Local dealer cuts store in half says audio is dead

tvad,

Quibble:
Dealers are all or mostly introverts...
Proof, or supporting information, none.

Dealers, because they are introverts, are intractable...
Proof, none, and no supporting thoughts.

Both of these statements one supposedly supporting the other, are without any foundation. Making one proclaimation, without any supporting information, then declaring that this makes them the other, rings of silliness.

Are a great deal of dealers who are introverts, POSSIBLY. Does being an introvert, necessarily make anyone intractable? Where'd that come from?

The dealer in question, if this post was correct, didn't do anyone any favors in not being willing to proplerly demo his wares.
Also, I disagree with bar81, stating something to the effect, that "I don't know any dealer who allows in home demos of loudspeakers."
That is not accurate, and moreover, I made a living doing exactly that, for more than a dozen years. Not only could customers demo in home...I delivered the speakers!

Finally, Tvad, by your measure of introverts, you'd make the blanket statement, if I read this correctly the A'goners on this site are overwhelmingly introverts. That is one of the most misunderstood personality traits.
In the MB Personality Sorter, they claim that a woman was trying to 'fix up' her daughter with a potential gentleman caller. She stated, "She's an introvert, BUT a really nice girl," as if introversion implied some larger darker thing.
In general terms it only means that introverts, "Internalize, rather than externalize thoughts." Vague and arguable, to some who haven't read it in context, but accurate within context.
Intractable? Don't think so, at least not by necessity.

Larry, I already wrote that I regret opening the introvert/extrovert sub-topic.

Debating you might be fun, but I'm not interested to do so.

Let it go.

My impression is that the time of great boutique high end audio dealers in most cities has passed. The boutique type model has disappeared in may parts of the country. Stores close, focus frequently moved to home theater, service levels (home auditioning, hours, lines offered) dimininished. I always supported one store, because of their service - this included a great staff of experts, a welcoming approach, and a fantastic audition policy. I paid a premium to buy there, although I could have bargained. They eventually went HT, sold to a midfi chain, dropped some of their premier brands as well as vinyl.

I didn't buy another high end component for five years after they changed. The reason is that the boutique model, with expertise, great lines, and great audition policies, is what I need to buy high end.

The dealers and the manufacturers have a symbiotic relationship, or they did till HT came along.

Now, if I'm looking to upgrade an amp or speakers, chances are I'll be flying to one of the few great boutique dealers, unless the small local place happens to have exactly what I want. Which would be great, but may not happen.

...please...dont upset TVAD. For some reason (possibly his poiniant character)...I likes him :)~

Is audio actually dead or is the old marketing model just dead?
Opinions?