Stereoland Inc — Local services in Bloomington

I went to the store to audition the Headphones and Headphone Amps. The store has an AMAZING set-up where you can sit down and listen to over 25 different headphones paired with any combination of over 12 headphone amps. I am not aware of any other similar set-up in the entire Midwest region. They carried some really great brand names...Audeze, Focal, Sony, Empryian,...including the Empyrian Elite and Empryian II headohones. Also, a nice selection of Woo Headphone Amps, Chord Amp,McIntosh Amps and more. What was really great was-- being able to make an immediate comparison between all the different products, which was extremely helpful in finding the Sound I was looking for... Also.. being able to audition all these products at one location saved me considerable time and money by not having to order different products online and returning them etc. And Zach, the sales person who assisted me, was himself a Headphone Enthusiast...he owns several pairs of headphones, and was very in the know about their products. This was a big plus for me, because when having gone online to talk with sales agents selling all of this same gear, most of them have never even used the product and cannot give you the most helpful advice on what to buy. All of the above was for me an Invaluable & Excellent Experience to helping me as a customer find my Sonic Nirvana! By the way, my favorite headphones were the Audeze LCD 3...

Occasionally poor customer service, primarily by way of being pushy and insulting customers for not committing immediately or for changing their minds, as people sometimes do. Without going into detail, I have had more than one negative experience in the store, and only with the owner (Bill), and I have now heard similar stories from other customers (who say they most likely will not be back). In fact, I just heard one today, when I visited someone (at his home) to purchase a used item. I am a thorough, thoughtful, FRIENDLY person and, before shelling out thousands on equipment, I like to make sure I like it enough to own it and that it functions properly (particularly if used and on consignment). I don't want to be asked "Are you going to buy it or not?" when I am in a showroom, considering my options, just because it's been an hour'ish and I haven't yet decided. This is really too bad because they have some very nice equipment, and a nice showroom and, now, I honestly feel like I can't return (and...I feel like I am unwanted...which I most likely am, unfortunately). I've become "that guy", I think. Instead of feeling good and/or excited upon entering last time, I felt the weight of impending sales pressure followed shortly thereafter by actual sales pressure. Thanks but...

If you're interested in having access to the most robust inventory of quality electronics spanning price ranges from small to large, having demo experiences that will give you a perma-grin that only a plastic surgeon can remove, or looking for consultation from acumen in spades then please visit Stereoland and ask for Zach!!! That's not to say that you wouldn't have a similar experience with their other professionals; however, you all need to know how much Zach has exceeded expectations and served as an audio mentor to me.

Over the last year and a half of my journey, Zach has done all of the following (and more):

Talked me out of unnecessarily spending money while tactfully explaining pros and cons relative to value / cost. Exhibited expert listening skills in order to determine reasonable purchasing options. Provided technical support to troubleshoot, identify, and resolve complex issues.

Needless to say, I will only go to Stereoland for my...