Describe the ideal high end audio dealership


Please describe, in detail ,your personal opinion as to what the ideal high end audio dealership would be. Sales/demo policies, store atmosphere/layout, trade ins/ trade ups, ect. What products interest you the most?

Are you more drawn to brand new designs? The Presence of large statement pieces on display? The reassuring presence of well established and familiar lines? What about newer lines that appear promising?

What characteristics would your ideal hi end audio dealership possess? What bothers you most?

Do you prefer the traditional brick and mortar storefront or a more personal approach offered by the home based dealership/appointment structured store?

Describe what you feel, in your personal opinion, are the greatest positive attributes of your favorite dealerships.

This thread is intended for the hobbyist consumers, not dealers or manufacturers.
chris74
I can only speak for online dealers, since there is no local entity where I live. Idealy, for myself, I would like to know that the amount of money spent is NOT directly proportional to the time the dealer chooses to allocate to me. Big no no in my book. Also, because it is known that the dealer makes a pretty hefty commission from the sale, if there were any future problems with the device (especially if new) that the dealer would take every step to correct the problem. Simple ideologies...but very obvious when not followed. Those are the two big issues for me.
1. Normal business hours and non of this "by appointment only crap". (I once had a store tell me to make an appointment just to buy some used gear)
2. Floor samples for the whole product line. If you sell "Brand X", then have all the products,not just the entry level trinket that is a total joke and is just like "Brand Y's" and "Brand Z's" entry level trinket. I like to see the flag ship models on display and hear them too.
3. Hire people that really know and care about audio. Don't just hire people that are inbetween jobs and waiting for the results of their civil service exam.
4. A great selection of real world music. not just some stereophile test disks. Spare me on the Audiophile recordings with music theorists where noone can really sing or play and they sound like a lame cat being run over.
5. Allow in-home demos (try before you buy). Just leave your CC number and take home something for a few days.
6. Deal in quality used gear too and allow trade-ins for Blue Book prices.
7. I don't care about too many frills like free coffee or donuts - just have the product.
8. Don't use commercial/pro products that the typical consumer is not allowed to buy.
6550C has stated a lot of good points.

Other items that for me would make for a great audio store would be:

i) A nice selection of electronics with both solid state and tube equipment being offered. I want to know what is the best of both worlds, so I can make an informed decision, as to which type of equipment suits my tastes best.

ii) Several turntables, both entry level and high end, from several manufacturers, as well as tone arms and cartridges. These should be setup and ready to play.

iii) A nice selection of software, (particularly LPs), so that I can come to the store to both look at the equipment, as well shop for my music. (To me, this is a must for a "great" stereo store. I love to go record shopping, so I will always stop by to do that, and if I can then check out the latest and greatest gear that is on display, so much the better.) There are only a couple of stores that I know of that do this, with The Analog Room, in San Jose, being the premier example. (Now if only they would cut down on the cigar smoking, it would be a near perfect store.)

iv) At least two, or preferably three, large listening rooms, that are not packed to the gills with equipment.

v) No home theater equipment, (including TV's, DVD players, etc.) I'm there for music, not videos.

My two cents worth anyway.