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The unavailability of strings
- Thread starter dougjwray
- Start date
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Correct, one of those brands being who I work for
But again, the main location has to go through the distributor (or if it's a location of L&M, the corporate office) who then orders from us. It's an extra step most in CA would rather not do.
Except for L&M. It has been the case where the item I wanted wasn't in the Burlington store but they get it the next day from the Hamilton store; head office is only involved in as much as inventory must move (in the accounting system) from one store to another. They regularly do this and have vehicles moving inventory around every day.Correct, one of those brands being who I work for
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
GC does the same thing if it's being carried in their system somewhere. But if it's not...
Which is what the OP was lamenting about; you can't find anything past the "top sellers," and most are leery to special order anything from their local B&M.
They'll say it's because they don't want to pay the credit card processing fees, but yeah, that's not it. Their deposits likely are all under $10k. A local chicken place was doing that and the Feds raided them. They found $6 million stuffed in every cabinet in the house.
Correct, one of those brands being who I work for
My first job was changing strings at a Mom & Pop store in Ontario, Canada. If we had a customer ask for something we didn't have in stock, we would write it down on a list for the rep from the distributor.
We had a visit from the reps of the 3 major distributors every 4-6 weeks, and that's when we would pass the special order over, which then needed to pass to their national office. Who then often needed to order from the actual brand, or another 3rd party distributor.
we actually had about 15-20 special orders a month processed this way, and they arrived in 6-8 weeks.
The only reason there wasn't outrage was that it was 1997 and online wasn't really an option at the time.
Part of that is their own fault.
They no longer keep an inventory of many items.
Thus driving customers to the internet.
Vicious cycle.
It starts with people coming in to try out gear. They then put it back and when asked if they are interested in purchasing it, the answer is "I just came in to try it out. I'll buy it online so I can save $#1-2%". I don't blame M&Ps who don't bring in inventory; they are not Sweetwater/Amazon/other online retailer's showroom.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Yeah, it used to be like that for sure. But today, that kind of thing doesn't happen. Either it's too difficult for the dealer to order through the distributor, or they don't want to, etc.. I know a couple of companies have minimum orders now for special orders, which is another deterrent.
This is merely a "grumpy old man" thread...
It amazes me that there are strings which are loved and recommended daily by many on TB, but which are NEVER in the big stores. (Guitar Center and Sam Ash are the ones I frequent... the Mom & Pop stores are mostly gone, and I avoid ordering anything online whenever possible. I like to anonymously hand over the cash.)
I'm talking about things like: DR Sunbeams and Lo Riders; Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats; anything GHS other than regular (hex core) Boomers; Rotosound flatwounds; D'Addario Half Rounds; the LaBella Jamerson set; Fender Pure Nickels, etc., etc.
Yes, I know that there is limited physical space in a brick & mortar place, and some brands don't sell as well as others. But you often see empty wire racks.
It's just that there seems to be such a disconnect between the apparently huge popularity of many strings, and their availability-- other than online.
That is all. Return to your regular duties.
This is merely a "grumpy old man" thread...
It amazes me that there are strings which are loved and recommended daily by many on TB, but which are NEVER in the big stores. (Guitar Center and Sam Ash are the ones I frequent... the Mom & Pop stores are mostly gone, and I avoid ordering anything online whenever possible. I like to anonymously hand over the cash.)
I'm talking about things like: DR Sunbeams and Lo Riders; Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats; anything GHS other than regular (hex core) Boomers; Rotosound flatwounds; D'Addario Half Rounds; the LaBella Jamerson set; Fender Pure Nickels, etc., etc.
Yes, I know that there is limited physical space in a brick & mortar place, and some brands don't sell as well as others. But you often see empty wire racks.
It's just that there seems to be such a disconnect between the apparently huge popularity of many strings, and their availability-- other than online.
That is all. Return to your regular duties.
That could be proximity related. They're pretty ubiquitous upstate also (at the better stores), but then DR is right there in NJ. Of course, Labella is in Poughkeepsie and I can count on one hand how many times I've seen them in any store.
Most companies that ship anything retail have minimum orders/delivery fee. Small music stores have been at this disadvantage for years which is why people generally don't have an ideal selection at their local store, or what used to be their local store.
