Infuriating. Honestly.

[/\/\3phist0]

Personally I think buying any Instrument online with out testing it first is just crazy! & I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks like this! So if i know the small local music shop has what I'm gassing for rite down the st. of course im going to test it wile i have the chance! Why not, Wouldn't you ? Lets be realistic ! So In my opinion what the smallshop should do is have there own online shopping p.g as an option and beat the competition by offering a better deal like some kind of free accessorie(s)a free set up etc. And be upfront with the customer by saying look i know theres big online deals but if if you choos to buy from me (small shop)
you will get the best deal and service! & actually do it! Personally I prefer the small shop shopping experience all the way ! But the Crapy reality is times have changed, small shops need to get with the program before they become extinct!
you snooze (small shop) you lose!
welcome to 2016!

More like: Welcome to 2005!

 

[ImNotJoel]

This is a big problem for all local business competing with Internet. I worked at a shoe store years ago and very common a person would have you take out every shoe in the whole damn store than go leave and get it online.

In order to compete it takes good sales technique. I could tell when an online shopper was using the store to test drive so you would have to do a couple things.

1. I would just throw out (I wouldn't call them out) but would make the comparison that the product is here and you don't have to pay shipping and wait around. Also that sometimes paying a little extra is worth skipping the wait. This worked a lot of times.

2. A big issue is small businesses don't have the selection of the Internet. So if someone had a brand you don't carry find a similar brand and individual product they may like.

3. Be of service and be polite. This store owner is a dumb@$$ you never say a product someone likes is junk. It changes the whole vibe for the customer, now a store full of helpful sales people has turned into a store full of pretentious people who think the customer has inferior taste. Overall they don't feel welcome and if a customer doesn't feel welcome they will take their business else where. You can't be resentful some people will online shop and use the store to try products. If you help give the customer a good experience and help they may be willing to pay extra.

The worse part in all of this is it seems like the customer the OP was talking about as it was said gave a chance to the store owner. If I was the store owner and didn't carry Ibanez I would try and find something similar or start carrying Ibanez. Both Ibanez and fender are great products but have different clientele. I lean towards Ibanez more but love fender also but someone who likes the bells and whistles, sleek design, and fast necks finding a fender plain. Than many fender fans think Ibanez feel cheap. It's all opinion the store owner should have tried to find a way to order an Ibanez or suggest something like Schecter or ESP of he carried them. But hey if he goes out of business only himself to blame.

 

[AudioDwebe]

Brick and mortar generally have little in terms of selection. And what selection they do carry is probably 20% more than one can get somewhere online. 20% off of a $20 item isn't much. But 20% off of a $2000 item is quite a bit.

I take my business online most times. Better prices, better selection, more convenient. Luckily, I'm not one of those folks who have to touch before I buy.

 

[Michael B]

I don't buy from local music stores very much for one good reason:

They'll put a bass out on the rack and people will bang around on it for six months or a year while it gets exposed to the elements. Then you come in and say you'd like to buy one like that and they try to sell you that used demo as new. Happens ALL THE TIME - they literally try to rip you off with no shame. If you try to haggle, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Ask for another one that's still boxed up. "That's the only one we have..."

BTW, if you go onto to Reverb.com and see a small vendor selling what looks like a nice piece for a killer price and it's been up for sale for a few months and only one in stock, (very common) chances are you're getting the store's floor demo.

Go to a good online vendor that does high volume, you'll get a factory fresh piece. So it's no contest.

(I believe in supporting local and like having someone I know that I can go to when necessary - but a rip-off is a rip-off. )

I pretty much agree that this is how it works at local stores but don't have an issue with it. I replace the strings on a new instrument with the brand I prefer anyway. And I can evaluate the condition well enough. And I can do my own basic setup. Add to that the ability to haggle on occasion and you have a winner.

I love sweateater and use them often. But for an instrument I want to see, play and hear it. Every one is different. Some Squiers hit it out of the park, some Fenders miss it. I get the gratification of taking it home. And I a simple drive back to return / exchange it if it doesn't work out. No shipping, no waiting. And since I am handling the instrument there is a better chance I'll love it. I know that any instrument may have been there for a bit or even a return sold as new. But I'm fine with it since I have benefited from it myself.

My GC near me has a great staff. They don't always have experience or knowledge with bass but they are friendly and really easy to work with.

 

[hrodbert696]

I accidentally did this once. I was in a local store that I have done a fair bit of business with in the past, in fact that day I had brought my friend there because he was looking for an amp and I told him to get it from there, so I brought them business too. Well they were really busy and a guy was there asking what bass companies make fretless basses and I sparked up a conversation with him while the owner was busy helping other customers. Well I stupidly said, "Fender makes fretless basses." Well the next thing I know the owner is coming up to me and yelling at me, "That is one, if you ever advertise to my customers a product that I don't sell again you are out the door!"
I certainly see my mistake now and feel bad, but here is the thing, 1. I was young, a stupid hot shot teenager who was just excited to be in a music store talking about gear with other musicians. 2. I actually had bought a Fender strat from this shop previously, they sold a lot of used gear so there is always Fenders on the wall, it never dawned on me that they "didn't sell Fender". 3. In fact the owner has his own band and he plays a lot of Fender and Gibson instruments in his band, both of which he doesn't sell, but he expects everyone else to play non Fender and non Gibson instruments? Hmm...

I was far more guilty than the guy in the OP post. He was simply sitting in a shop trying out an amp minding his own business, not really sure why he was told to leave.

I don't think you made a "mistake" at all. For a shop owner to chew out a customer - not just a tire kicker, but someone who actually had bought there and brought in additional customers! - is totally out of line and asking to go out of business.

This is a big problem for all local business competing with Internet. I worked at a shoe store years ago and very common a person would have you take out every shoe in the whole damn store than go leave and get it online.

In order to compete it takes good sales technique. I could tell when an online shopper was using the store to test drive so you would have to do a couple things.

1. I would just throw out (I wouldn't call them out) but would make the comparison that the product is here and you don't have to pay shipping and wait around. Also that sometimes paying a little extra is worth skipping the wait. This worked a lot of times.

2. A big issue is small businesses don't have the selection of the Internet. So if someone had a brand you don't carry find a similar brand and individual product they may like.

3. Be of service and be polite. This store owner is a dumb@$$ you never say a product someone likes is junk. It changes the whole vibe for the customer, now a store full of helpful sales people has turned into a store full of pretentious people who think the customer has inferior taste. Overall they don't feel welcome and if a customer doesn't feel welcome they will take their business else where. You can't be resentful some people will online shop and use the store to try products. If you help give the customer a good experience and help they may be willing to pay extra.

The worse part in all of this is it seems like the customer the OP was talking about as it was said gave a chance to the store owner. If I was the store owner and didn't carry Ibanez I would try and find something similar or start carrying Ibanez. Both Ibanez and fender are great products but have different clientele. I lean towards Ibanez more but love fender also but someone who likes the bells and whistles, sleek design, and fast necks finding a fender plain. Than many fender fans think Ibanez feel cheap. It's all opinion the store owner should have tried to find a way to order an Ibanez or suggest something like Schecter or ESP of he carried them. But hey if he goes out of business only himself to blame.

All excellent points. The walk-out-with-it-today factor (your #1) is a major reason I've bought lots of gear, at all price points, in stores rather than online. If I want to change the strings on my bass I want to do it today, not a week from now when the mail arrives even if that saves me a couple bucks. If my cable broke I want a new one to practice with today. Bigger items like instruments and amps I want to buy the one I tried out rather than one sight-unseen, unless I've got really good reason to have confidence I'll like it and it isn't available in any local stores. Above all, your #3 point is essential - I buy in stores because I LIKE the stores, I LIKE having them in the community, and I like the guys running them. If they're going to be rude or stubborn or not value my business, though, they're sunk. The personal touch is the area where they offer something a website seller can't (and Sweetwater works pretty hard to imitate it).

 

[ImNotJoel]

I don't think you made a "mistake" at all. For a shop owner to chew out a customer - not just a tire kicker, but someone who actually had bought there and brought in additional customers! - is totally out of line and asking to go out of business.



All excellent points. The walk-out-with-it-today factor (your #1) is a major reason I've bought lots of gear, at all price points, in stores rather than online. If I want to change the strings on my bass I want to do it today, not a week from now when the mail arrives even if that saves me a couple bucks. If my cable broke I want a new one to practice with today. Bigger items like instruments and amps I want to buy the one I tried out rather than one sight-unseen, unless I've got really good reason to have confidence I'll like it and it isn't available in any local stores. Above all, your #3 point is essential - I buy in stores because I LIKE the stores, I LIKE having them in the community, and I like the guys running them. If they're going to be rude or stubborn or not value my business, though, they're sunk. The personal touch is the area where they offer something a website seller can't (and Sweetwater works pretty hard to imitate it).

You add greats points it made me think. I go to GC but one time I tried my local store, growing up I was lucky I had the greatest local music store. But I moved so go into this store (I play guitar too and needed picks.) I walk in and the guy starts complaining how hard it is business is slow. So I look at picks $8 for a pack...wow. Than while I am looking says he does set ups and repairs and flat out says he charges a lot but is the best. Yeah I never went back. The issue is I get that it's discouraging and hard to run a business but to complain to a customer is a big no no. He clearly was going down the drain and wanted you to bail him out.

I think this is the problem a lot of local spots want to survive of course but it seems like you're shopping there for charity. Times are tough for the customers too and I have no problem with charity but there are many other causes I want to support before a music store no offense. I know there are still great local stores out there. My old store in Maine was great and everyone wants a local spot. I would go there as a teen just to play some gear and I wouldn't buy anything but the guys where nice they didn't care if I hung out. Because when it was time for a purchase I went there and they did their best to compete with online prices but I was always willing to pay the difference because that shop provided amazing service and I grew to be friends with the employees and felt welcome.

Even if you know a shopper is test driving and going to buy online you must remain professional. Because one day they will need something that day and they will go to the spot that treated them well. Also a spot that has pride, and confidence in their business. As sales people it is essential to get names and try and remember them. When the customer shows up greet the customer by name if you say something like "Bill, how are you doing today? Do you need help with anything or are you just playing some gear and hanging out?"
It seems small but saying to a customer instead of need help or just looking using the words hang out immediately makes them feel welcome. Also they know if they have nothing to do hanging out at your shops an option which we all know can often result in purchases.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

There is a store near-ish to me in Corpus Christi, Texas: Sound Vibrations. Been there many years. The owners are always there. I am greeted by name before I can get through the door. They are gracious and will do anything and everything to help me with whatever I need. Plus, if price is an issue for any particular purchase, they have matched online prices for me.

THAT is how you keep the doors open these days.

Do some people go in there, demo a guitar and then order one from Musician's Friend? Yep. Every day.

I buy everything I possibly can from Sound Vibes and so do most pro musicians I know. As far as I can tell this music store is doing better than ever.

 

[Marikk]

True story or not, I think this shows the other side of why Brick stores fail..If you cant beat the price you have to make up for it in customer service and other things.

When i went off to college my bass was stolen. I was a student so i culd really afford another...So it was school school life life til i was about 32 and everything was stable and i started to have cash to burn on pricier "wants". After looking around on the Net and lurking on TB i decided i wanted something Jazz bass like (two pickups and a thinner neck). I walked into a Local shop and was greeted by the elderly Store owner along side his adult kids who also worked there. He asked me if he could help with anything and i told him i was looking for a jazz style bass. He asked what my range was and i said i wasn't sure. i was just looking to see what was there. He ran out from the counter and pointed to the bass section across the back room and said "ill be right there" so i went over and he arrived with an amp, cord and stool in hand, He pointed out the Squier, Fender and G&Ls etc jazz basses, Then showed me the other non jazz options that had the thinner neck and then showed me some other cool basses that weren't in line with what i mentioned but were still cool. He then said plug in whatever i wanted and have at it. He was as excited to help me find a bass as i was to be looking. I ended up leaving with a MIA Fender Jazz special that day. I said it was a little more than i thought id be spending so he knocked some money off it and let me pick out 2 packs of strings out of everything on the wall.

The second time i walked back in that store he still remembered my name, treated me just as well for buying a $10 guitar stand as any bass or amp i bought...i bought quite a bit from his store over time, even if it was a bit cheaper online. II only stopped because i moved. I always felt like i got way more for my money with him