[KElyas]

I'd like to go to a demo room where both very expensive and more affordable headphones will be available to test out, but the store have higher than average prices so I wouldn't dare spend my money there. How do you feel about this? (p.s. sorry if this is not the best place to post this)

 

[GeneraI]

This is the reason there are Hi-Fi stores in certain cities. If you don't live near one like me, then you're out of luck. I would like this too, but you could always go to one of our Head-Fi meets if you live close.

 

[KElyas]

  This is the reason there are Hi-Fi stores in certain cities. If you don't live near one like me, then you're out of luck. I would like this too, but you could always go to one of our Head-Fi meets if you live close.

 
Thankfully I do live near one (and what I think is the best in the country). But my question is: is it okay to go in and try out everything I'd like for an hour or so, maybe take some advice from the staff there and then just leave without making a purchase?

 

[TMRaven]

I think it's perfectly reasonable.  Those guys are running a store with demo units knowing that as well. I've even gone so far as to buy a headphone from a store and return it after one week of auditioning with the full refund as from an agreement with the salesguy after he talked to the owner.
 
I'd definitely feel obligated to buy something later down the line from them though if I they had something I wanted/needed.  There comes a point where the morality of helping out local business outweighs the decision of saving a little online.

 

[pbui44]

No, because it is like you shooting us down here on the forums when we recommend something for you to buy.

Just kidding, it is fine to test stuff out for a while and not purchase anything, but I do have to remind you that there can be stuff at the store on sale or clearance that you might need or can use. The tricky part is asking sales staff about that stuff, because it may be considered extra work for stuff that is not new. I guess you should just get comfortable and stay comfortable throughout the process.

 

[adupree]

It's perfectly fine to demo stuff, but if you are constantly in there taking up the sales guy time and never buying anything then not really. Those guys are paid commission, so he could be losing out on money if he spends time with you instead of another customer.

 

[KElyas]

Okay thanks for replies guys. So do you think I should make it clear that I'm not looking to buy anything if the staff begin to ask questions that shows that they're under the impression that I'm looking to do more than just listen?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Okay thanks for replies guys. So do you think I should make it clear that I'm not looking to buy anything if the staff begin to ask questions that shows that they're under the impression that I'm looking to do more than just listen?

 
Don't say it that way. Say something like you are curious about trying out stuff, and are undecided. Even if you like what you hear, tell them you'll have to think it over as the gains might not be too close. Buy something small and cheap (and international shipping is prohibitive) for example from time to time if you ever come back and don't mention you already got the gear when you return.

 

[pbui44]

Don't say it that way. Say something like you are curious about trying out stuff, and are undecided. Even if you like what you hear, tell them you'll have to think it over as the gains might not be too close. Buy something small and cheap (and international shipping is prohibitive) for example from time to time if you ever come back and don't mention you already got the gear when you return.

Wow, you can read minds very well.

If there are other customers around, do not bother them or the salesman. While you are auditioning, do not fight the music and go with the sound signature and music you are using. Once they make a sale and the other customer's receipt is given to them, you are home free and can listen to whatever you want until "Closing time...".

Edit: Sorry about the quoted song reference, I remember demoing the ath-w1000x and it reminded me of aged scotch O_o. "...take me ho-oo-ommme!"

 

[GeneraI]

   
Thankfully I do live near one (and what I think is the best in the country). But my question is: is it okay to go in and try out everything I'd like for an hour or so, maybe take some advice from the staff there and then just leave without making a purchase?

I think it would be okay to test them out. Just tell them you are thinking about purchasing a headphone sometime soon, and are wondering which are the best. You might want to buy a cable or something just ,so they let you come and do it again. I would be okay with an hour ,but beyond that would be pushing it especially if you don't buy anything. 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Wow, you can read minds very well.

If there are other customers around, do not bother them or the salesman. While you are auditioning, do not fight the music and go with the sound signature and music you are using. Once they make a sale and the other customer's receipt is given to them, you are home free and can listen to whatever you want until "Closing time...".

 
Oh and to add to those, although I have no idea about each store, but to be safe also wear a dress shirt and nicely ironed pants. Over here we've had a few complaints about one snooty shop owner and a bunch of snooty salesmen from other stores. My own experience was one time I dropped by one store selling Shanling, Dyns, Primaluna, etc (that sort) on a Sunday afternoon* wearing what my rocker friends describe as my "country club middle-aged Dad" outfit** (strangely enough I'm the one with Behemoth in my music player, trumping all their "softer" rock albums) and despite an empty store with one guy attending to a couple checking out a 55" plasma, the other sales staff didn't seem interested in me. I came back a few days later in the middle of the week while my girlfriend had an event in the adjacent hotel's ballrooms, this time in the national suit but still made of relatively cheaper material for work uniforms than the pineapple fiber suits we wear for weddings, and they just stopped short of pouring liquor for me. Similar but not as severe difference with another store in the same building selling NAD and Paradigm but not as bad as that. All other stores though, especially when the owners themselves are there, are probably wearing the same thing as I do on weekends (except long pants for them) and they would even hang out with me (and any shy audiophile friends I have to escort to audition stuff) between other customers. After that when I refer people to stores I always direct them to the ones with a friendlier atmosphere - it's a hobby an we should all hang out, for chrissakes. It's kind of like unbridled Beats-bashing, except here it's worse because you don't look like the Beats guy but just because you look like you'd need to trade a kidney for one of their items, they act like crap.
 
Hell even the Musical Fidelity dealer has their own listening area above their warehouse and office, presumably to get around haughty dealers. Too bad their room is always crowded at the annual hi-fi show, but that's how approachable they are - if anything says the contrary it's because they're surrounded by long-time customers.



*it was in a mall, and families here each lunch out after church there since malls also have cinemas and roofed parking spaces to keep the cars cool instead of baking in the sun
**khaki shorts, loafers, and a collared shirt with two buttons and some tiny logo on the left side with leaves or a horse or a sailboat on it