The Best Audio Dealer

Joe at Overture in Delaware is a super nice guy. So is Bob at Elusive Disc. Duke at AudioKinesis seems very kind. Paul at The Cable Company is pretty good. Stuart Ono at Audio Directions in Hawaii is EXTREMELY good.

We know this, Snook, but some of us don't live in areas where every brand is available one block away, around the corner...

David99, as cool a guy as you are, I must differ with you here. Magneplanar sells their smallest speaker factory direct, and it's one of the best buys in audio. I don't think we should make blanket statements about manufacturers that sell factory direct, because that only serves to help the status quo, and they don't need any help. Upstart companies (I know Maggie isn't one) need help in their early quest for market share, and the "old boy" established dealer network only serves to squelch new audio companies that may well have a superior product (since they can't compete with established brand names in a diminishing "specialty audio" market at most any dealer, anywhere, especially if the dealer wants to make his all important markup on that big brand name....ahhhWilson...'scuse me, had to cough).

Did you not see my comments about him in another thread? Just as well, I'm not too proud of them. It was just my opinion, and he shouldn't take it very personally (I've not met him in person). More factory direct companies? Bel Canto, Perpetual, Waveform. Do you not look at ads in magazines?

I don't know Terry. What questionable ethics and business practices?

Sounds to me like he was just trying to sell product (like any salesman would), and you felt he owed you favors as a personal friend (letting you know about the new Levinson, when perhaps you should have researched it more...not that it's my place to criticise, we all make mistakes). I've found that in general, you can't be friends with those who sell you merchandise, because it's always about money deep down. You can't expect a bigger shop to treat you like a king, or something. Perhaps Terry just had something personal against you (not delivering the speakers, with you living so close by), or perhaps he really is a bad guy...I don't know. Either way, I've heard worse "I got screwed" stories, and you should count yourself lucky yours isn't among them. Specialty Hi-Fi is a nasty business, and contrary to all the propoganda by the "feel good" crowd, we all get bitten sooner or later.........................Kinda like driving a car, sooner or later you'll have an accident...so wear your seatbelt, and don't drive in a transfer truck's blind spot (I see too many people doing this on interstate highways). In other words, don't set yourself up to take a big loss before you make a big purchase in audio. All the best, Carl.

Shelton, very glad that I cheared you up! Just think, what if you were like all the other poor shmoes in the world that don't know, or don't care about this hobby. I feel sorry for them, since it really is so fulfilling!..........Craig, yes indeed, generous home auditions epitomize a great dealer.

Me too, only shows how dishonest they are.