Music Shops

[Delberthot]

I can't actually remember the last time I was in a music shop.

I think one of, if not the biggest problem with music shops is that they generally (not always) employ musicians. I mean, would a furniture shop employ someone who enjoys sitting on the couch or lying in bed?

No, they employ sales people to sell what they have. Yes, you need to know about what you are selling but you can get to grips with most terms and information in a short space of time.

You don't really need to be able to play to any great standard to work in a music shop. As long as you can plug it in, make sure its working and then hand the instrument over to the prospective buyer then that's all the hand-on knowledge you really need. That's all I ever wanted when I was going into a music shop, not a slap bass solo for 45 minutes- - which is bound to be intimidating for any youngster who hasn't been playing long.

I never knew the difference between LCD and plasma a few years ago yet within a few months of working for a high street retailer, I was the manager.

[Muzz]

I've lurked in plenty of music shops, but rarely seen anything I fancied buying either amp or bass-wise. If they've got my choice of strings in I might buy, and I'll buy some Jim Dunlop 88s if they've got them, too. I know a few people who work in the Manchester stores, so it's more a social call than anything, and I fade into the background if another punter requires anything. If I had any substantial money burning a hole in my pocket, I'd be back to Mark at Bass Direct for a fun day out. Now [i]there's[/i] a bass store.

I've had maybe a couple of dozen basses over the last few years, but the last one I bought from a music shop was my BB3000A in 1987; all the rest have either been through here, EBay, Gumtree or local contacts. I've had some great basses (and amps), and a couple of stinkers. I've moved most of them on, and rarely lost any money at all for the privilege.

[uncle psychosis]

In many ways I'm an ideal customer for shops, in other ways...not so much.

I don't waste people's time. I only try if I'm genuinely interested in a purchase, if I'm not going to buy that day I say so. [b]I always ask before touching[/b] any guitars, and I'm always careful with my belt/zips/ring/watch not to scratch anything. Funnily enough, I've never experienced any appalling customer service!

I'm always amazed when I read tales (and its quite often from our cousins across the pond) that start "so, I was in guitar center and I pulled the custom shop strat off the wall and was about to plug it in to the Mesa Boogie when the sales guy came running over and started hassling me...". For me, trying stuff without asking first is like going into John Lewis and going for a nap in one of the beds on show. No. Just, no. Don't do it.

However, in many ways I'm not a great customer for shops because whilst I would prefer to buy guitars in person (I've bought 8 basses/guitars in the last 10 years or so and only 2 were bought sight unseen) and appreciate the service you get from a shop whilst buying an instrument, I'm not prepared to spend over the odds on small things like pedals and strings when I know I can buy them second hand or in bulk on the internet and save a packet. Combine this with not being a total gear nut that has to buy a new axe every week and I don't really spend all that much in my local shops.

[mrdreadful]

I used to get everything from local shops, now I get almost everything online in one capacity or other (online stores, eBay, forum sales, etc.). In general I want to support local businesses but frankly when said local businesses are putting 30%+ markups on everything from pots to cabs they can go f**k themselves.

[Truckstop]

I go into music shops if I'm in a strange town with the missus and I see one just to see what they've got. I'm too shy to ask if I can try anything out and I normally just end up buying a strap or some picks or something to show my support for the trade.
When I was at school I used to go to The Music Dept. in St. Albans at least twice a week. I must have well annoyed the staff but they were very accomodating for me and they let me try out second hand stuff. Which was fair enough I suppose.

Truckstop

[cheddatom]

If I go in to buy, it's for thumb picks or 6 string sets or big fat drum sticks - basically whatever weird little thing you haven't got in stock that day

I don't go out shopping really, but if I am in a town and there's a music shop i'll look at the used gear, anything weird, especially pedals. Sometimes I buy stuff, sometimes not.

[Dave Vader]

When it comes to music shops, I am still 13 years old, and i like to go in and look at all the shiny things that I STILL can't afford. Sometimes I like to play them (as the old git I actually am) and realise that I prefer my old crappy gear.
It makes me feel better.
Don't go in much cos I live in the middle of nowhere, so unless I'm on a shopping trip with the missus and need to do something while she's in the clothes shops, I don't get the chance.
Shame, cos I used to love it when I actually was 13 years old, and could talk gear all day with the old blokes in there. (Who would have been considerably younger than I am now, doh!)
Narks me off that the 2nd hand sections are now no cheaper than the new stuff (and thanks to "vintage"ness sometimes more, boo)

[chrismuzz]

I don't go in as much as I used to, as i don't have as much cash to spend on gear these days. I used to be the guy who would go in and try a whole bunch of stuff, play it for ages, chat to staff and other customers about different gear, you name it. I'd have probably really pissed the staff off if it wasn't for the fact that I used to spend a few hundred quid in various shops every month on god knows what. Always used to pay full price as well, too polite to haggle in those days!

Nowadays I have little money but actually spend longer trying anything out if I'm interested in it. Just trying to look after my pennies I guess but I must be a REAL pain in the arse! To make matters worse I generally bring my entire rig into the shop minus whatever I'm planning to try out that day to get a really good idea of how, for example, a different cab will work with it.

[dave_bass5]

[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]

I dont have time to trawl around music shops so other than getting work done at the Gallery occasionally i dont use shops.

Sorry but im one of those people who want the best price and it seems the web is the best place for that. I would love to support my local music shops (other than the Gallery i dont actually have any) but i have a family to support as well and they come first.

[derrenleepoole]

Grumpy if no one leaves me alone to browse or look in peace.

Incredulous with frustration and extreme annoyance if I can't find help!

[razze06]

I regularly visit three of four of my local shops. I have bought lots from them, and I try to keep spreading my custom evenly.
Unlike many, I enjoy going into a shop, try things out, have a chat with the people that work there (if they are nice). I also find it hard to buy without trying, because feel of the instrument or amp can't be gauged over a picture. i am also prepared to pay a relative premium for the priviledge of being able to do so!

[icastle]

In many respects, I'm the worlds worst customer.

After 30 years of playing I'm pretty much done with finding that elusive 'ultimate sound' and the chances of me being open to new ideas on that front are negligible.
I'm not going to fiddle about with XYZ strings and ABC pickups with DEF atomic powered and index linked pre amps.

I'll have already researched the product and by the time I go into a shop the choice will already have been made - so upselling or downselling will be ignored - carry on doing it after I've said no and I walk out.

Extended warranties are not entertained and neither are add on sales - push me with 'cautionary tales' after I say no and I walk out.

You do NOT need my name and address 'for the receipt', it is NOT a 'legal requirement' - push me for it after I say no and I put my money back in my pocket and walk out.

If I say 'No' then the answer is No - carry on pushing me towards something I have no interest in and I walk out.

BUT

On the plus side, I don't 'browse' around shops - if I'm in the shop then I have the money in my pocket and I'm buying.

The ideal transaction as far as I'm concerned would be:
Me: One of those please.
Assistant: £399 please.
Me: Here you go.
Assistant: Cheers.
Me: Goodbye.
Assistant: Goodbye.

[bluesparky]

I only go in if I want something or to try out something specific that I've had my eye on.
I'd only go into browse if I'd not been to that particular shop before, and then probably not to try anything out either, unless something really caught my attention but I think I'm quite restrained in the GAS factor and I don't usually go OOOHHHH!!! ME WANT! at something that I'd not seen before.

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='icastle' post='1366319' date='Sep 8 2011, 12:57 PM']In many respects, I'm the worlds worst customer.

After 30 years of playing I'm pretty much done with finding that elusive 'ultimate sound' and the chances of me being open to new ideas on that front are negligible.
I'm not going to fiddle about with XYZ strings and ABC pickups with DEF atomic powered and index linked pre amps.

I'll have already researched the product and by the time I go into a shop the choice will already have been made - so upselling or downselling will be ignored - carry on doing it after I've said no and I walk out.

Extended warranties are not entertained and neither are add on sales - push me with 'cautionary tales' after I say no and I walk out.

You do NOT need my name and address 'for the receipt', it is NOT a 'legal requirement' - push me for it after I say no and I put my money back in my pocket and walk out.

If I say 'No' then the answer is No - carry on pushing me towards something I have no interest in and I walk out.

BUT

On the plus side, I don't 'browse' around shops - if I'm in the shop then I have the money in my pocket and I'm buying.

The ideal transaction as far as I'm concerned would be:
Me: One of those please.
Assistant: £399 please.
Me: Here you go.
Assistant: Cheers.
Me: Goodbye.
Assistant: Goodbye.[/quote]

I can see where you're coming from with not wanting to give the shop your name and address. However, we had a customer that bought a Roland product from us and refused to give his details. We could only give him a till receipt. If he lost that, and forgot to register for his 3-year Roland warranty (and many people do this), we would have no record on our system, as it works by inputting name and address details.

Just a thought.

[icastle]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1366348' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:18 PM']I can see where you're coming from with not wanting to give the shop your name and address. However, we had a customer that bought a Roland product from us and refused to give his details. We could only give him a till receipt. If he lost that, and forgot to register for his 3-year Roland warranty (and many people do this), we would have no record on our system, as it works by inputting name and address details.

Just a thought.[/quote]

I'm not 'many people' though (unless I forget to take my medication )

In fairness, I've not experienced this very often in music shops.

I 'tried' to buy a vacuum cleaner a few years ago and the girl on the counter insisted on having my name and address citing 'policy' as a reason.
I explained that entering into a transaction with me also had a set of 'policies', one of them being that there is no need to be recording my personal details.
She wouldn't budge so I put my money back in my pocket and walked out.
In order to protect the innocent I shall simply refer to that shop as 'COMET'.
I simply went next door to Currys and bought the same item for the same price but without the confrontation.

[Cat Burrito]

I think "mate of the shop owner" best sums me up. I hang around the store, get given coffee, chat for a while but refer people to the shop & have spent a lot in the past.

In other shops I don't really care how I'm seen. My buying gear days are over now and I rarely go in

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='icastle' post='1366370' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:36 PM']I'm not 'many people' though (unless I forget to take my medication )

In fairness, I've not experienced this very often in music shops.

I 'tried' to buy a vacuum cleaner a few years ago and the girl on the counter insisted on having my name and address citing 'policy' as a reason.
I explained that entering into a transaction with me also had a set of 'policies', one of them being that there is no need to be recording my personal details.
She wouldn't budge so I put my money back in my pocket and walked out.
In order to protect the innocent I shall simply refer to that shop as 'COMET'.
I simply went next door to Currys and bought the same item for the same price but without the confrontation. [/quote]

Just think about the Viagra and penis enlargement opportunities you miss out on.

[Low End Bee]

1. I know what I want before I go in.
2. I briefly ask any relevant questions.
3. I may have a 5 minute test on the purchase if appropriate.
4. I then make payment and leave hopefully within 10 minutes of arrival.

All this happens unless I get ignored or the staff are rude or patronising. Or the 5 minute test has had a negative result. Then I go somewhere else.

I'm not a natural born shopper.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='1366388' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:47 PM']1. I know what I want before I go in.
2. I briefly ask any relevant questions.
3. I may have a 5 minute test on the purchase if appropriate.
4. I then make payment and leave hopefully within 10 minutes of arrival.

All this happens unless I get ignored or the staff are rude or patronising. Or the 5 minute test has had a negative result. Then I go somewhere else.

I'm not a natural born shopper.[/quote]

wow, i bet Tesco's love you

[icastle]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1366381' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:43 PM']Just think about the Viagra and penis enlargement opportunities you miss out on. [/quote]

Don't need them.
I'm a bass player not a lead singer...

[Doddy]

[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]

I think you're the best judge of that as far as I'm concerned.

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='icastle' post='1366393' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:51 PM']Don't need them.
I'm a bass player not a lead singer... [/quote]

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1366444' date='Sep 8 2011, 02:26 PM']I think you're the best judge of that as far as I'm concerned.[/quote]

Our takings will plummet when you go on that cruise.

[fatboyslimfast]

[quote name='icastle' post='1366370' date='Sep 8 2011, 01:36 PM']... the girl on the counter insisted on having my name and address citing 'policy' as a reason.[/quote]

Anyone that asks for my postcode gets an unflinching W1N 4WW...

[electric nate]

I'm an annoying geeky customer. I always end up asking things that the staff don't know the answer to, like: "are these tubes run at full plate voltage?" "what frequencies are the eq bands?" "what transformer does this use?"

I always like to test for bullshit as well, pretending not to know things i've already read up on to see how far I can trust the staff.

I had a guy in The Bass Gallery in Camden try to charge me £280 for an EBS valvedrive, when their own website was advertising it at £220. He "dropped the price down" to £250 when I questioned it. Then I blurted out the RRP and he figured out I wasn't an idiot and went to check the price properly.