James Tanner - Bryston
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What Happened to Hi-Fi
- Thread starter James Tanner - Bryston
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Good article. Part of me thinks that we often remember the past with lightly rose colored glasses. I remember tagging along with my Dad in the 70's and early 80's to every high end audio store wherever we were: at home in Toronto or traveling in the U.S. He even took me to some of the shows. I had great exposure and in an age of "children should be seen and not heard", I had a great opportunity to just listen and learn. But I do remember more than my fair share of not-so-great sales experiences. James, the interesting thing is that you and I were practically neighbors at the time and we hung out at the same stores. For the life of me James, I'm trying to remember the name of that high end audio store in Etobicoke in the 70's and 80's. They were near the intersection of the 427 & QEW....but a mile or so along the QEW. There were great stores like Bay Bloor Radio. I remember visiting that store about 5 years ago and it was a real let down after their greatness in the 70's. Today, you can find a wonderful audio experience in Toronto at American Sound (Angie), Audio by Mark Jones (Mark), Audio Excellence or Soundstage in Waterloo.
As for a knowledgeable "salesman", well, that's just the problem. You don't want a "salesman", you want to find yourself an Audio Consultant. Salesmen you will find at Magnolia. Audio Consultants you will find if you know where to look. An audio consultant will ask you 10 times more questions than you ask them. A "salesman" will only be interested in "when are you buying? how are you paying?"
Personally, the past two years I believe I have always provided a good audio consulting experience. There have been a number of times I've talked a client out of a product I sell if it's not the right fit for them or conversely, recommended a product I don't sell because I honestly believe it is the right fit for them. There is a lot I have learned in the past two years, but that's a topic for another day.
I've always believed the sale will come when we both believe it is the right fit for you, your room, your budget, your listening habits, etc. Until that point, we are both on a fact finding mission and hopefully your Audio Consultant is providing some knowledge along the way.
As for a knowledgeable "salesman", well, that's just the problem. You don't want a "salesman", you want to find yourself an Audio Consultant. Salesmen you will find at Magnolia. Audio Consultants you will find if you know where to look. An audio consultant will ask you 10 times more questions than you ask them. A "salesman" will only be interested in "when are you buying? how are you paying?"
Personally, the past two years I believe I have always provided a good audio consulting experience. There have been a number of times I've talked a client out of a product I sell if it's not the right fit for them or conversely, recommended a product I don't sell because I honestly believe it is the right fit for them. There is a lot I have learned in the past two years, but that's a topic for another day.
I've always believed the sale will come when we both believe it is the right fit for you, your room, your budget, your listening habits, etc. Until that point, we are both on a fact finding mission and hopefully your Audio Consultant is providing some knowledge along the way.
