my local music store rant

waidonchasaisew · #1 10-14-2010, 01:36 AM

i dunno if im posting in the right section, but I just want an opinion or advice on a situation that pretty much goes on in my local music store in Hawaii.
Theres this place called Easy Music which contains probably is the biggest new music gear distributor on the island, and they have 2 stores. I go to the one closest to me since they usually have what im looking for at close to, or cheaper than internet prices compared to other stores who hike up prices.
Anyway, I go there about once a month, always to buy something, whether it be strings, picks, cables, or even a guitar. The problem I have is with the staff, there are usually 4-5 employees working at a time. I get no acknowledgement from the employees. Most of the time theyre playing some instrument or gathering around a computer to watch a video or demo (imagine, all of them are doing that while there are customers in the store) of something "interesting." I go up to ask a question sometimes, if they carry something or not, and they act like its an inconvenience to them. I asked the "effects expert" of the store if I could test out a pedal while he was playing with some gear/guitar and he told me to pickup a bass to test with (it only takes a second) and a minute later, he walks over with the pedal (theres something called delegation).
I notice they acknowledge other "adults" who walk in the store or even kids with parents. I'm not the oldest looking 17 year old, but I know the definition of customer service since I work part time for a local food shop, where customers are the number 1 priority.
sorry for the rant.

puddin tame · #2 10-14-2010, 01:50 AM

I was like "man what a bunch of lazy jerks" until that last sentence, in which I realised they were just jerks

People make assumptions based on appearance. I'm afraid you'll have to put up with it until you look older. Theres nothing really you can do about it besides not shop there.

Also keep in mind from their perspective, unless you're droppin some serious cash they're not going to rememeber you, and they probably get a bunch of kids coming that don't spend any money which they associate you with

waidonchasaisew · #3 10-14-2010, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin tame

I was like "man what a bunch of lazy jerks" until that last sentence, in which I realised they were just jerks

People make assumptions based on appearance. I'm afraid you'll have to put up with it until you look older. Theres nothing really you can do about it besides not shop there.

Also keep in mind from their perspective, unless you're droppin some serious cash they're not going to rememeber you, and they probably get a bunch of kids coming that don't spend any money which they associate you with

true true, i understand the assumption based on appearance part. I do in fact, as stated, buy something everytime i go there. my most recent purchase was a $350 guitar with my own paycheck. i've also bought 2 pedals and other misc. items stated. Nothing MAJOR, but hey, im dropping something.

Rip Topaz · #4 10-14-2010, 01:57 AM

I had the same issue recently at a Sears of all places. I walked inti the tools department, looking like a bum, and was completely ignored. One employee even looked at me like I was gonna shoplift (I'm 40!!!). Here's the kicker: I went there to buy some expensive tools. I had over three grand in cash in my pocket. So much for their commission. Grizzly got my business, and Sears got a nasty phone call from my wife after I told her what happened.
What comes around goes around.

whatiswhat · #5 10-14-2010, 02:01 AM

This stuff happens everywhere, not just small independent stores.

I've spent several thousand dollars at my local Guitar Center this year and a few employees know me by name. Even with my frequent appearances and purchases, I still get the snub from time to time.

Me and a buddy decided to warm up before DJing a party, so we brought in CD's and took turns on some nice digi turntables. We kept our volume reasonably low, but still the guy in the department next to us thought it'd be smooth to plug his ipod into a PA next to us and play bluegrass at a higher volume. It was SO irritating.

Munjibunga · #6 10-14-2010, 02:13 AM

It's Hawaii. They're laid back, brah.

waidonchasaisew · #7 10-14-2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatiswhat

This stuff happens everywhere, not just small independent stores.

I've spent several thousand dollars at my local Guitar Center this year and a few employees know me by name. Even with my frequent appearances and purchases, I still get the snub from time to time.

Me and a buddy decided to warm up before DJing a party, so we brought in CD's and took turns on some nice digi turntables. We kept our volume reasonably low, but still the guy in the department next to us thought it'd be smooth to plug his ipod into a PA next to us and play bluegrass at a higher volume. It was SO irritating.

I can see that happening since a chain store would have a bigger chance of an incident like that happening.
I went to guitar center for the first time in my life when I flew out to Seattle to visit colleges. I had a pleasant experience and a nice chat with one of the employees.
You can't expect employees to know you by name since they see close to 50 customers a day, but when I work, I try to acknowledge the "regulars" for their consistent business.

whatiswhat · #8 10-14-2010, 02:20 AM

I wouldn't expect everyone to know me, just saying it'd be nice to be able to check out the gear in a music store without employees being rude to, or ignoring me.

Plays_For_Dog · #9 10-14-2010, 03:07 AM

Pick one or two that you think you can connect with and talk a little shop with them a few times. Then, everytime you need something, go to that person and be really chill and cool about it. They'll remember you and start to hook you up. That especially works if you try to buy from the same one or two people everytime. Even if it's small items, they will remember you dropping coin with them and recognize you're repeat business.

When I was 17, I bought a brand new Ibanez BTB, SWR-500 head, SWR Working Man's 4x10 and a used SWR Working Man's 1x15 all at once. However, the months leading up to that I would visit my local shop at least once a week to shop and try out different gear, and then to pay on the lay away. I always went to the same guy and after a few trips he ended up being really cool to me. He was in his 40's and I was 17. He wouldn't leave me to tend to other customers, or the phone or whatever. We would just chill in the shop and talk basses and amps. When it came time to purchase, he ended up giving me a steal of a deal. It takes a little time to build a reputation with those guys. Thier musicians and we're all wierd in some way or another.

Rocks · #10 10-14-2010, 08:37 AM

Easy solution, learn their names and when you walk in say hi to them by name. A salesman will alway assume he has sold you something in the past if you know his name. Also, don't just go there and ask questions, call on the phone ask questions, get the guys name and then go in and buy the item from him. You build a relationship by letting them get to know you and the fact that you do spend money. Also talk to them about some of the gear you have (the most expensive stuff) so they know that you have spent money on good equipment.

JMac4strngr · #11 10-14-2010, 08:57 AM

+1 on building a relationship with the staff or one maybe two of them.
I used to have the same repoor with the small "mom and pop shop" in the town where I grew up as a teenager. At first when I started going there (taking my first guitar lessons) the guys payed me no mind. Which I can understand, as they thought I was just some goofy kid who rode his bicycle to their store to buy strings and picks. After a while I got to talking with the guys who worked there, and a friend I went to school with started working there helped as well. Over time I became pretty good pals with the owner, and the employees. It all worked out great, as they would allways hook me up with deals on gear and prospective gigs when they became available. Since then I have left my small home town and the store has long since closed, but I miss the perks that the small local store offered. Just try to talk some shop with a couple of the guys working there. Who knows it could lead You to some good things.

JohnMCA72 · #12 10-14-2010, 09:25 AM

Most times, most shops, I don't even recognize the same help from 1 visit to the next. I wouldn't expect them to recognize me. Exception is those great, rare shops where staff turnover is low & customer service high.

pedroims · #13 10-14-2010, 09:36 AM

There are two music stores in my town, one where all people that work there are young people with zero customer services acttitude, I remember the first time I was there, nobody asked me if I needed help, I asked for the best compressor and they suggested a nano soul preacher . Second time was worst, I was there to buy a bass and took them 20 minutes to give me a cable to test the bass. The other store a complete different story, mature people taking care of business, they even know my family names. There is also a GC close but I dont want to talk about it, last time I was there with $ 5,000 usd to spend it on lights, I ended up buying everything online

Bloodhammer · #14 10-14-2010, 09:43 AM

Plays_For_Dog and Rocks are absolutely right. Salesmen like people who seek them out personally rather than just buying from the store in general.

I had similar experiences with the music store I used to live close to as a teen. To them I was "just another of those grunge kids". Now I'm 30 lb.s heavier and have a goatee, so I get some respect.

**bassybill** · #15 10-14-2010, 09:43 AM

One guy at the Bass Gallery in London was rude to me when I visited, almost to the point of being hostile. I must have caught him on a bad day. I've never experienced anything like it elsewhere. I wouldn't spend my money there now if it was the last store on Earth.

On a more positive note, all the guys at Digital Village in Birmingham (one of my nearest quality music shops) are great and could not be more helpful, whether your purchase is big or small. It's always a nice vibe when I go in there.

touji · #16 10-14-2010, 09:49 AM

Knowing the employees / your go-to-guy by name is always really helpful. I've dealt with a guy in the Audio department at the 7 Corners GC quite a bit and he's generally really helpful. If he's busy, he will get someone to take care of me. It sucks though, I went to the GC a week ago to see when they will start stocking the new POD HD500s and I felt pretty hurt (I know I know, its only Guitar Center

). Go-to-guy wasn't working that day and the guy at the Accessories department didn't even make an effort to find out when the GC would start stocking them. Oh well :\

Rocks · #17 10-14-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by touji

Knowing the employees / your go-to-guy by name is always really helpful. I've dealt with a guy in the Audio department at the 7 Corners GC quite a bit and he's generally really helpful. If he's busy, he will get someone to take care of me. It sucks though, I went to the GC a week ago to see when they will start stocking the new POD HD500s and I felt pretty hurt (I know I know, its only Guitar Center

). Go-to-guy wasn't working that day and the guy at the Accessories department didn't even make an effort to find out when the GC would start stocking them. Oh well :\

Thats because you already asked for another salesman and he knew that you'd be buying it from them since you were not ready to buy that day (asking about an upcoming sale) I find it best to call ahead to see if my guy/guys are there. Now I don't bother as everyone in GC knows me very well and they trip over each other trying to get to me.

**Staccato** · #18 10-14-2010, 09:56 AM

They are sizing you up-incorrectly. What a bunch of _____. <---Fill in the blank.

There are countless stories of wealthy farmers, or ranchers wearing dirty jeans, and were ignored by salesman that lost sizable commissions-due to their 'attitude'.

touji · #19 10-14-2010, 09:57 AM

@Rocks
That must be so nice

But as for the future sale, I'm not so sure anymore. I don't know when they will start stocking it and if it's too far into the future, I'd rather buy from a different store I frequent. I don't even know when they will start stocking it or even an estimated date, and now I'm at school. I can see where you are coming from though.

Tampabass · #20 10-14-2010, 09:59 AM

+1 on establishing a friendship with one or two guys at the store.

But, as someone correctly pointed out, there's so much turnover, particularly at the big chain stores, that the same folks may not be there next time you go.

So maybe it's best to strike up a friendship with one of the older/longtime staffers? (although that's no guarantee either, really)