Is good customer service about dead?

Just a plug here for my local dealer. Speaker Shop in Buffalo, NY will do everything in their power to resolve any issues in your favor. Been doing business with them forever.

They do in-home installs and in-home evals (the latter if they know you) They'll ship as well. They tend to stick with the more well-known larger companies in deference to our local market's incessant need for the perception of "value for the dollar" (hence, McIntosh, B&W, Paradigm, KEF, Marantz, Magneplanar, etc). Look 'em up.

I imagine "value for dollar" high-end brands is the bulk of the equipment found in real brick & mortar stores with listening rooms, etc. I get the sense the esoteric stuff tends to be demoed in smaller, more private settings.

I just this week had a problem with one of my Quicksilver V4 amps. After speaking with my dealer, John Rutan at Audio Connection, he offered to come and pick it up or have me drop it by for him to take a look at it. I brought it by and he went straight to work with a phone call to Mike Sanders at Quicksilver. After about 45 minutes I was a happy camper again with the problem solved. This was right before closing time as well.To have the manufacturer answer the phone himself and the dealer do the work himself, all the while really trying to get to the bottom of the problem, with no attitude, is what I call great service!

so, i think we've determined that customer service is still very much alive?

I would have to say one of the very best people I have ever worked with was Geoff Poor who owns Glenn Poor's Audio in IL as well as the sales director (I think or a key position) or BAT.

Had to be the best time I ever had at a Hi Fi Shop. Wonderful to talk to, worked thru everything you could want and even if its a long drive, its worth it.

Also the guys down at Oviation Ultimate in Indy. Seriously some of the most friendly guys I have worked with. I'm younger and they would show me everything in the store and work with you and weren't on a high horse and dismissed you because of age etc. Whenever I'm in Indy I have to always go there and visit.

There are some horrible places though. I think customer service on a good level is dying out. Either they don't think they need to do anything for you or they just want the sale. Happens a lot.

Even dealers will do it. Rather than talking about the gear why not turn it on and invite the person to listen? I thought that was what the hobby was about and not to just get a quick sale out the door.