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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
jazdoc
365 posts
 
We are very lucky to have multiple quality brick and mortar dealers in Seattle. A couple of standouts are Tim Ratcliffe at Experience Audio and Tom King at Definitive Audio. In addition, I've also had great service from Thom Mackris at Galibier Design. All three share a passion for 2 channel sound and provide dedicated, excellent customer service.
phd
1,320 posts
 
Jazdoc, very good, it is Seattle where I go for audio gear. Definitive Audio is a great place. Don't leave out Bob at Hawthorne Stereo. On several occasions Bob has allowed me to take home a couple pieces of gear at a time without as much as a penny down. However in all fairness I have been shopping there for years & Bob is very honest & knowledgable.
chris74 OP
99 posts
 
Many thanks to those sharing feelings regarding specific hi end audio dealerships/dealers, but the real purpose of this thread is to share your personal hobbyist perspective of what specifically constitutes a top notch high end audio dealer and an explanation thereof. This thread was not intended to evolve into a dealership advertising forum nor does it necessitate stating names of proprietors. Contributions have been objective, insightful and informative thus far. Let us please try and keep it that way.
phd
1,320 posts
 
Chris74, thankyou sir for reminding us to stick to the original question. Anymore dealer advertising will be dealt with severely so I'm with you.
jazdoc
365 posts
 
My apologies for taking your thread in a more specific direction than you intended. As long as we are fantasizing, my perfect dealership would:

1. Carry a complete inventory of multiple product lines with multiple dedicated acoustically treated demo rooms

2. Spend time getting to know me and musical tastes and offer informed suggestions based on my current budget. They would help me build a system that could be easily and cheaply upgraded.

3. Schedule dedicated individual appointment time for customers to bring their own music and sample products in their store prior to an in home demonstration.

4. Allow unlimited in home demos, bring over the equipment, set it up and make sure it is perfoming to their satisfaction. Subsequently, the dealer would come back and pick up the equipment.

5. Provide pricing significantly below retail with generous trade-in allowances even on brands that they did not carry.

6. Continue providing #1-5 after customers purchase their equipment on Audiogon :-)
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