Today's New York Times

"My local tire shop does a better job of reaching out to potential clients.”

Yeah... mine too Wolf. The vast number of neglected opportunities is mind boggling. One small part of a very large image problem is that dealers don't really want to be bothered with the curious. When visiting an upscale salon for the first time, it’s just natural for a newbie to be somewhat awestruck, and want to touch and hear everything... especially the big system in its own room that he can’t afford. A good salesperson needs to be patient and understanding. This isn’t to say that he has to be infinitely accommodating, but some finesse is important. I can’t tell you how many guys that I’ve advised to go to a high end salon instead of a “Best Buy” type place, who came back to me saying they walked out feeling like assholes. These were guys who were willing to spend enough money to be treated respectfully.

Example: Goodwin's High End has some nice salespeople as part of their "credo", and when I asked one of these guys how to find out about upcoming manufacturer's product rollout gatherings (you might notice these on their website), he said "well, we don't have a mailing list or email list"...it's 2013! Goodwin's is a shrine to high end and known far and wide for having the latest and greatest stuff, and even audiophiles are left out, making even less sense...very weird. Most people around here who aren't audio geeks (meaning 99% or more of everybody) don't know Goodwin's exists. I imagine their Magico and Boulder customers might get a call from a sales dude if something interesting shows up, but overall it's just lame.

Wolf_garcia - Goodwin's deals with a select group of clients. If they send out emails to everyone who signed up those Magico and Boulder demos would be overrun with people, most of them not interesting in actually buying. If you do business with them, you will get to come to those events. Their lack of emails seems to say they are happy with their current level of communications. I buy occasionally from them at their low end, but realize I am not their prime target. So, I understand them not reaching out to me for demos of products I am not going to buy. As with a lot of high end dealers in all sorts of fields, you need to establish yourself with them before they invite you in. I will say they have been more than gracious with demos and loaner gear when I have been interested in their products.

I do business with Audio Video Therapy (former Ensemble folk) in Nashua. They have vendor events and open houses. You can get on their list. Different level of product than Goodwin's, but it is at the level of what I buy. They even provide food and drink for their events.

I get that. That's the definition of business elitism, and I understand Goodwin's is happy with their current level of grey haired 65 year old wealthy lawyers from Wellesley (I sort of fit that demographic although I'm not a lawyer). My point is more about younger audio fans not being marketed to, and that's just lame and very shortsighted. I doubt that Goodwin's would be overrun with people if they emailed general announcements, and I can bet they will eventually be overrun with empty space if they don't.

Wolf - if you have hair you are ahead of me. Congrats.

I think Goodwin's clientele is a combination of Wellesley types, people with trust funds and people with money from around the world. They do not want to be in the entry level, lower mid range market. They are really an outlier in the audio business. And most young people cannot afford Goodwin's equipment, just like they cannot afford a Ferrari or a McClaren. But, when I first walked in off the street I got a good reception and was treated very well. But, I also think I got one of the sales guys who is most open to walk ins. If you you do not already have someone there to work with, I can provide his name.

I agree that the entry level, mid-range stores need to do more to attract customers. AV Therapy does have open houses. As far as I know Natural Sound does not. Not sure about Fidelis.

To Phaelon's point, if I have someone interested in getting past the Best Buy experience, I take them to a local dealer I know. That makes the introduction a lot easier. I show that some equipment (including the high end stuff), let them listen and engage the sales folks as my friends get more comfortable. But I am also very comfortable at these places. If you have seen the ads on TV of the guys "caught out of their comfort zone" that is what often happens when people walk into higher end shops. They often don't know what to ask. I agree that sometimes sales people are not as helpful as they can be with those people. But I have also seen them be very patient with new people. But, taking people in really helps the situation.