A little annoyed by my local music store.

5string5fingers · #1 02-23-2010, 12:09 PM

So I went to my local music store down in valdosta to pickup the cash I had for an amp I put on consignment there. While I was there I thought about buying some strings for my ESP b-55. They only have reg light,and super light and I told him I was looking for something with a .135 bass string (which he didnt have). So instead of asking if I would like him to order some strings for me or helping me out in some way. He proceeds to ask about my bass and tell me that the neck on my bass is too thin to put .135 gauge strings on and it would cause bad action..oh by the way have you ever had it set up before? I can do that for you if you wanna bring it and I'll put on some of these strings here since they're a little bit lighter..

Anyone else had problems like this. I know he wants to make a sale..but to ignore what I'm looking for and try and act like I have no idea what I'm talking about/doing

As for having higher action...I figured he knew about this little nifty thing in these new modern high tech basses...called a truss rod

guy n. cognito · #2 02-23-2010, 12:28 PM

Small business owners can't please every client. It makes no I
financial sense for a music store to order one set of strings for one customer. Retailers buy in bulk, and usually have no desire to stock difficult to sell items. Offered you a setup? Well, it's called sales for a reason.

5string5fingers · #3 02-23-2010, 12:34 PM

I was more annoyed by the fact that he didn't seem to listen to what it was I looking for.

Floyd Eye · #4 02-23-2010, 12:50 PM

Was it a GC?

edbass · #5 02-23-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Small business owners can't please every client. It makes no I
financial sense for a music store to order one set of strings for one customer. Retailers buy in bulk, and usually have no desire to stock difficult to sell items. Offered you a setup? Well, it's called sales for a reason.

I agree, can't blame a guy for trying. Certainly nothing to get your panties all wadded up about.
You should have just told him what you posted; tell him what you wanted and that you weren't even slightly interested in what he was pitching.
Maybe even ask if he knew of a store near him that does actually stock the correct strings for their customers, and won't insult you by inventing a story to sell the wrong ones.
If he was as aggressive as described, you certainly wouldn't have hurt his feelings, he's undoubtably been told to "F off" before.

That's also part of the sales game...

5string5fingers · #6 02-23-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Was it a GC?

No,the closest GC is about 3 hours away. It was a local family owned business. Maybe I'm just spoiled from the music store I went to back home that were more about making customers happy than trying to make a small sale.

Also the only other music store in that valdosta carries very little variety in bass strings and charges about 15-20 dollars more than what you see online.

MNAirHead · #7 02-23-2010, 06:24 PM

I'm sure if I brought my basses to you.. there'd be some discussion on your part about how they're too springy and the action is too low to be useful.

Just an opinion.

I get strings ordered for me.. but then I pledge allegence.

5string5fingers · #8 02-23-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I'm sure if I brought my basses to you.. there'd be some discussion on your part about how they're too springy and the action is too low to be useful.

Just an opinion.

I get strings ordered for me.. but then I pledge allegence.

Yea probably. But then I would also ask about how you like your basses and I wouldnt tell you,that you need to raise your action and change your strings.

Floyd Eye · #9 02-26-2010, 05:17 AM

Why not buy your strings on-line from here.

http://www.juststrings.com/

jasper383 · #10 02-26-2010, 05:44 AM

I don't think I've ever seen a .135 B string in a shop. Not even the really big mega-seller stores.

melarson · #11 02-26-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Small business owners can't please every client. It makes no I
financial sense for a music store to order one set of strings for one customer. Retailers buy in bulk, and usually have no desire to stock difficult to sell items. Offered you a setup? Well, it's called sales for a reason.

I haven't ever worked for a music store but I spent 10+ years in a mom and pop type bicycle shop. Maybe music wholesalers are different than bicycle wholesalers.

No it doesn't make sense to order one set of strings by itself, but you can offer to place them on your next order. There is no hard and fast rule, with bicycle wholesalers anyway, that you can't add one custom ordered item to a larger order. I did that all the time. It might cost a buck or two more because you are not buying quantity, but oh well, the customer is happy

That guy is probably the owner who doesn't get real concerned about rubbing people the wrong way. I was not the owner and learned to try to suggestively sell what we had in stock, but not at the expense of ticking off the customer. I did that a few times before I learned...

P.S. why would you ever want a .135 b string?

**Mulebagger** · #12 02-26-2010, 09:03 AM

I have never found a music store that carries the strings I need for my basses. Long ago I started buying my strings on line. Places like juststrings.com usually do me justice.

4lPh4n0m3g4 · #13 02-26-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

I was more annoyed by the fact that he didn't seem to listen to what it was I looking for.

Your view is understandable, sales people/business owners tend to be more concerned with sales and commissions rather than concession and customer service.

Simple solution to that though, do not give your business to companies that are operated by, or employ, those types of individuals. Even more logical now that one can order online and skip dealing with potential rude, pushy, and self serving salespeople. Some people just do not understand that one attracts more flies with honey, compared to vinegar.

That said I will always support a local/Mom-Pop type of operation over an online retailer even if there is a minor difference in prices in the online retailers favor if I have had favorable interactions with the business before. Simple formula really; keep me satisfied and I will keep giving my patronage. I don't care how good a product or service is if I'm not treated with respect and consideration; I won't buy it and I won't recommend it to anyone.

Though... In this tough market it's understandable to try and pitch a service or product even when it wasnt requested.

I always give people two chances at least, as I know I have bad days, so I try not to hold people personally responsible if I don't get the treatment/service I think I deserve during my first experience. If it happens a second time, IME, it is likely a personality defect on their part and I simply have no desire or inclination for further contact with those types of people.

Gord_oh · #14 02-26-2010, 10:07 AM

welcome to retail my friend!

Arnold · #15 02-26-2010, 10:11 AM

or; maybe he knew what he was talking about.........

alicebc · #16 02-26-2010, 01:34 PM

I went to a music store three days ago to buy some strings. I was greeted by an older gentleman who had been playing a bass when I arrived. I told him that I wanted to buy a certain gauge string that had been recommended to me to try. He commented that "he didn't know why I would want that but that since I had a 4 string, the gauge I wanted only came in the 5 string. So, I thought, okay, I can't get what I wanted and I need new strings so I'll get what he recommends. He then asked me to play a bass so he can see what I am doing. (I have only been playing since June.) He then told me that my picking hand is too curled and that "all bass players play with straight fingers". I commented that my fingers are longer than his (I really wanted to say that "his fingers are short and stubby and mine are not" but I didn't.) He told me to improve my technique and I might not have the problem that I am having, though it could be dead strings. Anyway, so back we go to the strings. He decides to recommend the D'Addario XL Prosteels. I told him "I want nickel." He says "they are all nickel" That confused me, as I knew that all strings were not nickel. I said. "They are called Prosteels, emphasiing the "steel". He said, "That's just what they are called." So, I bought them. When I put them on my bass it sounded like a steel guitar and I hated the sound. (I play in a Jazz band.) I went to D'Addario online and printed out the description of the strings -- a steel alloy. I called up the store and the guy who sold me the strings answered the phone. Turns out he is the owner. He remembered me. When I told him that I had wanted nickel strings and he sold me Prosteels he immediately said -- "Those are steel". What????? I thought. ANyway, he told me to bring them back and he will switch them. I didn't expect that he would take them back as I was prepared for a battle. I just have to drive the hour to get to the store. In the mean time I researched and built a cleaning tube and my old strings are now soaking in denatured alcohol. Anyone have a suggestion on strings for Squier P Bass in a small community Jazz Band?

sam staples · #17 02-27-2010, 06:35 AM

I think today I might go to my music store and hung the owner,because he do order my strings for I use Drs 45-125 high beams peacock blue!! they sound great and look great on my bass,he even call me when he start to run low just to see if he needs to order more,but I also play full time and I brought my Eden Rig from him and my ampeg,couple of basses so that might have something to do with it but I don't think so but you can order your strings so they will come right to your house,you should play what you like not what the store stocks your strings also plays a part in your sound...Sam

mccartneyman · #18 02-27-2010, 07:21 AM

The situation isn't quite the same, but I look on thie OP's experience the same as a local car dealer telling you that you need your oil changed along with the air and fuel filters when you take your car in to have a rattle checked. Maybe you do, maybe you don't -- they're looking to make some more money by selling services or products that they have in stock. Actually, his situation si more like taking your automatic Ford in and having tehm tell you you should be driving a stick Chevy.

I've taken my bass in to have a wiring problem looked at and been told that I should string through the body, use lighter strings and that the action is "way too high." I said no. That's all you have to do. Then order the strings you want somewhere else and put them on yourself. Alternately, ask the local dealer if they will give you a discount if you order more than one set of strings. My local guy used to do this with no problems back when I needed double ball end Rotos for my Steinberger. I was the only guy in town who owned that bass.

It's true that small dealers can't afford to stock every brand or brands that have certain characteristic that might be unusual -- like that .135 B or a tapered core B. I've had GC tell me that they carried a tapered-B set in stock only to find out after I drove an hour that the set they told me about had no tapered B. That's why I order all my strings online. The only way I'd let myself be talked into a set I didn't want was if I had a gig that night and my strings were dead or broken.

DrewinHouston · #19 02-27-2010, 10:38 AM

I'm with the OP, it sucks to go to try to buy something from someone only to have them tell you that you don't know what you want. I get it less now that I'm older, and have a better handle on what I want, they seem to pounce on any uncertainty and use it to their advantage. That's why I do a lot of my music purchases online, no hassles, a wider selection, and sometimes cheaper considering sales tax and shipping. If I want advice I'll go to the local music stores and ask, and I'll buy there if they helped, it's only fair.

beyondat · #20 02-27-2010, 02:22 PM

I worked at Sam Ash on the 48th st NYC for 2 years and the thing that they stressed during orientation was to sell what was in stock! If the customer wanted an 88 key keyboard that wasn't in stock our job was to convince them that the 61-key keyboard which we had in stock is really what they wanted. It sounded crazy to me but that's what they expect of you.