wants to know I'd love to tell > everyone not to see him at all. > > My question though is, what to do when a dealer treats you like crap? My > first idea is to write letters to all equipment manufacturers who allow > him to sell the equipment. Is that reasonable? > > Thanks, > Steve In my view, the biggest problem in high end audio is the lack of good dealers. 99% of the dealers I have encountered are incompetent, ignorant, and arrogant. They always trash brands they do not carry, and gloat about the ones they do carry. I have rarely seen a sound room in a store that is set up correctly. It is either loaded with speakers and components, or -- this is the other extreme -- has just one mega-buck system in a huge room which is damped like a studio. Auditioning equipment in a store is a complete waste of time. You have no idea how it will sound like in your house. The other big problem with dealers has to do with service, once they have convinced (suckered?) you into buying something they carry. They never help you set up the component in your house (absolutely crucial with speakers or turntables -- a well set up $500 speaker or turntable will sound better than a poorly set up $5000 equivalent). The most important service that high end magazines can provide its readers is to have a list of recommended dealers. Such a list is far more useful than a list of recommended components or a list of recommended recordings. Most of my friends are turned off from high end audio because of the sheer hassle of buying something, and by the incredible degree of hype from dealers. - Sridhar