Sound_Advice, you will find the same issue in many places, not only in India, but also in many other parts of the world. In the US and Dubai, as well as a few countries, I have waited patiently for a man who could talk to me at my level of understanding. In most cases this turned out to be the owner or some one working closely with him.
This has nothing to do with professionalism. If one has to have 'enough' knowledge as we expect, it takes a long time and a deep understanding of the AV industry and it's technology. And, the sales person has to be aware of what kind of questions will be asked. For the average sales guy in the electronics supermarket or a small AV dealer, it is easier to deal with a 'dumb' prospect who has a budget, a definite purchase plan, and is not too finicky. He would rather focus on him than you and me.
And this is not only in the AV industry. When I was assembling my HTPC in Dubai, the shop keeper was smart enough to realise that I was a 'specifications' buyer. After the second question, he apologised, just turned his laptop to me and said look for your answers here. I liked his approach and did buy from him.
It helps when the option available are few and the buyer has limited choices such as, for example, an Apple iPhone. When, as it happens in the AV industry, the options are so many, the dealers are hard pressed to be knowledgeable enough about all the products they sell.
As I said before, when you approach a dealer, it helps to be persistent and also be aware that the dealer may not have all the knowledge you are looking for.
I have seen may dealers lose interest the minute they realise I am a member of HFV.
What irks me off many times is a sales person who gives me wrong information and insists he is correct and I am wrong, even when I point out his error. At those moments I accept defeat and just walk away.
GunMo we were looking at a 5.1 speaker set yesterday and not at the Anthony Gallos.
Cheers
lol: do people buy them in dozens?!)
