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Music Shop Tyranny
- Thread starter CrownandAnchor
- Start date
I don't know if it's the "southern hospitality" down here, or what, but I have honestly never run into a bad music store employee. (Granted, there are no Sam Ash's down here)
The guitar center in Little rock is full of very helpful people, most of which won't blow you off at all and will help you find something that is right for you. I was talking to the guy in the bass section once, ad said that I was trying to find a cab for the monstrosity of a head that I was trying to fix up. Instead of immediately directing me to the one with the best markup, he asked "what do you play?", meaning "what style of music do you play?.
I've had a similar experience with the GC in Memphis, which is, as far as I know, the largest in the world. It was a little hard to get their attention, but only because they were shorthanded and constantly being flagged down.
By far my best experience with a big store (you can't find a bad local store down here) has got to be with Invalid Link Removed in Memphis. They were under renovation when I got there, so they weren't selling much at all -it was an 80,000 sq/ft store, and only one room to sell stuff from- but were still more than willing to start up a conversation rather than push a sale. Very nice people. This is a professional store, too...there was no budget equipment in there, that I could see. It was more like being in a really big local store...which it is, sort of...only not...
The guitar center in Little rock is full of very helpful people, most of which won't blow you off at all and will help you find something that is right for you. I was talking to the guy in the bass section once, ad said that I was trying to find a cab for the monstrosity of a head that I was trying to fix up. Instead of immediately directing me to the one with the best markup, he asked "what do you play?", meaning "what style of music do you play?.
I've had a similar experience with the GC in Memphis, which is, as far as I know, the largest in the world. It was a little hard to get their attention, but only because they were shorthanded and constantly being flagged down.
By far my best experience with a big store (you can't find a bad local store down here) has got to be with Invalid Link Removed in Memphis. They were under renovation when I got there, so they weren't selling much at all -it was an 80,000 sq/ft store, and only one room to sell stuff from- but were still more than willing to start up a conversation rather than push a sale. Very nice people. This is a professional store, too...there was no budget equipment in there, that I could see. It was more like being in a really big local store...which it is, sort of...only not...
To the OP, and way way waaaay off topic-
Mac Rebennack was a guitar player in New Orleans in the '50s. He played on a lot of New Orleans R&B sessions. Later, after an injury forced him to give up guitar, he switched to piano and became Dr. John. You dig?
Mac Rebennack was a guitar player in New Orleans in the '50s. He played on a lot of New Orleans R&B sessions. Later, after an injury forced him to give up guitar, he switched to piano and became Dr. John. You dig?
I've never had any major problems at GC. Sure, sometimes it's tough to get someone to help you (during busy times), but when I was searching for amps a guy spent like 45 minutes helping me patch together different cab/head options and explaining the plus and minus' to me.
Rewind to my experience at the local Mom & Pop store...where a guy was trying to sell me on this Peavey 410 cab for $750...which I later learned could be bought new for about $250. Not exactly HONEST as you people are portraying the M & P's to be.
Onto the wankery issue with the salesman, it doesn't bother me a bit...cause it's usually just for a minute or so. What does bother me is the customer in GC, that plays a 45 minute concert of every riff he's ever known on guitar in the GC...progressively getting louder & louder when until he gets the attention that he deserves.
Rewind to my experience at the local Mom & Pop store...where a guy was trying to sell me on this Peavey 410 cab for $750...which I later learned could be bought new for about $250. Not exactly HONEST as you people are portraying the M & P's to be.
Onto the wankery issue with the salesman, it doesn't bother me a bit...cause it's usually just for a minute or so. What does bother me is the customer in GC, that plays a 45 minute concert of every riff he's ever known on guitar in the GC...progressively getting louder & louder when until he gets the attention that he deserves.
- Dec 21, 2007
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There's nothing I've encountered on my rare trips to Guitar Center(s) that a shower with disinfectant soap doesn't take care of... 
So if a beginner went to a Rush concert would he be discouraged forever after seeing Geddy Lee?
If a person gets that easily discouraged, then perhaps music is not for them, and they probably just saved themselves a boatload of cash. Now if the seller just wanks on it for 30min in a clear show off, I'd slap him upside the head and say Gimmie the bass fool.
That's a pretty unrelated example.
I honestly don't have too much issue with the salesmen and saleswomen at guitar center. Save for a few jerks I've been treated with respect, and I take it with a grain of salt when some brand new moron in the accessories department is trying to tell me lies like that $199 Epi LP Jr. has a maple cap on it. My biggest gripe is actually from when I worked there. I'd have customers come in who were looking to outfit a small bar with a sound system and the manager of my dept was telling them they need 8 speakers and 2 subs, along with a 32 channel desk just to get by. I'd have customers come in specifically requesting that said managers not get commission because they'd fed this customer a load of crap before, and then after the sale was made, the manager would go in and put themselves on for 50% of my hard-earned commission because they'd talked to that customer once and I'd "stolen" the customer out from under them. If I can, I'd rather shop at my local store because I'm friends with the owner, and while he doesn't have the latest and greatest at all times, he's up front with me and very frank about why the price might be a bit higher or what's worth the price tag.
With regard to the whole females-in-music-stores thing I think I can speak up.
I was on holiday in Wales and I managed to find a fairly good-sized guitar shop when I went out on a day trip somewhere.
Anyway, it was a Saturday afternoon by the time I managed to get there and it was fairly busy. After I'd taken a look at the basses I spotted one I liked the look of. I managed to find a clerk and asked him if I could try the bass. His response generally seemed to suggest that he found the idea of a female bassist strange/amusing.
That wasn't a good day.
I was on holiday in Wales and I managed to find a fairly good-sized guitar shop when I went out on a day trip somewhere.
Anyway, it was a Saturday afternoon by the time I managed to get there and it was fairly busy. After I'd taken a look at the basses I spotted one I liked the look of. I managed to find a clerk and asked him if I could try the bass. His response generally seemed to suggest that he found the idea of a female bassist strange/amusing.
That wasn't a good day.
Sounds like you're in the wrong business...actually....any business.
Millions...tens of millions of people in the service sector are nice to "everybody" every day. That's their job.
If you can't handle it, I suggest a night janitorial job where you can work by yourself and don't have to be nice to anyone.
Whiners...grow up. Try meditation or some other relaxation therapy to overcome your immaturity and self-induced stress.
You got nailed! I didn't see anywhere where you had mentioned working at GC, and Matthew pegged you!
I've had pretty good experiences with the San Diego County GCs as well. The most negative experience I've had with the La Mesa store I was able to flip into a very positive experience thanks to a little telephone persistence.
When I worked at a regional sporting goods chain (366 stores in 11 states) we weren't paid on commission, but we were definitely encouraged to push the sales and add on as much small merch as we could. If a customer bought leather shoes, we were supposed to promote the leather shoe cleaner. If the customer bought a baseball glove, we were supposed to promote the baseballs on sale. While this didn't directly influence wages through commission, when you have a store full of part-timers trying to get as many hours as possible and the managers distributed hours based on how hard you worked (which = sales and happy customers), then pushing stuff was what a lot of guys did.Wal Mart doesn't have sales people pushing anything, or any employees who are paid on comission... I've never been to a sporting goods store that was that way either.
Guitar Center compares to a used car lot. Same type of sales.
How long have you worked at Guitar Center, anyway?
I can definitely agree with the bolded part of your quote...whether or not the rest was douchebaggery depends on the sales person.
I have to say that my experience was more like Jimmy's. Back when my parents bought me my first acoustic guitar all I could play were some cowboy chords (not that I can play much more now...haha). I found a guitar I liked and when the GC employee came over he made it sing. That experience made me think that if the employee could make the guitar sound that good that it must be a really good guitar and that if I could get that good I could made the guitar sound awesome too.
I spent 15 minutes reading this thread before I realised that the title wasn't "Music shop Tranny"
wow...haven't checked this in a while, and I made the original post, so I'm just gonna add some stuff here based on the replies that have been given...
I've heard some people talk about how the GC experience should be expected...these employees are salespeople, and they're just doing their job by pushing the product.
Well...there are many different ways to do this.
A friend of mine was in the market for a new upright piano. I went along with him to provide an extra set of ears, and we went into a few different piano shops. The salesmen were still in the business of selling musical instruments, but what we experienced was much different than GC. We walk in, my friend gives a general description of what he's looking for, the salesman shows us some pianos and how they differ in tone, action, and price, and then leaves. He never touches a piano, doesn't tell us which one he likes the best. He's simply helpful and informative. After about 10-15 minutes he comes back and just asks how its going, if we have any other questions. Then he leaves again. This is the low-pressure style that works and keeps the customer comfortable and confident. My friend ended up buying the piano he wanted, the salesman got his commission. Everyone leaves happy.
Look, I'm not saying that I dread going into GC. I DO frequent the mom n pop stores, but the fact is they often just dont carry what I need at the time, so I have to go to GC and put up with their "douchebaggery". This would normally be a minor annoyance, but it pisses me off because you're not buying shoes or a car or a refrigerator, you're buying your very own instrument, your personal conduit to bliss and transcendence. I know it sounds pretty hippie-ish to say it like that, but its the only way I know how to convey the importance of this... playing music is about as far away from capitalist sludge as you can get, and having the two in such close contact with each other is very frustrating.
For the couple of folks here who are or have been GC employees..you can't deny the stories people are telling about salesmen arguing over who gets the commission...it is proof positive that a salesperson's intentions are not pure here. It is your responsibility first and foremost to help out the musician as much as possible, without bringing ulterior motives into it. This sound purist? Well yeah, thats what I am. Sorry.
I've heard some people talk about how the GC experience should be expected...these employees are salespeople, and they're just doing their job by pushing the product.
Well...there are many different ways to do this.
A friend of mine was in the market for a new upright piano. I went along with him to provide an extra set of ears, and we went into a few different piano shops. The salesmen were still in the business of selling musical instruments, but what we experienced was much different than GC. We walk in, my friend gives a general description of what he's looking for, the salesman shows us some pianos and how they differ in tone, action, and price, and then leaves. He never touches a piano, doesn't tell us which one he likes the best. He's simply helpful and informative. After about 10-15 minutes he comes back and just asks how its going, if we have any other questions. Then he leaves again. This is the low-pressure style that works and keeps the customer comfortable and confident. My friend ended up buying the piano he wanted, the salesman got his commission. Everyone leaves happy.
Look, I'm not saying that I dread going into GC. I DO frequent the mom n pop stores, but the fact is they often just dont carry what I need at the time, so I have to go to GC and put up with their "douchebaggery". This would normally be a minor annoyance, but it pisses me off because you're not buying shoes or a car or a refrigerator, you're buying your very own instrument, your personal conduit to bliss and transcendence. I know it sounds pretty hippie-ish to say it like that, but its the only way I know how to convey the importance of this... playing music is about as far away from capitalist sludge as you can get, and having the two in such close contact with each other is very frustrating.
For the couple of folks here who are or have been GC employees..you can't deny the stories people are telling about salesmen arguing over who gets the commission...it is proof positive that a salesperson's intentions are not pure here. It is your responsibility first and foremost to help out the musician as much as possible, without bringing ulterior motives into it. This sound purist? Well yeah, thats what I am. Sorry.
I spent 15 minutes reading this thread before I realised that the title wasn't "Music shop Tranny"
Me too. I am glad I wasn't the only one. I couldn't figure out the relationship between the post and the Tranny....
I have had nothing but good experiences in the Guitar Center in Manchester, CT. All cool cats willing to help and a good selection of gear.
Can't say the same about East Coast Music Mall (still exists? I would be surprised). I went in there with a bunch of dough to buy a killer rig once and took my friend, a drummer, with me. Now Mark is not only a very nice easygoing guy, but also a monster on drums and in high demand. So as I am making sure I have everything I need, Mark leafs through a Modern Drummer. A salesman walks up, grabs it out of his hands and tells him that "this is not a library. You can have it back when you pay for it." So we left and spent the $1400 elsewhere.
Also was verbally assaulted once at a local mom and pop shop when I asked about getting my bass set up.."What is a setup?! You want me to fix everything that's wrong with this for $30?!?"
I suppose it all comes down to how each specific store is managed and the employees they hire. There is danger in generalizing...
Can't say the same about East Coast Music Mall (still exists? I would be surprised). I went in there with a bunch of dough to buy a killer rig once and took my friend, a drummer, with me. Now Mark is not only a very nice easygoing guy, but also a monster on drums and in high demand. So as I am making sure I have everything I need, Mark leafs through a Modern Drummer. A salesman walks up, grabs it out of his hands and tells him that "this is not a library. You can have it back when you pay for it." So we left and spent the $1400 elsewhere.
Also was verbally assaulted once at a local mom and pop shop when I asked about getting my bass set up.."What is a setup?! You want me to fix everything that's wrong with this for $30?!?"
I suppose it all comes down to how each specific store is managed and the employees they hire. There is danger in generalizing...
Music shop tyranny as it's called isn't unique to just GC, or even music stores for that matter.
One time I was in a local mom/pop store which I hadn't visited in years. I asked if I could pick up the bass. (always ask) I plugged in, played a bit. (not like 1/2 hour or more) Then the salesperson asks me to put the bass away. Reason? Who knows? I cleaned my fingerprints off the bass, hung it up, and walked out never to return. Result-lost sale, and never went back there for anything. The place closed down a year later, and though it's probably wrong to feel that way, I privately cheered, thinking that it served 'em right for treating me like a 12 year old (I wasn't), and also with the knowledge I likely wasn't the only one they'd mistreated.
I coulda bought any bass from the mom/pop store, but didn't, even though I was in the market. The next store I visited, I picked up a new bass.
I don't wanna dump on music stores or salespeople. I bought my drumset from GC, and they were very patient, decent, and helpful. People are people- good and bad.
One time I was in a local mom/pop store which I hadn't visited in years. I asked if I could pick up the bass. (always ask) I plugged in, played a bit. (not like 1/2 hour or more) Then the salesperson asks me to put the bass away. Reason? Who knows? I cleaned my fingerprints off the bass, hung it up, and walked out never to return. Result-lost sale, and never went back there for anything. The place closed down a year later, and though it's probably wrong to feel that way, I privately cheered, thinking that it served 'em right for treating me like a 12 year old (I wasn't), and also with the knowledge I likely wasn't the only one they'd mistreated.
I coulda bought any bass from the mom/pop store, but didn't, even though I was in the market. The next store I visited, I picked up a new bass.
I don't wanna dump on music stores or salespeople. I bought my drumset from GC, and they were very patient, decent, and helpful. People are people- good and bad.
