The Music Room

I question their functional notes and tobacco exposure. 

I had a great experience with TMR last month.   Mario is great to deal with,  helped me with the purchase of an Aurender N200.   Great customer service over there 

Had in interesting interaction with the when I offered to sell back to them a NAD turntable I had bought from the, about a year previously. In essence, the discount I would have gotten on an upgrade was minimal and not worth it. However, the sales rep who worked with me told me this and advised I sell online as turntables are not the customer's best money making selling item - compared to amps or speakers. 

I've never had anything but decent to good businesses with TMR

kamoss1,

Have you contacted The Music Room for an explanation of the charge?

ozzy

I’d say @emil is likely correct about the @kamoss1 post since that’s standard practice. I would have expected at least $40 to be deducted for any pair of speakers shipped, even those small ones mentioned.

I got a great deal on a power amp from TMR, and the salesperson I've been in correspondence with has been a pleasure.

There may be handling charges involved as well. I used to audition cables through lending library at Cable Company, no expectation this was a free service.

Try returning audio purchase from private individual, doubt you'll fine much luck here.

@kamoss1 

 

You're paying for their shipping cost to send it to you I believe.

So you're paying shipping both ways if you do return an item

Just had an unpleasant encounter with The Music Room. Purchased a pair of Q acoustics M20 speakers from them which turned out not to work out in my room. Used all original packaging and shipping materials to ship back to them. Paid for and insured the shipping back to them. The refund however was foremost $40 short. There was no explanation given. 
 

Thank goodness this was a very inexpensive price to pay. But if this is the experience of others, then how can the ratings on this particular company be so good?
 

I bought a brand new Cyrus CdT transport from TMR. It took forever to get it, but not in any way their fault, just the times we live in. I dealt with Mario who is a very nice person. He gave me a great deal on the Cyrus!

I just bought a pair of monoblocks from TMR.
I got them within the week, extremely well packed. I would gladly do business with them again.

I just had a positive transaction buying cables from Nick @ TMR. They turned down my AMR dacs but there's no hard feelings. Thank you, Nick!

TMR does okay. I’ve bought a few things from them and sold some things to them. Most everything went okay and I got fair prices.

They take on some risk buying used gear, hoping to test it as many ways as possible, storing it, listing it, spend time $ talking to people about it, and offer a reasonable return policy. Their objective is to move product, and that occurs faster by not overpaying for it to begin with. They can re-list for whatever price they want and hope a real buyer comes along, and then hoping the buyer does not return it. Seems they’ve learned to fine tuned the cycle a bit more and likely what it takes to stay in business, pay employees, and absorb some of that return risk too. You can take their offer now or sell it yourself over time and deal with offers too just like they do.    

Inquired about selling an almost new amplifier to them which was the latest model by a popular manufacturer.  Being a business person I understand a company needs to make a decent profit, but I was shocked at how low a price they offered.  I was informed TMR needed to pay that amount because they would only ask $x.xx price for the amp when they sell it so they couldn't pay me more.

I decided against the transaction with them and later saw they were selling the same exact model/new condition amplifier for $500 more than they told me TMR would sell it for. I prefer to not deal with them again.  I will mention that I believe I was dealing with a new employee.

Recently sold a amp to them. Got a fair price. Painless and flawless transaction. Couldn't be happier. 

@ebm look here https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9064 looks like a nice kit.  Love the Quicksilver gear have some myself.

Yeah, it’s not just me.

You said:

ebm 05-15-2021 11:19am
They sell a lot of maginal junk.

You got called on that by me and by stereo54, who said

@ebm,
that is quite a slanderous statement. Anything to back it up?

It's not fair to just spout stuff and then walk away. I'm done, though, so chill.

@ebm  You misspelled, "I take my comment back."

Purchased Sf speakers from them a couple of yours back and no issues. 

@ebm You have now said that they sell "maginal [sic] junk" and "good stuff."
Perhaps you had one bad experience but really -- be fair.

I've had nothing but flawless dealings with them, including trials. Peachtree, Focal, REL, Shunyata, Analysis Plus, Sennheiser, Beyer-Dynamic. Where's the marginal junk there? Nowhere, that's where.

@ebm,

Wow, so sorry to hear that.  I have had nothing but good luck with them. 

Yes I got a ground wire($150.00 list I paid $80.00) from them after a day it took out my right channel on 30k. TW ACUSTIC AC3 turntable. When I put my original group wire back the channel came back never had that happen in over 50 years of analog they said after I sent it back to them it was ok this was not clearly the case.Im sure they sell some good stuff as well however it was not the case for me.

I've only had a couple transactions with TMR but found the the representatives involved to be both highly professional and cordial. I would buy from/sell to them again with no reservations.

Now, about supporting B&M stores...

We hear again and again in these forums the refrain "treat the  room" . . . are these the same folks who insist we ought to support B&M stores who, for the most part, do not offer in-home demos? ? ? 
If so, I'm unable to follow the logic. 

For such stores to survive, it would seem they require an ongoing supply of two types of customers-- 1) those who are too inexperienced to realize the risk they run when buying gear on the basis of a showroom demo alone and 2) those who are so wealthy that the risk of bringing home a component that may or may not sound good their room is of no consequence. 

No doubt you'll suggest there's a third category-- those audiophiles who are so experienced they can hear an unfamiliar component in an unfamiliar system in a unfamiliar room and accurately determine how it will sound in their system, in their room. I don't pretend to be an expert and I don't discount the possibility that such individuals exist.

Nevertheless, as I do not fit into this latter category or the two preceding categories, such stores hold no appeal. 

I bought my Aqua DAC from a B&M store-- Alma Music and Audio in San Diego-- because they were willing to send me a demo. On the basis of that in-home trial, I happily ordered a new unit from them.  

In another case, I was seriously interested in the Moon 260D transport.
As the local dealer would not send me a demo, I approached an out-of-state dealer that also advertised online. As it happened, they were willing to offer me an in-home trial and again, on that basis, I bought and kept the unit. 

This is an expensive obsession ("hobby" is too tame a descriptor) and for those of us with moderate means AND sensitive ears, the showroom-based sales approach makes little sense. 

@ebm,

that is quite a slanderous statement.  Anything to back it up?

Celtic ....Did they also say the unit was fully tested? I ask because I had nearly an identical scenario...with mine having supposedly been fully tested.

If so, you’re more patient and forgiving than me.

Fully tested should include the remote functionality too!

Recently purchased a Sugden LA-4 Masterclass preamp which turned out to have a defective IR receiver, so no remote volume.

They sent a RA which paid for shipping, reported the found defect, informed me Sugden would need to supply from England.  Repaired and returned.  Clockwork response, repair and return.

The Music Room address is published on their web site.  It is:
410 Jones Court, Erie, CO 80516.

I just sold my Interconnect cables using The Music Room and the transaction was excellent.  TMR suggested a consignment sale, a suggested selling price (I agreed) and sent me a FedEx mailing label so I could mail them the cables at their expense.  They took excellent pictures, completed an excellent product description and listed the cables for sale on their web site, Audiogon and eBay.   They answered product questions, handled offers for the cable and it was finally sold.  My payment was mailed to me today via check with the USPS.  

If a product does not sell, The Music Room reduces its price by 1% approximately every 2 weeks until it is sold.  Buyers can either buy it now or make an offer to purchase the product.  

Depending on the equipment, sometimes, they will make a cash offer.  I recommend The Music Room for buying audio equipment and also for consignment sales.  

When PS Audio offered the P15 power regenerator, I dealt with TMR to trade in my P10 and the transaction could not have been better.  I was able to give my details (including credit card number) over the phone, they sent me a Fedex or UPS label via email, and in a very reasonable amount of time the P15 arrived.

Nobody and no company is perfect.
However, there are many here who have had very positive experiences with them.
The person who needs to look at your equipment could be out sick like many other people with all the viruses going around now.
I do agree that somebody should be able to tell you something, like your place in the queue or an estimated date when you should expect to hear something.
Maybe be a little patient and call back in a couple of days.
We have a saying at work, “don’t assume bad intent.”
Good luck.

I traded in a McIntosh MC152 amp for a McIntosh MC302 amp and within 4 days of TMR receiving my amp, they shipped out the new one to me. When they receive trade in items, they thoroughly check them first. Perhaps at this time of year, they are a little overwhelmed with many trades coming in and it takes a bit longer. You sound like a VERY impatient individual. Threatening to complain to the BBB solves nothing and will not make your new toy arrive any faster. If I was Josh at TMR, I would ship your used equipment back to you and not do business with you. I have had 4 transactions with TMR and I am 1000000%satisfied. They are great to deal with and I put them in the same class as Audio Classics.

Patience is a virtue.

This vendor has a lot of favorable comments - but I have had a very unfavorable experience with them this Dec 2019. I have sent all my trade items & $400 via PayPal to them (per our email agreement) - all of which The Music Room has been confirmed to have rec'd. Despite my many emails they do not get back to me on the status of my trade shipment of a Rega turntable. I have called them multiple times - no help nor affirmative assistance - on the two phone calls they state that I have to deal with their employee (Mike Dean) by email - and only him, though Mike does not respond - its been a week now, and I have rec'd nothing back on my many email inquires. I cannot recommend that you deal with The Music Room, and currently I do not believe that they are legit. If they don't make right in the next day or so I will have to file a complaint with the BBB.

Hi gents, just circling around to this thread, I have no money issues that a buck or two or hundred or thousand would matter to, so just stick by your posts and the best to you. 

This is ridiculous. If as you say your amp was a "no brainer to sell," then sell it yourself.  If you don't like their prices or conditions, then don't deal with them....simple. 

TMR runs a well-managed business, they stay true to their business model, and the results of that model have allowed them to stay in business longer than most who play in the same arena.  TMR has cultivated a client base by;

• Careful buying of gear/speakers that are in relatively good operational and cosmetic condition
• Internal inspection of the gear/speakers before putting items up for sale
• Relatively competitive prices for the age and condition of the gear/speakers they sell - not the lowest price you will find but in most cases well within the range
• Excellent packaging and shipping practices
• Stand behind the operational and cosmetic condition of sold items
• Offer a 30-day money back return policy (virtually unheard of in the used market!)

As stated previously by @rikkitik 

If you don't like it, and aren't going to use it, send it back and we'll refund your money". 30 days after purchase. Their return policy is good as gold. You might pay a little more, but pretty much, satisfaction guaranteed.

I confirmed that return policy with them before purchasing a pair of $7K amplifiers, which I ultimately decided to keep.

They have a business to run, they arent trying to collect audio gear and if someone doesnt like the price they offer, dont sell it. They must buy at a price where they can make a fair return along with the risk that not everyone fully and accurately discloses condition. I think its silly that people complain that they dont get offered full retail for their preowned gear. Jeez.

In my viewpoint some people feel entitled and complain loudly when the world doesn't live up to their expectations.

I get what you are saying.  If in your viewpint life someone is transparent and tells you that they are going to pay you a ridiculously low price for something, and then tells you they will sell it for much less than you know they will, that it is ok. So be it. No so in my experience.

I'm a certified public accountant, somewhere along the line after many years of experience I have finally learned the very hard to understand fact that the a dealer needs to make a profit.  

The only reason I thought about selling it to TMR is to not deal with hassle of dealing with buyers if selling it myself. 

So you admittedly understand better than most people the costs of doing business and you wanted them to perform the service of selling the item for you, but somehow you're unhappy with your experience in spite of their complete transparency about how they do business?  OK

Thanks for saying the obvious big_greg, how hard is that to understand?  I'm a certified public accountant, somewhere along the line after many years of experience I have finally learned the very hard to understand fact that the a dealer needs to make a profit.  

At the price I wanted to get for it, they would have made a quick $500-$600 if they sold it for what the previous discontinued used models were going for, but likely more because it is the recently released more expensive updated model.  We are only talking about an amp which when new sells for $3,150 and is a no brainer to sell.  The only reason I thought about selling it to TMR is to not deal with hassle of dealing with buyers if selling it myself.  If you look at the posts above by sellers you will see others have the same thoughts as I do.

If you want to get the most from your used gear, sell it yourself.  If you sell it to a dealer, they need to make a profit on it and are going to pay you a lot less.  How hard is that to understand?  It sounds like they were pretty transparent with you.  What is "less than favorable" about that experience?  

My recent dealing with TMR was not so favorable, especially after reading all the positive reviews.

Before I decided to keep my amp, I had thought about selling it to TMR. The amp is the latest recently released model, A stock, pristine and 9 months old. The offer they gave me for the amp was way too low. The worst part is that the individual I was dealing with justified the price he would pay me by saying TMR would then turn around and resell the amp for less than the years old previous, outdated models were going for on the used market.

I do get the feeling that I was dealing with a newly hired individual who was trying to impress his employer and noted another poster here had a not so good experience with him also.

@rikkitik...………………….

I wish I had known that.  I also bought a CJ solid state amp, the MF2550 and within the first 2 days decided it wasn't a good fit.  I just assumed that you buy it you own it.  I sold mine here at a 500.00 loss.  Live and learn.  My most recent purchase at the beginning of this year was a Mac MC302 amp which I got a fantastic deal on after trading a smaller Mac amp to them  It looked brand new and sounds like it!