Indeed, Michal is a friend of mine and we converse every now and then. He knows what he is doing and why he is doing it.

@@audibleeleganceinc Oh, that’s awesome, that you have that connection! It can be a small world, sometimes.

Eric, it is a very small world for those of us who remain. Handful, actually. As I have said, time and time again, most of my brethren have left the playing field or died.

Thank you for taking the moment to contribute to my channel and I am glad you enjoyed the video. I have spoken about this several times throughout my series, usually with small one liners. Yet, between some of the comments I have received here combined with recent sales floor experiences, the topic deserved its own video. I have been astounded by how much "common" knowledge has been lost and, in some cases, completely erased with advertising nonsense. I feel like my early days now where I would run out to the edge of the beach and grab one grain of sand at a time. Sad thing is, there are so few of us left to do that work and even fewer manufacturers who are willing to invest in their dealers to train them.

Thank you for your comment, Tom. Unfortunately, many were more than happy to learn from us so they could go out on the web for the cheapest price they could find. Personally, I am rather cautious now with the information I will provide unless I feel confident in the person becoming a buyer. It's a pity but we have to respond to how people behave. This all started in the 1990s and only grew worse. That's why there are very few shops left today.

When I was in the car business, pre internet, we still had these issues. There was a company that would provide the invoice of any car for a fee. It could be very frustrating knowing the person you just talked to was headed down the street to see if they could get $50 more off. It has always been the bane of the sales person. My profession is now getting nibbled away at by internet providers, fortunately, i am near retirement and can leave the zoo to other keepers.

@@thomascollins7932 Tom, I saw this even happening to the legal profession with the misuse of paralegals and I have had enough experience with the similar situation with Nurse Practitioners in the hospital setting on the other end. Then, again, I have even seen doctors make orders that were totally inconsistent with medical records for the specific patient while at the same time, in accordance with "standard" procedures or guidelines." You know as well as I do that while the internet and other sources can provide a pretty good general outline, there are distinctions created for each person that comes out in asking a series of questions that they themselves never considered as relevant. Even more interesting, is when the answers provided lead to even more nuances in questions. Personally speaking, that is why I despise emails and text messages as you are robbed of the spontaneity of those further questions or insights. Making it more complicated is when an instant answer is essentially demanded when time is needed to research the question to provide the correct answer and the internet has only made that whole situation worse.

@@audibleeleganceinc Well, some of us respect your time and effort! That's why I did make purchases from my "local guy". I could have used the info he gave me and gone to "the Net" for the purchase but, I paid him a little more because I respected his time! Guess what? He helped set me up with a "mid-Fi" system that's got synergy and works for my ears, knowledge of music, and wallet. That's worth something! Lou, there are still far more good people walking all around us, as opposed to the negativity which the media loves to report. Stay the course and keep your faith in your fellow man.

@@audibleeleganceinc You're such a "good egg"! Yes, Google is a start for research but, only if one has the true desire to learn! Go to "citations". If they exist, then use them for future research! It's not that hard. Instant answers are worth just what you paid for them.

Thank you for your contribution to this channel and your efforts are deeply appreciated. I too have been asked opinions and unless I have had really extensive experience with the product, I shy away from giving one. Where I have not heard it at all, I simply say "I don't know." With the range of products produced over 40 years of my time, it is simply impossible to have an opinion on each and every one of them.

We don't use "prestige or snob appeal" at all. We are selling goods like anyone else, just a different type. Some have retreated to "appointment only" because too many customers don't come to buy, they come to take. I've lost fine salespeople because they simply get tired of being treated like an unpaid librarian. The actual balance is far fewer are potential customers and more are simply there to fill the information gap to make an online purchase. Even the simplest of employees will quit if not shown gratitude and in sales that's called a purchase. As for expression "combat", well, there are all sorts of programs to combat illiteracy, drug abuse, you name it. There is so much misinformation today that has become "legend" that much time is spend unlearning what has been learned. That takes time and patience. Heck, I am giving information away on this very channel to help people understand things and I ask for nothing. Oh, I am not a "salesperson", thank you very much. My education is a doctorate in another field and I do this because I try to bring happiness to others and music is such a path.

@@audibleeleganceinc Agreed! As I noted in my comment, I "visited" an unforeseen opportunity, discovering a new shop on a visit out of town. The owner had no one else in his expansive showrooms. However, respecting the man's business and time, I asked and made it clear I was just "interested" - in the discussion. He was a gentleman and I could tell he appreciated the respect. Likewise, he was game for simply leaving me with a good impression. And, I didn't belabor the visit. There was not one single component is this man's store which I could afford!

@@zizendorf Eric, thank you, like always, for your comment and a fine example of setting up a future relationship without raising expectations of the seller. That is called respect.

Yes, there are a few folks who understand Magnepan but not too many Even dealers struggle now. Then, there was the ever present struggle Wendell tried to resolve in how to get their appearance more acceptable to women. He had some brilliant ideas for sure but they didn't, sadly, pardon the pun, pan out. Thank you for contributing to the channel. Most appreciated.

And when you add algorithms, the world becomes much smaller and only becomes a mirror to your own ignorance or misguided thoughts.

Years ago I once had a new employee handle a record with his hand all over it and I yelled "It's not a hamburger!" to the laughter of the rest of my staff. But that's how quickly knowledge dries up. Faster than water in Arizona. Thank you for commenting. I appreciate contributions to the channel.