Afraid of going to music stores

[Raudsarw]

Does anyone else feel dread whenever they have to go to a music store? The atmosphere there is always really opressing, the staff is rude and won't leave you alone. Whenever I need to buy something I buy online or send one of my many minions instead I guess my fear goes back several years when I wanted to buy a thumb pick. I was looking around for them, a staff member who was on the phone at time, sees that I'm looking for something and interrupts his phone call for a moment, asks me what I'm looking for. I tell him I'm looking for a thumb pick and he snaps at me. He asks if I'm blind and then proceeds to pull out this box, slams it on the table and continues talking on the phone. In fact pretty much everyone I've ever met who works at one of these stores has been an *******. Is it a global thing or just localized to the stores in my area?

[ceruer]

I understand completely. I always feel very dissatisfied with my local music stores.. They act as if you are a burden upon them or something.

[Richland123]

The local music stores here in my hometown are very no pressure environments as well as the larger stores about two hours drive away in the Pittsburgh area such as Pianos 'N' Stuff and Guitar Center. All these stores let you browse around and have staff available if you need assistance.

[Matthew_84]

Depends entirely on the individual. Some guys have a passion for music and like interacting with anyone interested playing it, some people treat like it like it's just a job at a run of the mill store.

I've had some really good knowledgeable people, people who don't know much but show an interest, and pompous a******* that don't know much at all but defend their remarks as if it had to be correct and every other idea is wrong, and some people that just don't care at all... Pretty much just like society as a whole.

In my experience though, the busier the shop, the ruder the staff will likely be. I got a shop near me, with not much selection for bass stuff. And there's never any more than 5 customers in there at a time, but I often talk with any of the staff members for half an hour or so. I sometimes even go there when I'm passing by and don't have much going on. It's a good atmosphere... Find the small shops if you don't like going to music stores. I love going to that one, but I only go to the big chains when I'm seriously looking for something that I can't get somewhere else.

[Staccato]

Next time-try going in, looking around, smiling, and not touching any instruments. Change your approach to the experience. Hint: One way to enjoy the experience is to talk/listen with the owner, manager, or employees. Get to know them, and vice versa...

If they don't engage customers in conversation, or don't like you, spend more time in other music stores.

[Mykk]

I think your experiences has to do with 'Retail' and not just music stores... In retail, customers are the employees enemy. And the higher flow, faster pace the retail environment is the worse the attitude gets.

[HolmeBass]

I don't think it's universal. I'd try some other stores if possible. Definitely ask before touching any instruments, it shows respect.

[Edward G.]

Simple retail salesmanship is a dying art. So many of these idiots on the sales floor would do so much better just by providing a welcoming and informed presence there. Aren't YOU more eager and willing to buy something from someone who is motivated and enthusiastic about the product? I know I am. When a salesperson doesn't care if the customer buys or not, it shows in a million ways, and I vote with my feet...or my keyboard.

[MF_Maher]

I don't go in music stores because I can't afford to buy anything...

[TripleDouble]

+1 to Staccato's advice. Dont' be afraid of jerks, period. And just be cool and respectful, and good connection/gear karma coming your way.

[Triangle]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

When a salesperson doesn't care if the customer buys or not, it shows in a million ways, and I vote with my feet...or my keyboard.

Worse yet is when they assume you're not going to buy anything because of your age. It doesn't happen so often anymore, but several years ago if I didn't have a parent with me when I went to a music store I couldn't get them to even pay attention.

[Raudsarw]

Originally Posted by HolmeBass

I don't think it's universal. I'd try some other stores if possible. Definitely ask before touching any instruments, it shows respect.

I don't go to music stores for instruments. Anyone who buys an instrument from a store in Estonia is either retarded or very rich. You wouldn't believe the kind of crap they sell here.

[Mykk]

Alot of it has to do with the establishment not paying well or not giving incentives to employees to sell. We are still very much in a down economy, and it's not uncommon for big businesses to adopt a "Your incentive to sell is that I hired you in the first place at $9/hr" outlook.

[michael_atw]

What you do is, you do whatever the hell you want...and if they get snappy or $*%&^ at you, you whip out a wad of cash, wave it in their face, and tell them either they shut up or they lose.

Most music stores are dying or pretty much dead. They want customers.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by Mykk

Alot of it has to do with the establishment not paying well or not giving incentives to employees to sell. We are still very much in a down economy, and it's not uncommon for big businesses to adopt a "Your incentive to sell is that I hired you in the first place at $9/hr" outlook.

My dad once told me that 'if you only do what you get paid for, you'll only get paid for what you do'. I think this applies here.

[jgroh]

Ive experienced this at small mom and pop places alot. I moved from a city that had a guitar center, and local shop that was as big as the guitar center, and several larger music shops, to a city that only has a few really small places. Every one of these small places I have had bad experiences with. You would think these small places would be very helpful but its almost like they look at you like you just walked in the front door to their house without knowing them.

I dont go there for anything other than strings, picks, and small stuff and even then, only if Im in a huge hurry. Otherwise I order online. These places around here dont sell anything even remotely close to good equipment so I wouldnt buy a bass or amp.

[RustyAxe]

Depends on the shop. Some shops are general music stores, selling everything from orchestral instruments to "world" instruments. Their focus may be on the student rentals, studio rentals for lessons, any number of things. The wall is lined with cheap electrics and Chinese acoustics. Guitars aren't their main business.

The local guitar shops are, almost without exception, well run operations that stock what guitarists need, allow for extended auditioning of instruments, have knowledgeable and friendly staff, and are great places to spend an afternoon playing and talking guitars.

[klejst]

I guess I am sort of "old fashion" when it comes to gear and such in that I still prefer to buy from my local music stores and sellers first then go the online route if need be. I have been going to my local ma' and pa' music store for a long time now and they always take care of me very well. To me it is the bigger music stores like Guitar Center where my experiences in store have not been the best.

[fjadams]

Don't feel that at all. I've been doing business with my local store since 71', and have never left feeling dissatisfied. It's always been run by and for musicians.

[NortyFiner]

Ironically, for all the complaints here about GC, the staff at my local GC have never been a big problem to me. They leave me alone when I want to be alone, they are helpful when I ask for help. I just wish they kept a better selection of stuff in stock.

I had one bad experience at Alpha Music, a long time ago, but Alpha has greatly improved since then. I think that was just a problem with one particular person who no longer works there. By the way: if you live in or near the Hampton Roads area, Alpha has the best selection of effects in town. Positive plug.

Ironically, it's the small stores here where I find problems; pressure sales, people lurking over my shoulder like they think I'm gonna steal something, lack of knowledge, and so forth. It's gotten to the point that I don't even bother with the smaller stores, even for little things like strings, because the people are too much of a pain.