Which retailer do you support?

matnus · 09-26-2001, 09:04 AM

I'm not sure what i'm trying to achieve from this post but...

I recently went to look for a capo at a small privately run guitar store near my house, but when i got there i found that it had been closed down and replaced by of all things, a computer store. I found this rather sad, because i like to support smaller stores, whether it be newsagents, restaurants etc.

I just want to know whether people shop at smaller local privately run stores or go to the retail outlets.

Matt

(I expect this post to fail miserably)

CynicalRepose · 09-26-2001, 10:45 AM

Mars Music, baby! It's the best place in the world!

OnFireForGod · 09-26-2001, 11:04 AM

As for buying a guitar....Mars is a good place to get an electric guitar, but if you wanted an acoustic deffinetly go to Guitar Center. As for bass guitars either store is nice.

Brent · 09-26-2001, 11:18 AM

Well, personally all I've heard about Mars and GC is that the general consensus about both seems to be that neither knows anything. They hire, for the most part, unexperienced salespeople who are just out to make their comission and don't care how good or bad the guitar they recommend to you is as long as it's the one they make the most on. Again, I've never been to either store, but that's what I gather from all the comments I've heard about them...most are negative.

As for me...I don't have the luxury of music superstores here. There are two good shops here...both fairly large, but nothing spectacular. One doesn't carry all that great of stuff, but there are a few nice things and the store is very open and clean. The other has way too much stuff, a lot of good stuff, and boxes and crap piled everywhere to the point that it's kind of hard to get around...they also have all their stuff marked w/the retail price and don't give that great of a discount unless you argue.

For this reason I've bought all my guitars and basses from Musician's Friend. Lowest prices you can get anywhere and the best any of the local guys will do is match them...they never will beat them. The only problem I've had with M.F. is I once ordered overnight shipping and it took 4 days to get to my house. After a quick e-mail the quickly resolved it by refunding all of my shipping cost...that's good business.

Brent

groover · 09-26-2001, 02:33 PM

I try to support the local shops as much as possible. If they don't exist then where can we go to try out new gear? There are none of the big chains around here, just locally owned and operated stores.

I bought a bass from one local shop last January. They not only beat Musicians Friend's price but they also offered me free set ups for the life of the guitar. I normally do all my own set ups but I thought I would give them a shot. So about a month ago I took the bass in and they changed the strings and set up the the bass right in front of me. They polished the body, head and frets! They did an excellent job and the only charge was the cost of the strings! I'd like to see any of the online retailers top that kind of service.

If I were in Brent's shoes I'd probably would order from Mars or MF too, but the shops around here normally match or even sometimes beat their prices without haggling and provide you with some nice additional services.

Peace!

jmlouie · 09-26-2001, 07:18 PM

My favorite is Rainbow Guitar here in Tucson. They actually have a well respected guitar repair shop where hot shots like Eric Clapton have had their guitars worked on. In my opinion they have a better selection than Guitar Center which just opened here. In addition everyone of their employees is an expert in their repective field, which is service you cannot get at the huge stores. What always amazed me was how much stuff Guitar Center had that I did not want. It is a great place, but they never really have what I'm looking for, which I find perplexing. Well... that's my two cents.

Strat_dude · 09-30-2001, 09:10 PM

I usually go to Guitar Center (cuz it's closer to my house than mars) but I bought my acoustic from Brook-Mays (I'll probably stop by Brook Mays pretty soon cuz Straight music just moved in across the parking lot and there are BIG sales going on over there

) I agree that Guitar Center doesn't make the greatest recommendations when I ask for help, but I usually know what I'm looking for already...

Strat_dude

matnus · 10-03-2001, 04:19 AM

There's a slight twist to this story.

It seems that the computer store which replaced the guitar store is run by Christians. There's a sticker on the door saying 'Property of Jesus Christ' and there are crosses and stuff on the walls.

However, today my friend went there to buy a computer and was
'ripped off' to the tune of about $200. Being run by Christians i was surprised and i believe my friend also made a stupid decision.

What are your thoughts?

Nate · 10-03-2001, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brent
Well, personally all I've heard about Mars and GC is that the general consensus about both seems to be that neither knows anything. They hire, for the most part, unexperienced salespeople who are just out to make their comission and don't care how good or bad the guitar they recommend to you is as long as it's the one they make the most on. Again, I've never been to either store, but that's what I gather from all the comments I've heard about them...most are negative.

Well..... I can't speak for Mars..... but I have to defend Guitar Center. I obviously haven't been to every store....... but the one in New Orleans has the most knowledgeable, most helpful staff I have ever encountered at any music store. With the exception of a few purchases (almost all of which were not handled well), all my major (and minor) music purchases have been made and will be made there. I HIGHLY recommend Guitar Center to anybody looking to buy any musical equipment.

BTW, Musician's Friend is Guitar Center's sister company.... usually, Guitar Center will either match or beat any Musician's Friend price (Or any other companies price for that matter)

THERE.... there's a positive comment for Guitar Center.

Avalanche 126 · 10-03-2001, 04:14 PM

i like alot of places. though some of the smaller retailers r sometimes better. i love A Major Music, i know the owner, he has great deals. but i also go to Guitar Center to get stuff. it depends on prices and availability

R_A_D · 10-03-2001, 04:18 PM

Here in my town, there are several small music shops. I prefer Uptown Music, mainly because they give excellent service and have great prices. Also, if I see something they sell for less at one of the big superstores like Guitar Center, they will price match. I like that. I can still get the best price, and the best service. They have a great selection, and are the only Taylor dealer in the area. And of course being as I love Taylor Guitars, I love the shops that sell them too :-)

Brent · 10-03-2001, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Strat_dude
I usually go to Guitar Center (cuz it's closer to my house than mars)

I would sure hope that GC is closer to your house than mars... lol Ohhh... you mean mars the STORE???

Brent

Pete_H · 10-03-2001, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brent
Well, personally all I've heard about Mars and GC is that the general consensus about both seems to be that neither knows anything. They hire, for the most part, unexperienced salespeople who are just out to make their comission and don't care how good or bad the guitar they recommend to you is as long as it's the one they make the most on.

Amen too that brother. everytime I go to GC it reminds me of a mall. No one knows anything nor does anyone care. I will give them one piece of credit, you can go into any GC and try a whole selection of stuff where as some smaller stores might not have the same selection. I have always bought all my major purchases at a local shop called Ritchies Music. They have been around here for years and have a great staff. I also went to high school with one of the guitar techs.

LittleBassMan · 10-03-2001, 07:43 PM

i do all my guitar shopping at guitar center. the salesmen arent the best around, but i always know what im looking for and what sounds good so i can usually avoid them

Strider · 10-03-2001, 07:49 PM

Well there are no music stores here in stuttgart AR. There used to be one, but now all we have is one shoe store and furniture store after another! The closest music store is in Pine Bluff in the Pines mall. I would like to say that I bought my brother a brand new Ibanez bass from Musician's Friend and he loves it. He played it when his band opened for Newsong a few months back.