So a music store is opening up in my town and it's going to have a decent selection of guitars and basses. A friend and I are going to work in it part-time (we're in high school). Any advice?
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About to start work in a music store
- Thread starter cssbass
- Start date
Do a good job and enjoy your work.
It's an experience, as if you were working at a restaurant or movie theater.
Show up on time all the time. Don't slack when there is work needed to be done/make sure there is no work needing to be done before you slack.
Develop a working knowledge of every piece you represent and make sure said gear is properly prep'd and ready-to-go for demonstration. Never diss any gear but be prepared to share your favorites with potential buyers / customers. Ask questions and weigh the responses: budget? needs? beginner/ advanced? previous knowledge / exposure?
The list goes on. A professional posture & attitude will take you far.
Riis
The list goes on. A professional posture & attitude will take you far.
Riis
I've worked at many music stores. I've worked at a mom and pop shop and the dreaded corporate giant (you know the one).
Here's what I've learned:
Learn what the gear does. Read the manuals, demo it in down time. If you BS an answer when a customer asks it WILL come back to haunt you. If they say, "what does this button do?" and you don't know, say "I don't know, let's look it up." Don't make up an answer. Otherwise word gets out that nobody knows anything at your store.
Keep the guitars tuned and looking nice. During downtime pick a row of guitars and polish the fingerprints off of them, tune them, and put them back on the wall.
Be humble and friendly. You'll get all skill levels in your store. From the beginner to the pro. The beginner is looking for your help so give them advise and guidance without being a jerk. The pro knows more than you. If you cop an attitude he will humiliate you and put you in your place before you know what hit you.
You will get some stupid people with stupid questions. Be patient and don't lose your cool.
Develop a relationship with your product rep. If they know you and like you they can work miracles when asking for a special order, or maybe even hook you up with some free schwag.
Above all remember you're there to work. A music store can be a fun place to work, and you get to play guitar sometimes, but only after the pricing is done, the toilet is cleaned, the strings are restocked, the drumsets are put together, the counter is cleaned, the trash is taken out, the floor is vacuumed, the cymbals are polished... you get the idea.
Here's what I've learned:
Learn what the gear does. Read the manuals, demo it in down time. If you BS an answer when a customer asks it WILL come back to haunt you. If they say, "what does this button do?" and you don't know, say "I don't know, let's look it up." Don't make up an answer. Otherwise word gets out that nobody knows anything at your store.
Keep the guitars tuned and looking nice. During downtime pick a row of guitars and polish the fingerprints off of them, tune them, and put them back on the wall.
Be humble and friendly. You'll get all skill levels in your store. From the beginner to the pro. The beginner is looking for your help so give them advise and guidance without being a jerk. The pro knows more than you. If you cop an attitude he will humiliate you and put you in your place before you know what hit you.
You will get some stupid people with stupid questions. Be patient and don't lose your cool.
Develop a relationship with your product rep. If they know you and like you they can work miracles when asking for a special order, or maybe even hook you up with some free schwag.
Above all remember you're there to work. A music store can be a fun place to work, and you get to play guitar sometimes, but only after the pricing is done, the toilet is cleaned, the strings are restocked, the drumsets are put together, the counter is cleaned, the trash is taken out, the floor is vacuumed, the cymbals are polished... you get the idea.
Back in the mid/late 60s when I worked at the local music store, the owner gave me some sage advice.
Work more, buy less.
Wish I'd have listened to those knowledgable words.
Work more, buy less.
Wish I'd have listened to those knowledgable words.
I would say gain as much knowledge as you can about what you are selling, be helpful to customers the aren't musicians, Act like you want to be there and aren't doing anybody any favors just by showing up. Also don't be too quick to right someone off as a potential buyer.
Treat someone how you would want to be treated.
Or just walk into a large chain store and do the opposite of what you see 90% of their employees doing.
Treat someone how you would want to be treated.
Or just walk into a large chain store and do the opposite of what you see 90% of their employees doing.
Be patient with the younger clients...they're sometimes accompanied by some hot-looking moms with credit cards.
Riis
Riis
