How many dealers do you use?

None, haven't for many years. 

One...Taylor at Goldprint Audio. He is great to deal with, not pushy, he's knowledgable, does setups in his home office (when it's safe), has driven miles to meet me to deliver an item (we are ~75 miles apart). I have a more local audio dealer who I shall not mention who is miserable to deal with, so I stopped in 2008.

There are so many brands that you can only buy through a dealer unless you're buying used (often without a transferable warranty).  Are all of y'all just sticking to the direct selling manufacturers and the Music Direct's of the world?  I do sometimes buy direct from the distributer when there is a product with no dealer in my state (eg Kuzma).  I'm kind of disturbed by the anti-dealer sentiment I'm reading above, suggesting there is no value to use them. I get great advice from them, I get loaners for free if my gear ever needs service, and I get nice discounts for regularly sending business their way - show me the last time Music Direct or Crutchfield sent you a loaner.

There’s several dealers around PDX and they’ve all been in business for years. I do most of my business with two, one of which sells mainly used gear. This past year their businesses have done better than ever. They both have treated me well over the years which keeps me coming back—for gear, amusement and advice. I support and appreciate them.

Dealers were quite helpful and gave good advice, provided good recommendations and often had second hand or demo gear to buy. I suggest that those who are entering the playing field rely upon brick and mortar dealerships if nearby, not exclusively, but certainly as a (usually) solid ally. 

Catalogue/online shopping is completely guesswork; you have NO idea how it will work out in your system. As a reviewer, I strongly suggest you learn the personality and preferences of the reviewer before you take their advice/recommendation! If you do not align yourself with a reviewer who hears similar to you, then you can have some real fun when you buy a product that was all that to the reviewer, and not so much for you. 

Best advice, attend a show, or better yet, several shows. I spent as much as a nice vacation for two attending shows because I was serious about building a better rig and wanted to judge in person the products. Some of the best money I have ever spent in audio. It allowed me to be the judge on hundreds of products, to narrow down my field of winners and select the ones I would focus on. Even better, it allowed me to eliminate dozens of products that were not right for me, that I would have no way of ascertaining from a distance. I certainly would suffer wearing a mask for 3 days to find exceptional equipment. No mask wearing needed when you are in your home with the sweet system you built!    :)