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I want to work at a music store

#41
Loiter at a store you're interested in, eavesdrop on a conversation between a sales person (preferably the store manager) and a customer looking to buy something substantial. Like a bass. Maybe customer is looking at a Fender American Standard P but he says "I hear these things are too heavy for playing a 3 hour set". Then you interject some comment like "I have one, really like it, not heavy at all, lighter than any other quality bass I've played". Customer trusts your opinion more than salesman's, buys the P. Store manager is wowed by your enthusiasm and knowledge, offers you a position on the spot.

Well it could happen. ;)
 
#42
free_Bassd said:
... I'm 22. the world's about to end anyway ya? ;)
Click to expand...
Retail music instrument sales is not all that. It has it's ups and downs. I would recommend getting a better job so that you can have disposable income to get whatever bass guitars you want.
You want to be around people? Become a waiter or bartender.

As for the bass guitar biz, Warwick is hiring, but you'll have to move to Washington. It's mainly manual labor job openings.
 
#45
Dude, do NOT work at a music store. Retail is hell on earth.

I worked at a Guitar Center during the summer after my second year of college. Here are some of the things I learned:

1. In retail, you will hear the same 30-40 songs over the speakers all day every day.
2. If you work in guitars, you will make nothing above minimum wage. The only people who make money in music gear retail are pro audio guys. Drum department . . . . I just feel bad for them.
3. Did I mention it's minimum wage?
4. In order to make commission, you have to match your sales in gross profit (the profit margin, which is really crappy) with your hourly wage before you can begin to accumulate actual commission money. So in other words, impossible outside of big money pro audio deals.
5. Don't play the instruments, at least not too much. Management doesn't like that.
6. You get to deal with some seriously bizarre people. Some of the people that hang out at music stores . . . oy.
7. Do your feet hurt yet? They will, because you're not allowed to sit during your shifts.

Man, keep the lab tech gig. I 50000% guarantee it pays better and the working conditions I'm sure are far superior.
 
#47
I got lucky last summer and landed a job working at a music gear store in Ohio that ships all around the country and internationally too. Found it through a craigslist help wanted ad and it was more or less a dream position; solid pay, lots of hours, great staff, and most importantly, my knowledge and skills were appreciated and praised! Got to put on my own music, play the instruments, and got gear at cost... the world was my burrito. Unfortunately, I was living with my girlfriend at the time and things didn't work out on that front. Through some lease complications and other financial reasons I couldn't make it work out and had to move back to NY. Still kicking myself to this day about having to let that job go. Hopefully sometime in the not-too-distant future I can get back down there.
But I say, if you find a good opportunity, take it!!! Just don't try to work at Guitar Center ;)
 
#48
Sounds like a cool idea. Lots of instruments, get to meet lots of musicians. Just remember, with great power comes ... kids. Do you know how many times some kid's gonna walk in there, pick up a guitar, and start playing Wonderwall. Hope you like Oasis. Or Metallica, and the intro to Nothing Else Matters. Hate to sound like a cynical bastard, but that kind thing would depress me and make me hate my job. But you can also be a kids hero. I've been playing for 14 years and a good handful of staff/musicians are still at that same music store. I take their opinions on instruments and gear very highly. I've bought 2 basses, 1 electric, 1 acoustic guitar, and 2 amps from that store over the years. If you love the job, cool. But if you ever start hating it, do me a favor and quit. No young musician needs to see a musician that works at a music store that hates his job. GOOD LUCK!
 
#49
I hate my local GC simply for the fact that 95% of their floor traffic is young kids who have no musical aspirations at all, going in there just to kill time until their movie starts at the megaplex next door.

And they aren't kind to the store's wares either, because they don't give a ****.
 

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