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Mom & Pop Shops
- Thread starter beobass
- Start date
I will second this. I haven't looked too far into it but I think every town with a GC in CT also has a mom and pop on main st (or the equivalent.)
All I have here are 2 little music stores and pawn shops. One of the stores I really don't like. They don't like to help or really talk to you. The other one is awesome however. You go in and its like your family to them. Any questions you have they answer the best they can. They'll even just talk with you while you get what you came for. I've become a regular over there and they give me some pretty good deals like two sets of DR hi-beams for $20. They also gave me a nice wide leather strap for free once. I wouldn't expect any of that from GC haha.
I find that the basic Mom & Pop tends to have the same 'ol same 'ol.
I stick my head in.
Many guitars and a few basses.
Fender.
Ibanez.
A Sqiure.
Fifteen seconds tops and I'm ottah there!
I stick my head in.
Many guitars and a few basses.
Fender.
Ibanez.
A Sqiure.
Fifteen seconds tops and I'm ottah there!
One time, I bought a $4,000 bass from a mom and pop. Got it home, realized it had major issues. When I took it back, all I was told was that they clearly had a "no return" policy. Took me a week to convince them to do a trade for me.
My local store is closing. It's the guys that would always have that little part I needed at the last moment. Go in and chit chat while we sifted through the boxes of used parts and do-dads. I am really sad. Now, guitar center is the only game in town. The other mom and pop closed 2 years ago.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
GC can fill the void sometimes but prefer Mom and Pop's. Too many professional retail people who have memorized bullet points from manufacturers ads. Some don't even play!?!
There is a difference between making a living and making a killing as long as everybody understands that they'll do okay with me.
Service is going to set them apart most times. GC sorely lacks in that area.
Any truth to what I heard about GC being bought by Gibson? How would they stay unbiased or why would they?
A little help from your friends,I shop almost exclusively at "Kaye's Music Scene" in Reseda at Victory and Tampa,lots of up to date guitars,basses,acustic's,keyboards,and ukulele's,and more then few vintage things around.pm me if your curious.And no financial interest on my part. (Disclaimer)
Unfortunately,I do the exact same thing at GC.Except they have larger amounts of the same 'ol same 'ol.
A call to the manufacturer of the bass along with dropping the name of the dealer, would have most likely brought a positive response and let the mfg. know their distribution network might need some trimming.
The manufacturer was a one man shop. He wasn't even interested in returning my call.
Guessing a custom builder? Wow, surprised as the 'net is easily used to advertise the poor product and response you received. If the Mom and Pop won't back the product they rep that's an issue. if they still carry the same maker, I'd avoid them in the future and be vocal in warning others.
I bought my last two basses online from brick and mortar stores with an Ebay presence (I have never been to a music store run by a mother and father, just the father and other folks).
I seem to buy stuff online 95% of the time because I hate dealing with salesmen, literally. .I get a happier online shopping experience.
I seem to buy stuff online 95% of the time because I hate dealing with salesmen, literally. .I get a happier online shopping experience.
I've had nothing but luck and great deals from GC.
Bought this last June for $595 brand new.
Bought this two weeks ago for $250, used with a Roadrunner ABS case.
It wasn't until today that I used the two together and the combo floored me.
Bought this last June for $595 brand new.
Bought this two weeks ago for $250, used with a Roadrunner ABS case.
It wasn't until today that I used the two together and the combo floored me.
I've had nothing but luck and great deals from GC.
Bought this last June for $595 brand new.
Bought this two weeks ago for $250, used with a Roadrunner ABS case.
It wasn't until today that I used the two together and the combo floored me.
I can't speak for anyone but myself.......I too, have bought things there at a good price, but support of product seems to be lacking.
It's not one or the other for me. Most assuredly I don't chase the lowest price as that costs in ways that are mor expensive than the money saved.
Currently tend to use M & P more.
Either way, if I lost one or the other, I'd be the one to suffer.
Only two I know of.
One is fairly large with maybe a dozen basses, not counting the vintage stuff behind glass. Nice store, friendly staff. Uses basses, amps and effects do show up.
The other is fairly small, only half a dozen basses. Friendly staff, average prices. They don't buy used so they don't sell used. I guess they stay in business mostly because they give lessons.
However, I haven't been to NJ Guitar and Bass in years...that place is wall to wall guitars and basses, some unusual stuff. Jay was never a stickler for making people pay off their layaway purchases in 30 days, either, and that can be very helpful.
One is fairly large with maybe a dozen basses, not counting the vintage stuff behind glass. Nice store, friendly staff. Uses basses, amps and effects do show up.
The other is fairly small, only half a dozen basses. Friendly staff, average prices. They don't buy used so they don't sell used. I guess they stay in business mostly because they give lessons.
However, I haven't been to NJ Guitar and Bass in years...that place is wall to wall guitars and basses, some unusual stuff. Jay was never a stickler for making people pay off their layaway purchases in 30 days, either, and that can be very helpful.
