Ever bought from Music-Go-Round?

**WackoStu** · #1 12-22-2010, 07:48 AM

I am looking for advice from low enders that have bought basses from Music Go Round. Did you negotiate a lower price? Do they have some leeway or are the prices set in stone?

My NBD is Dec 26th, and I would be picking up a Bass, small amp, and all accessories needed to start my journey. I've been doing my research, stopped in a few times, and have my top three picked out. Now all that is left is going there and buying.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Headless Llama · #2 12-22-2010, 08:03 AM

As a rule, they will not budge on price. You might be able to talk them in giving them more for a trade, or if you package things together... but I wouldn't count on it.

Also, you should subscribe to their newsletter... they send email deals all the time... like trade in a pedal, and get 15% off something...

amimbari · #3 12-22-2010, 08:10 AM

I have bought 3 basses from the online MGR stores, LLama is right on all 3 sales they would not even drop the shipping..basically you pay what they say or you don't get it. I didn't get ripped off or anything, just no discounts at all. Going into one of the stores is perhaps a different situation.

Headless Llama · #4 12-22-2010, 08:14 AM

There was one time that I talked them down on a guitar that they couldn't sell... the thing sat there for about a year... But other than that, I have never gotten a deal... And I go into the Greenfield store all the time. I have actually purchased my last two basses from MGR.

**WackoStu** · #5 12-22-2010, 08:31 AM

The Greenfield store is where I am going as soon as they open on Dec 26th. Is there someone there you would recommend as very helpful?

Headless Llama · #6 12-22-2010, 08:51 AM

Honestly since they can't offer any deals, they are all the same to me

Have you considered going to Cream City Music?

**WackoStu** · #7 12-22-2010, 09:07 AM

My gift certs are coming from MGM for Christmas. Im not supposed to know......

Headless Llama · #8 12-22-2010, 09:11 AM

That is a good reason to go there! Most of the gear they have is on the website... but there are some that they forget to put on there... and they will also bring things up from the Kenosha store if you ask them to...

**WackoStu** · #9 12-22-2010, 09:15 AM

I have been wearing out their website. I have even snuck into the store a couple of times without SWMBO knowing it. I know which ones I want to take down and play and make my decision from. I hope to have about $400.00 to spend on Bass, Amp, strings tuner, strap, etc.

I am actually closer to the Keno store, but Greenfield has better inventory, from comparing websites. Much better amp selection for sure.

Quadzilla · #10 12-22-2010, 09:19 AM

generally speaking, they are priced high, don't budget and over-charge for shipping. I have found some good deals there, but they are very few and far between.

Headless Llama · #11 12-22-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadzilla

generally speaking, they are priced high, don't budget and over-charge for shipping. I have found some good deals there, but they are very few and far between.

I only buy things that are a good deal... And I shop there often.

If I had to pay for the shipping, I would not buy from there though.

Diogenes · #12 12-22-2010, 10:18 AM

It's my favorite music store to buy gear from. They usually have incredible deals going... usually better than anything I can find elsewhere, even CraigsList.

kjpollo · #13 12-22-2010, 10:18 AM

I dont have any of their stores near me but I did buy a T-40 online from a different store 2 years ago. Very pleasant experience-the guy I dealt with was really courteous- he did a good job of explaining the condition of the bass and emailed me a couple of pictures that were not on the website.
I felt the bass was fairly priced and the shipping charges weren't bad at all.
Like others have said, the deal was not earth shaking and they didnt negotiate on price but I felt I got a good value.
The only extras were a pick in the case and they put on a new set of some unknown el cheapo strings prior to shipping.

dieseldan · #14 12-22-2010, 10:27 AM

They are good in person, but their online store is a bit misleading sometimes. I had two experiences of falsely representing by them online. One was a 400 series peavey amp that they were calling a "Peavey Power Pak" because the prior owner had painted the silver yellow. And the second was a mutron iii pedal that I inquired about over the phone and was told it wasn't working right, though you wouldn't know that if you had just bought it online. Please do everything in person, it is just safer that way and you will most likely get the bass you really want that way.

Sorry for preaching.

RMay · #15 12-22-2010, 10:37 AM

I bought a few items from their local store. You can get some good deals if you're willing to negotiate a reasonable price. Their cost is printed on price tag.
At top left corner of the price sticker is the UPC code followed by the item desc. Under the item desc is 14 alphanumeric code. In the that code is the store cost. This is done so the salesman doesnt need to to go search the item database each time to find the cost of an item. At the bottom right is the asking retail price.

UPC BAR CODE
BOSS DS1 DISTORTION
02GUFXX12CHC00. $34.99

Can you find the store cost?
I paid $25 + tax for this used pedal.

Headless Llama · #16 12-22-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMay

UPC BAR CODE
BOSS DS1 DISTORTION
02GUFXX12CHC00. $34.99

Can you find the store cost?
I paid $25 + tax for this used pedal.

12$ ??

bassbenj · #17 12-22-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headless Llama

There was one time that I talked them down on a guitar that they couldn't sell... the thing sat there for about a year... But other than that, I have never gotten a deal... And I go into the Greenfield store all the time. I have actually purchased my last two basses from MGR.

Our store does pretty well. It's always worth a try to ask for a lower price. If the thing just got there you won't get any discount. But at our store, They periodically go through the store and mark down a bunch of stuff that has been there a while with a "tired of looking at it sale". Some truly great bargains then.

I've talked down a couple of basses. It depends on if it's consignment or not. On one bass, they were hot to sell and I was reluctant, so the manager actually called the owner who put it there on consignment and asked if he'd take less. And he would! So a lot just depends on conditions. In any case even their full price is usually pretty good. Plus you have the important advantage of being able to try the gear before you buy it. But as usual, buyer beware.

It always pays to make regular rounds at MGR. It's how my house got filled with strange gear at a fraction of the new cost. Most of my instruments came for either MGR, Rondo or the high-end guitar store in town. You definitely get a lot more gear for your dollar at the first two.

RMay · #18 12-22-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headless Llama

12$ ??

Correct. Now keep in mind they are in the business to profit from sales of new and used gear. They will not budge unless the item is + 90days old and need to move. They have and usually will match the avg. sell price of the identical item offered on Ebay's completed listings

jro · #19 12-22-2010, 11:23 AM

Music Go Round is a franchise and I would guess pricing and service really depend on the owner(s). From the few I've been in around MN they seem very individual, i.e. store layout is different, pricing varies, etc. and so are probably more like independent music stores than Guitar Centers. In short, some are great, some not so great.

There are a few around the Twin Cities area that are great and always seems to be getting in good gear and have decent prices. I know one store located in St. Paul is run by a couple band teachers and specialize in good deals for students. My son's percussion set came from them. I did happen to pick up a TBC 5 sting for a good price from them too.

I do agree that it does pay to visit them in person and get the good stuff before it gets put on the website.

RMay · #20 12-22-2010, 11:29 AM

In addition, in the alphanumeric code is the number of month that item was received 02.