A&B TV

Harlan and Brandon are accommodating and very helpful. Just a WARNING: If you purchase installation on a new tv, decide before they come out, if you want wall mount or not. I had the tv and speakers dropped off and set up, then had to call back to get the tv and soundbar mounted on the wall. All installation charges totaled nearly $ 700!!! I wasn’t expecting such a huge bill!!! That’s almost another tv! So be warned. Get a quote ahead of time for any delivery/​installation. That being said, James and LeRoy did a neat, professional install. VERY neat.
UPDATE: Harlan returned my call from 3 days ago; I stated the above about my high bill and that I just would have appreciated knowing the install charges in advance. Harlan extended a «peace offering» as he called it, allowing as he could understand both sides of this issue… He is crediting a half hour labor + tax to my card. I am satisfied (mostly because the work done was excellent) and have changed my review from 3 to 4 stars.

I had a great customer service experience lately and I thought they deserved a good review as a result: I bought a Yamaha 7.2 receiver recently on sale for $ 497. It was a great improvement over the 15 year old Sony I was replacing. In the next week or two I saw the same receiver in their ad for about $ 425. I called and said «didn’t I see something about a price guarantee?» I had barely finished the sentence and Andrew (I think) remembered my purchase, had looked me up, and said «no problem, do you want it credited back to the same credit card?» Long story short, I didn’t even have to go in, the credit appeared on my credit card, and I’m very happy with the purchase. I’ll definitely look there first on my next home theater purchase.

Why am I writing this review? Simple. I’ve shopped and purchased 2 TVs, 2 projectors and electronics at A&B over an 8 year stretch living and retiring in Austin. To be totally candid, I’ve purchased a TV, electronics and appliances from Best Buy during this same period. I like them both, with a bias towards A&B for several reasons. It’s not a huge difference, but you’d be crazy not to pay them a visit. [Before my move to Austin, I purchased equipment from stores in Boston to New York. I’ve even purchased online. I’ve got no prejudices.]
A&B TV has a broader selection of higher end products, has a great selection of mid-​priced gear, allows for a longer, less intrusive comparison process, has access to the newest electronics before others, makes an extra effort to find what I want, offers very good pricing without drama, and has a wonderful installation team that knows what they’re doing. About the latter: I just had 3 TVs moved/​mounted on walls around my home. A&B installers were patient, careful, and knowledgeable. I will trust them with my installations going forward.
I’m not wealthy. I am, however, crazy over audio/​video technology and regularly indulge in upgrades to ensure my home theater is equipped with premier (but reasonably priced!!!) equipment. I want my other TVs to sound and look good. I even sent my daughter here when she was looking to improve her AV experience. She was quite pleased. A&B is probably more like the «old-​fashioned» audio stores when it comes to helping you select equipment. There is nothing old about the quality and sophistication of their selection.

I honestly wouldn’t bother going anywhere else but A&B for a TV, speakers and other A/​V equipment. Both me and my family have been purchasing A/​V equipment from them for a long time.
To the ‘poor customer service’ Reviewers: I am well under 50 yrs old and do not display «money dripping out of my pants» when walking into A&B TV and always receive good customer service. Their employees are well informed individuals with years of personal experience but won’t be overly chatty like your typical Best Buy 16 yr old employee. Food for thought…

I believe in buying local. I work just down the street from A&B TV. I went into their store to replace my worn out stereo system because they carry the brands I’ve used for twenty years.
I started with John McCune, ended up being helped by almost everyone who works there, over my few trips into the store.
These guys are great! They helped me with all my questions.
It is really rewarding shopping local.

They FINALLY did right by me after 4 months of attempting to reach them. I think they try but they need a customer service overhaul badly.

Had these guys set up my new TV and put an outside TV and surround sound system for me. Did a great job. James, Leroy and all the people at A & B were extremely helpful, knowledgeable and just plain nice people.

Jeffrey helped me out with a whole new system for the house. I went in looking at a particular brand and left with his recommendation and couldn’t be happier! Their prices were much better than anywhere in town and Amazon. Thanks again!

I’ll never buy a TV again from a big box store. A&B TV totally took care of me. Jeffrey hooked us up with a ridiculous price on a 60″ tv. He was knowledgeable, friendly and made the tv buying process a breeze.
Thanks A&B!

Lovely lovely lovely so helpful made sure we got what we needed. And helped us out to the car with it. I am so thankful for these guys! It’s a rare treat to find such great customer service. Really just lovely!

Decided to give A & B another chance because I am outfitting a media room in a house. A man with a beard begins to show me a projector and then walks off to help someone new. 5 min later he hollers across the store, «hey can you hang out for a few minutes while I help with this subwoofer?» I replied, «No. And I can’t believe you just leave me in the middle of helping me.» He said he was «scatter brained.».
This is what I’m talking about with these guys. Unless you are a 50yr old white man with cash dripping out of your pockets expect to brushed aside. And I was prepared to spend thousands in their store.
So much for second chances.

I bought my first TV from A&B in ’97 or ’98 and about three or four more from them since then. They have always taken care of me when I had an issue with a TV. Back in 2005 they took back a DLP set no questions asked when I took it home and saw rainbows (
). Recently due to no fault of theirs I had two defective TVs in a row and they took care of it without complaint. They’ve always had the best price and I’ve never had to wait more than a few days for delivery. I should add that their delivery crew is willing to go the extra mile to get you going. If you are serious about your TVs they will be able to cater to you. And I imagine they will be able to do the same even if you just normally walk into a big box store and buy the first one you see! :)

Austin has some of the best local businesses. A&B TV is one of them. Prices here are better than big box retailers and these guys know their stuff. I’ve been coming here for over ten years and always see the same faces. Harlan does an excellent job. I can’t believe how cheap you can buy a 70″ LED TV for!

For all your Go To needs in Audio and Video! Harlan is the best! Been using these guys for 15 years at least! When it comes to choosing the latest technology, and you want to see everything, crank it up, and not be pushed for a hard sell, then this is the place! Customer service is top notch and follow up is great with any issues!

competitive pricing, nice showroom and friendly staff. Let’s support local business Austin!

We came in twice before we bought our tv’s and were always impressed with the staff. Super friendly, not pushy at all. The owner John helped us twice and is great. We totally recommend these guys!

these guys are great and have the best stuff at the best price. Harlen is super, they let you return stuff if you don’t like it and get you something that you do. They know what is the best bang for the buck and don’t try to upsell you. I bet I have spent over $ 10k in this place over the past 15 years. Always the same people working here. Good luck finding that at Costco or Best Buy.

Terrible customer service and shady business practices.
If you read the reviews on this site, you will quickly notice a pattern — this company seems to care nothing about customer service or returning phone calls.
My experience has been particularly bad, and is getting worse every day. Last year, I purchased a pair of Paradigm Millenia 1 speakers from A&B. The store is in a pretty significant state of disrepair and smells stale and dirty, but I was impressed enough with the speaker brand to go ahead and make the purchase anyway. Everything was perfect for about 9 months, until I had to take the speakers in for repair for a couple of blown tweeters. This is when the company’s true colors began to show.
The speakers were under warranty, so I assumed it would be a quick and easy repair process. How wrong I was. Five weeks later and countless phone calls (with zero callbacks) attempting to ascertain the status of the repair, the speakers were finally ready for pickup a couple of days ago. When they gave them to me, the first thing I noticed was that the stands were missing. When I mentioned it to the rep, he said the stands weren’t brought in with the speakers, and basically called me a liar when I assured him they were. Beyond that, it didn’t take me long to realize these weren’t even the same speakers I had dropped off for repair. They were covered with scuffs and scratches, scotch tape (no idea why) and what appeared to be a spatter of dried spit — I’m not kidding. In short, they looked like badly worn and badly treated floor models.
Long story short, I’m now having to deal directly with Paradigm in an attempt to resolve the issue, as once again A&B shows no interest in fixing the problem, takes no responsibility and absolutely refuses to return repeated phone calls.
Buyer beware.

Thank goodness for local people and no nonsense! I am not a tv person usually. In fact, I have not even had a tv in my home for the past four years. But recently I decided to take the plunge. However, I do not care too much what all the gadgets and functions are, how they work or which year produced better pixels. So, when I went to a tv store I was a little nervous.
These guys were great! I walked in, told them my story and said just tell me which one in this size range is the best. My sales associate understood my needs right away and he laid it all out. Three models, these two are more expensive but the sound on that one sucks and the color on this one can get weird, so buy the cheaper one which is overall better he said! What? A sale person is selling me the cheaper model? FANTASTIC!
Then I talked to him about Roku boxes and he suggested looking at the Sony dvd player that also had wireless. He pulled the two products up online, compared them side by side and he was right, the Sony was better!
I was in and out of the store with a tv and wireless streaming device in thirty minutes. Best shopping experience ever. Totally beats the chain stores! Go with these guys for great service!

They get two stars for selling me a good Sony TV.
However, although they swear you can call them ANYTIME once you get home, the reality is that they aren’t much for the «returning of the phone calls» once they’ve cashed your check.
I’ve put in three phone calls to Harlan, the guy who sold me the set, and nothing — not even when the guy on the phone swore «he’ll call you back in five minutes, I swear!»
They’re lucky I can pretty much figure things out for myself, and that I have about 20 geeky friends that can help me with the things I can’t. Otherwise I’d UNLEASH HELL. (Or my petulant face. Whichever.)
Seriously. Next time, I bet I won’t make the effort to buy local. And that’s sad.