Hey bobbybob,
Welcome to the AR forums.

The only way to really be sure if a piece of gear is going to be the next big thing for your system is a home demo. As stated, any good dealer will allow you one. Once you develop a relationship they generally become much more agreeable. Frankly you can't blame them much at the beginning--they're just protecting their own investment.

My own experience has been that once I became a known commodity around the place the guys have been quite forthcoming, often calling or e-mailing when new gear comes in that I should give a go.

God luck and have fun with it.