There are a few things that concern me with Bezos/Amazon; $600 million in '15 (if I remember correctly) contract with CIA for black work, and alleged work conditions. Yet, I get the whole small business accumen etc. The key is the economics behind it; when one previously bought picks for example, from a local shop, and they suddenly stop carying them, and the next shop closer is 15 miles away-which carries them-and the kids need something for school-that other local businesses do not stock-but can order it and it "should be" in in 10 days-and someone across the country has a birthday last night, and you like to watch this or that movie, and ad infinitum Amazon gets the business- one shot one kill so to speak. Once one reaches a certain level/proficiency/expectation local suppliers are NOT going to usually carry/stock that "next level" because of overhead, product turnover, demand etc. A small local business is going to cary/stock the things that "move." Typically it is the $800 or less instrument(s), branded known most common strings, typical amp/cab set-ups ($1,000 or less), and/or generic overpriced nylon straps, cables, etc. etc. Not that those are "bad" or "sucky," but rather what meets the market product demographics they wish/want to meet. I know of this guitarist that drove 90 miles (each way) to purchase a pedal for $60 from a Craig's List ad because he did not want to buy a new one from a box store for $99. Minimum 3 hours in a vehicle, gas etc to save $40? For a USED pedal? Sorry, does not compute with me. But hey, everyone has different principles I guess. All this from a dude who is Anti-{fill in the blank from oil to politics etc}
Don't worry though, I place plenty of cash-cash-into my local economy. Need gun stock oil for your Stingray neck? Go to a local gun shop, larger bottle lower price than Amazon for example. Want a new instrument, but locally it's only available in tobacco sunburst, with an olympic white pickguard but they can order the one you want and it "should be" in in about 2 weeks, with dust on the pick-ups, but the one you want is on this or that website with 2day shipping for $50 or FREE in 3-5 days.... click away...with FREE 24 months tech/service support...click click click click.
Remember, not everyone lives in/near LA, NYC, Chicago, London, Berlin, Oslo, or Nashville/Memphis for examples where there are large immense quality music scenes/cultures etc. Some of us live in/near the "wannabe" cultures where everything is almost good enough to be regional, and "I {blank} Media own ALL the "local" radio stations, and every bar has "Tiki" in the name.
Here's an idea/recommendation for any small business music guys/gals; try to emulate the customer service of Sweetwater on average, and at least I'll give "your" business a considerable shake. (I mean, c'mon, they put the receipt in a folder, call to see if things work out for you, and always throw in a bag of sweets.) Well, you don't have to do all of that, but you get my point(s). ...but if people really desire the middle school quality instrument and accoutrements, by all means shop local. "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." ...in my opinion.
Don't worry though, I place plenty of cash-cash-into my local economy. Need gun stock oil for your Stingray neck? Go to a local gun shop, larger bottle lower price than Amazon for example. Want a new instrument, but locally it's only available in tobacco sunburst, with an olympic white pickguard but they can order the one you want and it "should be" in in about 2 weeks, with dust on the pick-ups, but the one you want is on this or that website with 2day shipping for $50 or FREE in 3-5 days.... click away...with FREE 24 months tech/service support...click click click click.
Remember, not everyone lives in/near LA, NYC, Chicago, London, Berlin, Oslo, or Nashville/Memphis for examples where there are large immense quality music scenes/cultures etc. Some of us live in/near the "wannabe" cultures where everything is almost good enough to be regional, and "I {blank} Media own ALL the "local" radio stations, and every bar has "Tiki" in the name.
Here's an idea/recommendation for any small business music guys/gals; try to emulate the customer service of Sweetwater on average, and at least I'll give "your" business a considerable shake. (I mean, c'mon, they put the receipt in a folder, call to see if things work out for you, and always throw in a bag of sweets.) Well, you don't have to do all of that, but you get my point(s). ...but if people really desire the middle school quality instrument and accoutrements, by all means shop local. "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." ...in my opinion.
). When I did a search, one of the first results was the TB store for $28. Much better. They should arrive today...
