What do you like about your "favorite" retailer?

There is a guy named Don who runs a shop called the Listening Room in Pikesville, MD outside of Baltimore. If Don carries what I'm looking for, I'll unhesitating buy it from him. The odd thing is that I often do better because of it price-wise--he's given me discounts off retail for no particular reason and has several times found me factory demo or refurb equipment with full warranty for far less than I'd pay for 2nd hand on A'gon. He is very friendly--but not overbearing--and he'll let you just listen.

He also doesn't do the things that I hate about other dealers I've run across:

- I buy a fair amount of high end audio gear, but I don't tend to look like someone who has the $ to do that--shaving on w/es never appealed to me and I'm far more comfy in ripped up jeans, beat up sneakers and tee shirts than anything else. Most audio dealers tend to ignore me, but Don always has the time.

- Don's shop is a long ride from where I live, but Don is happy to work with me over the phone. Most dealers figure the phone call is just a troll.

- If I arrange to show up and he happens to be in the midst of something else, he seems to make a point of acknowledging me and not just leave me feeling like I'm chopped liver.

- Don doesn't slag other gear just because he doesn't carry it. That seems to be endemic among other audio dealers. I can always count on him for a fair opinion.

So, there are good dealers out there. Maybe Don's style is just a good match for me. Either way, if you happen to be in Pikesville, I'd recommend a visit.

A good retailer must be honest, represent high quality product lines and have a strong enthusiasm for audio retailing. They must be customer focused and provide assistance to their prospects and customers when auditioning equipment and various upgrades. They need to understand live music and how to put together high quality audio systems for different prices ranges. A willingness to listen and understand the needs of their customers is very important. Facilities for equipment repairs and for selling used equipment is a great plus for a retailer. A friendly atmosphere, fair prices, limited sales pressure and home trial-outs are important items for a good retailer. I am very happy with my audio retailer and have purchased several items from him over the years.

Larry at Hollywood Sound (Agon Dealer) is a turntable guru and is relentless at helping when the manufacturer balks or drags his feet. He does not subscribe to the theory that newer/more expensive=better

I like listening to music. I hate fiddling with small parts and measurements and angles. He set up my TT, and I relax and listen.

The massage parlor in back and all that gratuitous sex! Oh, and I like retailers that always ask me if I want paper or plastic, and who double-bag the heavy stuff and offer to carry it out to my car for me. But most of all I like the sex. Yeah, that honesty crap just pales in comparison!

Marco

His bussiness is his hobby and his passion is his hobby. In this world of e-commerce it is very difficult for a bick and mortar store to be sucsessful. To have my bussiness it take`s many different variables. Knowledge is probably the most important then price, inventory ext. ext. Anolog is his mainstay plus he stocks about 300 new 180gr records sometimes its better to touch the record`s and ask question`s why he would buy it. Try to get that from Music Direct, Elusive Disc, Acoustic Sounds, not to say I still don`t buy from them but knowledge over a land line is just not the same.Plus he has a great manufactor linecard of some hard to find manufactors.
If your in Seattle go check out Experience Audio in the U District. David