The Music Room is Slipping

it's a business. By definition, they are into making profit.

The ads are BS. Why would they care about audiophiles? It's like when the customer is surprised that the waitress is not into him. She flirts so that she can get a bigger tip.

I also agree that the 5% restocking fee and the shipping cost makes it prohibitive to try out gear. I tried it once, for an amp that would cost $1000 on USAM they asked $1800 so I ended up paying $200 for a 2 weeks "trial". Quotes because I would have kept it if I had liked it.

I’ve had good experience with TMR.  They seem to get all kinds of very expensive wires so yeah you would think they would want to sell,  but I’m sure they know how much specific items will bring and it is a business so…..maybe just keep trying.  Good luck!

Their used gear pricing lately does seem to be getting "too spicy". I've definitely noticed that; it felt like I was seeing much better deals with them in past years. I believe they can command a premium over private sellers, but their prices are creeping over "not worth it" territory for a lot of items - more every day.

Seems pretty typical - their business grew and so did their overhead. And there's no more "economies of scale" to tap out of scraping the used gear churn.

That said, their margins will stop growing as soon as we (collectively) stop selling so cheap and buying so high ;) 

"...they have shifted from wanting customers to wanting dollars. Take care of a customer and they tell others..."

@nooshinjohn - I understand your perspective but, unfortunately, you can't make it up on volume.  Their sales have to be profitable.

I’ve had good experiences. Buddy sold speakers on consignment by them in a day.., certainly evidence of under gouging..,

I think they are up

to 73 ish employees… get to know some of them by name..,,