Three things I hate about buying basses on the web

[jive1]

Seriously, plane ticket to the biggest bang for the buck.....you want a bass you are going to love, or one that will suit you when it comes in the mail?

Though I agree that going in person to check out a bass is the best way to get something you like, it's gonna be hard to find 4 particular custom basses in stock at a given place. Even a large store like BassNW or Bass Central, might not have all the basses a person is looking for in stock at one time, especially if they are custom-one-of-a-kind basses and you want them right away.

I do think that it's good to work with one shop if you can, just so you can get a discount on quantity. Maybe you can order a few of the basses you want from them, and take a couple home?

 

[Peter Parker]

Yes, definitely Bass Central, but other otherwise great stores do it too ...

• Don's Music City - The site says they have an AC6, however the photo is of an AC5, but they have neither in stock.

And I can list a lot more places that don't include basic information like scale length and string spacing, forcing me to call or write.

SPeaking from intimate knowledge of Don's Music City. Yes, the website sucks bad. I was totally against making it what it is but the problem is that the people who have the money in this company are not musicians. They like to think of themselves as something they are not and try to present the store as MF or some other big chain sort of store. Instead of posting what we have they posted what we can get. Very lame. Don't get me wrong, we have 4 stores and are very good with several truly good employees(only a couple are less than usefull) and we do great business but the website is a sore spot. I manage one of the locations and have nothing to do with internet business, only local sales, but I've expressed my disappointment with their web practice. It's a pretty common practice, unfortunately, as you found out. BC definitely leaves up pics long after the instruments are gone specifically as bait, the cheese in the mouse trap. Many companies do this and it's a shame. Anyway, sorry for the DMC hassle, wish I could change it.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

I feel for you man. Too bad with the sucky websites, but you should probably call the stores in question. If you meet a helpful/knowledgeable person on the phone, they can give good info that the webpage don't have.

Yes, the phone!

 

[Joelc73]

We go a bit crazier than most shops in terms of photos because we are big believers in the idea of showing you every element of the bass in as much detail as we can - short of you holding it in person. Buying a high-end bass is such an important investment that we want people to be as well informed as possible.

With that said though it does get difficult to maintain the site on what could be an almost daily basis. We have new stuff coming (and going) just about every day. I try and make sure the big hit items are always listed but some things do fall through the cracks. Overall though we tend to be pretty current.

 

[Tom7]

I dare say, with the kind of coin you say you are thinking about dropping, a plane ticket should be figured into your search.

Thanks for the thought, Lamar, but a ticket to where?! I haven't come across one place that has what I'm looking for in stock.

Or, that 48 approval period will be getting its use!

100% of the stores with 48 hour trial period tell me that I pay shipping and insurance both ways if it goes back. I'm sure you noticed fuel prices are awfully high right now. Giving a bass a $300+ round trip to Alaska just for the privilege of giving her a try isn't practical, so I make sure I am awfully sure I want a bass before I order it.

Quite honestly, most dudes looking at fodera's know what they are getting into, and the sound from the woods are the usual deviance, so actually all that added jazz on the website do not buy the merchants all that much. Except from added traffic from people who don't know what they want.

And in some way, you sound like you are stating you might be that guy.......not that you don't know about basses, but....

When Fodera (using your example) makes basses that are 34", 35" and 36" scale in length, and the bass seller doesn't put which length the bass is, how does that mean I don't know what I am talking about?

"First, I don't HAVE to buy 4 basses, I've just decided that, since I've changed how I play bass these last 2 years, I want to change my basses for something that better matches how I play now.
"

Which would be........?

The thread is starting to get long so perhaps you skimmed past it.

Seriously, plane ticket to the biggest bang for the buck.....you want a bass you are going to love, or one that will suit you when it comes in the mail?

Seriously, I thank you for the advice, but in this instance at least, it won't work.

First, a ticket from here to Seattle costs $1,100 unless you purchase 30 days in advance, then it is just $300. Bass inventories turn over so by the time I got to the lower 48, who knows what will be in stock when I get there!

Second, as I said earlier, no bass place has what I'm wanting in stock, so I'd have to fly to 4 different cities! That is NOT great bang for the buck!

For example, there were only two places in the United States that had a black and white Fodera Yin Yang 4 in stock. Phone calls revealed that there was only one (in San Diego), so I bought it.

The electric upright Barker Bass I wanted was only being sold in Minnesota, so I bought that from there.

The Alain Caron fretless bass with a redwood top was only in stock in Texas, so I bought that from there, only to learn that the bass they said they would hold for me wasn't held after all and sold just hours before he saw my email. Told one just like it would arrive in weeks, I plunked down the dough, and then learned it would be delayed for 4 months!

And the fourth bass I'm still trying to hunt down: a fretted F Bass BN6 with an ash body, no top and a Macassar Ebony fretboard. So far, the only place I've found this bass is in New Jersey. The price not being what I was hoping, I'm reevaluating things, and might go with another bass altogether.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll agree that with the kind of coinage I'm dropping on basses, I can't really afford to fly to California, Texas, Minnesota and New Jersey -- so I'm trying to do the best I can using the Internet and enduring some really and truly scant web work.

 

[Tom7]

We go a bit crazier than most shops in terms of photos because we are big believers in the idea of showing you every element of the bass in as much detail as we can - short of you holding it in person. Buying a high-end bass is such an important investment that we want people to be as well informed as possible.

With that said though it does get difficult to maintain the site on what could be an almost daily basis. We have new stuff coming (and going) just about every day. I try and make sure the big hit items are always listed but some things do fall through the cracks. Overall though we tend to be pretty current.

I agree, Joel, you guys generally do very well with your photos ... it is the best place I can think of to acquire g.a.s. for basses I'm not in the market for!

 

[Brian Barrett]

Sorry about your frustrating, I know its tough thinking you found the instrument only to find its been sold weeks or months ago.

I will be the first to say my site might not have the best photo's (I do probably have the most though) or have the best descriptions all the time. However I do update my page daily and sometimes multiple times a day depending on basses coming in and going out. I also am probably one of the fastest in replying to customer's phone calls and e-mails. I'm a one man Brick and Mortar Bass Shop, so I can get spread thin many hours of the day, but I do my best.

Jim at Atlanta Bass Gallery is also a good guy to deal with... heck I can think of a number of great dealer's to buy from and have no problem in pointing you or any customer in the right direction if there is something you need.

Best of luck,
Brian

 

[Marcus]

Three things I hate about buying from major retail stores:

1. Poor in-store setups: I've never once picked up a bass at my local Guitar Center or Sam Ash that had decent setup.

2. Paying tax! In NY it's about 8 percent tacked onto the final cost which adds quite a bit.

3. Sales people who're just that... "sales people." From my experiences, I've had guys try to sell me Squiers while making them sound like Zons. It's remarkable what some people will say to sell something.

I bought a Zon Legacy Elite V from Jim at the Atlanta Bass Gallery without ever playing it in person beforehand. Why? Jim assured me that I had 3 days to see if it was "the one" for me. He was also more than happy to answer any questions I had about the transaction and the instrument itself.

 

[Pan]

Being in Australia I can share a few of your problems especially the fact it's hard to have a play of anything that isn't mass produced.
After years of this I'm thinking a week in NYC is about the best I can do. If I can't decide from that then the task is just about impossible - on this planet anyway.
I bought basses from Rhode Isalnd, Minnesota and Florida - all unplayed and unseen by myself. It's a gamble I know.
So NYC is the best available strategy I think.
(At least you live on the same continent).

 

[Human Bass]

Three things I hate about buying from major retail stores:

1. Poor in-store setups: I've never once picked up a bass at my local Guitar Center or Sam Ash that had decent setup.

2. Paying tax! In NY it's about 8 percent tacked onto the final cost which adds quite a bit.

3. Sales people who're just that... "sales people." From my experiences, I've had guys try to sell me Squiers while making them sound like Zons. It's remarkable what some people will say to sell something.

I bought a Zon Legacy Elite V from Jim at the Atlanta Bass Gallery without ever playing it in person beforehand. Why? Jim assured me that I had 3 days to see if it was "the one" for me. He was also more than happy to answer any questions I had about the transaction and the instrument itself.

Stop teh bitching!! 8% is a very light tax. Here in Brazil I guess that 30% of the price is taxes.

 

[Marcus]

Stop teh bitching!! 8% is a very light tax. Here in Brazil I guess that 30% of the price is taxes.

get a better economy then

 

[Tom7]

SPeaking from intimate knowledge of Don's Music City. Yes, the website sucks bad. [snip!] Instead of posting what we have they posted what we can get. Very lame.

I am okay with stores posting what they can get, so long as they let you know up front it is not in stock. Some websites do this, and it works for me.

I manage one of the locations and have nothing to do with internet business, only local sales, but I've expressed my disappointment with their web practice. It's a pretty common practice, unfortunately, as you found out.

Yeah, I did, but on the upside, they were really responsive and nice in my interactions with them.

BC definitely leaves up pics long after the instruments are gone specifically as bait, the cheese in the mouse trap. Many companies do this and it's a shame. Anyway, sorry for the DMC hassle, wish I could change it.

If there is someone I can write to give my view, let me know, because the thing is, when I shop for basses, I don't go to Don's site anymore because I know I can't trust it.

Having basses for sale on a website that aren't really available is kind of like deliberately setting out mirages for people in the desert to see. After running to a few non-existent oasises, you learn to walk past them, even if there is water in them.

 

[Tom7]

... [snip] ... However I do update my page daily and sometimes multiple times a day depending on basses coming in and going out. ... I'm a one man Brick and Mortar Bass Shop, so I can get spread thin many hours of the day, but I do my best.

THIS is one of the best comments of the day. A one man shop is definitely out performing so many other stores.

... heck I can think of a number of great dealer's to buy from ...

Me too, including those whose websites we've mentioned. Their basses are still great, their service is still good, their websites are just a bit disappointing.

I didn't realize how many bass sellers are so active in talkbass. I love this site!

 

[Beav]

I will be the first to say my site might not have the best photo's (I do probably have the most though) or have the best descriptions all the time. However I do update my page daily and sometimes multiple times a day depending on basses coming in and going out. I also am probably one of the fastest in replying to customer's phone calls and e-mails. I'm a one man Brick and Mortar Bass Shop, so I can get spread thin many hours of the day, but I do my best.

Not to mention that you do the Benavente/Divinity/LEJ assembly, customer repairs, and ship everything within 24 hours of the sell. You're a beast. hands down!

 

[Calaverasgrande]

me personally, I am flying out to NY for a little bass safari. Sure I can get a bass any number of places in the bay area. But I have been saving for a while. And since I quit drinking, I save money at an alarming rate! So I am going to spend at least a grand on my next bass, maybe more. I think I have the opposite problem of yours. You want a very specific bass(es). But cant try until you buy. Me I just want any new bass. I have one I have played to death for almost 20 years. another I have played for about 6 years. I am just itching for ANY new bass. Even the Geddy JAzz, which is looking pretty cheap compared to its competition. (MTD, Sadowsky, Smith, Spector, Lakland) we are both in the same boat in that we want to play before we decide. I have had my Ovation magnum fro 20 years becasue I played it for 5 minutes in a pawnshop thru a fender twin and I had to have it. Basically love at first sight. Now I want a 5er that does the same for me that my magnum does. Tall order becasue the pickups are insane and the fretboard is so broken in its almost fretless. Maybe you could fly to NY or SF for a week and go to a few quality stores, get a real burrito.

 

[Pennydreadful]

I recently decided to buy 4 new basses, something I haven't ever done before. And over the last month as I have tried to buy them, I've had enough frustration that I don't ever want to do this again. I'm sure you have your pet peeves about bass sellers, here are my top three.

1. Falsely Inflated Inventories - Many websites display sold basses as if they are not sold, so that their inventory appears larger and they get more inquiries. They claim they haven't had time to update the site, but I've been watching and they update the site with new basses and still don't remove the sold ones.

2. Lazy Product Descriptions - What extended range bass buyer doesn't want to know the string width, neck length, wood types, and at least a retail price for a bass they are thinking about buying? Why not always post this basic information on the website? The stupid thing is, bass sellers think they don't have enough time to post the information on their sites, but they seem to have enough time to give this same information again and again to potential buyers who have to write or call to ask about what they didn't bother to post. Why not save their time and ours and post it to begin with?

3. Lame Photos - Some websites do a very nice job of providing multiple, high-quality photos, but other bass sellers really miss the boat on this. For example, I just bought a new Fodera from a site, and they have an F Bass I'm interested in too, but all they have is ONE very LAME photo of the bass, and it isn't even a photo of the complete bass. Even for a potential sale of near $5,000, they won't snap a few more photos so that I can check the bass out.

Anyway, I doubt my complaining will change anything, but it would be nice if enough of us spoke up and someone noticed! Getting new gear should be fun!

#1 drives me frickin insane.

 

[alansan]

Yep, I agree, number 1 is the worst offence for me. Speaking as a European that buys basses from the US about once every other year this has been the most frustrating element of online shopping.

There are sites that make it clear that their inventory is purely indicative and not necessarily 'in-stock'. I have no problem with this, it's sellers that (intentionally or by omission) do not make it clear what is ready to ship immediately and what can be ordered-in on request.

 

[ehque]

yeah, i agree. #1 is exceptionally irritating because only they can tell, and sometimes its intentional. i mean, you could always find out more about #2 and #3 from the bass-maker's website and what not, if youre not buying something boutique-y.

i ordered a BTB1206 from instrument pro in november and it said "in stock - 10 to 14 days shipped". after i submitted i get an email stating its backordered and ill receive it in march/april. i cancelled it in december, got back my cash, got burned in the exchange rate. i lost about 100 US.

funny thing is, and this is probably very rare but only works online, i received the BTB1206 today. thats what i call service.

ok, ok, ill return it. eventually. soon.

 

[Tom7]

[Snip!] ...And since I quit drinking, I save money at an alarming rate!

[Laughing] I can relate. I quit drinking a long time ago and as they say: now I know when I'm having fun!

... I have one I have played to death for almost 20 years.

I have my 1975 bass still and no matter what "g.a.s." pains I have for new gear, I don't think I'll ever get rid of her.

Maybe you could fly to NY or SF for a week and go to a few quality stores, get a real burrito.

Mmm... a real burrito does sound good, but no can do.

 

[Tom7]

... i cancelled it in december, got back my cash, got burned in the exchange rate. i lost about 100 US.

funny thing is, and this is probably very rare but only works online, i received the BTB1206 today. thats what i call service.

ok, ok, ill return it. eventually. soon.

[Laughing] We had a similar thing happen with my daughter's prom dress: we cancelled the backordered dress, ordered another, then the first arrived, only not in her size, but my wife's! You don't think she's dating younger men, do you?