• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bizarre Bass Shopping Experience

#121
Theres a certain amount of irony here, its probably the same people slating the shop owner who also claim to support the local private shops as opposed to the big corporate ones. The shop owner should have let him try out the bass but the op implies he made no effort to convince the shop owner that he should be able too. Im not having a go, that's just the impression i got. If i wasnt allowed to test an instrument even though I was seriously considering buying it, i would talk to the sales people and convince them, as i have done in the past at guitar guitar (if anyone is familiar)
 
#122
mdogs said:
Well, I for one DON'T need the mom and pops, they need me. If they can't figure out what they need to do to entice sales, that is not my problem, I have my own problems and I really don't have time to solve everyone's issues. This was not a situation where the owner was trying to qualify the sale, he flat out said no. Then to double down on a really stupid business practice, he expected people to play a tribute as the demo, not even the same instrument...but he was out of those at the time. I have a policy, I don't let people who don't appreciate their customers, or in this case potential customers, take my money. I don't care about damage to the instruments, this is the owners problem, if he is that paranoid then stand right there while the customer plays it. Guitar Center does this in their platinum rooms, especially for people they don't know or look suspect, which is most GC customers and everything in the platinum room is FAR more expensive the the G&L's this guy has. This dealer needs to be outed, people need to know, why isn't the name coming out? My guess is that the story may not be quite what the OP suggested...
Click to expand...

Well put!

What if I was selling a bass or a set of drums that the store owner was interested in and I told him he couldn't play it before buying? What do you think his reaction would be? He would probably tell me to do something that is anatomically impossible.
 
#123
Bass Viking said:
Well put!

What if I was selling a bass or a set of drums that the store owner was interested in and I told him he couldn't play it before buying? What do you think his reaction would be? He would probably tell me to do something that is anatomically impossible.
Click to expand...

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think the best way to handle someone you want to deal with who is being unreasonable is to reason with the person... not verbally attack them. That's not effective... it's what children do. I'm not saying that to offend you, but that's how my children dealt with things before they grew up.

And yes, there are SOME people who you can't reason with, but the key is to not be one of those people yourself... and take the time to find out who CAN be reasoned with.
 
#124
dabbler said:
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think the best way to handle someone you want to deal with who is being unreasonable is to reason with the person... not verbally attack them. That's not effective... it's what children do. I'm not saying that to offend you, but that's how my children dealt with things before they grew up.

And yes, there are SOME people who you can't reason with, but the key is to not be one of those people yourself... and take the time to find out who CAN be reasoned with.
Click to expand...

I think you misunderstood my post. I was just imagining how the store owner would react if the situation was reversed.
 
#125
Bass Viking said:
I think you misunderstood my post. I was just imagining how the store owner would react if the situation was reversed.
Click to expand...

I understood, but while I agree there are all kinds of people, I chose rather to not make an assumption about how he would respond, he might respond as you said... but he also might take my approach (especially if he really wanted the drums). I was just pointing out that if you want something, there are more effective methods than some of what some have given in this thread.

You are right, I kinda answered you sideways, but I think you'll also find that successful business people (Trump included) take the time to reason... if they want to make a deal.
 
#126
dabbler said:
I understood, but while I agree there are all kinds of people, I chose rather to not make an assumption about how he would respond, he might respond as you said... but he also might take my approach (especially if he really wanted the drums). I was just pointing out that if you want something, there are more effective methods than some of what some have given in this thread.

You are right, I kinda answered you sideways, but I think you'll also find that successful business people (Trump included) take the time to reason... if they want to make a deal.
Click to expand...

Absolutely a more effective way to deal with him, leave and find a dealer who has reasonable policies. You only have have one chance to make a good first impression...the owner wasted his opportunity. This of course assumes that it happened the way the OP described, which I am starting to seriously doubt based on the OP being MIA...
 
#127
mdogs said:
Absolutely a more effective way to deal with him, leave and find a dealer who has reasonable policies. You only have have one chance to make a good first impression...the owner wasted his opportunity. This of course assumes that it happened the way the OP described, which I am starting to seriously doubt based on the OP being MIA...
Click to expand...

Well, we all would like a dealer that would treat us all like rock stars and bring basses to us to try like a shoe salesman bringing shoes to a woman.

But just how "unreasonable" was this store owner? Not so much I'd say. First off LOTS of places sell basses that you aren't allowed to play. Everything on line, for example. And we say, yeah, we know that but it's a trade off with the lower price. And it is. And we as customers know that certain manufacturers have enough QC that we have a pretty good chance at getting a good instrument. And then there is the a return policy. That lets you play the instrument. Of course you have to buy it first and you take a hit when returning but again it's all trade-offs. In this case return policy wasn't outlined by the store owner.

So what about brick and mortar stores? Well, in this case immediately there was one advantage. You did get to SEE the instrument up close and personal, which is something you can't do online. And the owner also provided a level of "trial" by having Tribute models for walk-ins to try. (He just happened to be out of them at the time). Does this make sense? Well, go to GC and look at some of the "new" basses on the wall. They get used and abused most every Saturday! Some more than others. And I as a buyer have to ponder if I want to pay a new price for a used bass. In fact the answer is no. And that is why I bought my OLP 5 string with flamed maple top at GC as a manager's demo special for $100. So basically if a store has "demo" instruments, they end up writing them off at cost etc, in order to sell the stack of new ones in the back still in boxes. Can work, but only if you are a big enough outfit.

Now the store owner did say he lets people play the basses IF THEY ARE GOING TO BUY IT TODAY. So what exactly does that mean? Well, If it were me, rather than stomping off in a huff, I'd just whip out my Visa card and say I AM going to buy this today but ONLY IF I LIKE IT! And if you say it's not for you, what can the owner say? Not that I'm trying to train you how to cheat the owner, but assuming you are a serious player and not some kid trying to use the store to woodshed a bass he could never afford. And in my case I can recall at least a couple of times where I actually DID put a couple grand on my Visa and walk out with the bass! If you fall in love, it happens. (though it's far more likely if the bass is only $200)

Point is that within the limits of a smaller store, that actually only sells basses as a sideline, his policy is pretty much not especially out of line.

Just saying.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tomasz s and 1954bassman
#128
So many posters here have no idea about sales. One of the key things in making a sale is getting the customer emotionally connected with the product. Why do you think car dealers want to get you to test drive? Get a person into a car and they are a big step closer to buying it. Why are jewelry dealers eager to set thousands of dollars worth of rings on the counter? Get a ring on a persons finger and they are more likely to buy it.

The only real advantage brick and mortar has over online sales is that emotional connection we get when we hold that bass in our hands. Why would a music dealer do anything to make that emotional connection harder? Makes no sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassbully, MrRobert, mdogs and 1 other person
#131
I haven't read every post, so apologies if this has already been said - regarding the famous Manny's Music on 48th Street in NYC - (long gone) - this is how they treated people in the 70's. At least, scruffy teens like myself. "I'll let you touch it if you promise to buy it." I decided he was a d.b. so I went next door to Terminal Music (longer gone) and dropped my hard-earned $350 on a sweet new Rickenbacker bass, that I still own - the guy at Terminal was accommodating. This happened to many people at Manny's and I always wondered how they stayed in business so long.
 
#134
so last year between Christmas and NewYears, I was in a ski town north of Quebec on holidays...I had this obsessive itch to buy a vintage StingRay...found one on kijiji made the deal over the phone, didn't barter him down at all...and the guy pulled the plug while I was driving into Quebec the next morning(45 minutes INTO my drive - yes I was pissed...hope the idiot is reading this and that his girlfriend gave him the clap...just sayin)...anyway, on my way back I get lost....i go thru this small French speaking town.....and a ray of light is shining at me right in the face.,....beyond the intersection is this tiny guitar shop...and I mean in the middle of NOWHERE....I couldn't believe it. Anyway, im about a grade 3 French (cuz I do some of my kids French homework)...I walk in and he has some kewl basses....some rocker lookin ones (Traeger or something like that) and about 10 G&L 2500, 2000's etc....Fenders....and some of the normal ones that are everywhere. I say Hello and he and his wife, bury their noses in the desk - obviously uncomfortable speaking English....nobody else in this little store - I try my best to chat, and I know that I wasn't far off with my French wording - maybe lack of some joining words, but no different than me speaking in English most of the time LOL....anyway, I play a few, and zero in on a G&L 2000....sunburst, maple neck, sounded pretty good - and between being peeved at the guy who bailed on the StingRay and me having to spend two weeks in a cabin with NO bass...I was walking out of there with this bass!.....I forget the exact amount he wanted for it...lets say it was $1199 plus 13% tax or whatever the Quebec tax was....the guy tries to tell me the bass doesn't come with a case...I was thinking...ummm that's strange for a high end bass NOT to come with some sort of case...so I ask him if I can see the case that he recommends...he brings out a case and its a G&L hardcase WITH the case swag INSIDE!!!! I said - dude (in French)...La DUUUDE...this IS the case that comes with the bass...he said no, its extra cost. I go on my phone - google it and search some other G&L retailers and they ALL said Hardcase included. I show him, he shrugs....i said, throw it in, and I would buy it.. (which means he really isn't "throwing" it in, when it was suppose to come with it anyway)...he says no, its 300 extra. I said are you sure? cuz I am leaving...he turns his back and walks to the front of the store and flips me the bird. LOL.... Reminder: this place probably doesn't sell 10 basses a year....and is off the grid.
Double angry, I was! hahaha....I found a bass shortly thereafter from a TB'er that was nice - sold it since though...gorgeous S.R., but I didn't gel with it.
Had I bartered this retailer down and insulted him, I could justify his bird flippin gesture, but to offer someone the price that is on the price tag, and still get flipped, was very confusing. hahaha...
I guess the moral of the story was, we all have bad days...retailers are people too - so who knows, maybe he was having some problems that day (ever worked side by side with your spouse?)...that could be it. LOL
I will return again this year, and see if the bass is still there too - hahaah----im also grade 4 French now. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: catcauphonic
#135
bassbenj said:
Well, we all would like a dealer that would treat us all like rock stars and bring basses to us to try like a shoe salesman bringing shoes to a woman.
Click to expand...

Come on now, nobody's asking to be treated like a rock star.

bassbenj said:
So what about brick and mortar stores? Well, in this case immediately there was one advantage. You did get to SEE the instrument up close and personal, which is something you can't do online. And the owner also provided a level of "trial" by having Tribute models for walk-ins to try. (He just happened to be out of them at the time).
Click to expand...

Oooohh, they let you look at the bass! Wow! :jawdrop: :D And I still think having a cheaper model for demo is pretty lame. You need to test drive the particular bass you're interested in.

bassbenj said:
Now the store owner did say he lets people play the basses IF THEY ARE GOING TO BUY IT TODAY. So what exactly does that mean? Well, If it were me, rather than stomping off in a huff, I'd just whip out my Visa card and say I AM going to buy this today but ONLY IF I LIKE IT! And if you say it's not for you, what can the owner say? Not that I'm trying to train you how to cheat the owner, but assuming you are a serious player and not some kid trying to use the store to woodshed a bass he could never afford.
Click to expand...

Suit yourself but I prefer to shop at a store without a high pressure sales environment. They do exist. Bass Central for example. And they carry stock way pricier than G&L.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back