Music Shops

[Pete Academy]

All this recent talk about music shops made me think.

How would you honestly describe yourself as a customer?

[neepheid]

Invisible. No reflection on music shops in general, just the ones (well, one now) up here. There's nothing up here for my tastes. I have had to learn myself what is good and what is bad using information available online (specifications, soundclips, pictures) and trial and error. I bought my first bass in a shop but since then buying at distance and selling my mistakes is the way I have operated. I am organised enough to not need strings the same day so would much rather take advantage of online prices.

Because of this, it never really occurs to me to visit a music shop. Even if I am somewhere where there is likely to be better stock available.

Edited September 7, 2011 by neepheid

[Shambo]

I always know what I'm looking for and never look for an opinion on what product I should or shouldn't buy. I visit a shop to either price, try or buy. That goes for all things, not just music shops. I don't like to be approached by the shopkeep and asked questions, I'll ask the questions when I need to know something.

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1365516' date='Sep 7 2011, 05:49 PM']All this recent talk about music shops made me think.

How would you honestly describe yourself as a customer?[/quote]


Depends if I'm buying or not, sometimes I am a timewaster.

[bigjohn]

I go into music shops irregularly.

I expect to try all sorts of stuff I've no intention of buying. I sometimes buy stuff I had no intention of buying.

I'm very respectful to the stuff, but not necessarily to the price tag. Although I don't tend to not want to try stuff I'm scared of damaging.

I sometimes will cultivate a shop by chatting up the staff and visit regularly if they've got a turnover of decent stock.

I often buy picks in guitar shops if I've enjoyed my time in there. Even though I don't use picks. Or other small bits of tat.

I don't go in em anywhere near as much as I used to.

[Mr H]

I would honestly describe myself as an online customer.

That's not a reflection on music shops, though - I'm pretty much an online customer for everything because I don't enjoy shopping and I'm uncomfortable amongst crowds of strangers. I feel less uncomfortable in music shops than I do in clothes shops, that's for sure.

[Blademan_98]

I usually only go in and try if I am going to buy.

But I go into music shops where ever I find one.

I don't ask to try instruments in those cases but may ask questions if I am interested.

I do tend to say "only browsing" if challenged.

If I am there to purchase then I will make myself known and ask for assistance.

I have never phoned ahead though

[bubinga5]

im one, who asks the shop keeper some advise on the a bass thats best for me..i then recognise if they know there basses.. (i dont mean to be an arrogant person, i just want a fresh perspective) also most music shops dont know about bass.....then balance it up in my own mind..

ive got my opinions, and know lots about electric basses.. but there is always someone who knows better.. i would bet Pete is one of them.

Edited September 7, 2011 by bubinga5

[Jazzneck]

[quote name='Blademan_98' post='1365560' date='Sep 7 2011, 06:37 PM']I usually only go in and try if I am going to buy.

But I go into music shops where ever I find one.

I don't ask to try instruments in those cases but may ask questions if I am interested.

I do tend to say "only browsing" if challenged.

If I am there to purchase then I will make myself known and ask for assistance.

I have never phoned ahead though [/quote]


Just like wot he said.

[risingson]

I'm much more likely to go in to a shop and try a bass out and walk out empty handed. If I'm sufficiently impressed with the instrument, the staff and the way I'd been treated the likelihood is that I'll go back and buy from them in future if their stock is my kind of thing.

[xilddx]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1365550' date='Sep 7 2011, 06:27 PM']Depends if I'm buying or not, sometimes I am a timewaster.[/quote]
Same here.

[Lozz196]

2 different modes really.

First, I like to just go in, look around, if fairly empty chat with the people there about this amp/that bass etc.

Secondly, if going to buy, I generally phone first, to find out if the item is in stock, if yes, ask them to put it by for me, as generally, I`ve made my mind up to buy it, and only, if when trying it I don`t like it, will I not buy it.

And to date, that hasn`t happened.

[TorturedSaints]

Not normally a buyer (for the following reasons):

Staff not interested in helping or too interested in looking 'cool'
18 year old staff not considering that a middle-aged person might wish to buy a bass
Being made to feel like the village idiot by aforesaid 18 year old
Uninteresting or little stock
A disinclination on my part to pick up and try basses that I have no intention of buying
When there is something I'd consider buying, there's invariably somebody demonstrating their slapping and 'prowess' on it already for extended periods

Examples:

Last time I took my bass to a 'specialist' guitar/bass shop for a setup/restring, 18 year old got it out of the case, slapped it a bit and said "the action's fine, plays nicely for me, dunno why you brought it in".

I saw one of the Tanglewood Overwaters in another music shop, couldn't afford it at the time, so didn't play it. Came back a month later (with money available if it played well) to be intimidated by somebody playing it for what felt like 30 minutes. No sale.

Another music shop, Markbass dealers, I was interested in (and had the money for a LM). Totally ignored by 18 year old staff, and when I asked if I could try it (didn't have my own bass with me as I was on a trip) was told no, come back later. Another music shop off the list.

Result:

I haven't bought new from a 'music' shop in a long time. I'll take a punt on something on ebay or from gumtree for a sensible price. I see McCormacks in Glasgow has gone bust recently. Actually, they weren't one of the shops mentioned here. And no, I don't have a thing against 18 year olds, honest.

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='Shambo' post='1365547' date='Sep 7 2011, 06:26 PM']I always know what I'm looking for and never look for an opinion on what product I should or shouldn't buy. I visit a shop to either price, try or buy. That goes for all things, not just music shops. I don't like to be approached by the shopkeep and asked questions, I'll ask the questions when I need to know something.[/quote]
Couldn't have worded this better.

I do understand there's a "tradition" of kids trying guitars out on a Saturday afternoon with very rarely any intention of buying. But the instances that have been mentioned here; the drummer "trialling" the electric kit for the past two years? And folk helping themselves to what's on show is taking it too far.
I couldn't work in a music shop, I'd chuck too many folk out. Though I get on very well with all the shops I go into regularly & with used gear they'll often stick stuff to one side for me to get first option.

[KiOgon]

I'm a grumpy old bastard who has realised after all this time that it's just not worth the hassle of going to a music shop.
My local shop has been going 50 years, I first went there when I was about 14, so 46 years ago, went to same school as the guy that runs it, even played a few gigs together many moons ago, first name terms? You're avin a giraffe, treated like something he's trodden in every time - no more.
Next nearest shop - Eastbourne, been going to them since they opened I suppose, 1 or 2 of the staff remember/recognise me but - still treated like dog doo!
Next down the road - Brighton, never much joy in there either, I've phoned to enquire about a bass, gone down next day & it's sitting in the rack covered in snot & shyte! I mean wouldn't you make an effort if you knew a customer was coming to look at a £650 bass?

Bollox - (Mr.T voice) - I ain't going to no music shop fool! Thanks to the internet, I can order online with confidence, get what i want when I want it & know it's going to be bright & shiny new.

[4000]

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1365558' date='Sep 7 2011, 06:36 PM']I go into music shops irregularly.

I expect to try all sorts of stuff I've no intention of buying. I sometimes buy stuff I had no intention of buying.

I'm very respectful to the stuff, but not necessarily to the price tag.[/quote]

This, except I [i]usually[/i] have an intention of buying if I like it sufficiently.

I treat most trips to music shops (although bass-wise I tend to shop in the Gallery; vintage Ric stuff is usually online) as fact-finding missions unless I'm after something specific, which is seldom. I live in hope of being pleasantly surprised by some piece of kit. My very first trip to the Gallery prompted me to order a 6 string Sei shortly after so although I often spend quite a bit of time browsing and trying stuff I do definitely buy if I really like.

[Slipperydick]

Wary, I dont often buy much from them anyway. Happy with the kit I have and no intention of changing in the near distant future. So its just strings and stuff, usually online these days.

Years of Music shops around B'ham, Leicester and sometimes London mean I'd be more likely to trust a used car dealer than tha salesman in most - though not quite all - Guitar shops to be honest.

No offence meant to those forum members in the trade though.

[Lfalex v1.1]

If I pass a music shop, I'll drop in. If they've got something "interesting" (Think Big Red X sort of interesting) or something I've never tried before, I might have a little go.
Realistically, my collection means I'm increasingly less likely to buy a bass unless it is really distinctive or does something unusual- My last two were a Status Streamline and a Warwick Fortress Masterman 5.

I don't really get too much hassle. Someone I'd never met asked me if I played an instrument in a restaurant the other day. And I wasn't displaying any giveaway signs. So I guess I look the part. Or something.

[dc2009]

I rarely pass any music shops with time to browse, so will usually go with the intention of buying something such as a set of strings, or at least trying out something I can afford to buy, such as a pedal. I often like to try out a bass or two, or perhaps an amp, before I get what I'm in there to get, which I do so right before I leave. So they probably think I'm a timewaster, then I'll buy something, if the prices aren't daylight robbery.

I did go to the gallery with the sole intention of browsing once, but I had time to kill and was in the area, so I'm excused.

[Musicman20]

I buy a lot of new gear, hardly anything second hand, but I expect it to be fantastic in terms of quality if Im paying for the privilege of a new product, (if its something that is supposed to be good quality).

[TimR]

I only try if I'm going to buy. Otherwise I often browse just to look at prices and models really.

Strings always seem to be a nightmare no one has anything in stock. I'll buy them online.

[fender73]

I guess I'm a passive just browsing guy, and won't try gear that I have no intention of buying. That said, and having worked in the trade, the first sign of any attitude from the store staff, I'm gone!

[BigRedX]

TBH I'm not really the UK Music Shop's target customer. My tastes are too far outside of the mainstream for their stock and the internet has all but killed off their second-hand market where there might previously have been something to interest me. Even the consumables such as the strings and picks I like are more readily available on-line. Also these days I have all the instruments, amps, effects and studio outboard that I actually need, so I'm not actively looking to buy.

Having said that I'll rarely pass by a music shop without popping in for a quick look on the off-chance that I might be pleasantly surprised. If I ask to try something it means that I am genuinely interested and if I do like it I'll either buy it there and then or be back in a couple of weeks to make my purchase. However the last time that happened was over 10 years ago.

These days if I'm buying new I going to be going directly to the luthier/manufacturer, because that's how you buy the sorts of instruments that interest me, and for second hand eBay will eventually turn up any instrument that I could ever hope to find.

[fatboyslimfast]

An absent one.

I tend to buy all my stuff secondhand, perhaps with the exception of strings, then it's online as my local shops never seem to have the strings in that I want.

And a not-so-great experience with my nearest chain-based music shop has put me off visiting it for quite a while.

[Musicman20]

The worst service I have received is PMT Leeds, although it was only two members of staff, not the whole team. Hopefully they sacked them and gave the job to someone who doesnt lie and try to fob customers off with damaged demo stock...TWICE.

The next is Electro in Doncaster, who said 'are you going to buy it' when I asked to try a small Markbass amp. Previous to this, I had spent a few thousand with them. Never bought anything again, but then again its gone WAY downhill.

I vote with my wallet. Bad service = guess what, ill go spend a few thousand elsewhere.

All I ask for is respect and a helpful service.