Stereo Exchange

Doesn't Recommend

adam G.

Joined 2 months ago

Beware of these guys. I spent several months working with their installation department figuring out upgrades and enhancements to my home's AV systems. If you don't have a strong understanding of options in the market and how things work, don't rely on them to figure out what is best for you. I found that I had to vet every aspect of their proposals. I found outright mistakes and blatant attempts to sell me considerably more expensive options that would not add to utility, quality or functionality. Then, after finally agreeing on a solution, they said they would not do the job without a waiver absolving them of damages. After I signed this 11th hour waiver, they told me they would not to do the project. I accepted their redesign suggestions, signed their waiver, and accepted their proposal. I spent months researching and correcting their mistakes. Finally when the time came to proceed, these unprofessional idiots left me hanging. DON'T WAST YOUR TIME WITH STEREO EXCHANGE.

Recommends

Assayag

Joined 3 years ago

Great place, outstanding products. It's really a great place to visit and buy hi-end audio and video devices. They have outstanding products from the best brands. I had fast e-mail answers, technical support for the products I bought and a very kind treatment when I visited the store to pick my things up. Highly recommended

Doesn't Recommend

ja007

Joined 4 years ago

McDonald's has better customer service. I recently bought a new audio system from this retailer including an integrated amp w/DAC, speakers, stands and top of the line cables. They only had 3' optical cables at the time so I settled for it, expecting to come back once they got in a 6 footer. Now, I realize they specialize in high end audio and carry brands like McIntosh that can get into the tens of thousands of dollars per unit, but I honestly feel like I've received better customer service at a McDonalds spending $0.99 on a snack wrap!! I guess if you only spend $5,000 they just dismiss you until you're ready to drop 5 figures.

Even though I walked in with a budget in mind and a good idea of what I wanted, I appeased the salesman throughout his self-assertive pitch and sat through his dog and pony show. I listened to his seemingly endless knowledge of jazz even though he was talking about players who, unbeknownst to him, are actually my friends and he couldn't have been further from the truth. I ignored his air of self-importance as he told me how many of the manufacturers he knew personally, even though he misquoted which city and state the company is headquartered in (like I've never been handed one of their cards at a booth at CES).

Mind you, this was an impulse purchase on my part and I can only blame myself for not doing the research, but when I found out after the fact that the manufacturer of the integrated amp had a new model coming to market A WEEK after I purchased this one for a few hundred bucks more, I can assume nothing less than this guy (who self-admittedly knows everyone and everything in the industry) just dumped his back stock on me to make room for the new units.

The icing on the cake was when my friend pulled up in front of the store to pick me up with my new gear. I ASKED them specifically if he should pull around to the back before he got out of his car and they told me "no" he was fine there. Of course, within the 90 seconds it took them to find somebody to help me load out (the salesman was apparently counting his commissions and couldn't be bothered) there was a traffic cop writing us a $100 ticket. To appease me, the salesman promised they would "take care of me" when the new optical cables came in. One would assume that meant give me a free cable...NOPE! He offered me $10 off today and said, "if you spend $1,000 or more I can give it to you for free". ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I spent five grand AND got a $100 parking ticket following their instructions and they can't even throw a stinking hundred dollar cable my way. Not exactly what I would expect from a local stereo shop, especially when I made it clear that this was just an entry level system for me to listen to iTunes with.

This place is actually over priced and the sales staff couldn't care less about the customer unless you have an Amex Black card. Take advantage of their listening rooms, then do yourself a favor and buy elsewhere!

Recommends

ericsandman

Joined 6 years ago

Great gear, no hassles. After reading the previous reviews, I'm not sure if I got lucky or what. Went in for a 5k stereo system and came out with a kick-butt system. The salesman was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Went to a couple of other high-end shops in the city before this visit and SE was by far the least pretentious (especially compared to Sound by Singer). Highly recommended.

Doesn't Recommend

hifiman

Joined 6 years ago

Lousy and rude. I stopped by to check out some $3k speakers. The salesman was rude and clearly didn't want to spend any time with me. He tried to baffle me with the usual hifi showroom nonsense. I couldn't leave quickly enough. I took my money to Lyric Hifi on the Upper East side, where in a relaxed, non pressured and calm environment, they gladly relived me of it.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review by Citysearch Editors. Sells audio and home theater products from Sony, Bose, Meridian and more.

Doesn't Recommend

jook_savages

Joined 8 years ago

downhill alert. Had a home theater installation a year ago total was about $15k. I got taken on overcharges for cables and incredibly stupid mistakes they made on the original estimate for installation. Im not sure if the mistakes were intentional, but thats irrelevant. There were obvious omissions and they should have known better.

In the past 6 months, I have needed service assistance twice. Forget it, at least from SE. That is, unless youre willing to wait 4 weeks or more for service. Ive been hearing the line, We have a 4 week waiting period for a technician, for a year. That started with the installation I should have run to the internet from the onset. I ended up going to outside sources and paying for service that would have been covered under warranty if I was willing to be without a system for up to a month.

Recommends

videomaven

Joined 11 years ago

Great store. I went in and was a bit overwhelmed by the products, but the friendly and very knowledgeable sales staff and custom installation experts put together the perfect home theater for me on a price scale that I was comfortable with.

Recommends

pink215650

Joined 11 years ago

great store. Great at custom installation. Friendly and knowledgaeble salespeople and a variety of products.