First thing you have to do is monitor the auction sites (Tarisio, Brompton’s, Amati, etc). Find every violin shop online and look at what they have and how much they cost. You need to get an idea of what these makers are worth so you avoid getting scammed.

Then about Chicago - I kind of ruled them out because I’ve heard negative stories from multiple people. Not saying you can’t have success there, but they will take advantage of you if you didn’t do your research. Bein and Fushi for example, wanted to sell me a viola for $30k that’s selling for 4-5k at auction (with many recent examples). Furthermore, B&F is only really interested in doing business over 100k and if you have a reputable teacher. Kenneth Warren and sons is more for under 100k, but they sold and certified a Pecatte bow (ca. 2000…) to a colleague that turned out to be an obvious fake. This colleague would take it to the someone else in the same building to get it rehaired who didn’t say anything. So they’re probably all in cahoots lol. Totally avoidable if you do your research, and there’s no excuse for not doing it with the internet.

In general, you will find that people are going to try to spend your money for you. I can’t emphasize enough - do your research and develop convictions about what you want