Done with Sweetwater

[DanGR]

I've had two different reps at Sweetwater. The second one was assigned to me because the first did not meet my needs. The second one also fell short. I've had much better service from Musician's friend. They worked with me on prices better than Sweetwater, and don't charge me extra for shipping. Additionally, I get points from MF for each purchase, which i can use to reduce the prices even further. I've totally given up on Sweetwater, even after spending thousands of dollars there.

I've had just the opposite experience. Sweetwater has been great to me, but I've never had a bad item with a problem. I ordered a bass case from MF that was on sale. I received an email saying it was out of stock and they expected more in about a month. They kept stringing me along. When they finally got some in they canceled my original order for the sale price. DONE with MF.

 

[Toneguy66]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

Buying through mail is not a new concept (research early blues artists). Maybe you should mind your own business what others do. Or, maybe you should build your own instrument. Have you never heard of a saw?

I have three basses I bought hands on. I have a Gibson bass I bought online from GC. Guess which one is my best? Nice logic.

 

[Matty Koff]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

You should come check out the stock at my local Guitar Center.. and then good luck finding another store with a wide selection of bass guitars to choose from. Try some small town living some time.

 

[StatesideRambler]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

You live in/near a large city, then. In my town of 7000 there is no longer a music store at all. In the next town of any size (pop. 14,000, 25 miles down the road) there is one but their selection is very limited with no big flagship brands. Even if they wanted to stock Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, G&K, Ampeg, et al. those companies’ dealer agreements would be impossible for them to comply with.

I assure you that there is a defensible reason for many of us to buy online.

 

[Nuyoricanlevite]

As if we didn't know I was going to show up here .....

I no longer have anything bad to say about Sweetwater, but will forever (well, as long as I keep having the experiences I have with them) give a plug for Musiciansfriend.

They run 10 to 20% sales pretty much every week (you HAVE to call to take advantage of them though, they don't register with online orders), and they have a Backstage Pass program that gets an additional 8% back on all purchases. I've gotten 23 to 28% off of everything I ever purchased at Musiciansfriend with that, and I've purchased lots. Much more than most, even on Talkbass .

The gear I get is the same as the gear anywhere else, and sorry but I have to say.... I DID get defective gear from Sweetwater once. Supposedly after their 50 point check, too. The bridge on my Fender Bass VI rattled and buzzed... I thought it was an easy fix (I was wrong) and waited too long to see if they'd exchange it, but yeah...

Anyhow, yes - I did have a few purchases that needed to be returned at MF too, but it was always completely hassle free. I called, they sent a UPS label, and I returned the gear. No questions asked. A few times I ordered a replacement they sent immediately, and then got my refund once they received the defective purchase.

I don't want or need anyone calling me or advising me on my bass purchases. If someone likes that treatment and feels the need for it, then by all means do what makes you happy. I am always shopping for best price, and Sweetwater would never match the price I paid at MF. For the same exact gear.

Last purchase for me was an American Performer Mustang.

Price if I purchased at Sweetwater: $1199.99

Price paid at Musiciansfriend including 8% back: $924.00
​

It was right before the new tax laws.

In my experience, they've ALWAYS price matched, as long as I could show them proof that another retailer was offering the same product at a lower rates...

 

[Joe Nerve]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

Here's my reasons to buy new online.

1. Buying from a music store is essentially buying used, for the price of new. Most basses in stores have been played to death by custoners. Everyone's, not just my, hands have been on it.

2. Buying online I can get EXACTLY what I want. I'm not limited to store stock.

3. Buying online is far more convenient. I can order in my underwear from bed, and UPS brings it right to my front door. They'll even carry it in my house if I ask. They don't do that if I'm in my underwear though.

4. I can ALWAYS find a better price online. And until recently didn't have to pay tax.

5. Returns are always a lot easier and I don't have to deal with anyone asking me a bunch of questions.

6. If I get a bass and don't like it I can simply return it.

7. This isn't 1970, nor 80 or even 90. Quality control is pretty good on bass guitars, and there isn't a ton of difference between 2 of the same basses. PLUS, if there's a particular type of bass I want and I buy from a store, I'm limited to what's hanging on the wall in a store anyhow.

9. I don"t enjoy dealing with sales kids.

10. I can come up with a bunch more reasons if I think about it.

 

[Joe Nerve]

In my experience, they've ALWAYS price matched, as long as I could show them proof that another retailer was offering the same product at a lower rates...

That's part of why I think MF only honors their coupon codes by phone. Sweetwater will never, in my experience, come even close to to the 23 to 28% off (including backastage pass points) I ALWAYS get at MF. And I don't have to do any price matching.

This is a really black and white thing to me.

I'm looking for best price cuz I spend lots. Some people want the feeling of security they get at Sweetwater. And they're willing to pay for that. Still blows my mind though because MF is just as good about exchanges and refunds, and they do it without having to talk to anyone for 20 minutes. That's a big plus for me, but others don't seem feel that way. They'd rather pay $300 more for a bass than I will in order to get that.

And I gotta say... the craziest thing to me in these threads is that people get mad at me for saying this stuff ! I'm trying to help people here. What is there to get mad about?

 

[jerry]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

er...um......I live on an island.

 

[minddrain]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

A. No, I do not
B. Left handed basses are apparently really hard to find. Even online.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

DO NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE NEAR MUSIC STORES? Why the hell would you buy a guitar online when you can visit a local store and put your hands on one? Buying used online is a bad enough crap shoot, but there is NO reason to ever buy new online.

I do, but it’s far more convenient to order from my laptop or phone than to drive through traffic to get to the store and then have 20 year old Stephan tell me about this rad new bass they just got in.

 

[Winky]

I live in a well-served area (three branches of the Canadian version of GC, Long & McQuade, all within a 20 minute drive). But here's the thing: they don't carry everything I'm interested in, nor could I expect them to. L&M stocks Yamaha keyboards, but zilch for Yamaha guitars and basses.

As for indies, well, there are two in close proximity. But because they're small and independent they have even more limited stock because they lack the buying power of L&M.

I'm not a fan of buying guitars online, but if it's a choice between that and driving an hour to deal with the bellends at Cosmo, I'll choose the former.

 

[skycruiser]

er...um......I live on an island.

Now that's funny.

Sweetwater will never, in my experience, come even close to to the 23 to 28% off (including backastage pass points) I ALWAYS get at MF. And I don't have to do any price matching.

This is a really black and white thing to me.

I'd be interested in seeing more detail on how you get to the 23 to 28% exactly. It's not black and white to me. Could you walk through an example? I'm considering a bass that retails at $499, online price at both SW and MF. Assuming they give me the 7% off quote I got yesterday on the synthesizer discussed previously, what deals have to stack to get it down to the $385 to $360 range? For the backstage pass to apply, do I have to have points from prior purchases? And then in addition do you have to call in to apply coupons, and are they always available or periodic? Do you need a MF credit card?

I'm all for saving money - I just don't understand how it works at MF. I emailed my SW rep and he said he can do $429.99, which is around 14%. Saving another $45 would be nice.

 

[minddrain]

Good news is. Everything else that I plan to purchase, Sweetwater doesn’t sell.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Now that's funny.


I'd be interested in seeing more detail on how you get to the 23 to 28% exactly. It's not black and white to me. Could you walk through an example? I'm considering a bass that retails at $499, online price at both SW and MF. Assuming they give me the 7% off quote I got yesterday on the synthesizer discussed previously, what deals have to stack to get it down to the $385 to $360 range? For the backstage pass to apply, do I have to have points from prior purchases? And then in addition do you have to call in to apply coupons, and are they always available or periodic? Do you need a MF credit card?

I'm all for saving money - I just don't understand how it works at MF. I emailed my SW rep and he said he can do $429.99, which is around 14%. Saving another $45 would be nice.

I don't have time now to address some of your specifics, but want to respond:

1. Sign up for the backastage pass program. They become usable only AFTER a purchase, once the return window has closed. 30 days I think? That's 8% for accessories, or toward your next purchase. Great for strings.

2. Though I think that joining the backstage pass program will automatically get you on their mailing list, sign up if it doesn't.

3. Wait to be emailed about their sales (every holiday and then some), and wait for emails from their individual sales people (similar to what Sweetwater does only with email). They send me codes all the time, but that might happen only after you've made purchases through them. Not sure about how that works.

4. Possibly the.most important... You can just call from the get go... but I do this. Put your order in online. Put in the promo code. 90%of the time it won't work, but a screen will pop up telling you not to worry, but to call.

I then call and say that I'm interested in buying whatever I was looking to buy, but only if they'll honor the code I tried to use. They"ve honored it every single time.

I'll add that once or twice a year they offer 20%ff. If you"re not in any kind of hurry woth something save your gas till then. That comes out to 28% off. On big purchases, thats a lot !

 

[skycruiser]

I don't have time now to address some of your specifics, but want to respond:

1. Sign up for the backastage pass program. They become usable only AFTER a purchase, once the return window has closed. 30 days I think? That's 8% for accessories, or toward your next purchase. Great for strings.

2. Though I think that joining the backstage pass program will automatically get you on their mailing list, sign up if it doesn't.

3. Wait to be emailed about their sales (every holiday and then some), and wait for emails from their individual sales people (similar to what Sweetwater does only with email). They send me codes all the time, but that might happen only after you've made purchases through them. Not sure about how that works.

4. Possibly the.most important... You can just call from the get go... but I do this. Put your order in online. Put in the promo code. 90%of the time it won't work, but a screen will pop up telling you not to worry, but to call.

I then call and say that I'm interested in buying whatever I was looking to buy, but only if they'll honor the code I tried to use. They"ve honored it every single time.

I'll add that once or twice a year they offer 20%ff. If you"re not in any kind of hurry woth something save your gas till then. That comes out to 28% off. On big purchases, thats a lot !

OK thanks. I think it was 45 days for the points. Also it looks like the 36mo financing only applies for $499+ order so that wouldn't work for my bass purchase if the price if brought down below the listed price. I signed up for their email list yesterday so I'll see what deals come through. I'll see which has the best deal when I'm ready to get the bass.

But it's clearly not a case of one site obviously having a much lower price and we're all a bunch of fools for choosing the higher priced option. To get the lower price at MF, you have to use their card and point system (delayed return that you can only spend at MF), wait for coupons and/or real/fake promo codes, possibly haggle on the phone, etc. Maybe worth the trouble for big dollar purchases, but maybe not for smaller ones.

 

[Joe Nerve]

OK thanks. I think it was 45 days for the points. Also it looks like the 36mo financing only applies for $499+ order so that wouldn't work for my bass purchase if the price if brought down below the listed price. I signed up for their email list yesterday so I'll see what deals come through. I'll see which has the best deal when I'm ready to get the bass.

But it's clearly not a case of one site obviously having a much lower price and we're all a bunch of fools for choosing the higher priced option. To get the lower price at MF, you have to use their card and point system (delayed return that you can only spend at MF), wait for coupons and/or real/fake promo codes, possibly haggle on the phone, etc. Maybe worth the trouble for big dollar purchases, but maybe not for smaller ones.

Well... I just spelled it all out in detail which may make it look more complicated than it is.

If you go to MF on any holiday they give 15% codes.

All anyone really has to do from there is follow the directions. Place an order, and then call when they tell you to. I think some people are afraid to talk on the phone, which is ironic considering that we're comparing MF with SW .

The backstage pass is also something they advertise as soon as you go to their page.

It isn't terribly complicated. Just smart shopping and reading some simple directions. You really didn't need me to figure it out.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I've done website usability testing, and do work in what's called UI/UX. (User Interface/User Experience). The steps may seem straightforward and simple to some, but to others, not so much. That's intentional. A company can't afford to have every sale get the premium discounts, so they require a bit of effort, knowing that everybody won't do it. But the fact that there's the potential for discounts drives enough people to the site to consider them, even though some get frustrated, give up, and buy right away at the regular price.

I'll guarantee that this thread has driven people to the MF site, and some have made the effort and taken the steps to get the lowest possible price. And some have not, but have made the purchase there anyway.

 

[roccobass]

For the sake of argument, I’m going to vouch for visiting a store to buy new. I dunno. Buying a instrument is kind of like going into a relationship.

My reasons:

1. Getting the “feels right “ thing when you’re actually playing it.
2. Normally, you get some sort of trial period to see if she’s the right girl.
3. Sometimes, the store will kick in some extras(strings, cords etc).
4. If you’re really lucky, you might get a knowledgeable salesperson and you two can talk shop.
5. Price? Yes, that does factor in. If I can get the store to match an internet vendor, then I have a winning hand. If not, then it’s how bad do I want it now.

Your best luck for this kind of scenario is with an independent who I try to support as much as possible. I also live in an area where I have a lot of choices. For those in rural Wyoming and Upper Michigan, I can understand why online is the way to go.

Just one old school guy’s opinion.

 

[rholler]

After many bad customer service experiences

I've been dealing with Sweetwater for many years now, and have *never* had a bad experience with them. They've replaced defective items without any question, even an expensive wireless mic system. I've never had *any* reason to complain. Not to mention their extra free year of warranty coverage and free shipping.

I'll admit that the follow-up phone calls from my sales rep, even after an order worth just a couple of dollars, are a bit much. But if that's the only thing to complain about, I'd say that's pretty damned good!