[quote name='dc2009' post='1343229' date='Aug 17 2011, 03:10 PM']I personally think that for items such as musical instruments, effects and amplifiers, where trying them is so crucial to a sale, that the likes of GAK etc who offer a huge product range, but the facility to come and try them too will be the ones that survive. If I was Thomann I'd be investing in a warehouse in the UK and other countries where people could come and do just that.
The gallery is amazing for us bass players, and it's specialism will hopefully keep it going, but it'll never be a big music shop anyway, and nor do I think does it want to be.[/quote]
Thoman don't need to establish a warehouse to come and try. The set up costs considering the relatively low catchment area just wouldn't make it worth it. Furthermore, under EU distance selling regs, the consumer is entitled to return the item, at the vendors expense, if they simply don't want it.
GAK is an established UK brand so offering a come and try facility incurs little extra cost to a warehouse that would already be there.