No wonder music shops close.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='mark_random' timestamp='1398162061' post='2430972']
Hello all! Thanks for the kind words about GAK in this thread.

As I'm sure I've said before on BC, we really value the feedback from specialist forums like this one. I'm always keen to hear about the experiences you've had in-store, over the phone, and on our site. As the OP noted, it's really tough to be a music instrument retailer in 2014 so hearing what we are doing right, and where we can improve, is very useful indeed!
[/quote]

Your terms and conditions say that anyone who returns an item under the distance selling regulations will receive a refund 'less carriage costs'.

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/terms-and-conditions

[quote]
7 Day Money Back Guarantee[list]
[*]In accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations, any goods can be returned for any reason within 7 working days for a refund, less carriage costs. Returned goods must be in their original condition and packaging. If you decide that you do not wish to keep an item you can either return it to us yourself, or contact us and we will arrange collection. The average cost for a collection is £25.
[/list]
[/quote]

Does this mean that you don't refund the original postage paid for an online order that is returned under the Distance Selling Regulations?

[Count Bassy]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1398113780' post='2430656']
Some times it works though, I went into the music shop in dorchester, as I had an indie guitar and its pickup switch was missing and they have a lot of indies (I didn't get it there). I asked if they had switch ends, they didn't but they guy went off to search for something that would work, and eventually found one that worked from the back of the store and charged practically nothing for it. Some stores really do go the extra mile.
[/quote]

I think I was in that shop a few years ago, on holiday. Great shop.

[RockfordStone]

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1397952869' post='2429027']
Thankfully in Cambridge PMT have recently arrived.

The other music shop Ken Stevens is useless for stock of bass' and the guys on the guitar desk don't have a clue about any of the gear, and one chap in particular seems like a complete tool (The supervisor i think) as the lady in front of me was asking for some help with a repair and he came across like an A**hole towards her by patronising her and not actually helping her at all.

If it wasn't for my girlfriend taking ages trying on 14 different bits of clothes in one shop I would of left and not paid for my item. Last bit of business they're getting from me anyway.

I always try to buy all my stuff through PMT as they are always extremely helpful in the stores I've been to.
[/quote]

I tend to go through PMT for a lot of my stuff now, all the guys there are helpful, it helps also that i am in a band with 2 of them

[karlfer]

I've been to PMT Manchester today, and spent a few bob . About a 60 mile round trip but mainly motorway so could be worse.
Ben and his guys were superb, excellent stock range of new and used, left a very happy bunny.
First time I've been in a shop for years.
Well done PMT, Ben and his colleagues.

[discreet]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398356063' post='2433358']
I've been to PMT Manchester today, and spent a few bob .
[/quote]

Come on then, what did you get?

[karlfer]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398361232' post='2433430']
Come on then, what did you get?
[/quote]

Read the signature illustrious one, then figure out what can not be bought here. Does the word Jetglo mean anything

[discreet]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398364073' post='2433461']
Read the signature illustrious one, then figure out what can not be bought here. Does the word Jetglo mean anything
[/quote]

Oooh, yess! Pics please!

[karlfer]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398366083' post='2433494']
Oooh, yess! Pics please!
[/quote]

I'm not good with pics and after the recent thread, bit nervous
[URL=http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0500_zps938d28c8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1354.photobucket.com/albums/q693/Karl_Altdorfer/DSCF0500_zps938d28c8.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[karlfer]

[URL=http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0501_zps151758ba.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1354.photobucket.com/albums/q693/Karl_Altdorfer/DSCF0501_zps151758ba.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[discreet]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398369378' post='2433526']

[/quote]

All the R*ck*nb*ck*rs I've ever played have been dogs. This one looks in good order - I trust it has no canine tendencies??
And to stay on topic, I'm glad you got such good service. That particular music shop will stay open, then.

Edited April 24, 2014 by discreet

[karlfer]

Somebody mentioned sales. I went in to see if the had any Custom Shop (60 stacker in particular) jazzes in.
Played it, it's a good un.
Don't mention the war. I did once, but I think I got away with it

[discreet]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398371159' post='2433543']
Played it, it's a good un.
[/quote]

Thus proving the point that a good shop will allow you to play instruments, give you great advice...
...and then sell you something you didn't come[size=4] for. [/size]

I'm really glad you like it, looks like the business. Let's hear some noise from it when you've got over the shock.

Edited April 24, 2014 by discreet

[karlfer]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398371334' post='2433546']
Thus proving the point that a good shop will allow you to play instruments, give you great advice...
...and then sell you something you didn't come[size=4] for. [/size]

I'm really glad you like it, looks like the business. Let's hear some noise from it when you've got over the shock.
[/quote]

[CHW]

I have nothing but positives to say about PMT in Manchester- I've bought several bits from them, ranging from a couple of quid and a few packs of strings up to a just short of 2K purchase. On each occasion the service (whether I've bought on that day or not) has been friendly, and professional.

I almost struggle to believe the story a few pages back with regard to the PMT store where the staff would plug in a bass, slap it about like Mark King for a couple of minutes before handing it over. I remember this happening in shops 20 years ago but I thought we were way past that.

[karlfer]

One thing that did get my goat (no discreet, that is not ANY kind of sexual innuendo) was that going into PMT there were walls of Sonic Blue, Sea Foam Green, Burgundy Mist and Shell Pink Fenders.

ALL BLOODY 6 strings

Now I know it's not PMT's fault, it's Fender fawning to the guitarses and ignoring the needs of us shrinking violet bass players.
But it hurts, my preciooouuss, it hurts.

[discreet]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398498316' post='2434637']
...Fender fawning to the guitarses and ignoring the needs of us shrinking violet bass players.
But it hurts, my preciooouuss, it hurts.
[/quote]

Mmm, goat. I see where you're coming from, but I'm never really happy with anything other than a white bass.
I also like cream, vintage white, new and aged Olympic white, eggshell, ivory, vanilla, linen, bone, flax and ecru. Loads of choice.

Edited April 26, 2014 by discreet

[Dad3353]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1398498316' post='2434637']...shrinking violet bass...[/quote]

You play one of these..?

[attachment=161257:Viol_Bass.jpg]

[lonestar]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1397949052' post='2429008']
I suppose I`m lucky having Coda Music in both Luton and Stevenage, as the staff in each are great. Even Fretz in Hemel, which is just down the road from me is good, but being so small they have a limited range.
[/quote]

Ive always had good service from Coda too. they were very helpful when I had problems with both a fender twin and a hartke amp that I bought from them a few years ago. The first under guarantee with a dodgy valve which they replaced. The Hartke was just out of warranty but they still managed to help me sort it out with the then importer FOC.

Always good service from John Lewis too in my exprience

Edited April 26, 2014 by lonestar

[Maude]

I went in my nearest shop for the first (and last) time about a year ago. I was after some flats or tapewounds and they didn't carry any. I asked about ordering some to try on the Bex4 I just got and what he thought would sound good, flats or tapes, he said they would all make it sound old and dead and not to bother, so I didn't, bother ordering anything from him, got some Fender nylon tapes from whoever was cheapest on the net.
From point of view is, if you don't want to help or compete then don't grumble when you have no customers.
On the flipside I went in a shop in Plymouth, can't remember the name, and they had a very good selection of strings, round, flat, nylon, etc. Will be using them again.

Edit to add the name of the good shop - Sound Unlimited

Edited April 26, 2014 by Maude

[simes]

Had a nice experience in Glagows Merchant City Music recently. Whilst in getting some flats a young lad about 12 13yrs old was trying out an electric guitar and amp. His parents were with him and from the grin on his face looked like he was getting a prezzie. Whilst paying for my strings young lad started playing THAT riff. Guy behind counter looks at me and we have a wee smile and chuckle to each other. So what if that riff has been played a million times in million music stores I hope that lad is enjoying himself and good luck to the young muso. Can't buy that experience online

[randythoades]

A couple of years ago now I had a big case of GAS, and wanting to support a new local music shop I went down in my lunch hour with £500 of cash in my wallet, fully intending to buy something. Asked the guy what he had without a tremolo even though I played heavy rock at the time, I just don't get on with a trem, and told him my budget. He just pointed to a mex telecaster which I wasn't interested in. Anything else? He brought out a second hand custom guitar (with a trem) that he wanted £800 (slightly outside my budget) and a Jackson super strat with Floyd rose trem. I wasn't even encourage to plug them in to try, he was more interested in talking to his mate. I left empty handed and disappointed. That afternoon spent the £500 on ebay on a PRS.
They closed about a year later.
Retail is hard. I own a shop. But you have to offer what you can't get online: a friendly service, personal interaction and suggestions and the ability to close the deal there and then, a customer walking out happy.

[12stringbassist]

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1397946706' post='2428995']
The shop guy said he couldn't as a guy was about to play an acoustic set in the shop. So here we are in a holiday weekend with the city heaving with folk - a retailers paradise. But this shop chooses to be a venue in the middle of the afternoon.
[/quote]
I understand your frustration, but if they have an event about to start that quite a lot of people have turned up and filled up the shop to see, then the pedal try-out has to wait.

Edited April 29, 2014 by 12stringbassist

[Jacqueslemac]

We're pretty lucky in Norwich. There's a PMT, an independent called Supatone (owned by a bassist, so there's always lots of choice), a music-specific Cash Converters (not much choice there nowadays, though), Cookes, which has been around so long my parents' piano (bought well over 50 years ago) has their name on it and a couple of other, smaller shops dealing in guitars.

Most of my basses have been bought through this site (although I've bought at least one from each of the shops) and, mostly, when I visit any of them it's to have a look what they have in stock, rather than to buy anything. Despite that, all of them are friendly (the lady in Supatone has made me a cup of tea if I walk in and she's making one).

Maybe as we have such a lot of choice they have to work harder to attract customers.

[icastle]

Another satisfied GAK customer here.

I bought a Line6 HD750 from them and it was the biggest heap of cr*p I'd ever played.

Got straight on the phone to them and they arranged to get a Peavey T750 delivered the next morning [b]and[/b] collect the HD750 at the same time.

No quibbling, no mucking about, no 'I've got to get authorisation' rubbish - the whole thing was sorted out in one two minute phone conversation.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

The can't be bothered to help attitude is nothing new.

When the Hohner B2A steinberger clone had just come out in 1986 I ventured to Denmark Street on a Saturday to get one.

The first shop, Rose Morris had the exact bass I was after in the window so I went in and asked if I could have a closer look & try it out. The chap really couldn't be bothered and although it should have been easy to grab from the window, he insisted that I'd have to come back on Monday as they were due to change the window display. I mentioned that I was planning to buy the bass today if I liked it but he wasn't interested and couldn't be swayed so I left empty handed.

I carried on down the street and saw that another shop also had them in. No problem this time: I tried it, liked it, agreed a price and bought it within about 20 minutes. I was told that as it was a new model the hard cases were coming by sea & would be arriving in the UK in a few weeks so I took it in the cardboard box.

I couldn't resist going back to Rose Morris, opening the box and asking the first chap in front of his manager "Do you have a hard case for my new Hohner B2A bass?" The expression on his face was priceless.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Jean-Luc Pickguard