Store auditioning and then buying on-line from others. How do you feel about it ?

Conrad Johnson Classic preamp...lengthy audition, generous trade in, great price

NAD M51 DAC,  lengthy audition,  best price of anyone , the unit locked up three weeks later and they had a new one two days later.

Klipsch Heresy III ,  lengthy audition , best price , no shipping, no tax....had them in less than a week.

These are just a few examples but all were purchased locally with top notch service and support.....

Boston and surrounding suburbs had many, many hi fi dealers .  I have been into this for 35 + years and remember you couldn't even turn the corner without hitting one.   Today there are only a handful.

AV Therapy is one of the good ones,  as was Spearit but sadly they are gone , there are a few not so good ones too.  

"....once upon a time..." *sigh*...

Brick&mortar shops have become 'hot-house flora' that require tending to flourish and thrive, so the answer is obvious, no? ;)

If you treat them seriously, they ought to respond.  If they don't or they haven't, they're getting 'fertilized' in some unobvious fashion and feel free to appreciate the blossoms....

(It also helps to be in or near a major population center....one of the top 10 or so really ups ones' odds....For moi', a daytrip minimum. overnight 'speed tour' more likely...)

...but if they regard you as *sniff* somewhat, shall we say...'unwashed'

 Verify one's attitude/approach/yo' 'vibe....;)  One reaps what one sows

I've always been a 2 visit minimum to anywhere...one to scout 'nicely', the 2nd goes serious...But:  If Something persists...I don't.

...and the Web....*G*  Same thing, different 'format'. very different Day.

What isn't growing or just adapting just doesn't....grow very well anymore..

And I will stop preaching to the choir...eventually...well, maybe....

Nah *L* ;)  Happy hunting, Xmas, NuYr...all that...

I remember going to Audio Classics when I was like 17. At the time I was into cd’s mostly and had started buying records because they were cheaper than CD’s. I wasn't ready to purchase, but I had a budding interest in improving my Denon and Design Acoustics Technics direct drive system. They were very unfriendly and it left enough of a mark that I have never gone into a brick and mortar store since. I buy used gear happily. I am even tentative to this day to go back. 20+ years later. It was pretty horrible. I know it is a respected shop, and I am missing out, but it’s just the way things unfolded.

Interesting how some people try to justify actions that aren't justifiable - if you use a dealer to audition, you don't get to then decide unilaterally that the dealer is making "too much" money and thus you are justified in theft of his time. 

A good dealer is invaluable and a bad one doesn't get a follow up visit.  Good dealers are useful to help you understand what you're looking for and what to consider.  I'll always take on a good dealer's comments but will do my own research (in the end, I don't always agree with them).  When I'm confident that something is worth auditioning, that's when it's time to use the dealer's time for an audition.

Where I am, there aren't many dealers and they are pushy (you *must* buy immediately) and they don't take trade ins.  So I don't buy locally even if they have an item I'm interested in and instead use vacations to visit dealers that are good dealers and with whom I can build a relationship (and who accept trade ins).  I'm also not always buying, so if I'm dropping by to say hello and just generally check things out, I'm clear up front that I'm not there to buy anything to make sure I don't waste their time if they have a buyer coming in for a serious audition.  I'm probably particularly sensitive to this given that I'm in a service industry myself.