Would you trust a local dealer to help you put

foster, i misunderstood the premise. then yes, of course, take advantage of what a good dealer can offer you. (and by that, I don't mean tap their knowledge, and then buy on line), a good dealer is, to me, worth the premium if they can offer the kinds of support that i mentioned as well as an array of good two channel equipment. sometimes, the 'premium' is not a premium at all.
mr tennis- yes, of course, independent research is not only important, but fun, it is part of the hobby. however, trial and error can be expensive.
one of the added benefits of using a good dealer is the opportunity (not always, for every piece of equipment) to get a home trial before you buy.
that can save grief, and money.

Here's an example of a good dealer interaction.

When I was looking for a pre-amp, compatibility and good results with my existing phono rig was a consideration. I was interested in the ARC sp16 that I ended up buying, but wanted to make sure the phono section was up to snuff. The problem was the sp16 phono input sensitivity versus the low output level of the Denon DL103R cart, which I did not want to have to change.

So the dealer ( a very small home audio shop in Baltimore area) let me bring my Linn with DL103R in and give it a try. As expected, not enough volume was possible. When I insisted that this was a problem, he offered to let me try and buy a used Electrocompaniet step up device from an associate of his (he was NOT an Electrocompaniet dealer and the unit was not a current model anyhow). So I did the audition again with the Electrocopaniet and bingo, so I bought the ARC and got a good deal with the Electrocompaniet.

I had to know to stand my ground on the input sensitivity issue but once I did the dealer did what he needed to do to make things work and make the sale.

Absolutely. I've used dealers to assemble my system with no regrets. And I'm happy to say that I have developed long-term relationships with them.

But go to more than one. Obtain their input, evaluate their input, then decide if you want to move forward with their input.

Sometimes I follow their advice, sometimes I go in a different direction.

To Elizabeth,

If the dealer doesn't stock anything which I can tell you many dealers don't stock anything these days, then there is never any financial pressure to recommend any product other than the dealer feels this is the best product for the consumer's room, taste, budget etc.

My shop audio doctor has over 60 lines located in four sound rooms and we have about $1 million dollars worth of equipment on display, we have 0 stock, so there is absolutely no benefit to recommend one product over another.

My method has been to make a sale and then reinvest rather than cashing out and living large. My ex boss at SBS I feel didn't run his business that way so many a customer was recommended gear by the owner by what was in stock.

I never cared about the stock issues, and I frequently sold what I felt sounded the best which lead to constant battles leading up to my leaving his shop and starting my own.

The way you don't go bankrupt is to do custom work which is where most of the money is made these days.

As I remember SBS, one month he was promoting brand X as the best
thing since sliced bread, and a few months later, it was an entirely different
brand. I bought a few pieces from him back in the day but they were things
I went in knowing i wanted- it was simply that he carried the line at the time.