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Thread: How knowledgeable are hi fi sales staff overall?

  1. #11
    Join Date: Aug 2010

    Location: Torquay, Devon.

    Posts: 5,684
    I'm Shane.

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Nope!

    Oh, OK. You do have some great sales pitch!

    S.

  2. #12
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,741
    I'm Geoff.

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    I recall the total incompetence and disinterest of the staff in Laskys in Edgware Road London in the mid 70's.

    Also a few smug gits too ...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXDK3x5lAYI

    Geoff

  3. #13
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,779
    I'm Martin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Last time I went in a Richer Sounds shop, there was not one sales assistant who had a clue. That was a while back. Maybe things have improved?
    I was in there last month buying a telly. Bloke who served me said he did not own a telly, just a stereo. He did know how to change the speed on an Rega Planar 3. He also advised me that all optical cables sound the same. Not sure if Richer Sounds condones objectivism amongst its sales staff but there you go. His kung foo was reasonably good:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4OM3rBKhf8
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  4. #14
    Join Date: Feb 2017

    Location: Essex-Herts border

    Posts: 141
    I'm Matt.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Macca View Post
    I was in there last month buying a telly. Bloke who served me said he did not own a telly, just a stereo. He did know how to change the speed on an Rega Planar 3. He also advised me that all optical cables sound the same. Not sure if Richer Sounds condones objectivism amongst its sales staff but there you go.
    ]
    I still hear quite embarrassing things about RS. Clueless staff etc.........however, didn't they recently get voted best Hifi shop ( or something like that) recently? Also, they seem to be going more & more into on-line selling, with their stores opening for quite short hours.
    Difficult to see how that equates to excellent customer service.

  5. #15
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

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    Quote Originally Posted by Manicatel View Post
    I still hear quite embarrassing things about RS. Clueless staff etc.........however, didn't they recently get voted best Hifi shop ( or something like that) recently? Also, they seem to be going more & more into on-line selling, with their stores opening for quite short hours.
    Difficult to see how that equates to excellent customer service.
    I bought my tv on a Sunday and they were open all day. I don't know if that is typical.

    The staff are always very young as you'd expect as they no doubt don't pay them much, so there is going to be a limit to how much they can know. But they are not selling any weird, high end kit so not catering to the enthusiast. I'm sure they know enough to sell the things they do.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  6. #16
    Join Date: Feb 2017

    Location: Essex-Herts border

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    I'm Matt.

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    They seem to be open about 6 hrs a day, opening lunchtime. As you say, they don't need in depth knowledge of vintage valve amps or high end Naim gear etc etc, as they aren't in that market sector. Hopefully, they can give advice on 4K tv's & every-day Hifi stuff without resorting to trying to sell extended warranties & the like.

  7. #17
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Vancouver, Canada

    Posts: 2,166
    I'm Alex.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sherwood View Post
    I recall the total incompetence and disinterest of the staff in Laskys in Edgware Road London in the mid 70's.

    Also a few smug gits too ...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXDK3x5lAYI

    Geoff
    I remember once being talked out of buying anything at a hi fi shop. Went in to enquire about getting some accessories, such as stylus cleaning brushes, anti static treatments for the LPs, etc. The sales guy kind of brushed me off, almost gesticulating toward the doors, telling me "nah, you're good bro, no need for any of those gimmicks. Ta-ta!"
    Don't you just hate it when you cannot detect where the post ends and a signature line begins?

    Alex.

  8. #18
    Join Date: Mar 2010

    Location: Sheffield

    Posts: 2,898
    I'm Simon.

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    It varies. Some shit, some ok on their stock. Some real enthusiasts. Depends on the shop. Guys in independent higher end shops tend to be better. Guys in second hand specialists tend to be great, IME.
    Kuzma Stabi/S 12", (LP12-bastard) DC motor and optical tacho psu, Benz LP, Paradise (phonostage). MB-Pro, Brooklyn dac and psu, Bruno Putzeys balanced pre, mod86p dual mono amps, Yamaha NS1000m

  9. #19
    Join Date: Apr 2017

    Location: Cheshire UK

    Posts: 843
    I'm Martin.

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    I feel it depends on the type of shop and it depends on your knowledge, research and experience.

    If you are looking for high end stuff then ideally you want a specialist dealer in the know. I cant imagine many of the experienced people on this forum would put up with a chain store. Im not going to mention names but Ive never felt they really know how to steer someone in the right direction beyond flavour of the month and whats left in the stockroom. Ok some try to be helpful but I find many pushy and brash while sounding vacuous. Theres nothing worse than a stilted conversation where I feel patronised by someone who knows less then me. Im nodding politely but thinking why I am I having this conversation because its embarrassing

    I have always favoured a minimalist style approach. A dealer in jeans and a t shirt that knows all the designers makes his own amplifiers in the back room and has done clever research on a small selection of products. A sofa, brew and nothing which registers on the BS detector.

    I want to feel the dealer knows his onions. Ok they cant know or stock everything but my bias will steer me towards what they do have on demonstration

    I like the idea of a particular dealer who just displays and demos headphones in a farmhouse somewhere. I think its worth making the effort to go and get a proper selection and proper service.

    I will deal with sales people if I feel they can really add anything or offer a proper demonstration. If they can't, I want as little interaction with them as possible
    Last edited by Minstrel SE; 22-08-2017 at 06:06.

  10. #20
    Join Date: Apr 2008

    Location: Warrington

    Posts: 3,451
    I'm Neil.

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    Acoustica in Chester have some seriously knowledgeable folk.
    Mana Acoustics Racks / Bright Star IsoNodes Decoupling >> Allo DigiOne Player >> Pedja Rogic's Audial Model S DAC + Pioneer PL-71 turntable / Vista Audio phono-1 mk II / Denon PCL-5 headshell / Reson Reca >> LFD DLS >> LFD PA2M (SE) >> Royd RR3s.

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