I found this business looking for some monitors for my studio that are no longer in production on Ebay, and Techno Empire had the ones I wanted listed. I was attracted to their listing initially because they were shown with crystal clear professional photographs and very detailed, then I read there was a 30 day money back guarantee, and finally I noticed there was an option to save on shipping if I did a store pick up in Burbank about 20 minuets from my house. Done deal! So I purchased the monitors and the very next morning drove down to pick them up.
When I got to the location I was beside myself. I've never seen such an extensive collection of amazing vintage, older, and newer used pro-audio equipment in my life. What also struck me was everything in the massive warehouse was meticulously organized, numbered, and labeled, and not to mention spotless. I found the owner, Slevin, in a neat built-out office area on the phone working out a deal with another customer and noted he was articulate, warm, engaging, and very attentive and accommodating to his customer's needs.
What I thought at first was simply another pawn shop or consignment store turned out to be something far different - and more profound. As a business owner myself, when I walked into this low profile building in an industrial corner of Burbank, I was walking into a building, but also I could tell that I was clearly walking into a man's vision. A man's dream. From the prompt customer service and the money back guarantee, to the spotless and meticulously organized gear (and the entire workstation dedicated solely to testing and cleaning whatever they bring in to sell), the entire place felt like it was the streaming trickle-down of the mind and passion of someone who clearly gives a damn about what they are doing, how they treat their customers, and how they want their business to be presented.
I liked it so much, in fact, that I wound up buying another unit of just what I was looking for on the spot when I went to pick up my monitors, and turns out it was turned in from the studio of one of my favorite drummers growing up. Now I'm actually looking forward to needing something else for my studio, so I can have an excuse to go back to Burbank and peruse the elaborate collage of top rate vintage audio equipment on the shelves of Techno Empire and take another piece of history back to its new home on one of MY racks.
Now I can tell a solid dude and good business when I see one, and my experience with Slevin and TE was JUST that. I read the couple negative reviews about this place before I even came down, and from my personal experience I can't see how they could hold water. I didn't know this company from Adam prior to about 24 hours ago, and after one interaction it compelled me enough to sit here writing this elaborate review because it was such a good experience.
From where I sit, 5 stars isn't enough. If you are in to audio like me, I would recommend adding Techno Empire to your favorites list on google maps and just drop by, even just to see what they have in stock. I'm sure headed back! You can thank me later. :)
The owner of this shop is nothing short of a international disgrace. Im sure he is going to respond to this. My message is display my email and email messages from ebay that we exchanged and let the public see them before you open your pathetic mouth. And the fine print about how you want customers to feel on our purchase. Respond to that clown
