I got so screwed over today...

[redhawk]

Sorry guys, but I gotta vent. Okay so the other day in the mail I got this letter from a music store here in Michigan, and it said something about turning in the letter and receiving 2,000 bonus points at this store. It wasn't clear on what they were, but I figured I'd probably be able to get something like a set of strings free with them or something, I mean 2,000 points sounded like quite a bit.

So I drive to the store (which is an hour away but I live in a small town and that's the closest store as well as guitar Center), and come to find out you don't get to use the points, but rather for every dollar you spend you get 1000 points and at the end of the contest thing the person with the most points wins some stupid prizes. So that was totally misleading, (the store is going out of business, hence the contest).

Anyway, I decide to buy some strings because I need them anyway, so I decided to get the Elixir Nanowebs. I mean the strings were half of so why pass it up right? WRONG! They went by the list price of the strings (which is 82 bucks) so I ended up paying 44 with tax. Which, is 4 more dollars than they actually sell for. Also I came home and noticed just now that they were light gauge, and I dunno if I will like them or not.

Ahh sorry for such a long read but I must say I was a little pissed, I don't like the store to begin with because everytime they have some sale like this they are misleading so that is why I usually go to GC, but I'm a forgiving guy and gave them the benefit of the doubt....Oh well.

[Vlasco]

I seem to have all sorts of problems with any sort of music store I go to. Now I just try out amps and effects at stores and buy the actual product online. Sorry to hear that they wasted your time and money, it's always a pain in the ass when stores pull this crap.

[redhawk]

Hey thanks man and yeah it sucks. And the other thing that sucks is both times I've been in to this store the people working there were so unfriendly. That's one of the big reasons I go to our Guitar Center because everyone there is usually really cool and friendly. I think I need to start buying online as well.

Also one quick question for anyone who reads this, do your guitar centers carry Elixir strings anymore? Mine doesn't and I was just wondering if that was just them or what. I thought that was weird because Ibanezs come stock with Elixirs don't they (at least I know mine did)?

[cb56]

When they go out of business (soon), they will blame it on online stores and big box stores. Oh yeah, and stupid customers.

[bassmonkeee]

I'd love for you to scan the letter you got in the mail and post it here. No offense, but I have a feeling you didn't read the small print.

[Brass Nut]

Originally Posted by Vlasco

I seem to have all sorts of problems with any sort of music store I go to. Now I just try out amps and effects at stores and buy the actual product online. Sorry to hear that they wasted your time and money, it's always a pain in the ass when stores pull this crap.

+1

Tired of hearing;
Was on sale, no returns /exchanges.
We don't do warrentees, you'll need to contact the ,,,
We can order it. (there will be a slight shipping charge)
No you can't try it first.
You don't want or need that, buy this instead.
You need to talk to the owner, he's on vacation, back in 2 mos. (etc.)
It sounds great,, must be you.
You should use round wounds, nobody uses flats on a 5 string.
We have the part but only sell them when we install (w/ labor charges).
This $100 (fill in the blank) is not the same as MF's $49.00 item even if it is the same part number by the same maker.
That gouge will polish out,,, we'll take $5.00 off the list price.
And the best is, "We're closing now, you'll have to come back Monday. No I can't accept the sale, Already closed out the register.
And the sign on the door says, "BBI Member - support your local merchants"

[RWP]

IMHO GC will wipe out all other music stores unless they have a niche market just like Home Depot and Petsmart did to hardware stores and Mom & Pop pet stores. Wal-Mart will wipe out most of the rest.

It's very sad but that is how it is. The small music shops are struggling to keep their doors open and their stock quality and levels are obviously less than adequate.

[BellBottomBlues]

Best one for me was when I asked to try out an effects pedal. I obviously wanted to try it before I bought it.
"Can I see that ZOOM pedal?"-Me

"Sure."

"Mind if I try it?"

"No we don't have an adaptor"

"No we also don't have batteries"

"How am I supposed to try it? Bring it home?"-Me

"There are no refunds or exchanges."

F-ing christ....

Anyone in NY, don't go to rustic music.

[redhawk]

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

I'd love for you to scan the letter you got in the mail and post it here. No offense, but I have a feeling you didn't read the small print.

I wish I could but they had to take it at the door in order to get the points. I did read it many times to try and see if I was missing something(no fine print anywhere), but the way it was worded made it sound like there was a drawing, like you would be entered in at the store, and then that the points were seperate. I had my friend read it as well and that's what he got out of it too. But that wasn't why I was mad, I was mad because I payed more for the strings than what they actually sell for when they were supposed to be 1/2 off.

[redhawk]

The other thing is this really isn't a small store, rather its a chain. I have been to one in Bay City, (twice I believe) and I liked that one. The guys were cool there and they gave me an Ampeg cab for 50 bucks off of what you would buy it at elsewhere, so I can't complain about them. The store in Saginaw (I realize most of you don't know either of these places) is the one that is closing and the one I dislike. They are closing this one, and making the Bay City one larger.

[Jazzbassman23]

At the risk of stating the obvious, why did you buy the strings when you found out how much they were going to cost you? You're blaming the store for your lack of . . .

[redhawk]

Originally Posted by Jazzbassman23

At the risk of stating the obvious, why did you buy the strings when you found out how much they were going to cost you? You're blaming the store for your lack of . . .

1. I didn't find out how much they actually were until I got home, I had an idea but thought they were actually a little more than what I had paid
2. I needed them and I was still paying about what I would have anyway
3. Guitar Center doesn't carry them and I didn't want to have to order online just for a set of strings
4. The dude that was checking people out just got ******* out by some lady right before me and she was making a huge scene and I felt bad for the guy
5. I wasn't really mad that I had to pay the extra 4 bucks, I just thought it was stupid how they said they were half off when they were actually more than what they would normally sell for, I mean if I got them online then I would probably pay at least that for shipping (I've never bought anything from MF so I have no idea), and since I was going to buy the strings anyway I just bought them

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by RWP

IMHO GC will wipe out all other music stores unless they have a niche market just like Home Depot and Petsmart did to hardware stores and Mom & Pop pet stores. Wal-Mart will wipe out most of the rest.

It's very sad but that is how it is. The small music shops are struggling to keep their doors open and their stock quality and levels are obviously less than adequate.

Ha, no GC over here. I find it kind of nice because you get great customer service and it keeps the little guys still in business. They actually hire guys who know their stuff and you still get a good deal. I just don't like chains. Music stores over here are one of the few things that won't get wiped out because of bigger businesses. Too bad I know guitar center will come across the border one day though. It will happen just in a matter of time.

[richnota]

I find I get such crappy service at music stores (i'm an adult, buy tons of top-shelf gear and am always respectful of staff). While there are always exceptions, I amazed at the crappy demeanor and lack of knowledge of sales people.

I purchased a power amp at a GC...tested it with my rig and had to return it. An "assistant manager" told me there would there is a restocking fee on sound processing gear. I had to explain to him the difference between amplifiers and sound processing. Im sure he knew but he decided he was going play games.

I find that I'm much happier dealing with the bass specialists via phone and web. Every interaction with Bass NW, Bass Central, Bass Emporium, low down sound, the Perfect Bass and Best Bass Gear has been nothing but delightful. Forget the idea of "local" stores--these shops are local stores, but their community isn't defined by geography but rather a point of view.

Great service, patient answers to stupid questions and great prices.

[Zappstorius]

Aren't MF and GC basically the same thing? Owned by the same company?

[saxofunk]

MF, GC, and now WWBW/Music123 are all the same. It's a shame the local shops are crying "buy from us" but not taking care of customers.

Most of the local shops around here appear to be thriving in spite of GC coming to town about two years ago. One of them has let go of their old policy of posting list price on everything and gouging ignorant customers, they set up a computer by the counter and will look up prices from MF and other sites so you have confidence that you're getting a fair price.

[dvs20]

my local ma and pa shop (woodsy's In Kent, OH.) they're really nice to me and let me try stuff out but I feel bad because I can't afford their prices! I could afford that stuff with 12 months same as cash like sam ash and GC i'd buy from them. but they don't offer that credit stuff (they can't) but they have a lot of high end stuff in there it's nice

[powellmacaque]

Unfortunately, I have to buy either from GC or Sam Ash down here... My local shop (owned by a great guy, always gave me deals, always hooked me up with great gear) closed down, and the one shop 15 minutes away sells nothing as far as quality basses/gear, and the guys who work there don't know anything (i had to explain to him how hartke basically invented alluminum cones).

[chris_nairn]

I have run across very few GC guys who actually know anything. There are several stores in my area and the lack of knowledge has been consistent over the years. It is a problem in every department too, not just every store. There is the odd guy here and there who is knowledgeable at least.

A friend of mine actually applied at GC once and the manager asked him what he could bring to the table. He said he knew the gear. The manager told him he didn't want people who knew the gear, he wanted people who could sell.

I understand that a good salesman is supposed to be able to sell anything but this is absurd in such a niche market place. I hate when I have a question about gear and they act like they know and then give me an obvious BS answer. I would so much more prefer an honest, "I don't know". On that note, just last week, I saw this teenage kid w/ his acoustic guitar at GC. He took it there because he needed to fix it. The guy started telling him that it needed a "shiv". He spelled it for him, S-H-I-V and then explained what a SHIM was.

There is one local shop here, Larry Morgan Music, which is terrific. They will match anybody's price, they know their stuff, and they are nice.

[NKUSigEp]

Sorry to hear that bro.

There's a store down the ways a bit from me called the Music House that does that crap too! All their junk goes by list price. NO ONE in this world goes by list price. I don't even know why it exists?!?! And how they're still in business is a mystery to me!