My Resent Experience With Sam Ash

cassanova · #1 09-02-2006, 12:16 PM

So last night on the way to a friends house, I decided to pop into Sam Ash, or as I prefer to call them Sam Ashole. I called the store going in and told them (Chip to be specific) exactly what I was looking for a 5 or 6 string American Cirrus, 5/6 string Euro Spector *rebop or czeh LX series* Even told him that I was interested in looking at a 5 string MIA Jazz Deluxe 5 string.

They did not have one single American made Cirrus in there. All they had were the BXP seriers. 2 to be specific, and neither were 5 strings. The Spector line was very minimal, they just had one, but it wasnt one that I was looking for. They didnt even have any MIA Jazz or P Deluxe 5 strings.

What I get from the sales rep (Chip) "we have this nice G&L right here, you should try it, its the best bass on the market right now" I politely tell him, that I dont like G&L that much, yet he still tries steering me into it. This time I got firmer with him. He finally got the idea thats not what I wanted.

He then asked me if I liked Tune basses, I told him "no." I also proceeded to tell him again, "Im looking for an MIA Cirrus 5 or 6, Euro Spector, or a used Lakland." He tells me that they dont carry those lines because nobody would buy them. (Meanwhile, theres a $1300 G&L 5 string, and $1200 Ibanez BTB waiting for people to play them) so Im pretty sure he was somewhat what full of poop. He told me he could order me a Cirrus 5/6 string, but I declined that offer. I told him that if he ordered one, Id feel obligated to buy it and I dont want that. He was nodding his head in agreement and said, "well yeah, if we order one, its implied that you are going to buy it." That was enough for me, I wound up chewing him out and leaving.

I wont lie, the Ibanez BTB with Bartolini pups/pre amp didnt sound too too bad, but its not what Im looking for. I was unsure what the toggle switch was for so I asked good old Chip and he said it was a pickup selector switch. I was like "no, this is the pickup blend knob" He then tells me "Oh it must be a coil tap then" Well my friends, if it was a coil tap, it certainly didnt work because I was hearing not even the slightest bit in tonality change when I was using it. So not only did that NOT have what I was looking for, the staff IMO is incompetent and doesnt know jack about their products.

I was very very dissatisfied with the piss poor selection of basses that Sam Ash at the Kapok pavillion on McMUllen Booth Rd in Clearwater FL has to offer. I remember telling the sales rep (Chip) before walking out, "you guys claim to cater to everyone, but if you did, you'd have what I'm looking for, would have more top end basses, would definately have mire than a small handfull of 5 and 6 strings, and would not be trying to stear me into a $500 bass when all the stuff Im looking for is 1200 to 1500 dollars.

I am planning on writing a letter to Sam Ash's headquarters, dont know if it'll do any good, but its worth a shot. Never again will I shop there (not even if I want a pick) and I will do everything in my power to turn others away from purchasing gear there if I can.

**tommyr01** · #2 09-02-2006, 12:26 PM

I think you should definately write to the HQ. I have been surprised in the past by writing to the bigwigs and actually getting a response.

BTW... Congrats on not smoking! (looking at your title). I m an ex-smoker 6 years now......keep it going!

Chase_The_Bass · #3 09-02-2006, 12:31 PM

The local Sam Ash here in San Antonio has a pretty ****ty selection as well. They have a lot of Tune (which I hate the feel and sound of) and they have some yamahas (which some are actually good for theier price), some Trabens (i thought they were ok, i would never buy one though) but they didnt carry MM, Lakland, Spector, Cirrus, or anything. They had ALOT of fenders, which I like, but I want some more diversity.

Poop-Loops · #4 09-02-2006, 12:36 PM

*Hugs Bass Northwest*

Chase_The_Bass · #5 09-02-2006, 12:38 PM

Anyone here ever been to a Bass Emporium? I dont know if they are a chain or just a store up in Austin. But im goin up to Austin to take some tests and Imma go visit em, then come back here and post about how awsome (hopefully) it was.

20db pad · #6 09-02-2006, 12:50 PM

Whether we like it or not, the high-end bass equipment market is a niche market within a niche market. Larger retailers want to make money on merchandise that moves fast, thus maximizing the profitabilty of the space on the sales floor. This is simple economics. I don't even go to GC or Ash to get strings - they simply do not cater to my needs.

The upswing is the fact that dealers specializing in bass equipment are given an opportunity and a marketplace share. I'm far more comfortable buying from them as opposed to some retail giant located next to Target or Barnes and Noble in some shopping mall.

vindy500 · #7 09-02-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

I wont lie, the Ibanez BTB with Bartolini pups/pre amp didnt sound too too bad, but its not what Im looking for. I was unsure what the toggle switch was for so I asked good old Chip and he said it was a pickup selector switch. I was like "no, this is the pickup blend knob" He then tells me "Oh it must be a coil tap then"

passive active switch? were you using the onboard eq? (i dont knwo the bass at all just guessing like ol chippy)

invader3k · #8 09-02-2006, 01:22 PM

I don't know. I empathize with you, but at the same time, it's not the sales person's fault that they don't stock the very specific basses you were looking for.

Chain stores never have the best selection, or the best high end gear. It's just a fact of life.

cassanova · #9 09-02-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindy500

passive active switch? were you using the onboard eq? (i dont knwo the bass at all just guessing like ol chippy)

I was thinking it was a mid freq switch at first from previously reading the site, but I still heard no difference in tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

I don't know. I empathize with you, but at the same time, it's not the sales person's fault that they don't stock the very specific basses you were looking for.

Chain stores never have the best selection, or the best high end gear. It's just a fact of life.

I dont blame the sales rep for not carrying what I was looking for. However, I do fault him for his ignorance on the products I was asking questions about. If one doesnt know the products they are selling, then they should NOT be selling them.

Yeah, I agree they never have the best selection, but they should have at least one top of the line model of everything they do sell. They had the BTB top of the line model, a SR top of the line model, so they shouldve had the MIA Cirrus and at least one Cezh Spector. That to me is unacceptable and bad business. On a side note, the Cirrus BXB didnt sound all that bad, had they had a 5 or 6 string in stock, I may have walked away with one last night.

vindy500 · #10 09-02-2006, 01:27 PM

just checked the site, its the btb prestige model if it has a switch. its a mid frequencies switch.

**Blackbird** · #11 09-02-2006, 03:27 PM

Quote:

My Resent Experience With Sam Ash...

At first I thought this was a typo, then I realized it was a brilliant freudian slip.

Sorry, man, I wish I could say you got my back on this, but it seems to me you're blowing this way out of proportion. I especially take issue with you publicly badmouthing this Chip guy (whom I in California am very unlikely to meet), whose only sin was trying to get you to buy the gear they carried, because he can't be blamed for the store not carrying the merchandise you like. That's what salespeople do, they sell the merchandise they have. I'd argue that a G&L would be a more than adequate substitute for a Fender (Or, come to that, a Lakland) to most people. It's not Chip's fault you don't happen to like them (What's wrong with G&Ls anyway? They're brilliant).

You might be annoyed that you had to repeat what you were looking for, but the fact of the matter is you too had to be told more than once that they didn't have the gear you were looking for in stock. I would argue that they did the best they could. You can't please everyone all the time either.

Really sorry I can't be with you on this. I just think you were kind of rash for no reason. Being in customer service makes me sympathize with the retailer in this case.

cassanova · #12 09-02-2006, 03:48 PM

BB, Im not so mad at Chip for trying to sell me stuff they had. I dont fault him for that. Im in sales as well. What does irk the heck out of me is that he had no clue of the features on the few products I did ask questions about. Sorry, but as a salesman, I know youre supposed to know darn near all there is to know about the product. Especially a toggle switchs use.

The G & L was a nice looking sounding bass, but I didnt care for the neck on it. I played that model once before, just wasnt for me.

My point is if theyre carring the expensive BTBs, SoundGears, G&L's then why not have a top of the line Cirrus and Spector in there too? Im not mad at Chip for that, I am mad with the coorporation and that is why Im preparing a very strong worded letter.

GM60466 · #13 09-02-2006, 04:00 PM

Frankly, I am surpirsed that you spent so much time with this salesperson. I'll spend Two minutes tops in any of the big box guitar shops. If they don't have what I want, I'm sure in the heck not going to waste my time listening to their lame butt sales pitch about a bass that I am not interested in playing.
I wouldn't waste the ink or the stamp in sending a letter to their HQ. There are too many places on earth that have exactly what I am looking for.

GM

iplaybassguitar · #14 09-02-2006, 04:10 PM

working at a store like that or GC, you would think youd wanna know everything possible about the products, as to better serve your guests and get them to buy more, after all they are on commission, whenever this happens, to me, i usually end up saying nevermind, and then find someone else to help me out, so then i can give someone their commission who deserves it, not just some idiot that happened to be standing in the bass section when i picked up the bass.

Poop-Loops · #15 09-02-2006, 04:16 PM

I went to GC once to buy a bass amp. I saw a used one in the corner. I asked the guy "how much is it?" (he was supposed to be "helping" me this whole time, so it's not like he was walking by). He said he'd go check. He never came back.

I bought a smaller one, since it was just a practice amp, I didn't need volume.

beyondhairy · #16 09-02-2006, 05:24 PM

yea, sam ash blows, the guy that usual takes care of me knows i dont have much money, so when i pull an expensive bass off the wall (they have one used rick i like playing) he always tells me to put it back, or anything else over $300 that i pick up.

iplaybassguitar · #17 09-02-2006, 05:33 PM

guitar center is better...but in my opinion, nothing beats a local music shop(referring to your sig).

beyondhairy · #18 09-02-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplaybassguitar

guitar center is better...but in my opinion, nothing beats a local music shop(referring to your sig).

the local guitar shop isnt any better, they are a block down from the sam ash, and are even worse. it must be that area. heh

Unknowndude · #19 09-02-2006, 06:04 PM

Lucky americans. You have to go into Toronto to even get Fenders here. All the stores around here only carry "b name" brands, like ibanez, yamaha, and tons of cheap chinese fender ripoffs. I wouldn't mind having a Guitar Center or a Sam Ash.

beyondhairy · #20 09-02-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknowndude

Lucky americans. You have to go into Toronto to even get Fenders here. All the stores around here only carry "b name" brands, like ibanez, yamaha, and tons of cheap chinese fender ripoffs. I wouldn't mind having a Guitar Center or a Sam Ash.

i was in canada a few months ago, and i was all over, and i only saw 1 music shop, i couldnt even go in cuz i was on a tour bus