I agree with your first point, it's kinda good when your taste in music is met with approval.
Just last week doing early doors at Heywood, I played a tune that I'd not played out for a while, and a lad, who I know goes out a least twice a week, came up and said "what was that? it was great"
tune in question-
I think you got your fools mixed up- Brenton Wood.
Value? a fiver?
On your second point,I guess we're fairly lucky in Manchester wher there are a coupla shops where you can go and trawl the boxes and have a listen, n pick up anything .that turns your ear
Point 3. Definately
ATB
Tony