Needing to find a new repair tech for my Sansui 9090 now that my last one has retired. This name came up and it is Lion Audio with a tech named William Green. His website looks legit, has am A+ BBB rating. Seemed very knowledgeable on our phone conversation. My only hesitation is his policy for dropping off and picking up gear. His shop is right next to his home and his wife does not want customers there or know where they might live? He has people meet him in a Goodwill lighted parking lot nearby by appointment. Same for picking up and payments are done by online. I was used to my last tech where he had me come to his home, drop off and show him what I needed repaired. He would print out a order with my units serial number, symptoms and deposit left. When i would pick up he would audition it for me to make sure I was happy, I would pay and get my receipt. You hear stories about crooks taking off with your gear. Might be on the up and up, just wondering if anyone has heard of him.
Anyone heard of Lion Audio in Dripping Springs Texas?
- Thread starter KiltedCowboy
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I have not heard of him, but I'm not in Texas.
I would not want strangers coming into my house and knowing where I live. I don't sell stuff because I don't want to audition. The tech guy I use operates the same way. I do not hold that as bad manners or any of the like. It's prudent.
He may relent once he knows you, his rating is stellar, so if it were me, I would bite the bullet on this one. He's in charge
I would not want strangers coming into my house and knowing where I live. I don't sell stuff because I don't want to audition. The tech guy I use operates the same way. I do not hold that as bad manners or any of the like. It's prudent.
He may relent once he knows you, his rating is stellar, so if it were me, I would bite the bullet on this one. He's in charge
Thank you for your response. His online presence looks good and I think he even sells some items online. I am leaning towards trusting him. The parking lot thing just threw me a bit. I can understand the strangers around the home stuff.
Do a google search for "lion audio dripping springs". 4 reviews on Yelp. 1 five star and 3 one star. All the the 1 star say the same thing; that he's a crook.
Personally, I'd avoid any service that required meeting in a parking lot. I.e., "Hey buddy. Wanna buy a watch?"
Personally, I'd avoid any service that required meeting in a parking lot. I.e., "Hey buddy. Wanna buy a watch?"
I dealt with him years ago when he had a brick-and-mortar shop in Austin (Circle Stereo). I bought a few things from him, but I don't recall having any repairs done. My recollection is that he was knowledgeable and maybe a bit eccentric.
For recent repairs I have used a 'shop' in Cedar Park with drop off and pick up conducted in a grocery store parking lot. The point of contact for the shop is active in the local FB audio group. They have repaired a couple tube amps for me and a Fisher 800C. I have also bought speakers from the shop using the parking lot for the transaction so, obviously, the parking lot scenario hasn't deterred me.
For recent repairs I have used a 'shop' in Cedar Park with drop off and pick up conducted in a grocery store parking lot. The point of contact for the shop is active in the local FB audio group. They have repaired a couple tube amps for me and a Fisher 800C. I have also bought speakers from the shop using the parking lot for the transaction so, obviously, the parking lot scenario hasn't deterred me.
That's an absolute deal breaker for me. I'm giving you an expensive piece of equipment in a parking lot? F that. Rent a commercial space or get over your paranoia about people knowing where you live. Anyone who knows your name can find your address in seconds. Also I pay cash. People who won't take it are weird.
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I also dealt with him in the 1985-2000 time period when he operated as Circle Stereo on Guadalupe St. I remember that I saw my first McIntosh tube amp in his shop. My impression of him is the same as yours. He is knowledgable and a bit eccentric. Also he was somewhat slow on some of the repairs or at least he was unclear regarding the repair turnaround time. However, he was a one man shop and was doing used equipment sales in addition to repairs. That being said, I don't recall ever having to make a warranty claim on the equipment he repaired.
The last time I dealt with him was in approximately 2002 after he moved his business to Dripping Springs and I had moved from Austin. I had him service a Scott tube amp. The repair went fine.
After reading those reviews I think I will find so
That was my thought. My last tech had me show him what was wrong and verified that he fixed it when I picked it up. Also got a detailed work order with the units serial number on it. This threw me a bit, but looks like some here do parking lot pickups here. I am still looking for an honest tech in North, Central or East Texas that isn't backed up 1-2 years if anyone here knows anyone.
So his wife probably doesn't want PO'd customers coming by the house...
I had some work done on a Yamaha integrated amp in the 90s when he still had a shop in Austin - several excuses for why it took months to turn around and in the end I had to tell him not to worry about the lights.
Lots of info on Circle Stereo on AK, as well as other forums. The guy does seem to know his stuff and is able to perform quality work but is a total crapshoot on what you'll actually get.
Alan
I had some work done on a Yamaha integrated amp in the 90s when he still had a shop in Austin - several excuses for why it took months to turn around and in the end I had to tell him not to worry about the lights.
Lots of info on Circle Stereo on AK, as well as other forums. The guy does seem to know his stuff and is able to perform quality work but is a total crapshoot on what you'll actually get.
Alan
0b11011001
Active Member
I would take any BBB review with a big grain of salt.
As I would any Yelp or Google review.
If it were only one or two negative reviews, out of many, I'd agree with you. However, when you have 4 reviews from different people, in different locations, and several months apart, and 3 are negative, that shows a pattern.
0b11011001
Active Member
Yes but, more dissatisfied people are apt to leave a negative review, than good people are to leave a positive review.
People love to complain more than they love to praise. And a good number of 1 star reviews are the person complaining about some minor issue with a product or service.
I am still searching Texas or Oklahoma for a new tech. I wish I could trust this guy, but the horror stories have me spooked. 50 years ago I would not have thought twice but the world is different now. Too many scammers and thieves.
If I were still living in Austin and did not want to use Lion, I would consider Austin Stereo Service. I haven't had any experience with them and its doesn't have a BBB rating, but FWIW the Yelp ratings seem good.
At the end of the day, getting vintage stereo equipment serviced has become a bit of a crap shoot anyway.
At the end of the day, getting vintage stereo equipment serviced has become a bit of a crap shoot anyway.
I've found just the opposite. The vast majority of items, services, etc. that I have researched show far more positive than negative reviews. Although I do pay more attention the the negative than the positive, that does not always dissuade me.
True, but the complaints in question are far more detailed than simply someone upset over a "minor issue".
0b11011001
Active Member
I have seen some complaints actually mention a cosmetic issue, but otherwise a fully functional item. Or someone not happy because they failed to fully research a product before buying it.
I have found a lot of 1 star reviews to be mostly petty in nature, and therefore ignore them.