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Poll: Where do buy your online gear from? (Edited, multiple votes now!)

Where have you bought most of your online gear from?

  • Talkbass

    Votes: 242 40.0%

  • eBay

    Votes: 169 27.9%

  • Reverb

    Votes: 96 15.9%

  • Sweetwater

    Votes: 249 41.2%

  • Thomann

    Votes: 38 6.3%

  • I love fuzz

    Votes: 6 1.0%

  • Direct from manufacturer/builder

    Votes: 49 8.1%

  • Smaller local online retailers

    Votes: 35 5.8%

  • Craig's list

    Votes: 98 16.2%

  • Musician's friend

    Votes: 172 28.4%

  • Amazon

    Votes: 147 24.3%

  • Guitar Centre online

    Votes: 79 13.1%

  • Other (specify)

    Votes: 73 12.1%

  • Bass Strings Online

    Votes: 127 21.0%

  • Best Bass Gear

    Votes: 51 8.4%

  • Zzounds

    Votes: 25 4.1%

  • Bass Central

    Votes: 6 1.0%
  • Total voters
    605
#61
ArtechnikA said:
Just tell them 'Please don't call.'
I did, and they don't.
I still get a nice followup email.
Click to expand...

I have made it clear several times I prefer email communication, my "sales engineer" still calls. I work very long shifts that start in evening, calling me at 10:00 in the morning ends with me not answering because I'm still at work or because I'm asleep. He's only wasting his own time, so he can knock himself out. The call is always followed up by an email response from me. My family also doesn't understand that calling during daylight hours is useless so why would a company. I still appreciate the service they provide, as I can get things shipped to me on the same day of order even putting an order in @ 15:00 (or 3:00 pm for normal people). This means I have it next day usually by noon. Have to take the good with the bad.
 
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#63
Ebay for bargains, cheapos, and some Japan stuff that was "unobtainium" elsewhere.
Musicians Friend when they have it and I'm in somewhat of a hurry(i.e. can't wait for an eBay seller's delivery).
OTHER: American Musical for all electronics and some basses due to their flexpay and extended warranty.
Rondo for best budget basses I know of.
Guitar Shelter(Japan) for a number of basses(Orvilles, Grecos, etc) not available elsewhere.
Seismic Audio for affordable bass cabinets one can thrash without fear, PA gear, racks/cases, patch cords, etc.

Amazon may come into the mix since we recently joined their "Prime" program.
 
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#64
Johnny Crab said:
...Musicians Friend when they have it and I'm in somewhat of a hurry(i.e. can't wait for an eBay seller's delivery).
Click to expand...

Ha! Local is same day! ...Like... within a hour... :D

FP-30.JPG
 
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#65
Wife and I belong to Amazon Prime. It's funny. There's a whole music store living under the Amazon umbrella! :laugh:
If it's a standard musical item, I can get it shipped FedEx to Alaska in 3 days free shipping. If it's a Prime order, I can return it no questions asked. Once got a big 412 cabinet from Amazon in 3 days! Weight 79 pounds LOL.
I just joined the customer program at Sweetwater. The sales guy was ok but the organziation is great. I bought a Peavey MiniMax from them and it came via USPS in four days. To Alaska!
Two very good companies. Used to use MF and M123 but their shipping's become prohibitive.
Shopped a few times at zZounds and they're pretty good too.

EDIT: One of the best deals of the decade for me was direct from the builder @DukeLeJeune and AudioKineses H1203! :)
 
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#66
I clicked off about seven choices, lol

I have the folks at GC on a short leash and trained to jump through my hoops. I can order on-line (where most of the inventory is), get free shipping, and return oopsies and no-thanks at any one of the three stores in my area. These people bend over backwards to make me happy, and usually succeed, so they get most of my business. I just sold off old lighting equipment on Craig's List and re-invested in new lights for my band and our audience, all through GC.
 
Last edited:
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#69
Zzounds

I stumbled upon them last year and love their " Pay as you play " financing options. They just take your debit or CC and breakdown the item ( $300+) into monthly payments. No interest, and no sales tax ( New Jersey ?) which is amazing-I live in California.

I bought an Ampeg micro VR last week, and two of the cabs that usually pair with the head last year ( SVT-210AV) through zzounds. I got a sweet deal last year on an Ampeg pf-500 from GC for iirc 399, and recently I picked up a Roger Waters P off craigslist for 520$. Keep the eyes peeled at all times for a good deal, it's the hustler in me.

I am still a pretty amateur player, but one day I want to either find a EBMM Stingray around here or local CL for sub $1000 or most likely I will get a new one through zzounds with their payment plans. Same goes for a Tube head if I ever want to really indulge, the pay as you go is stress free IMO.
 
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#75
If they aren't available on TB when I need them, I buy commodity items from MF, zZounds.com, Music 123, basspartsresource, hdcustom-guitar-supply, 8th Street Music, eBay, and Amazon.com. which often enough sources from a couple of these. TB is where I look first. I've cooked up some awesome stuff out of here.
 

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