How do you buy pedals?

[AceOfBassFace]

I live in one of North America's 10 largest cities. There are two stores that sell > $200 pedals.

One of them closed its showroom after the pandemic hit and has a 15% restocking fee.

The other won't allow you to test gear -- pedals, amps, etc. -- with American-made guitars.

I went to a store that sells < $200 pedals today. I was given a $200 bass with action higher than the neck's width and $150. The setup was noisier than 10 cranked daisy-chained Big Muffs. Another store that sells < $200 pedals has a final-sale policy on everything.

So, how do you guys buy pedals? Have you found an online or local store with a generous return policy? Do you buy without trying first based off reviews and soundbites?

Most of my local music stores let you bring your own axe to test amps or pedals. Maybe call before to check if it's cool.

 

[Matt Dean]

I buy used if I can, and directly from the builder. I rarely buy from online retail or stores.

 

[warrplayer]

So, how do you guys buy pedals?

i use money though I am open to bartering for sex if I run into any drop dead gorgeous women selling a pedal I want (a pedal or anything else really).

 

[40Hz]

Online almost always.

• Direct from manufacturers whenever possible if boutique. Support the small guys!
• From major online retailers if BOSS/MXR/EHX and similar mass produced pedals.

Otherwise from private sales or the usual places for used and vintage or just no longer in production stuff.

Sellers I avoid:

• Flippers
• Prymaxe
• Most “specialist” dealers. (If want to pay absolute top dollar for something, I’ll just dine out somewhere nice with friends and hit the wine list hard. Or visit Disney World and stay at the Grand Floridian. )

 

[cataract]

I buy them used, and sell them for the same price if I don't like them.

I sometimes price them even lower just to get ‘em out the door!

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I always bring my own bass when trying out a piece of gear I might buy.

Think of restocking fee as a rental fee. If the return window is 30 days, then return it on day 29. They may even let you keep it as store credit.

 

[Dominic D]

If it’s an expensive pedal, I almost exclusively buy used. I can typically resell it for what I paid.

 

[micguy]

Today? online. In the late 70's, when I started buying them? I walked to the local store - I was in college, and didn't have a car.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I mostly do my research on YouTube and buy on TB or Reverb. The hardest pedals to decide with videos are compressors because YouTube has baked in compression.