[JLM]

I greatly appreciate how the internet has enriched my knowledge and product access.  I've found only two pure audio retailers currently within 100 miles of where I live and they are poor examples (small, minimally staffed, with few pieces to listen to).  Of course before the home electronic and home theater booms there were many more. 

Use of the internet has led to the various purchases of both my entire audio systems and the speakers for my (low priority) HT system as well as the 3 previous prior audio components.  Nearly all of these were bought through the internet.

[MaxCast]

How would you catigorize buying used over the internet?

[nathanm]

Everything, really.  Only thing I bought in a physical store was some of my foam.  Rationally it doesn't make much sense to buy anything at all over the internet concerning sound, but I guess the selection and convenience factor wins out.  What you do sacrifice is convenience when something breaks.  Then you're screwed.  Actually the whole shipping aspect of it is a pain.

[kfr01]

100%.

There's no better place to experiment with different products than your own home.  I've found that demoing products via the internet is no harder than demoing products in home via a local dealer.  (Indeed, for some reason it always takes the dealer longer to get a demo in from the manufacturer than it takes me to buy an item on a'gon or setup a demo with a 'custom installer' found via the Inet).

[Rob Babcock]

Most of my gear was purchased via the net...in fact, of all my stuff only my DVD player was purchased B&M!   Much was bought used from private sellers, including some stuff here.  Some was bought thru direct sales channels (eg my Hsu subs).

[Papajin]

Mine's 100%.  SB2 w/Bolder mods, Modwright SWL 9.0SE, Blue Circle BC32 amp.  For me though it's not that strange, as I've been buying computer gear over the internet for quite some years now, and before that through magazines like Computer Shopper.

[JLM]

Didn't want to muddy the waters with details, but perhaps send a message to the "big boys" that audio retailing is in a "new age".  I'd figure AC members/visitors would be heavily into the net, but still wonder how many "active" audio consumers are still rely primarily on the bricks and mortar establishments.

It's made my decision making mostly one of "sizing up" as many reviewers (professionals and "real" folks) as possible for a given product.  The "sizing up" is primarily a reading between the lines to determine how our audio related values compare. 

[woodsyi]

80%

I got my racks from Adona (an internet/Audiogon based company) who is local and I got a phonostage at a local B&M because the price was just too good to pass.  It's nice to keep a cordial relationship with at least one local shop just to pop in and see what they may have in tradedin gears and demos.     It doesn't hurt that they provide good service with tube gear as well.

[mca]

Zu speakers, Zu cables, Butler amp, Modwright pre, SB3, Oppo DVD player and the list goes on. Only thing I have bought at a local store was my plasma.

[mcrespo71]

80% of it is.  Of the 10 pieces I own, only 2 are from somewhere local.  Most were audiogon purchases.

[JoshK]

How about when you buy from a dealer you met on the internet?  I bought a demo piece (zektor switch) from Phil, what does that count for?

I bought my Sony XA777es from J&R (the store) but the rest is all from internet.  Oh, and I bought my Dynavector cart from a B&M dealer in Chicago that I got in touch with via audiogon. 

[mcgsxr]

100% - either Net based retailers/modders (Bolder for my SB3 mods, PS, all my cabling etc) or purchases made online (my JVC EX A1 amp off eBay, my GC amp off eBay etc) or DIY (but purchased through the Net - thanks again Dave in Vancouver for the b200 Visatons!).

Not that much of an intentional message on my part, more of a discovery of a new channel, for excellent sound on a budget!

[MaxCast]

I don't have any retail outlets so the internet is my shop.  In fact, I went into a "hi-fi" shop in South Bend, IN   while wife was shopping....I almost felt guilty because I knew I would probably never buy from there.

Then you get asked what your system comprises of and you start nameing internet products and one, they never heard of them (they say) or two, they realize they aren't going to sell you today. 

[JLM]

MaxCast,

I've had the same experience (bricks and mortar guys having no idea what is going on with the internet audio "underground").  One of the closest half way serious audio places to me has sold Klipsch for decades but doesn't sell anything tube based.  Occasionally someone trades in or brings in a tube amp and they study it.  They know nothing about digital amps, single driver speakers, transmission line speaker cabinet designs, or PC based audio (my system).  Their stuff hasn't changed much in 20 years.  It amazes me how little I have in common with them.

[bacobits1]

My whole system is 100% from the internet mostly new but some used.

D