What do you like about your "favorite" retailer?

This is pretty ez,, most people treat you with so much dissrespect.
If you go into a place like Sounds Like Music in Scottsdale, AZ you will see the true difference,
They have 1000s of cd's on the wall for you to use as you wish, if you want to hear something they dont have,, they go to the store and buy a copy!
I was actually sitting there and a sales associate walked in, THEY ACTUALLY APPOLOGIZED for barging in and shut the door!
Places like this just understand.

All my favs encourage you to listen long without them in the room.
OTOH, all the ones that make me cringe watch you while you listen and periodically chirp in their evaluation of the products in use. Very annoying...
Cheers, Spencer

After playing this game (abnormally high-priced audio) since 1990, I can say I have no favorite dealer.
I don't wish to sound mean or cynical but I've never found a dealer who wasn't in it for the money and/or gave a crap about me except as a profit source.
I've been going into a hi-fi store in Evanston, IL since the Seventies and they still don't know my name (same people in there, of course).
Another North Shore dealer (formerly from far western suburbs -again Chicago) COMPLETELY IGNORED ME when I changed my mind about an equipment purchase at the last minute. Mind you, I still wanted to buy equipment from this guy, just changed the equipment (and no, nothing had been ordered from the factory yet). I had previously purchased a brand new ARC amp from this dealer so it wasn't like I was a stranger. This crap weasle still has me on his mailing list -what a dork.
Another famous Chicago dealer (near north on Clark street) said they "didn't want the business" when I asked them to bias my VT-100 (they are former ARC dealers).
This is just lazy. The procedure takes about an hour and I've never seen this store even remotely close to "busy".
Also, their print add specifies "Service" as something they provide. Not even.
I'm not saying audio dealers spit on me when I walk in but I will say (to you youngsters): Don't ever think a dealer is your friend or "audio buddy". They are there to make the most profit humanly possible -period.

There is a guy named Don who runs a shop called the Listening Room in Pikesville, MD outside of Baltimore. If Don carries what I'm looking for, I'll unhesitating buy it from him. The odd thing is that I often do better because of it price-wise--he's given me discounts off retail for no particular reason and has several times found me factory demo or refurb equipment with full warranty for far less than I'd pay for 2nd hand on A'gon. He is very friendly--but not overbearing--and he'll let you just listen.

He also doesn't do the things that I hate about other dealers I've run across:

- I buy a fair amount of high end audio gear, but I don't tend to look like someone who has the $ to do that--shaving on w/es never appealed to me and I'm far more comfy in ripped up jeans, beat up sneakers and tee shirts than anything else. Most audio dealers tend to ignore me, but Don always has the time.

- Don's shop is a long ride from where I live, but Don is happy to work with me over the phone. Most dealers figure the phone call is just a troll.

- If I arrange to show up and he happens to be in the midst of something else, he seems to make a point of acknowledging me and not just leave me feeling like I'm chopped liver.

- Don doesn't slag other gear just because he doesn't carry it. That seems to be endemic among other audio dealers. I can always count on him for a fair opinion.

So, there are good dealers out there. Maybe Don's style is just a good match for me. Either way, if you happen to be in Pikesville, I'd recommend a visit.

A good retailer must be honest, represent high quality product lines and have a strong enthusiasm for audio retailing. They must be customer focused and provide assistance to their prospects and customers when auditioning equipment and various upgrades. They need to understand live music and how to put together high quality audio systems for different prices ranges. A willingness to listen and understand the needs of their customers is very important. Facilities for equipment repairs and for selling used equipment is a great plus for a retailer. A friendly atmosphere, fair prices, limited sales pressure and home trial-outs are important items for a good retailer. I am very happy with my audio retailer and have purchased several items from him over the years.