Thanks, "Administrator/Moderator" for your reply; it gives me hope. I'll try calling both Albuquerque and Omaha again. If I can't get a commitment from one of them today to sell and ship or dropship me a unit, I'll try your support people; but I need a commitment from someone by Monday. Otherwise, I'll buy a different soundbar from a (gasp) internet seller who really wants my business and makes it easy to buy from them. There are reputable dealers out there who sell equipment that is not gray market or knock-off junk.

For better or worse, the internet has obviously revolutionized marketing and sales, and Goldenear needs to figure out a business model that takes that into account. Perhaps Goldenear could proactively educate and encourage its dealers to sell and ship to customers who live more than, say, 60 miles from a local dealer. A huge number of potential customers don't live close to a Goldenear retail dealer, and they just aren't going to jump thru the hoops I've been made to negotiate thus far.

Thanks, Wayne, for the name of the contact in Omaha.

You're welcome. We understand your feelings about internet sales. Most all of our dealers are savvy enough to make a sale in the circumstances you describe, otherwise they wouldn't be in business. I cannot explain the bizarre circumstances you describe. Sandy believes his products need to be auditioned to be appreciated, sold with the proper associated equipment and with professional installation and/or system setup/configuration assistance. Although you may be ready to buy, the majority of potential consumers need to "hear the difference" to appreciate and want real high fidelity products for their home. Sandy has chosen to direct his efforts at that market in hopes of exposing more people to better audio gear and the enjoyment it brings. On the internet there is only price, not performance.

Whew. At last, success. I think. Talked to the owner of Custom Electronics in Omaha, and he was initially reluctant to send me a SC3DA because of Goldenear's policy of wanting customers to walk in the door of a local audio shop and buy there. Explained I live hundreds of miles from a dealer and won't be walking into anyone's shop. Also explained that I was advised on this forum to have him contact Goldenear to get permission to ship to a poor, benighted rural customer. He did that, called me back, and said he will have the unit drop shipped from Goldenear since his shop has none in stock. So, hopefully this will work.

BTW, some Goldenear dealers appear not to be supporting Goldenear as much as Goldenear is trying to support them. I.e., they had no SC3DAs in stock. If dealers don't have them in stock, they can't sell them, obviously. Don't know if Goldeneqr doesn't have enough to keep dealers stocked up, or if dealers just aren't stocking them for whatever reason. Either way, Goldenear is losing sales.

HSA:

And the saga continues. Looks like you've had one wild ride...I'll bet Disney Land doesn't compare. I had thoughts of purchasing the SC3DA myself and sending it to you...hate to see a brother going through so much difficulty.
I'm glad Custom Electronics is able to help you. Truth is it's not over until the SC3DA is "in your home", "hooked up" and "playing properly".

Let us know if you get a Christmas card from Custom Electronics...and also how she sounds when she's hooked up and broken in.

Anthem,

Thanks for your kind words. I've been so persistent because, (a) I'm stubborn, and (b) the reviews have been so good. (If Custom Electronics hadn't agreed to order it for me today, however, I would have given up and ordered something else.) Sure hope I love this thing when it's delivered and setup. Am excited and anxious at the same time because I plunked down $1000 for something I've never heard. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." And, BTW, I'm a "sister" aficionado, not a "brother." Since most home theater hobbyists are male, it's natural to assume I am, too. <G>

BTW, some Goldenear dealers appear not to be supporting Goldenear as much as Goldenear is trying to support them. I.e., they had no SC3DAs in stock. If dealers don't have them in stock, they can't sell them, obviously. Don't know if GoldenEar doesn't have enough to keep dealers stocked up, or if dealers just aren't stocking them for whatever reason. Either way, Goldenear is losing sales.

Glad to hear you succeeded in your purchase. If installed and set up properly I am sure you will be extremely happy with the product.

Just to clarify for others that may read this, specialty retailers do not typically stock ANYTHING (most don't even have a warehouse). Dealers who do not stock GoldenEar products are not unsupportive, they're good business people! Many of our dealers sell more GoldenEar than any other speaker brand's products in our price ranges, yet they do not stock the product. Clearly, this is not a sales issue. People who buy specialty goods typically do so because they have decided they want "better", and for better they will wait a few days. No one who really wants and appreciates "better" settles for mediocre just because they can have it now.

In case you're interested in logistics, GoldenEar maintains a warehouse in Kentucky with all of our products in stock, (virtually) all of the time, for same day shipment to dealers (or their out of the area customers).