And shop owners wonder why people buy online!

[silentbob]

Been thinking about getting hold of a Zoom B3 multi fx unit so had a phone around my local shops today (I like to spend my money locally if I can) to see what price they could do one for.
First shop were very apologetic, "Sorry, we don't deal with Zoom, but feel free to bring in your bass and try the Floor Pod we have here." Which I thought was a decent enough attitude. Then I phoned shop number two.

Me - Hi, do you stock Zoom pedals, I'm looking for a B3?
Shop - Yes, we are authorised Zoom dealers, but have none of their gear in at the moment.
Me - Ok, well what price could you do on a B3?
Shop - Not sure, like I say, we don't have any here.
Me - Well would you not be able to order one in?
Shop - Not really, too much hassle to order a single unit and I don't really want to order in a load of their gear just now as it's probably a £500 minimum order.
Me - Um, ok, I'll try somewhere else then. Thanks anyway.
Shop - Click, beeeeeeeeeeeeeep (Hangs up without even a goodbye)


Guess I won't be using them again.

Edited June 23, 2012 by silentbob

[discreet]

Don't get that at all! Drop Zoom an email and tell 'em one of their authorised dealers didn't want to sell you a B3!

[Ruck]

Yeah i get this alot. Then the ones that do give you a price quote one thats 50% more than anywhere you can get it online, dont care that you know that and are totally prepared to loose a customer. About 8 years ago I went to the Bass Cellar in London to buy my first Warwick as I was mad about them at the time, had about a grand to spend. The bald moron wouldnt let me try any off them. Ended up buying online after trying a mates bass...

[silentbob]

I honestly don't mind paying a bit over the top if it helps keep a decent shop going (never know when you might need a set of strings or a cable at short notice) but sometimes the savings are so massive by shopping online that you can't really ignore it. I do always phone the local shops first though to give them the chance to get my money, guess I'll just be phoning one less from now on.

[PURPOLARIS]

I went into 3 music shops in Swindon this morning looking for a Korg Pitchblack Tuner. The first 2 never had any in, the last one I went into the conversation went like this

Me - Hi do you have any Korg Pedal Tuners in stock
Salesperson - Yes, just over here (he takes me to a display cabinet)
Me - Those are Chord not Korg, I'm looking for Korg, K-O-R-G not Chord.
Salesperson - Yes we have them here (Proceeds to show me Chord)
Me - K-O-R-G, Korg Tuners not Chord
Salesperson - Yes we have Chord
Me - K - O - R - G (slower this time)
Salesperson - Ah no, we only have Chord.

I came home and ordered one online.

[Ruck]

With the exception of the Bass Merchants, most guitar shops Ive been in are run by salesman who know nothing about the stuff they are selling. I do miss the Bass Merchants in Colchester... sniff sniff

Korg, a massive brand in the music biz. never heard of Chord. Just shows that these salesman dont even do their homework.

[icastle]

[quote name='Ruck' timestamp='1340468829' post='1704931']
With the exception of the Bass Merchants, most guitar shops Ive been in are run by salesman who know nothing about the stuff they are selling. I do miss the Bass Merchants in Colchester... sniff sniff

Korg, a massive brand in the music biz. never heard of Chord. Just shows that these salesman dont even do their homework.
[/quote]

You're going to the wrong shops then - we have a couple of people on here that work in music shops and they certainly 'know their stuff'.

Edited June 23, 2012 by icastle

[Chris Horton]

Thats classic !!

Some shops just don't deserve to be in business

[Cameronj279]

Reminds me of just after Christmas last year. Phoned up the local GuitarGuitar.

Me : Hi, I'm wondering if you have the Boss GT-10B in stock?
GG : yes, I'm fairly sure we have it in stock
Me : Would you mind checking? I just don't wish to come all the way into Glasgow to be told it's not in stock.
GG : Sure *minute or so later* Yes we have it in stock.

so I drag myself on the bus and the train it takes for me to get there (a good 5/6 quid on travel). Arrive at the shop to be told they don't have it in stock. Popped to the other local music shop (Merchant City Music for those interested) and they had one in stock and even gave me it at £290 because of their online price match policy.

[Prime_BASS]

This is why I love HotRox in Nottingham, I've had to have several items ordered from them and they are always more than helpful to order 1 unit for me, with no complaints.

[Ruck]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1340469187' post='1704942']
You're going to the wrong shops then - we have a couple of people on here that work in music shops and they certainly 'know their stuff'.
[/quote]

Im glad, there is hope! but hense why I said most of them. Not all. mostly. they mostly come out at night. mostly

[Musicman20]

Which store was it?

[Jack]

I hate this, went in to Guitar Guitar in Newcastle specifically to look at a MB Fusion (I asked for it by name), I was shown to the Aguilar Tone Hammers, because they're "much better than anything GK makes and much, much smaller than those massive GK heads".

I also once fancied an Epifani cabinet, back when they were just starting to get noticed. So I went in and aksed if they could get any into Sounds Live, I knew they weren't a stockist but you never know. I was told that they're fairly sure Epifani don't do bass amps, and why would I downgrade from my Ashdown stack? This was actually a genuine mistake, he'd never heard of Epifani and just couldn't bare to tell me I'd mispronounced 'Epiphone'.

[TimR]

Me: My Ibanez machinehead has sheared off. Are you able to get a replacement.
Salesman: I'll just check..... Sure but they only do packs of 4. They're £x and delivery is about 3 days.
Me: Not sure if I can get to your shop in the next week or so.
Salesman: No worries give me your credit card no and adress I'll have them sent straight to you.

That's how it should be done. Thankyou Machinehead Music, Hitchin.

[Kongo]

Used to have one here in my city like that, until it went bust...then got bought out...then finally died again.
Even as I became a better player I felt bad going in there all the time because most of the staff were so condescending if you asked almost anything and would hardly ever help. I used to feel so stupid when I just started out asking any questions and so...my relationship with online purchases started. :-)

[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1340469986' post='1704967']
I hate this, went in to Guitar Guitar in Newcastle specifically to look at a MB Fusion (I asked for it by name), I was shown to the Aguilar Tone Hammers, because they're "much better than anything GK makes and much, much smaller than those massive GK heads".

[/quote]

This also. My 2nd bass was a 6-string, I got it online in the end but I went to Nottingham once as they have loads of music shops and one I went to did actually have a 6-string but it was £1500. The reply I got when I said that was too much was a few things...1st I got "You won't find 6-string basses much cheaper than that"...Which got me to hand him the Peavey brochure I picked up in a shop previous...So, having a subtle smack in the face I then got "Well, you never need more than 4-strings anyway...what are you, a guitarist?"...Riiiiiiiight.

A newer shop in my city currently however...staff as helpful as you like...for now.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Kongo

[Lozz196]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1340476843' post='1705106']
Me: My Ibanez machinehead has sheared off. Are you able to get a replacement.
Salesman: I'll just check..... Sure but they only do packs of 4. They're £x and delivery is about 3 days.
Me: Not sure if I can get to your shop in the next week or so.
Salesman: No worries give me your credit card no and adress I'll have them sent straight to you.

That's how it should be done. Thankyou Machinehead Music, Hitchin.
[/quote]

Sounds right for Machinehead, always had quality service from them.

[icastle]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1340476843' post='1705106']
That's how it should be done. Thankyou Machinehead Music, Hitchin.
[/quote]

Machinehead have had a number of different owners since I first visited back in the 80's (Keith & Pam used to own it then) but the one thing that has remained constant throughout is the shops commitment to good service.

[basslowdown]

Yeah these all sound like typical responses, and I did work in a music store for 7 years so I know it's sometimes difficult to separate the timewasters from the genuine people but that's no excuse. It is certainly the case that some distributors do have a minimum order policy and if the shop is struggling they probably don't want to invest more money in stock, although that is really playing into the hands on the online box shifters who I have personally used and received nothing but excellent service and support.

However, I have had issues recently with some of the more specialist bass stores (without mentioning names) I needed a set of rack ears for my Momark head and ordered some on line and paid for them. Two days later I got a refund, no message... So I emailed and asked what had happened and got a very short, "don't have them anymore". Tried emailing another 'elite' bass specialist who didn't even respond... Ultimately I went straight to the importers.

Giving these stores another chance I visited one to have a look around, and I was looking to spend significant money too and I was spoken to (at) like an absolute idiot (which I don't think I am), luckily I was able to sort out my requirements through the sales section on here which went great...

I know times are tough but it does feel like the shops have already slung in the towel.

In future though I will probably just use German or American stores and pay the extra carriage!!!

[basslowdown]

[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1340469986' post='1704967']
he'd never heard of Epifani and just couldn't bare to tell me I'd mispronounced 'Epiphone'.
[/quote]

Ha ha, I actually had this one when someone come in asking for an epiphany guitar!!! Although not as good as the young chap who come in asking for a Pervy Amplifier!

[heminder]

I've found several online shops to have a bit of an attitude aswell. An amp line had been updated with new models, and I asked them if they were currently stocking the new versions or the old ones. Was told they only had the old ones in stock but will only sell them to me at the price of the (more expensive) newer version. Later their site got updated with the higher price. Didn't buy from them again.

All my online shopping is now done with the Germans at Thomann. Never had one problem or hiccup with them.

[jaydentaku]

Guitar Guitar in Newcastle wasn't willing to get a bongo in for me.

"if you didn't like it, we would be stuck with it"

"they are really ODD guitars" (pulls face)

Nice

[Kiwi]

I'm having to address this as part of recovery planning at work. Turning down sales because they're more hassle that they're worth is about as sensible as slashing government budgets to the bare minimum and ignoring the potential income from enhanced exports.

Gone are the days when retailers could be lazy and rely on a constant, minimum stream of customers to support the overheads. Now, every customer has to be fought for now. Particularly for tech because purchasing decisions are made differently compared to something customers need to try before they buy, like basses.

There are alternative business models but they're a little bit more complex and sophisticated. Retailers have a choice - adapt or close.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1340487957' post='1705281']
Guitar Guitar in Newcastle wasn't willing to get a bongo in for me.

"if you didn't like it, we would be stuck with it"

"they are really ODD guitars" (pulls face)

Nice
[/quote]

Soundslive will do it. In fact, any Musicman stockist can do it and it is a Strings & Things policy to send them out for trial.

In my experience, Guitar Guitar don't understand bass and need an expert in who is up to date.

If they had a Bongo in, maybe more people would buy one?!

[Dad3353]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1340497773' post='1705416']If they had a Bongo in, maybe more people would buy one?!
[/quote]
Not necessarily. Percussion is an expertise too. Now cowbells, yes. Anyone can sell cowbells.

[gub]

Well I went into my local music shop the other day ,and the owner who usually stands behind the counter looking at his computer screen and more or less ignores me and when I ask for anything just briefly takes eyes off the screen to point to where it is well he actually said good morning and smiled at me when I went in , he did have a rep with him though who was showing him his stock on his I pad ! Could of pushed me over with a feather ' thought I was in the wrong shop!!