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Digital Smear???

I recently visited my local retail dealer of 10 years, Digital Ear of Tustin California. I was there to audition digital equipment. The storeowner questioned me as to where I purchased my current equipment (Thiel 2.3’s, Pass Labs x-150, x-2, Harm Tech Pro-Silway mkII, and Pro-9 all brands they carry). I explained to him that I have purchased all of my equipment from other authorized dealers and from Audiogon. In his rage, he said “because I did not purchase any items from him, that he was not going to let me audition any equipment, without purchasing it today.” I explained to him that I have always given them my first offer before purchasing elsewhere. Today, I was told by the sales manager, that “we don’t have a home auditioning program, and a 25% restocking fee would assessed, should I chose to return any equipment.” I have listen to equipment at the digital ear for over 10 years, and of course they let me hear the $50,000.00 system first. To my discouragement, high-end audio was only a goal. Now that I’m older and wiser, I’ve been banned for life. Digital Ear has no class or customer service. I am going to file a complaint with each and every manufacturer that they carry. Dealers often complain to manufactures that they can’t be competitive in retail environment. Manufactures need retail shops to sell their equipment. The Internet has brought the audio market to a competitive environment. Where is the balance? How would you have it? Has this ever happened to you? Any suggestions from the fine folks on Audiogon would be greatly appreciated. Banned for Life Al Bundy Ladies shoe salesman
albundy
jim
418 posts
 
Second post better reflects my opinion. In retrospect, I would not -- could not -- use a nail gun and two by fours on this character. On the other hand, I would not -- could not -- blame the dealer for doing so. Who am I to judge ;-)
danvetc
527 posts
 
I am suspicious that this post is a set up. Albundy? Anyway, I think we all need to consider that local brick and mortar businesses pay taxes and employ people within their community. This counts for something! Those of you who don't have your own business may overlook this, but I urge you to consider it. If they are close in price and you enjoy their service, they should get the sale whenever possible. Wait a minute, I'm slippin' on this damn soapbox.
perfectimage
406 posts
 
I think Vantage Audio is as right as everyone else. Its not fair to take adavantage of the store but the store was also out of line.
subdoofus
63 posts
 
I know it is not becoming to go against other's in the audio industry but Digital Ear trully tested my patience. Their attitude was very uppish. I have been to tonnes of hifi audio shops including the really really fancy ones in manhattan and no where else in my life have I felt so insulted. I went along with a friend of mine who was starting to gain interest in audio. It was a sunday afternoon and we were dressed casually. i wanted to hear the 1.6QR maggies as my friend wanted to set up his first system and I thought the 1.6's was a good place to start. I was appauled by the response from the store-owners...not only did they refuse to let us hear the 1.6's thinking we couldn't afford it ...they were extremeley rude. My friend thinks this has something to do with our race as we are not caucasian white...but it was trully insulting...we were literally thrown out of the shop. I understand my audio gear is very moderate and my entire system cost less than 20k (less than an ML No: 33) but so was what they had displayed in their showroom...inexpensive parasound and adcom gear that even goodguys carry these days....and they literally threw us out of the shop.....I wanted to give that boy a piece of my mind by telling him how much microsoft paid me...but i thought it would be as cheap as what they did
If you are a store owner...from personal experience...dont treat anyone bad...especially if they dont "look" like they can afford it....things may not be what they seem...and people have different passions..not all may want to be decked up in Armani 24-7
abecollins
219 posts
 
Subdoofus, I couldn't agree with you more. I am an engineer and I never wear a suit or even "business casual" (ok maybe a couple times a year) but never on a weekend shopping for audio gear. There are two high-end stores in my area, one I refuse to do business with because they ignore me when I walk into their store. I have to help myself to the equipment and when I do, they seem bothered that I'm touching their precious electronics. They become pushy asking me how much I expect to spend on a system today. I already own a "system" so usually I'm looking to upgrade a piece. Their college drop out sales people all wear white shirt and tie and most of them aren't even pressed and neat. I probably make several times their income in a year but I don't wear it. I wear blue jeans, sandles, and t-shirts. Because of the way I'm treated at that store, I *do* use them sometimes for auditioning gear then I leave and *buy* used on the internet or from an internet dealer. Lately I just avoid them and steer my friends to another dealer.

By contrast, there's another dealer in the Denver area who's been in the business a long time and he basically runs his store out of his house. It's an older house but large and well kept with a huge basement for the home theater gear. He carries some high-end brands and some value brands and he encourages me to play with anything I like, offers to loan equipment to me for a week at a time or longer, and gives me a 20% discount off the top w/o even asking. Anything I audition from this store, I buy. Just this past summer I bought my tube amp, a tube preamp, and FM tuner from his store. In this case it wouldn't be right for me to save a couple bucks buying off the internet. I value his service and fair price. But if there's a piece he doesn't carry and the other store does, I'll *use* the other store and buy from an internet dealer.
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