Jana Dagdagan

I've been there a hundred times (well, more than a hundred), not as a seller, but as a customer. One thing I will take away from this is Doug's statement that "If all retailers would do like this (described in the video), we could have a much healthier audio industry." I understand the appointment-only model, but for younger or less-well-to-do customers, I think it would be good to have some shorter, less formal appointments - not open houses where a potential customer doesn't get personal attention - but appointments that develop relationships without pointing toward a sale. I don't mean to suggest free consulting time, rather that some program could be developed that would make good use of available off-hour times. Free seminars might be a way to meet and qualify a few future customers.

Have been in his studio. He is a class act in all respects.

Dear John,

Thanks for the verbal namecheck in this excellent video!

During my long tenure at Stereophile, one of my consistent themes was urging retailers to identify more with their customers' positions and needs (and of course urging customers to treat their dealers as they themselves would want to be treated).

The first example of that that comes to mind is my AWSI "The Tragedy of the Commons," but the AWSI on dealers' need to go out and make house calls is also very important--because it contains a "Viola Joke."

Doug White is indeed a class act, and not as self-promotion but disclosure, he was one of the Bricasti dealers who early on became dealers for my Esperanto Audio digital cables.

JA, I look forward to the next installment, about Tidal loudspeakers, a favorite of Bricasti's Brian Zolner.

ATB,

John Marks

Enjoyed the interview. Mr. White seems like a very classy guy. I'd like to provide some of my recent experience to give a customer's perspective. I've spent the last few years putting together my current system. The prospect of visiting dealerships was very intimidating to me because I did not want to get talked into buying anything. Additionally, the dealerships I did visit were nothing like what I had read they should be like. Speakers were obviously poorly positioned, demo rooms were no better than my own living room, and some salesmen were obviously ignorant about the products they were selling. I ended up buying all my gear from an on line retailer. I built a rapport with a particular salesman and i had the luxury of auditioning products in my own home with the comfort of a 60 day money back policy. Internet sales have grown to where they are for a reason. Not all brick and mortar stores are run by guys like Mr. White.

Enjoyed the interview but was distracted by the SQ, it sounds like you were sitting inside a cello! The room appears to have been treated, at least to a degree, but I find it a little bit hard to believe that the recording and/or replay chain added all that reverb.. You were there, what say you JA?

Nice job! Jana-

I like this kind of series, showcasing, brick-and-mortar dealers/retailers. Keep up the excellent coverage.