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Location: Knoxville, TN | I stopped at the local GC yesterday afternoon. Between the background "music" and the kids testing amps it was not a pleasant experience. I guess I've passed into "old fuddy-duddy" territory. |
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Location: GA USA | I must confess. I still like to go into GC. Seeing a wall of guitars is still a near religious experience for me, as is playing nice guitars that I'll never buy. But... I know what you mean. |
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Location: Reno, NV | Im not a huge fan of it either. The only relief is going into the acoustic room.
Its just annoying trying the check out and you can't even talk to the guy at the counter without yelling. I have a long last name that most americans try to over complicate and I have to repeat the letters to it 4 times. Im tempted to just tell them not to worry about getting my name on the receipt. Most of the time I can't wait to get in there, and can't wait to get out. |
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Location: NJ | They were somewhat "inventive" at one of the local ones here . . .
They moved a display of microphones to right in FRONT of the register and hooked one of 'em to a powered monitor behind the counter. When you walked up to the register, you were actually talking "on mic" and you could be "heard" loud & clear above the din . . . |
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | If I want to hear "Smoke in the Water" and check out the neat guitars, that I'll never buy, I'll go the the Guitar Center. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Hey Man, can you play Smoke On The Water?
Dunno, Probably. The REAL question is "Do I want to?" |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I've always found it better to go into a nice quiet high-end acoustic shop. |
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Location: North Carolina | I just don't go to music stores at all unless I can't avoid it. I get everything on line, including instruments. If there is some compelling reason for me to go to a brick and mortar music store, I go in the middle of the week when school is in session. |
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Location: Palacios, Texas | I stopped in to one of the GC up in Houston a few months back. I wanted to go back to the acoustic room and check out, okay "drool" and I was not able to get my wheelchair down the walkways. So I asked one of the sales people if they could move a couple of items for me. He told me it was not his area, but that he would get someone for me. Well after waiting for 15 min, no one showed. Another sales person walked by and I asked him the same question, he said, okay, just a minute "Dude" and never came back. Thats when I decided to leave and vow to never to go into GC again. Guess I just wish the big chain stores treated folks with as much respect as the good ol Mom and Pop music stores.
Bill |
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Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Roundback,
I was in the same GC,(North Peters Road off of Ceder Bluff), on Monday 2/12. It was very quiet which is unusual for that store. The guy at the checkout said it was a slow day. Weekends the place is a zoo. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Wild Bill [totally off topic, maybe]
Sounds like a Law Suit to me! Handicap accessibility and all that. |
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Location: Whitecourt, Ab | WildBill,
Wheelchair or not, being ignored/disrespected twice
in one visit in one store is a good reason to leave and never return in my opinion. Their loss...
Ed |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Wild Bill,
The focus of the GC is way off. Their (mis)management needs to know your story.
I find the GC way too overstimulating and only go for cheap accessories and bottom priced deals. |
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Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | ill never take another guitar there for a estiment or trade in agian either...they totaly lost my business.....mint 1624 they said was worth $50....jason |
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Posts: 486
Location: North Carolina | It seems to be a "lose/lose" with retail music stores anymore. The problems of the big chains are well known. The small, well stocked and wll run shops they have forced out are being replaced by small shops with low end stuff or that are "dealers" of brands of which you've never heard. When they learn you are a serious player, they try to hire you as an instructor. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Originally posted by cwk2:
I've always found it better to go into a nice quiet high-end acoustic shop. Gee, and these are where? What a concept! |
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Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by johnny cash 83:
ill never take another guitar there for a estiment or trade in agian either...they totaly lost my business.....mint 1624 they said was worth $50....jason That is until they put it up for sale. :confused: |
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Location: closely held secret | Wild Bill - your move should have been to just make your own path. If they have product blocking the aisle and it winds up on the floor behind you... maybe next time they'll respond a little quicker! |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | to this day, I have never stepped into a Guitar Center. |
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Location: NJ | . . I can say the same of WalMart . . .
As far as GC goes, sometimes I have no alternative.
There's a little mom/pop music store in my town.
If I were a 14-year-old Asian cellist, it'd be PERFECT.
No matter what I need, they never have it. |
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Location: SoCal | I like WalMart and tolerate GC's..... |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | We really should send an expedition team to rescue Paul from that parallel universe he's stuck in...
calling, Captain Clozapine.... |
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Location: SoCal | It's sad about the mom & pop stores that Cliff referenced. I always want to do business with them, but they never have what I'm looking for. I've seen a number of them go out of business in the last 10 years. |
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Location: NJ | ". . I like WalMart and tolerate GC's . ."
Of course you . . . |
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Location: SoCal | Hey, I'm not P.C. So what else is new? |
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Location: NJ | The problem in my town is that about 85% of the population are Wall St. droids who do the train in/out of the City every day.
That leaves the token wife to bring his second set of kids to the music store (in the Hummer) for the obligatory violin/oboe lessons & supplies. By the time the kids get into guitar, they just take the BMW that they got for graduation to the GC out on the highway . . . |
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Location: closely held secret | Partially Competent? |
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Location: SoCal | close enough..... |
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Location: Palacios, Texas | I followed your advice. I just sent a very long email to the Corp service dept. Will just have to wait an see what or if anything is done. I have also talked with someone from the Disabled American Veterans and they are going to get in touch with GC and see what they can do. I will keep you posted on the outcome.
Thanks!
Bill |
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Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Wild Bill - your move should have been to just make your own path. If they have product blocking the aisle and it winds up on the floor behind you... maybe next time they'll respond a little quicker! I would have loved to see that. I shop in the GC when I need something the smaller places normally don't carry. Some manufactures try and make these smaller stores carry a large inventory that they can't afford to have everything made by every company. :( |
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Location: Upper Left USA | "Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Wild Bill - your move should have been to just make your own path. If they have product blocking the aisle and it winds up on the floor behind you... maybe next time they'll respond a little quicker! "
And there would be a great sale on some of the stuff you knock over! We need to team up on this one man!
I have learned to go through a couple of things over the years. When I had small children I would scope the bathroom path and what "Toy" isles are to be avoided. Later it became "where are the fire exits" and "places to be in an earthquake". I doubt you would hear the fire alarm in a GC on a Saturday after the unemployment checks come in. Safety and access is everyone's concern. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I've been to GC once. The guy did try to sell me a Celebrity, but... (I didn't tell him that I could do better online, or from you guys).
To be honest, I didn't like the place. Maybe they do have a wide selection, but the guys down the street say "Hi" and let me play with stuff. And they know I'm not likely to buy it! But I do buy strings, picks, straps, strap buttons and stuff.
I also pick the Luthier-dude's brain, before I go home and do it myself.
Maybe not quite Walmart-cheap. But they are cool. |
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | In all fairness to Guitar Center, they do offer a wide selection of high and low end guitars. Before they, and Sam Ash, open stores in the suburban shopping centers, you could only find quality instruments in major cities. I remember going to 48th street, in NYC, as a kid to buy a quality guitar. Unfortunately the mom and pop stores can't afford to stock like the giants do. But that's true in most retail these days. |
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Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | I guess Im pretty lucky. We have a shop here called Bizarre Guitar which will beat the online prices at MF and GC. They don't let you just grab guitars and start playing like they do at GC, which I think is good, it keeps them from getting beat up by the kiddies. The selection is as good if not better than the local GC.
This is where I picked up my Hwy1 strat for $599. MF and GC price was $750. Sometimes things just turn out right. |
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Location: Gardnerville, NV | Yak,
Have you been down to the vault at Bizarre Guitar? Some unbelievable stuff and total silence to hear yourself play. |
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Posts: 77
Location: Texas | I deal with the manager of a local GC, and feel I get good pricing from him. I get the occasional new or used electric guitars, amps, and live sound (PA) stuff, usually at a discount from the marked prices. The commissioned salespeople don't like me all that much, I think they think I should buy from them at a higher price so they can get their commission (instead of getting a better price straight from the manager).
Also I like the "0% interest" financing at GC, usually not available at the smaller stores.
And yes, I have purchased guitars at the smaller stores, and gone back to the same store within a few weeks and been forgotten by the same person I originally bought the guitars from.
Admittedly, at GC the sales take priority over all else, if their staff is busy selling then you probably will not get attention from them. The thing to do is to say "I'm interested in a Martin/Taylor/Gibson acoustic" and they would likely jump to clear the ailses for you. Then go check out the Ovations. :)
-Gary K |
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Location: SoCal | Ok, in all fairness, I bought a Chandler lap steel for Templeman at a Guitar Center in Brea, 30 miles away. We discovered scratches on the back. My local GC busted their butt to locate a new one for me and have it air shipped in. I gave it to Temp having never opened the box and it was perfect (before you go thinking that I'm that generous, I bought it on his instructions and he reimbursed me for it).
Of course then the airlines lost it....... |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I just call Al . . . |
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Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | I've made two guitar purchases from GC's in the last 14 years. The first was my 1537 (and the salesman worked real hard to sell me a new cedar topped Elite instead of the old used one) and the second was an inexpensive bass for my son. Aside from that, it's strings and small supplies..... |
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Posts: 120
Location: UK - Canterbury Kent | I have only been to one GC store and that was at Manchester - CT and on a Sunday. I even bought a Telecaster. It was such a great place, as we have nothing like it (yet) in the UK.
I could have spent hours just looking and generally the price were 50% less than UK. |
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Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Originally posted by mhaanpaa:
Yak,
Have you been down to the vault at Bizarre Guitar? Some unbelievable stuff and total silence to hear yourself play. I haven't.. but the guy offered to take me down there. I figured anything stored in the "vault" would be way out of my price range. |
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Posts: 5575
Location: big island | yak,
have you (or anyone else reading this) been to ed romans in vegas? if so, what is the impression? i have never been to a large music store.
we only have four or five mom & pop style stores here with not much selection, except for taylors and ukuleles. hence, i purchase just about everything online. |
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Posts: 120
Location: Gardnerville, NV | I haven't.. but the guy offered to take me down there. I figured anything stored in the "vault" would be way out of my price range. Everything down there starts at about $2000 but they've got some nice stuff. In addition to the guitars for sale they have autographed stuff from almost everyone who has ever performed in Reno, which is a larger group than you'd think. It's a pretty cool way to kill an hour. |
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Location: Reno, NV | Originally posted by Lanaki:
yak,
have you (or anyone else reading this) been to ed romans in vegas? if so, what is the impression? i have never been to a large music store.
we only have four or five mom & pop style stores here with not much selection, except for taylors and ukuleles. hence, i purchase just about everything online. Never had any experinece with Vegas. Even so its in Nevada, it's still really far from Reno. It would be closer to shop in Sacramento or San Francisco even. That, and I hate the place!
You may want to drop Bizarre Guitar a line on your next purchase. They claim to be one of the nations largest in selection. I usually window shop on-line at MF and GC, then walk in and tell them what I found and ask how they can beat it. Some things are GC exclusives which can't be had though. Its typical to expect 35-45% off MSRP list.
LINK to BIZARRE |
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Location: Hicksville, NY | During a field trip to Chuck E. Cheese two days ago, with the parents' permission, I went to the GC with my student located next door to it, in Long Island City. While there, we checked out a few basses and the sales rep was kind enough to lend a pair of drumsticks to the youngster, so he could play the drums on display.
There was a gentleman checking out a les paul, when my student decided to play with the control knobs and buttons of the amp. It's a good thing that the gentleman was very cool with it, as he decided to experiment with the constant shifting of tone, volume and effects as he played with the guitar simultaneously. He added that it would make a great sensory and auditory experience for the child, which it did.
The highlight of being there took place in the acoustic room -- and I thought that I was going to have a heart attack -- was when my student held one of the guitars that were hanging against the wall and swung it like a pendulum. Which in turn, end up hitting another guitar which did the same, and onto another and another. There were four guitars total that were swinging like pendulums and hitting each others hips in the process!! :eek:
Now that I look back two days later, I can just get a good laugh from that experience [although it wasn't funny at that time]. Whew!! |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I've never lived near a GC, so it's always nice to go into one. The one I've seen the most is in Atlanta. Tremendous selection, and they're willing to deal if you catch them on a slow day. :)
However, the local store owners are just as competitive given the chance: I lucked into an internet ad this week for an '05 Collectors (the usual "Call for our price" :rolleyes: ) I called, they wanted $999, I made and offer, they counter-offered---bottom line; $775 :cool: I don't think I could have done much better anywhere, either on Ebay or at the guitar center. :D |
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Posts: 134
Location: Lakewood, Ohio | GC is the best places to shop for an Ovation, particularly used ones and especially if you know your product. The GC staff seem to view Ovations as slow movers and they typically offer great discounts. When they get a used one in stock, they dont seem to value any hisoric or vintage quality, just that it has old electronics. Ive found older Ovation Baladeers going for $200.00 or so. A few years ago I saw a used Glenn Campbell 12 string that I thought should have been on the GC "vintage wall" next to the 1970s era Martin. Instead it was simply hung next to the other, newer and shinier Ovations. |
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Location: Michigan | I always use Guitar Center just to try out guitars .I can go in and pick up any guitar like Im shopping in a grocery store going thru the vegetable or meat section.Pick one up look at it touch it , feel it ,play it, put it down and grab the one next to it and the same thing, grab the one under it until I get to what I like.
Thats what I like & Dislike about G.C.
When I find what I like , I go to my smaller friendlier local guitar store that you get very personal attention & service from a seasoned pro.
There are signs posted in the rooms to ask for a salesman before picking up a guitar and wailing away on it .For some reason this store is now known to attract a more serious guitar buyer/player and you can see it in the guitars here verses G.C.s.
I have bought quite a few guitars from him and the nice thing is they set up the guitar for you before you take it home,so it is ready to jam before you leave.The price always gets matched or beat but you are getting a unit that is ready to rock when you get home.
This stores guitars are normally always in tune and you will never see or hear 12 different people plugging into all sorts of amps making so much noise that you get frustrated trying to make a decision on what is good for you.
Slipkid knows where this jewel is at( H & B )
We are very lucky where we are for there are GC's all around us and there are still some personal touch stores that can sell you all of the stuff GC can and still give you the price and service.Thats how I bought my Thinline Telecaster last month. I walked into Guitar Center & the salesman plucked it off the rack hitting the guitar next to it and laughed that it didn't do any damage to it so I played it.It had alot of fret noise and rattle.This needed a setup badly,but I did enjoy the neck feel & the action so I got his best price. I told him that it needed a setup and he told me to bring it to a luthier to have the fret noise fixed and have it set up the way I like it ( at my own cost ) and I should be good to go.
I went to my local store ( H & B ) and bought one for the same price and left with a guitar set up & ready to play when I got home. GWB |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Just got back from my weekly visit. Nothing. Had a Yamaha that had obviously been dropped and cracked the top and split it from the binding. That's the problem with the stores that let everyone handle their guitars. Before Christmas there was no room to walk in the acoustic room. Then they just had the ones on the wall. Now it's getting crowded again. |
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Posts: 382
Location: USA | customer service in all but gone...Half the time you go back to the guitar shops they have a completely new staff...so they dont even give it time to create any customer service.
Unless your in there several times a week...they dont remember your name. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Slipkid knows where this jewel is at( H & B )
Yep... I know.
I took the UTE to the last open mic night there and gave Paul a sales speel about it. A while back I went in there ready to by an Elite LX but Paul said "Let me show you something", and pulled an AD-II out from the backroom. Because he had it in stock, and I was able to get my hands on it, I had to take it home instead.
I bought my UTE on e-bay but if Paul had stocked one, I know I would have bought one from him.
Paul & I talked about the 47RI. (I think he conciders me his unoffical Ovation rep) He told me he just didn't think he could move an Ovation that cost $3400. He said "Ovations just don't seem to be moving". Then answered his own question by saying, "Then again, maybe we're not trying to sell them". How true. They still have a very nice '06 koa. But guess what is sitting on the hook with the VIP display?? Yep.. a Taylor.
GWB.... we should get together at the next Folkin' Friday. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | The salespeople at H&B have admitted to me both times I've been there that they prefer Taylors and Martins, so why should it be a surprise to ANYONE working there that they aren't trying to sell Ovations?
Roger |
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Location: south east Michigan | I'm workin' on 'em Rog.
Slow but sure. |
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Location: Hicksville, NY | Just got back from the Carle Place GC tonight, and was pretty pleased by their new gimmick. With the purchase of 3 sets of D'addario EXP strings, I got a free duffel bag. Since I use these brands of strings to begin with, I didn't mind it at all, and the freebie was an added bonus. This time, I purchased the 80/20 sets, specifically for my one and only Ovation. The phosphor bronze sets that I purchased last year, with the free guitar sounds great on my non-O, but it sounded so dull with the O. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Old Applause Owner:
The salespeople at H&B have admitted to me both times I've been there that they prefer Taylors and Martins, so why should it be a surprise to ANYONE working there that they aren't trying to sell Ovations? Roger My friends swear by Martins, although none of them own one. (They see the price tag, and are impressed!) Alot of people think that O's are cheap cuz of the bowl. I try to explain that they are wrong. I was impressed by Ovations when I first saw one back in the seventies. People need their preconceptions altered. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Based on this and previous threads...
We have a lot (yes, a lot) of guitar stores on El Cajon Blvd (San Diego) and University...some with bars on the windows, some primarily lessons and printed material - either that or most of inventory is used. Need to say that we are the home of GuitarTrader (store and internet) that continues to sponsor Matt Smith's Chop Shop.
Need to say this is the only Guitar Center I have ever entered. In La Mesa. Same problems on weekend - babysitting for juvenile rock wanna-bees. Free babysitting while mom does the shopping.
Yet, strong service whether in accessories or in the guitar area. And, at least 10-12 USA Ovations (many more Celebs) prominently displayed. Always interested buyers working the displays. They get to NAMM and understand the Ovation line. They want to sell guitars and, as the manager of the guitar side said, "we will negotiate". They will stand with you or leave you alone to work the guitar in a quiet room. They want to know your name and the next time you come back, they greet you with your name. I have only bought accessories and recently a guitar from them (the U681T). I see young kids behind the counter but the same ones even six months later. They are active in the music scene and get excited when you ask them what they do or what band they are in. Whatever displays Kaman has provided are displayed prominently (such as the LX).
They only have stock that the corporation has sent them, balanced by what the store feels it can sell. They all know the name of the Kaman Rep (Joe Montoya) so maybe that helps. When the 30th Anniv CL (1719-30CM) came out, took them about six months to get their first one. Displayed up in the cobweb section near the ceiling...I got them to bring it where everyone could see it...believe they sold 5-6 in 2004.
This store provides interest, service, reasonable knowledge of product and inventory. Can find interest in the few "mom & pop" but not the inventory or bulk pricing.
Hate to see the "mom & pop" losing to the corporations but I also appreciate the individual "big box" stores that are trying to service the musician.
So, as MWoody does with his interventions...what can we do to help the local Kaman Rep. with the big box? They will stock what they feel they can sell. |
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