Showrooming

[twinjet]

So I heard a phrase used here. Showrooming. You play demo basses at a shop, then buy it elsewhere.

I've been troubling the guys at my local shop twice now (again -3 times!- later today) and they've been super cool. I want to buy my next bass from them, but also should probably save money where I can. I could end up paying as much as $600 more for a bass I could get used. Though that means a brand new instrument and two free setups.

I would feel odd for wasting their time not buying from them. Plus it's a local shop, and I understand the importance of shopping small - so, I can't imagine myself buying used at this point.

Where do you guys stand on this? Is it "unethical" or just whatever.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I buy used whenever possible!!!

However in the case of local mom and pops on NEW items.... if they have something I am interested in buying....I'm simply up front with them and say....I want to buy this but "X"retailer has this bass for "X" price...I would prefer to spend my money here can you deal?

in all but one occasion the local mom and pop has either price matched the online competition or thrown in an extra to make up the difference in price (example: the owner said no I can't price match, but I will throw in a case and a set of strings, picks, cable, and some polish!)

and I have no issue with playing a demo at guitard center and then buying elsewhere!!

 

[ShoeManiac]

In my own case, I don't do this. Simply because I have some good local dealers that have done right by me over the years. I've got a good relationship with them and I can count on them to get me the gear I want at reasonable prices.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I worked for a while about 8 years ago in photography retail, which basically no longer exists as a brick and mortar business except in big cities. We got that all the time. Take half an hour to demo a camera, help people out, and never see them again. It was frustrating, but it's the age we live in.

As for your situation, I think playing a new one and buying a used one is fine. It's not exactly apples to apples. Heck, I did the same thing this summer (though I only played about 20 minutes, and bought a pedal from them). My dealer was willing to shoot me a better deal on a stingray classic than I could get online (50 bucks cheaper than Sweetwater, and throw in a 140 buck pedal). I ended up buying a used older model here. At any rate, playing a new model 3 times and buying a new model online is sketchy, but a use one not so much

 

[kcole4001]

If I play a bass and I like it, that's the bass I want to buy, not one that looks similar.
If you're just testing an unfamiliar style of bass and need further research, by all means check around, but I feel it's dishonest to try at one place and buy at another, unless the store owner is a jerkweasel.
Otherwise, buy where you try.
My 2c. (1.4 cents US)

 

[twinjet]

I worked for a while about 8 years ago in photography retail, which basically no longer exists as a brick and mortar business except in big cities. We got that all the time. Take half an hour to demo a camera, help people out, and never see them again. It was frustrating, but it's the age we live in.

As for your situation, I think playing a used one and buying a used one is fine. It's not exactly apples to apples. Heck, I did the same thing this summer (though I only played about 20 minutes, and bought a pedal from them). My dealer was willing to shoot me a better deal on a stingray classic than I could get online (50 bucks cheaper than Sweetwater, and throw in a 140 buck pedal). I ended up buying a used older model here. At any rate, playing a new model 3 times and buying a new model online is sketchy, but a use one not so much

The shop here has friendly staff. They match online and even bite the bullet when it comes to shipping! There is another Fender dealer in town, but they don't budge on price.

 

[fjadams]

Sometimes you can get what you need at a local store, sometimes not. Sometimes you can get what you need there at a price you can afford and sometimes not. Generally when I buy from my local store it comes with the extras like setups, warranty work, whatever is needed. And usually they can match or almost do so but even when they can't price match the extras make it break even.

I've had them order three basses for me that they didn't carry in store because they didn't know if they'd sell or not. Fender Rascal, Fender Starcaster, Guild Starfire I. The prices were comparable to ordering online plus the store extras. Some others I bought online because they couldn't get them or the price difference was too good to pass up. At least for me there are times when I buy local and other times when I buy online. It's on a bass by bass basis.

 

[jd56hawk]

So I heard a phrase used here. Showrooming. You play demo basses at a shop, then buy it elsewhere.

I've been troubling the guys at my local shop twice now (again -3 times!- later today) and they've been super cool. I want to buy my next bass from them, but also should probably save money where I can. I could end up paying as much as $600 more for a bass I could get used. Though that means a brand new instrument and two free setups.

I would feel odd for wasting their time not buying from them. Plus it's a local shop, and I understand the importance of shopping small - so, I can't imagine myself buying used at this point.

Where do you guys stand on this? Is it "unethical" or just whatever.

It's a no brainer. Save the money and buy elsewhere. Then buy a hardshell case from the local store, or an amp, or some new strings, etc.

 

[staccatogrowl]

$600 may seem like a lot to some, or could be pocket change to others. Where you stand in this spectrum is part of your answer.

Supporting local businesses that give excellent customer service is important to some, not others. How about you?

A new bass with warranty is important and useful to some, not others. You?

Finding a bass that has the right stuff, new or used, that has the mojo that you know will serve you for a long time, may be worthy of additional expenditure. Say you keep that bass ten years, then the annual additional cost is $60 per year. 20 years? $30 per year, etc.

Bass setups can range for $50 to $100 if strings are included, x2 = $100 to $200 off that $600 new price.

Defining your values will help you determine the value of this bass, or alternatives . Figure out where you stand and go from there.

 

[hrodbert696]

Something I've posted before: local stores are not charities where we should be making bad purchases just to feel good about it. They are businesses that should get our business because they offer goods and services at good prices. On the other hand, no, it's not ethical to take advantage of their services without paying for them, which seems to me is what "showrooming" is.

With musical instruments and the internet, it's good sense - individual instruments, even of the same model, can vary a lot from one to another. If I like an instrument I try out in a store, I want to buy THAT instrument, not another one that's available online.

Likewise, used instruments are cheaper than new ones for a reason. Part of it is the wear and tear and the risk that you're buying someone else's headache. Related to that, buying a new instrument at the store gets the store warranty and service behind it.

Bottom line being, even at a higher price, buying from the store may still be the best decision. But it's not an absolute black-and-white decision.

I do try to make a practice, at stores I visit regularly, to buy the lesser stuff from them on a regular basis - strings and picks and cables and straps, taking basses in for setups and things like that. So that at least they're getting some revenue for the service of making instruments available.

 

[mellowinman]

I go to whatever brick and mortar business has the goods I wish to try, or potentially buy. While I'm there, their service, prices, or various intangibles can influence me to buy from them. Never once have I walked through the door with the idea in my mind that I will "try it there and buy it elsewhere." If that ends up happening, then I have properly exercised my rights as a consumer, by making use of the best deal I can find. I make an informed choice to either buy at that local business, or shop online. That is the challenge that is in front of business owners, and if they want to stay alive, they will rise to that challenge.

 

[MobileHolmes]

There was an important quote above that I am too lazy to trim on my phone: sometimes the local shop just doesn't have it.

This has been the case for me a lot. I haven't been to a shop in years that has the specific strings I want, for example. I think the local one has two brands, neither if which I like, and in about one gauge

 

[Figjam]

I like my local shop because they have a decent (not great) used selection. Best of both worlds. I try not to buy on ebay anymore.

 

[gnarlyWarlock]

It's hard NOT to showroom when you account for state taxes, the fact taht someone else touched the instrument, that you can find it for a better deal on craigslist, etc.

It's the unfortunate truth that the internet is causing serious brick and mortar hemorrhaging. But, it's not your responsibility as a consumer to uphold a shop. This is natural selection in action. If the stores want to survive, they need to cut below internet prices. Good luck with that.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Demo'ing a new bass at the store as part of your search for a used one? Huh? Go try-out the used one.

I buy everything I possibly can from my local, independently owned shop. They match e-store prices, give great service/support and greet me by name when I walk in the door!

 

[Baird6869]

I play all kinds of basses that I don't buy at my local retailers.

I do buy strings and other things like straps and cables there, so don't really sweat it. Plus, I have spent a fortune with them over the last decade or so.

The last bass I bought would have cost me almost $2000 more if I bought it from my local music store. I like supporting local business, but not when the delta is $2k.

 

[Gougedeye]

I always buy local, when I can. I appreciate what they do for me and I try to support them as much as possible.

 

[MatronMother]

I have a gear habit that needs to be fed. The better deal I get the quicker I can purchase my next meal.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I agree with hrodbert696. I only buy new and from a brick and mortar store as I have had several bad experiences in the past with used equipment. I don't like buying sight unseen. There is always a chance of damage during shipment when buying on the internet. At a store you can touch and play a particular instrument, get questions answered and usually end up with a decent purchase complete with warranty. If something does go wrong you have a person to go to for help, not an automated answering robot that dumps you from one menu to another until you hangup in frustration. Not to mention the hassle of return shipping and not knowing how long you will wait for satisfaction. IMO brick and mortar store is the best way to go if possible.

 

[Son of Wobble]

It's the unfortunate truth that the internet is causing serious brick and mortar hemorrhaging. But, it's not your responsibility as a consumer to uphold a shop.

Now you tell me! I've been propping up my neighborhood buggy distributor for over a hundred years now. Enough already.