There are three large stores in Birmingham; PMT, Fairdeal and there’s a Guitar Guitar. I’ve never set foot in either of them. We used to have a couple of real; i.e. not chain store shops when I was a child, I never went in them either, my mom used to go in while I waited outside.
I have been to Bass direct, quite a few times, I bought stuff from Mark before he even opened the shop. I like that the staff there actually leave you alone, if you want something then you ask them. I hate; as is often the case, walking in somewhere and immediately being approached by someone, as well meaning as they are, it annoys me.
I prefer shopping online.
Something I did notice reading through this thread, totally off-topic, the amount of people who mentioned having to take into account petrol and parking charges, why not catch the train or bus?