Norval
AVForums Grandmaster
My experience this weekend
I've been looking for quite some time now for a good second hand DVD player (Marantz or simular), but nothing shows up. Note: I don't have a HDMI capable receiver.
So I thought maybe I should go for a new, but entry level BDP, then take the HDMI directly to the TV, and the digital out to the AV receiver. Later on get a good DAC, and i should have good audio, which is actually what I'm after.
So on Sunday I made the very impulsive decision to just go to HiFi corp, and get a Sumsung.
Well, got to the Mall, and decided to also check out another HiFi shop, who's prices were even better.
So a salesman greats me, and ask if he could help. (He didn't look very eager to help though)
Me: "yes, I'm looking for an entry level BDP"
Salesman: "OK, we have Sony and Samsung both at around R1000.00, then we have the more expensive stuff like Yamaha and Onkyo"
Me: "Ok, which one is better, Sony or Samsung?"
Salesman: "they both the same. Same features etc."
Me: "OK, what about the other brands, how much more expensive, and what are the difference?"
Salesman "Yamaha is around R2200.00 and have a better laser, and better picture. Will last longer."
Now take note, its not a smooth easy conversation. the guy really seems very reluctant to share any knowledge.
He offer to show me the Yamaha, but they don't have a demo unit. So I ask the question that one should not ask a salesman, but I always do, because I actually do want to know.
I asked if he thinks the Yamaha is worth the extra money, to which he very correctly said yes. (I do believe its worth the extra money)
So..... I bought the Yamaha. But guess what? :headbanger: :headbanger: :headbanger: :headbanger:
The thing only have a HDMI output.
So at this point I'm very pissed off with myself for not checking, but I assumed that if the much cheaper Sony and Samsung has dig out, the Yamaha would also have.
I connect the thing to the TV, with the analog out from the TV to the amp, and yes, it works ok. (I'm only listening in stereo anyway)
Then I thought by myself, this is BS. Now I paid R2000.00 for something that's not what I need.
Yes the salesman din't know I need digital out, but since some machines have it and others don't, should he not mention it?
Just before I paid I mentioned that I was more into stereo, and knows nothing about BDP's. So what if I had a amp with no digital input, and assumed that BDP all have analog outs, just like most DVD players? Should a good sales person not check these things?
I mean, there should be a reason that players have different output options. Whys do some have multi channel decoders?
Bottom line is, I think some salesmen are really useless.
Well I went back, and the floor manager, and some important dude (probably owner or branch manager) helps me. The floor manager is very helpful. I mention to them my unhappiness. They want to charge me a 10% handling fee, but I mention that I don't feel its my fault. I eventually spend a lot of time in the store, with the floor manager demoing many options over and over. I walked out of there spending much more on an Onkyo, and what can I say, I'm actually very happy with it. I can't help to think though that HiFi is not a passion of anyone in that store.
I've been looking for quite some time now for a good second hand DVD player (Marantz or simular), but nothing shows up. Note: I don't have a HDMI capable receiver.
So I thought maybe I should go for a new, but entry level BDP, then take the HDMI directly to the TV, and the digital out to the AV receiver. Later on get a good DAC, and i should have good audio, which is actually what I'm after.
So on Sunday I made the very impulsive decision to just go to HiFi corp, and get a Sumsung.
Well, got to the Mall, and decided to also check out another HiFi shop, who's prices were even better.
So a salesman greats me, and ask if he could help. (He didn't look very eager to help though)
Me: "yes, I'm looking for an entry level BDP"
Salesman: "OK, we have Sony and Samsung both at around R1000.00, then we have the more expensive stuff like Yamaha and Onkyo"
Me: "Ok, which one is better, Sony or Samsung?"
Salesman: "they both the same. Same features etc."
Me: "OK, what about the other brands, how much more expensive, and what are the difference?"
Salesman "Yamaha is around R2200.00 and have a better laser, and better picture. Will last longer."
Now take note, its not a smooth easy conversation. the guy really seems very reluctant to share any knowledge.
He offer to show me the Yamaha, but they don't have a demo unit. So I ask the question that one should not ask a salesman, but I always do, because I actually do want to know.
I asked if he thinks the Yamaha is worth the extra money, to which he very correctly said yes. (I do believe its worth the extra money)
So..... I bought the Yamaha. But guess what? :headbanger: :headbanger: :headbanger: :headbanger:
The thing only have a HDMI output.
So at this point I'm very pissed off with myself for not checking, but I assumed that if the much cheaper Sony and Samsung has dig out, the Yamaha would also have.
I connect the thing to the TV, with the analog out from the TV to the amp, and yes, it works ok. (I'm only listening in stereo anyway)
Then I thought by myself, this is BS. Now I paid R2000.00 for something that's not what I need.
Yes the salesman din't know I need digital out, but since some machines have it and others don't, should he not mention it?
Just before I paid I mentioned that I was more into stereo, and knows nothing about BDP's. So what if I had a amp with no digital input, and assumed that BDP all have analog outs, just like most DVD players? Should a good sales person not check these things?
I mean, there should be a reason that players have different output options. Whys do some have multi channel decoders?
Bottom line is, I think some salesmen are really useless.
Well I went back, and the floor manager, and some important dude (probably owner or branch manager) helps me. The floor manager is very helpful. I mention to them my unhappiness. They want to charge me a 10% handling fee, but I mention that I don't feel its my fault. I eventually spend a lot of time in the store, with the floor manager demoing many options over and over. I walked out of there spending much more on an Onkyo, and what can I say, I'm actually very happy with it. I can't help to think though that HiFi is not a passion of anyone in that store.
