Has a nice visit with Troy and Wendi
hoosier21
Posts: 4,413
Troy and Wendi were in Atlanta for the weekend and asked my wife and me to join them for the afternoon in Marietta. Marietta is an old town, right outside of ATL that has antique shops, restaurants and such around the old town square. Troy hired us as he wanted to shop at Audio Atlanta for a turntable, and needed my wife to distract Wendi while he spent some big money.
We met them around 2:00 or so and it was time to eat, walked to a really good pizza place for a pizza and some beer. We were off to a good start. We then ditched the girls and headed out for a 1 block walk to AA, the plan was working so far.
I had warned Troy, that AA was a small place, with a rather small offering of brands and units on display, a room with some used gear, and that was about it. Living here in the Atlanta area since 1986, it was the only place left I knew of that was still a 2 channel holdout, man times have changed since I was there maybe 18 months to 2 years ago.
This place has turned to home theater and its stereo offerings are almost non-existent. The used equipment room has now been moved to a 6x6 closet sized room at the back of the store, nothing was really hooked up, what was in there was junk. The old used stereo equipment room was now the pricey theater set up.
What was the main stereo room is now set-up with a decent home theater display, and there was one stereo rig set up along one wall, with the turntable Troy was there to see, so we could at least do the one thing he wanted to go there for, WRONG.
When we walked in, the owner (we assume) was talking to a customer and showing him this and that for a HT to be installed in his house. No problem, this is a one man show, he had a customer there buying equipment, I didnt need him to come running up to us and give us his full attention, we were big boys, we know how to wander around a shop un assisted. BUT if you are a small business owner, or hell if youre a normal human being, at least say something to us when we walk in, a slight nod, a can I help you find something, a Ill be with you in just a moment, **** I would have taken I have this guy here spending x thousand dollars, and I dont see me giving you two bozos the slightest bit of attention for an hour or more
In the 45 minutes to an hour we looked around in his store, this guy doesnt say a word to us, not one. Little by little as time went by, the less likely it was Troy was going to buy from this jerk, but Troy did want to see the TT and maybe get something out of his trip.
Our wives came in the store because it was 30 something outside and the waking from shop to shop was not much fun, I told Wendi to come over to the theater room that had a front projector in it, telling her that is what was needed at the Dion house, me and Wendi in the room, Troy and Dehabra standing in the doorway looking in, now here comes the owner and the customer, they wanted to see something in this room, it was then and only then that the owner speaks to us, he said Hello not meaning hello, meaning can you two (Troy and my wife) get out of the way so I can get in that room. That was it, we all four headed straight for the door.
The only good thing about that place was it is right next door to an Irish Pub, we go in there and have 2 pitchers of beer, 38 bucks thank you very much, actually thank you Troy. Then we went to Crystals, a real small bar, wet our whistles in there till Troy and Wendi had to leave for their dinner reservations.
As always, a good time, Troy and Wendi are welcome here anytime. I am pretty sure I took in the most alcohol, not sure if T&W had as much fun as I did. I know I owe Troy, so next time they come in town, he isnt buying one drink, its all on me
We met them around 2:00 or so and it was time to eat, walked to a really good pizza place for a pizza and some beer. We were off to a good start. We then ditched the girls and headed out for a 1 block walk to AA, the plan was working so far.
I had warned Troy, that AA was a small place, with a rather small offering of brands and units on display, a room with some used gear, and that was about it. Living here in the Atlanta area since 1986, it was the only place left I knew of that was still a 2 channel holdout, man times have changed since I was there maybe 18 months to 2 years ago.
This place has turned to home theater and its stereo offerings are almost non-existent. The used equipment room has now been moved to a 6x6 closet sized room at the back of the store, nothing was really hooked up, what was in there was junk. The old used stereo equipment room was now the pricey theater set up.
What was the main stereo room is now set-up with a decent home theater display, and there was one stereo rig set up along one wall, with the turntable Troy was there to see, so we could at least do the one thing he wanted to go there for, WRONG.
When we walked in, the owner (we assume) was talking to a customer and showing him this and that for a HT to be installed in his house. No problem, this is a one man show, he had a customer there buying equipment, I didnt need him to come running up to us and give us his full attention, we were big boys, we know how to wander around a shop un assisted. BUT if you are a small business owner, or hell if youre a normal human being, at least say something to us when we walk in, a slight nod, a can I help you find something, a Ill be with you in just a moment, **** I would have taken I have this guy here spending x thousand dollars, and I dont see me giving you two bozos the slightest bit of attention for an hour or more
In the 45 minutes to an hour we looked around in his store, this guy doesnt say a word to us, not one. Little by little as time went by, the less likely it was Troy was going to buy from this jerk, but Troy did want to see the TT and maybe get something out of his trip.
Our wives came in the store because it was 30 something outside and the waking from shop to shop was not much fun, I told Wendi to come over to the theater room that had a front projector in it, telling her that is what was needed at the Dion house, me and Wendi in the room, Troy and Dehabra standing in the doorway looking in, now here comes the owner and the customer, they wanted to see something in this room, it was then and only then that the owner speaks to us, he said Hello not meaning hello, meaning can you two (Troy and my wife) get out of the way so I can get in that room. That was it, we all four headed straight for the door.
The only good thing about that place was it is right next door to an Irish Pub, we go in there and have 2 pitchers of beer, 38 bucks thank you very much, actually thank you Troy. Then we went to Crystals, a real small bar, wet our whistles in there till Troy and Wendi had to leave for their dinner reservations.
As always, a good time, Troy and Wendi are welcome here anytime. I am pretty sure I took in the most alcohol, not sure if T&W had as much fun as I did. I know I owe Troy, so next time they come in town, he isnt buying one drink, its all on me
Dodd - Battery Preamp
Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
Outlaw ICBM - crossover
Beringher BFD - sub eq
Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
Outlaw ICBM - crossover
Beringher BFD - sub eq
Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
Post edited by hoosier21 on
Comments
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Glad you had a nice visit despite the **** at the audio shop. With the attitude displayed, I doubt you'll have to worry about ever considering returning there -- he won't be around.
It always fascinates me when someone acts like they're doing me a favor selling me their wares. In my world, the favor flows in the opposite direction. -
Way cool...Except for the jerk off.
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Neat, sounds like a nonstop party.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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You guys effed up. You should have went to that next door pub first THEN go and deal with the jerk.
madmaxVinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want...
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madmax wrote:You guys effed up. You should have went to that next door pub first THEN go and deal with the jerk.
madmax
Your right, two drunks and a jerk, that would have a better story.Dodd - Battery Preamp
Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
Outlaw ICBM - crossover
Beringher BFD - sub eq
Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..." -
Well, time with excellent folks is always a blessing. Troy and Wendi are the best and glad the wives were able to get meet and get together. Nice tag team Russ and Troy!!!
When I picked up my TT in Gainesville, Fl. the store certainly had its share of HT rigs, two of the employees there that day though were vinly nuts. Both of them spoke with me and spent at least 45 min, answering my newbie TT questions.
The chief bottle washer's name is Paul Brachlold, I spoke with Paul at length before going to the store and after I was there. He mentioned to me that he would not be adverse to giving Club Polk a little discount on items. He was at CES when I drove down so I missed him. He also expressed some interest in attending PF. That of course would be up to Mr. Troy.
The internet guy's name is Rob, nice fellow knows jack about audio though.
You can call Rob or Paul when looking for items, but all the staff I spoke to were knowledgeable audio freaks. They are MF/Avid/Rega/Cary dealers for sure they dont do Polk, they are a Klipsh dealer. Did not see any VPI but would not doubt they come across them from time to time.
The link is www.soundideasstereo.com they really worked with me. Afterall they still use the word stereo in their name.
RT1 -
Hey, cool I live and work in that area.
Funny, I've been to Audio Atlanta a couple times and never had a problem with that guy. He was pretty nice, and willing to chat about audio without pressing for a sale. He does focus on one person at a time - others who walk in will get ignored until he's done with the current customer. However, he's not necessarily ignoring you because he's trying to make an HT sale. I've waited for him just to give a previous guy advice about a digital cable - no sale was attempted or made. No biggie - I just walk around and look at stuff until it's my turn.
He struck me as an audio geek who's poor at multitasking. From our conversations I think he's 2ch lover himself, probably he's only offering more HT setups because that's what the market demands.
He used to have a pretty sweet budget 2ch setup based on Tannoy Eyris DC3s and PS Audio electronics (no small coincidence that's what my current system is), but last time I went over there he didn't have the Tannoys. Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010 -
Hey, what a BLAST we had hanging out with Russ and his wife. VERY cool. I think another round and Jana the bartender would have showed us the whole tatoo!
You know, in regards to Audio Atlanta....I have no doubt that he is a swell guy, but, to stand in someone's place of business for over an hour and not even be acknowledged? Bull. A simple, 'Hi, I'll be with you as soon as I can' would suffice me just fine. Eff 'em. When I bag my VPI (which with wife in tow, could have happened yesterday, it will NOT be at Audio Atlanta).
More on the trip later, nursing hangover and gotta go to work.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Just as a postscript.....I sent an email to Audio Atlanta on Monday. No response. Not, sorry, not eff you very much. NOTHING.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
$38 for the beer??? God I love living in a college town sometimes- Two pitchers of beer? $14.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
TroyD wrote:Just as a postscript.....I sent an email to Audio Atlanta on Monday. No response. Not, sorry, not eff you very much. NOTHING.
BDT
I sent an email to them as well, with a link to this thread....told them "...good job handling your customers....you just never know when what you do is going to be reflected nationwide."CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Go Mark!!!!dorokusai wrote:I sent an email to them as well, with a link to this thread....told them "...good job handling your customers....you just never know when what you do is going to be reflected nationwide."Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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With the attitude that AA is getting, I'll spend my dollars elsewhere:( That is certainily no way to treat a customer,, I guess they have all the business that they need,,the sad part is, I'm local,,think I'll e-mail them also.JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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Like I said, it maybe that I just hit them at an inopertune time.
Dedicated hifi shops are rare, I'd like to improve business rather than hurt it. Hopefully, they will see this, take notice and try and improve.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Troy this guy still SUCKS!Like I said, it maybe that I just hit them at an inopertune time.
BDT
I was there today.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70175Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben
