I haven't bought anything from them yet, but I like their site. Unfortunately their prices are higher than the big music store in my area - Chuck Levin's.
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What is your opinion of Musician's Friend online store
- Thread starter bass4u
- Start date
I have ordered from MF many times before from picks and strings to amps and cabinets. Never had a problem and they do have a good customer service department and return policy if something is damaged, DOA or wrong. I ordered a combo amp from them years ago and it arrived DOA so I called them up and they were very nice and understanding of the problem. They offered me a refund or to send me a brand new one at no further costs and they even paid for the UPS shipping to ship the defective one back to their warehouse. I will say that their prices can be a little higher on some items then other outlets, but they also have their share of daily deals and deals and promotions in general though.
True, their prices may be a bit high, but not ridiculously so, they seem pretty much in line with most other online strores, and the free shipping on everything, decent selection, and excellent service has made me a regular customer.
I've only bought accessories from them, always with good results. If it's something I don't need in a hurry and my local mom n pop doesn't have it (as is usual), I go to MF. Once or twice I called their CS dept and they were super-friendly and helpful. Gotta love midwestern peeps!
I'd suggest Sweetwater. I've had nothing but stellar service from them and a similar experience as a previous poster had with Sam Ash. Very knowledgeable reps who are always willing to help with technical questions and seem to put the customer's needs above their needs to make a sale.
I don’t even want to know how much I’ve spent there…
I’ve ordered from other places with equal satisfaction, AMS, World Music, Same Day, Sweetwater, Zzounds, Sam Ash, GC… but MF (maybe just good marketing) turned out to be my first stop, especially since free shipping with no minimum order.
Order history says 60 orders… hundreds of items, and only one issue with a used MB500 head ($375) that was resolved to my benefit… namely replaced with a new one ($500 value) for the same price.
No complaints from me.
I’ve ordered from other places with equal satisfaction, AMS, World Music, Same Day, Sweetwater, Zzounds, Sam Ash, GC… but MF (maybe just good marketing) turned out to be my first stop, especially since free shipping with no minimum order.
Order history says 60 orders… hundreds of items, and only one issue with a used MB500 head ($375) that was resolved to my benefit… namely replaced with a new one ($500 value) for the same price.
No complaints from me.
Always had good experiences with them on anything from strings and straps all the way up to speakers and amps but I draw the line at guitars or basses. Those I want to play first but fortunately they do have a store here if I ever buy one from them. I typically have other sources for those.
Their pricing may not be rock bottom but when you consider their service and return policy they're a great value added source. I ordered a set of pickups which were lost in shipment. My fault, I entered my address wrong. Called customer service and when we couldn't track them they just issued a credit without having to re-order in kind. They were very professional and very polite about it.
I generally take advantage of their sales when the pricing is equal to or better than anyone. I ordered a GK Bass Combo two weeks ago on sale and it was delivered to my door three days later working as advertised right out of the box. If there had been a problem I trust they'd just have shipped another and had me return the defective one.
I like the way they run their operation. They've earned my business over the years and as long as it stays that way they'll continue to be my preferred source for gear and accessories.
Their pricing may not be rock bottom but when you consider their service and return policy they're a great value added source. I ordered a set of pickups which were lost in shipment. My fault, I entered my address wrong. Called customer service and when we couldn't track them they just issued a credit without having to re-order in kind. They were very professional and very polite about it.
I generally take advantage of their sales when the pricing is equal to or better than anyone. I ordered a GK Bass Combo two weeks ago on sale and it was delivered to my door three days later working as advertised right out of the box. If there had been a problem I trust they'd just have shipped another and had me return the defective one.
I like the way they run their operation. They've earned my business over the years and as long as it stays that way they'll continue to be my preferred source for gear and accessories.
Hi everybody,
I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for the kind words regarding our company. It's always great to find threads like this that reaffirms what we're doing here.
lfmn16,
We do offer a Lowest Price Guarantee. I'm hesitant to link to it as I believe it may break the CUP here at TB. If you have any questions on it, feel free to message me.
OOZMAN,
We do ship to Australia. If you search for international on our website it explains all the details. Again, I'm hesitant to link directly to the page as I don't want to break any of the rules TB has for us.
Again, thank you for the kind words, and feel free to message me if you have any questions for me.
I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for the kind words regarding our company. It's always great to find threads like this that reaffirms what we're doing here.
lfmn16,
We do offer a Lowest Price Guarantee. I'm hesitant to link to it as I believe it may break the CUP here at TB. If you have any questions on it, feel free to message me.
OOZMAN,
We do ship to Australia. If you search for international on our website it explains all the details. Again, I'm hesitant to link directly to the page as I don't want to break any of the rules TB has for us.
Again, thank you for the kind words, and feel free to message me if you have any questions for me.
I bought my bass at Sweetwater and had a great experience. I changed my mind mid stream and they requested the bass to be shipped back right before I picked it up, sent a new one and divided the payments into 3. The case I got with my Godin bass (a great bass by the way) had problems with the handle. Sight unseen they sent me a new one and told me to keep my other one. I was very happy with their service.
Just recently purchased a new bass head and a cab from MF, and have also ordered strings and other good stuff from there. Great service.
Warning: Long post! 
My experience has been mixed but I still shop there. One of the guys at night, maybe the one posting is great!
MF does not charge sales tax for Texas! That is a Big Big +1. Taxes really make some deals cost too much, especially for expensive items. Guitar Center on the other hand charges sales tax. The way someone from GC explained it, if they have a store in a state they have to charge tax, even for online purchases. Lol leave it to the government to screw us at every step! But the good news is MF does not. Plus the people on the phone at MF are much more knowledgable than GC on average.
My first experience with MF was buying a Fender Dlx Am PBass early this year. NO one had it yet. I called all over. MF gave me a discount because I had to wait. I was very impressed! I swapped it for a short scale Birdsong (another great bass!) with a Talkbass member recently. Called MF and they emailed me a receipt immediately so I could transfer the Fender warranty over! How nice!
But I tried recently to buy a Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton Strat with the recent Columbus Day discount they showed online. The code would not work online. I tried several times and gave up. I called around and could not match that advertised price.
Luckily I called MF and after a little bit of muddling through someone there applied the discount on the phone. I had talked with someone at GC and they were so confused I gave up and called MF, even though I did not think the Fender would be eligible for a discount.
Once I called MF the person stayed right in the process. I could tell they knew what to do, unlike the GC person.
From the conversations with the GC people I am still confused whether Fender participates in sales for some of their gear lol! But MF did right by me. It was just odd that I could not apply the online code. But since I could not find anyone selling that cheap, that had the exact model I wanted I called MF. I almost didnt since the website would not apply the discount and the GC person got me so confused. But it is a good thing I called! I LOVE this Stratocaster. If anyone plays guitar also, it's the Blackie one.
A day or two after I ordered the Strat I ordered a Fender Mustang practice amp. (In case you dont know, it is a Very cool 99 dollar practice amp with all sort of different effects! Love this little jewel!) I think it cost me 85 dollars with the discount. Well worth it. The MF website said the Columbus day 15% offer was extended. Same problem. Tried ordering the amp and the discount would not apply online. Another call and problem solved. Person was very good, applied the discount. Amp on the way.
Back to the story. I got the amp. Then about a week later I ordered a few little things, nothing much and I did it online. I checked my email after a couple of hours and there was another amp on it also! I am guessing that because I had tried to order the amp before it showed up on my online order, although I did not notice it in my cart. It may have still been there and I overlooked it. Hm... I guess I will never know.
I called MF immediately. The young lady was nice but said it had already shipped.... Lol this was late at night! She said tell UPS I refused the package. Unfortunately I was not home. My UPS guy is fantastic and left it for me because I have given them written permission and no one can see stuff on my porch, my neighbors would make it really rough on anyone trying to steal here etc.
So... I had to call back. Now I am waiting for a return authorization and going to take it to the UPS store and drop it off myself.
Bottom line, MF has saved me money and I like them. They will still be the first place I call. But I have had two problems, one being the Columbus day code that would not apply on their website, which they fixed with a call, the other somehow getting the second amp I did not order, which they were also helpful with.
Musician's Friend is a good place. I hope they do business the same way a long time!
Sorry for the long post, but they have saved me hundreds of dollars, done the best they could and I feel they deserve some praise.
My experience has been mixed but I still shop there. One of the guys at night, maybe the one posting is great!
MF does not charge sales tax for Texas! That is a Big Big +1. Taxes really make some deals cost too much, especially for expensive items. Guitar Center on the other hand charges sales tax. The way someone from GC explained it, if they have a store in a state they have to charge tax, even for online purchases. Lol leave it to the government to screw us at every step! But the good news is MF does not. Plus the people on the phone at MF are much more knowledgable than GC on average.
My first experience with MF was buying a Fender Dlx Am PBass early this year. NO one had it yet. I called all over. MF gave me a discount because I had to wait. I was very impressed! I swapped it for a short scale Birdsong (another great bass!) with a Talkbass member recently. Called MF and they emailed me a receipt immediately so I could transfer the Fender warranty over! How nice!
But I tried recently to buy a Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton Strat with the recent Columbus Day discount they showed online. The code would not work online. I tried several times and gave up. I called around and could not match that advertised price.
Luckily I called MF and after a little bit of muddling through someone there applied the discount on the phone. I had talked with someone at GC and they were so confused I gave up and called MF, even though I did not think the Fender would be eligible for a discount.
Once I called MF the person stayed right in the process. I could tell they knew what to do, unlike the GC person.
From the conversations with the GC people I am still confused whether Fender participates in sales for some of their gear lol! But MF did right by me. It was just odd that I could not apply the online code. But since I could not find anyone selling that cheap, that had the exact model I wanted I called MF. I almost didnt since the website would not apply the discount and the GC person got me so confused. But it is a good thing I called! I LOVE this Stratocaster. If anyone plays guitar also, it's the Blackie one.
A day or two after I ordered the Strat I ordered a Fender Mustang practice amp. (In case you dont know, it is a Very cool 99 dollar practice amp with all sort of different effects! Love this little jewel!) I think it cost me 85 dollars with the discount. Well worth it. The MF website said the Columbus day 15% offer was extended. Same problem. Tried ordering the amp and the discount would not apply online. Another call and problem solved. Person was very good, applied the discount. Amp on the way.
Back to the story. I got the amp. Then about a week later I ordered a few little things, nothing much and I did it online. I checked my email after a couple of hours and there was another amp on it also! I am guessing that because I had tried to order the amp before it showed up on my online order, although I did not notice it in my cart. It may have still been there and I overlooked it. Hm... I guess I will never know.
I called MF immediately. The young lady was nice but said it had already shipped.... Lol this was late at night! She said tell UPS I refused the package. Unfortunately I was not home. My UPS guy is fantastic and left it for me because I have given them written permission and no one can see stuff on my porch, my neighbors would make it really rough on anyone trying to steal here etc.
So... I had to call back. Now I am waiting for a return authorization and going to take it to the UPS store and drop it off myself.
Bottom line, MF has saved me money and I like them. They will still be the first place I call. But I have had two problems, one being the Columbus day code that would not apply on their website, which they fixed with a call, the other somehow getting the second amp I did not order, which they were also helpful with.
Musician's Friend is a good place. I hope they do business the same way a long time!
Sorry for the long post, but they have saved me hundreds of dollars, done the best they could and I feel they deserve some praise.
Ronnietex,
Thanks for the praise! I just shot you a PM to go over the two issues you mentioned. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know!
Thanks for the praise! I just shot you a PM to go over the two issues you mentioned. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know!
I'll second all these emotions (to paraphrase Smokey)! I've not ordered a ton of stuff from MF, but what I have ordered was reasonably priced, promptly shipped, arrived in good condition, and made me a satisfied customer, which is about all you can ask for in a retailer. I've never had to deal with customer service, but I'm glad to see that it'll be there ready to help me if I need it. Also, the web site is easy to navigate and finding something is a breeze. 
I will buy there only if I can't get something locally. Even then I try to go with small stores first before them. I do that just to support small business, but when I have used them I've always had prompt service and good pricing. Maybe twice I've had an issue but they fixed it with no hassle.
I've had a few incidences where their website listed what they had was in stock and then I received an email later that says my item was on back order. When I tried to get my money refunded to me it took about a week/week.5 for me to see it in my bank account. IMO that's unacceptable.
How is too friendly a bad thing?
