What do you like about your "favorite" retailer?

I too agree with Dweller. A dealer isn't your freind; he is a dealer. Even after spending over 15/20k at their store, they're pissed because you you bought something from somebody else.
My favorite dealer closed his shop and now works out of his house.---Good for him---not good for me. I feel like an intruder under these conditions.
Of the on-line stores Underwood / Walter is as good as it gets. Just a 'professional' nice guy.---YES, still nice when there's a problem. The jumper cables guy hit me with 25% restock for returning factory stock/ sealed product. So even online dealers are different.

My local dealer has become my friend, really, not just in appearance only. Like many of the others above, he has allowed me to take items home to audition with no payment up front, treats me with respect even though I usually look/dress like a bum and did so from the first time I walked in the store, but most of all he was NEVER condescending toward me when I got back into this hobby/obsession after a long time away. I'm sure I said lots of stupid things, but he never once looked at me/talked to me like I was an idiot, even though I was. Rather, he took the time to educate me.
I haven't bought much of anything from him lately, because he doesn't carry lines I'm interested in, but I'll probably stop by there this afternoon to hang out, BS about things, maybe even talk about audio!

My favorite dealers are a local Tweeters, Sears, and Target. I can walk in without making an appointment, listen to whatever I want and I'm not wasting anyone's time and don't feel guilty for not buying anything.

AUDIOGON. The best poeple anywhere.

Tim

Hmm... I'd say that my dealer is actually my friend, given that we spend more time just talking instead of listening to equipment. He's even left me alone in his home (he works out of it) while he did some errands to listen to music for a few hours. I'd consider him a good friend.

Definitely a rarity, however.