Do you hate music store?

[selowitch]

It is mostly about the people who work there. If they are unfriendly, act like jerks, and/or don’t know their stuff, it is unlikely I will enjoy shopping there.
If, on the other hand, they are nice (#1 consideration), treat customers well, and are knowledgeable things tend to go well.
Pricing is pretty uniform throughout the industry so I don’t find that to be a primary consideration. On the other hand, if they are willing to negotiate (particularly on used gear), that is a plus. Selection is also not as big a deal since one can order just about anything.
I hate to admit it, but when it comes to used gear it is tough to beat Guitar Center.
It comes down to good customer service.

 

[The Mogpipe]

Our local GC is staffed by snobbish young turks who think they know everything. I can't wait to see how the new Sam Ash is. The last instrument purchase I made from a store was a used Jackson Dinky I bought for my son 12 years ago from GC. Prior to that, the last was the Peavey Foundation I nought way back in 1984. All my new keyboard and major PA purchases in the last 10 years or so have been online. I have bought a few small pieces (rack compressors, crossover, EQs, etc) from GC, as well as strings and straps and such. Most of the used gear purchases have been from individuals or a small independent store called Chip's Music.

I have 2 big shops nearby, GC and Sam Ash. I don't ever go to GC. Sam Ash rules! Great bass section! Really nice collection of used basses as well! They are also a great place to go when you have something for sale. Sold them a Schecter bass that never got played anymore and bought myself some golf clubs. Whoa yeah!

 

[rollie 55]

I have 2 big shops nearby, GC and Sam Ash. I don't ever go to GC. Sam Ash rules! Great bass section! Really nice collection of used basses as well! They are also a great place to go when you have something for sale. Sold them a Schecter bass that never got played anymore and bought myself some golf clubs. Whoa yeah!

golf clubs .?

 

[Hounddog409]

I can find out more from watching demos and coming here than I can trying a bass out in a music store and theres no impulse buying. I think prices are cheaper online anyway. I like ebay musicians friend and amazon.

You can find out more with watching a demo? Seriously?

You know how a bass feels, how it really sounds? You can look at the build quality?

I'm not buying it.

I will never buy a bass without putting my hands on it.

Not to mention the PITA of shipping and hoping it shows up undamaged.

 

[Hounddog409]

I buy many things online, but they are mainly accessory items. I have purchased only three instruments online and was disappointed with two of them. And this was following extensive research. Ironically, the only new online instrument purchase that completely satisfied me was a cheapie SX Jazz bass from Rondo Music.

There's only one surviving music in my town; GC and Sam Ash are 45 miles away. So most of my gear comes from the local pawn shop. I really do prefer a hands-on test when buying instruments.

Thump on,

One_Dude

45 miles to SA is nothing. I drive further than that to get to work.

 

[GwenOnBass]

If you have the time and energy and inclination to hate, no skin off my teeth. But kindly don't point it at me

 

[JRA]

i don't hate music stores. but i avoid them if i can.

 

[bassbully]

No cuz I never by online unless it’s a budget bass.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

Some basses you cannot try out. For those, you just take a chance and hope for a return policy or lifetime warranty.

 

[Bander]

One can find out more marketing liberty and inflated conjecture designed to deceive and extract cash from watching demos and coming here than one can trying a bass out in a music store and theres no impulse buying. Prices are cheaper online anyway, like ebay, musicians friend and amazon.

 

[SoonerBill]

There are 2 GC’s close by. I’ve bought stuff from both but I’m not a fan. Always some guy playing Lynyrd Skynyrd or Stevie Ray Vaughan WAY too loud for inside a store. Then there are two independent “used, sale, trade, repair” shops but thier hours are actually listed as whenever they want to be open. How do you do business like that?

 

[mac10]

I’ll take responsibility, as a consumer. The old days you were limited to just what the store had...and it was usually good enough. Now with the internet, we are fully aware of the infinite possibilities out there. It’s just too convenient to get the exact bass, color, model, year, edition, etc, from the internet that will satisfy my GAS than from mom and pop.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I don't go to the local GC and SA like I used to ten years ago.
If I do,I'll walk in glance at the bass wall.
In nothing catches my eye, I will turn around and walk out.
Simple as that.

 

[CaptainWally]

In Russia....Music Store hates YOU!

 

[roller]

Sam Ash is the worst these days... just makes my skin crawl thinking about going in there... and therefore, I do not.

Guitar Center is a little better... but it still usually ends up being a dorkfest with amps that are way too loud for a retail store.

Yet some of the classic one-off stores are still a true pleasure to set foot in.

 

[Billybassbeater]

In my area there are a few smaller music stores and one slightly bigger music store. The bigger store is more than happy to order anything I want. The problem with that is he has to wait until he has reached a minimum dollar amount before they will ship. That has taken up to two months before.
The online stores have (almost) everything. I've been using Sweetwater, Musicians' Friend, Reverb, Ebay, and Amazon.I have a story for each one of them. Well, except Reverb. I'm not going go into the details here. I'm just not buying from then anymore. I'll just learn some better skills at being patient and buy from the local guy if I can't find what I'm looking for on Reverb.

 

[PWRL]

I love going to music stores. I find all kinds of cool stuff hanging around, and get to play it, too. Once in a while, I even buy it. Sure, I look things up online all the time. I look up demos, browse Reverb and Sweetwater. But I like to walk into a music store and get to walk around and see what's there. It's fun.

 

[Pilgrim]

I always enjoy visiting music stores. No telling what I'll run into or see. Just yesterday I stopped at one because I was in the general area.

 

[moreblues]

No I like them...How else can you try and check stuff out before you buy...unless you have other options?

 

[The Owl]