Have You Been Harassed By A Music Dealer?

Dubadays · #1 07-04-2009, 04:55 PM

So, I took my new bass into our local music store to get the action fixed, and ended up getting harassed by the owner of the store for an hour on how I should have bought locally. The two things that you need to know about this store is that it's the only music store in town, and because of that, they charge A TON. The owner tried to convince me that he would match the price on the bass, even though 1. I got it on an internet auction, 2. I got it for less than half of retail price, and 3. The store is so expensive, and such a tight wad, that they wouldn't have matched the price if it were $50 off. Have you ever been harassed by a music dealer?

Jimmy Bones · #2 07-04-2009, 06:23 PM

Island Guitars at the Ward Center in downtown Honolulu used to be a great shop to browse in. And with them being the only Gibson dealer on the island, it was the only place to pick up new Gibby gear. My buddy and I used to go in there all the time for him to scope out guitars while I drooled over basses.

Then one day they hired a bass attendant. A big surly dude who doesn't speak, just stares at you and follows you around, peaking over your shoulder like he thinks you're gonna try to stuff a T-Bird down your pants and run off.

I try talking to him from time to time, but he never really opens up, just an all around creepy feeling, very uncomfortable. I rarely go there now, because of him.

MadMan118 · #3 07-04-2009, 07:20 PM

Down at this shop by my HS almost 10 years ago. I came and asked for the guy to order me some GHS boomers heavy gauge. He said I shouldn't use heavy gauge it warps the neck

. So I told him that I've been playing for 4 years (then) and those are the strings I use, and he had the nerve to say I didn't know what i was doing.

jkramer5 · #4 07-04-2009, 07:27 PM

With that kind of customer service he's sure to be a success. Welcome to the information super highway grumpy music store guy.

I run a home business that has a TON of competition from huge chains both online and BnM. I can't compete with them on any level but one, service, and in that arena I blow em out of the water. If he wants to be the place that the local musician community chooses over all the discounts and choices found online, then he's gotta be a place that musicians want to go to. Chewing ass because he didn't make a sale isn't any good. He did get your service dollar. He's gotta make you or anyone else want to use him over the internet.

Stereo Joe · #5 07-04-2009, 07:34 PM

There's a music store nearby called 'Intercontinental Music'. They have a large store with a big inventory of overpriced off-brand instruments that I've never heard. Lots of TCM, Groove Factory, GK (not Gallien Krueger), etc...
There are signs on the wall that say things like 'Do Not Touch the Instruments'. The owner watches you like a hawk and will not let you try gear unless you are planning to buy it. He also won't let you write down any information to comparison shop...
I had a new student come to my place with a TCM bass he had purchased from this store for over $800. It was a piece of JUNK!! It was neck through and you could feel the different wood laminates when you ran your hand down the back of the neck. The electronics were noisy and the whole thing just felt cheap. Apparently my student also paid a hefty sum for a similar quality amp...
I can't believe this store is still in business with all their overpriced garbage and their terrible reputation for horrible customer service.
I'll try to get in and snap some covert pictures of this ridiculous place.

Codymb · #6 07-04-2009, 08:50 PM

I had a very similar experience recently, I was at the only real guitar shop in town (there is one other shop but it's a real hole in the wall. They have like 10 guitars for sale) and I was looking to buy a new cab. I wanted a 115 cab to go with my 410, and I decided that the only way I was going to find a cab that I could live with was to go out and actually test some and see if something caught my ear.

So I go in and tell the owner that I'm looking to buy a cab and ask if I could plug into the cabs he has and play through them, he says sure. So I go get my bass out of the car, come back in, he hands me a cable and I proceed to test. There was this Peavy rig in the corner that was very similar to rig I wanted to build so I plug into that. The owner comes over to chat and we talk about my bass and the rig that I'm using now, then he immediately switches to business mode and try's to get me to buy the cab right there. I told him that I wasn't sure if the Peavy was the sound I wanted and he reaches down and rips the cable out of my bass (***?!) and goes on and on about how great the rig is. When I tell him that I still want to shop around more he instantly turns into a jerk and tells me about how I'm never going to find a better deal and how all the brands that I was looking at are crap and that I don't know what I'm talking about. I kept telling him that I'm not going to buy the first thing that I play through and he just gets more aggressive. I got fed up with that nonsense and walked out as he was still trying to be a salesman. What he didn't know is that I had $500 cash in my pocket and probably would have ended up spending it there if he had just let me try some other cabs and had been polite about it. needless to say I now drive out of my way to another guitar shop.

CayceG · #7 07-04-2009, 08:57 PM

Not so much harassed, but moreso just over charged.

The local music store is run by a great guy and he really wants to help his customers. He priced me $1260 on a 2008 MIA Fender P bass which retailed for near 1600.

But the rotosound strings I bought from him are ridiculous. I get them from MusiciansFriend for 20 bucks, but the guy charges over twice as much for them.

Just a minor complaint, but a complaint nonetheless.

iridiumrocks · #8 07-04-2009, 09:02 PM

I never had this happen in a music store. Car dealers are another story.. :-)

irishryno · #9 07-04-2009, 09:16 PM

There's a store in the next city over that i used to frequent. I found a MIM Fender Fretless OW. Few beauty marks and some love scrubs, but not real bad. Not very clean either <when will people learn you can sell older stuff for more profit if you just clean it up some>. So we chat about price and he tells me 290 and shes mine. I'm never a impulse buyer. I keep a watchful eye for a couple of weeks. She don't budge. Then it happens. I see the 1/2 price on all used gear sign. CHICHING! I walk in and am ready to take the mexi baby home. He still want 290. I remind him of the sign out front. He says that is half price. I ask what the regular price is <I already know...I own a computer, duh>. He says 450. WAIT! WHAT? Due you can't get 450 by multiplying 290 twice. HOW DO YOU STAY IN BUSINESS WITH MATH SKILLZ LIKE THAT!? Then he says for me to go f myself. I reply with gladly, as it means he won't get to do it. I then go to a new shop. Over the last 8 months I have spent 2400 there. I now do repairs with his equipment and help customers, and I'm not even on the payroll. I just like the guy that much. He takes great care of me. I may spend over retail on a few items but it's worth it for him to stay in business. Still don't have a fretless though. lawl.

Jimmy Bones · #10 07-04-2009, 09:20 PM

Having been a salesman myself (Insurance, Vacuum Cleaners, Cars), I always took the good service, no pressure approach. Pressuring sales people, in my opinion, get the dirty sales and no word of mouth. I may not have gotten the immediate sales they did, but I got return customers and referrals.

Smallmouth_Bass · #11 07-04-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Joe

There's a music store nearby called 'Intercontinental Music'. They have a large store with a big inventory of overpriced off-brand instruments that I've never heard. Lots of TCM, Groove Factory, GK (not Gallien Krueger), etc...
There are signs on the wall that say things like 'Do Not Touch the Instruments'.

I've been there! All the cheap knock-offs are priced at or around what the originals go for. Discount about 75% off the listed price and you're in the ballpark of what the instruments are actually worth.

**Howlin' Hanson** · #12 07-04-2009, 09:38 PM

OK, I do hope everyone understands just how much pressure local retailers are under trying to keep their businesses open, when the on-line warehouses have a much lower overhead cost per dollar of inventory, and get volume discounts the local stores can't get.

It's too bad the store owner in the original post vented at Dubadays. But I've heard similars stories from guys who (for example) bought new vehicles at an out-of-town auto dealer, but had their warranty work done at the local shop. Surely the local shop said, "Wish you had bought this from us."

In fact, I manage a retail shop for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts uniforms, books and craft and camping supplies; my store is locally-owned, not a national shop. We are not allowed to have an on-line shopping basket by National edict. We do mail orders by phone, fax and email, but some shoppers would simply rather shop on-line maybe because it's modern or you can order in the middle of the night and you never have to talk to anyone.

Guess what? It's a good idea to talk to the local shop first. They might be able to get closer in price, if you have an on-line quote and you ask them if they are flexible.

In addition, the local folks will be able to give advice that an on-line shopping basket simply can't give. We had pants whose measured sizes were bigger than the designated sizes, so there were lots of exchanges. I have had people mail in items they originally ordered on-line and wanted to exchange, and expected my store to cover postage BOTH ways when they had never spent a penny with me in the first place. I don't think so.

So in short, do your research and ask them if they can work with you, but always keep in mind the economics of a small shop aren't the same as an on-line warehouse or a big box store. Try to have some empathy for them.

irishryno · #13 07-04-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howlin' Hanson

OK, I do hope everyone understands just how much pressure local retailers are under trying to keep their businesses open, when the on-line warehouses have a much lower overhead cost per dollar of inventory, and get volume discounts the local stores can't get.

It's too bad the store owner in the original post vented at Dubadays. But I've heard similars stories from guys who (for example) bought new vehicles at an out-of-town auto dealer, but had their warranty work done at the local shop. Surely the local shop said, "Wish you had bought this from us."

In fact, I manage a retail shop for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts uniforms, books and craft and camping supplies; my store is locally-owned, not a national shop. We are not allowed to have an on-line shopping basket by National edict. We do mail orders by phone, fax and email, but some shoppers would simply rather shop on-line maybe because it's modern or you can order in the middle of the night and you never have to talk to anyone.

Guess what? It's a good idea to talk to the local shop first. They might be able to get closer in price, if you have an on-line quote and you ask them if they are flexible.

In addition, the local folks will be able to give advice that an on-line shopping basket simply can't give. We had pants whose measured sizes were bigger than the designated sizes, so there were lots of exchanges. I have had people mail in items they originally ordered on-line and wanted to exchange, and expected my store to cover postage BOTH ways when they had never spent a penny with me in the first place. I don't think so.

So in short, do your research and ask them if they can work with you, but always keep in mind the economics of a small shop aren't the same as an on-line warehouse or a big box store. Try to have some empathy for them.

I appreciate the situation these retailers are in. I used to own a restaurant. I am well aware of what good customer service can do for you. My situation is a little different as I had spoken with the guy previously, but I was waiting to decide and hoping he would come down. Then he posted the 1/2 sale on used gear sign and tried to justify the bait and switch with shoddy math. Should we be prepared to pay a little more for gear but get face to face interaction with the possibility of building a relationship that would be mutually beneficial in the future? I think so. I like talking to a person in front of me, not an operator.

Dubadays · #14 07-04-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howlin' Hanson

OK, I do hope everyone understands just how much pressure local retailers are under trying to keep their businesses open, when the on-line warehouses have a much lower overhead cost per dollar of inventory, and get volume discounts the local stores can't get.

It's too bad the store owner in the original post vented at Dubadays. But I've heard similars stories from guys who (for example) bought new vehicles at an out-of-town auto dealer, but had their warranty work done at the local shop. Surely the local shop said, "Wish you had bought this from us."

In fact, I manage a retail shop for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts uniforms, books and craft and camping supplies; my store is locally-owned, not a national shop. We are not allowed to have an on-line shopping basket by National edict. We do mail orders by phone, fax and email, but some shoppers would simply rather shop on-line maybe because it's modern or you can order in the middle of the night and you never have to talk to anyone.

Guess what? It's a good idea to talk to the local shop first. They might be able to get closer in price, if you have an on-line quote and you ask them if they are flexible.

In addition, the local folks will be able to give advice that an on-line shopping basket simply can't give. We had pants whose measured sizes were bigger than the designated sizes, so there were lots of exchanges. I have had people mail in items they originally ordered on-line and wanted to exchange, and expected my store to cover postage BOTH ways when they had never spent a penny with me in the first place. I don't think so.

So in short, do your research and ask them if they can work with you, but always keep in mind the economics of a small shop aren't the same as an on-line warehouse or a big box store. Try to have some empathy for them.

I absolutely understand the struggle of small businesses, but the store is terribly run, and everything is 2 to 3 times more expensive than they should be. It's not really an issue of me not wanting to support local businesses, it's an issue of me wanting to support poorly run businesses. If they want my business, they need to change their ways.

Jim Carr · #15 07-04-2009, 10:15 PM

In the local (non-chain) stores around Lexington, KY, I find that the sales people are pretty nice, knowledgeable, and will usually quickly quote you a discount price. Recently at Willcutt music in Lexington, I was encouraged to play all the instruments I wished. The owner greeted me and was extremely nice.

Ok, I admit I appear to be a grownup, ask permission, don't play loud, and am respectful and polite. I suppose they figure I could just whip out the plastic and buy whatever I want--and while that is THEORETICALLY true, I am not entirely free to spend money that in effect belongs to both me and my spouse.

In any case, if I were treated to the hard sell or rudeness cited in some of the posts above, I would NEVER return to such a business. It is called voting with your feet AND your wallet.

nortonrider · #16 07-04-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howlin' Hanson

OK, I do hope everyone understands just how much pressure local retailers are under trying to keep their businesses open, when the on-line warehouses have a much lower overhead cost per dollar of inventory, and get volume discounts the local stores can't get.

That's the exact reason they shouldn't be pissing off the people that do walk through their doors.

Our local shop is barely making ends meet, but the owner is one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet - if you are respectful. I always get half off on strings, but there are some knuckleheads around here that get charged full price.

Foamy · #17 07-04-2009, 11:24 PM

Yes.
The worst shop ever - Rockland Music in Rocklin, CA
I've been in this area now for 11 years.
It is a small shop that has moved a few times over the years.
My first week in my new house, and I needed some bass strings - they would not take my check because it was not local. My bank is about 150 miles away. Not so far away. I even showed the title of my new house.
He gave some smart-alec line like "The boss doesn't let me", and when I asked, he said that he was the boss.
Fast forward 8 years (I never went back until 8 years after). I needed a "quiet" power supply NOW for a very noisy Boss Chorus. The Radio Shack PS was very noisy.
The Adam Henry would not let me plug it into my chorus, and he wanted more than list price for it and then started yelling at me for even suggesting that he didn't know what he was talking about.
Then Guitar Center moved into town.
This guy started whining to the local paper and crying that GC was driving him out of business. Then he cried that he was going to have to sell the store because he got sick. Well, he is still in business...somehow.
He's a pathetic POS dealer and a real Adam Henry.
I laugh every time I drive by. He has a sign painted on his window that says "Free electrical tuner".
Ah.....I feel better now. That was cathartic.

jkramer5 · #18 07-05-2009, 01:11 AM

I'd deal with local markup if the service was good and or the environment in the store was good. If I got attitude from an employee or owner about where or how I decide to spend the dollar I earn, then I bail.

Blacksmiths and Tv repair men had to deal with being phased out, grumpy music store guy that begrudges me getting the most for my dollar? He can take a flying leap. I better not see him in costco, target, sams club or best buy either lol.

otis_thick · #19 07-05-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codymb

I had a very similar experience recently,...
.... What he didn't know is that I had $500 cash in my pocket and probably would have ended up spending it there if he had just let me try some other cabs and had been polite about it.

You should have showed him the cash as you left so he could think about what he did wrong...you missed your chance to "teach a lesson"

dmusic148 · #20 07-05-2009, 01:30 AM

There's a store here in Danbury that used to be huge. It was always attitude city- buy something or get out. But they had the inventory so we all put up with it- they were really it, you had no other choice unless you wanted to drive to Sa* As* 50 miles away, and they were no better.
Now, a very good friend of mine, who used to work at the big store and quit, opened his own store a couple of years ago. Tons of stuff, everyone is really cool, and the store is always full of customers. The big store has no inventory, is usually empty, and is probably about to fold. Attitude.