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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Ok, so I like to at least try and support the local mom and pop music store. I take lessons there, I buy dohickeys there, blah blah blah. Every once in a while, I'll come across something in there that's NOS, or used, and ask them how much (the pricetags on the NOS stuff are the originals from whenever...sometimes the 80s, sometimes the 90s, who knows). They will *never* come down more than maybe 10%-15% off the price 'as marked,' even if that was the original MSRP from whenever the item was fresh out of NAMM! Heck, they had a Guitarport with a tag of $299! I asked how much they wanted for it, as Guitarget was selling them for $99. They told me they could go as low as $285...plus tax. That kind of thing.
Anyway, now they have a fleaBay store. So, I go and look. Same stuff they have laying around the various stores (they have multiples), yet the prices are in line with fleaBay prices from other sellers. WTF? These are the same people who, if I walk in the store won't ding the price hardly at all. And yet they'll blow it out on evilBay and incur the ADDED EXPENSE of packaging, shipping, etc. WTF are they thinking?
Ok, I'm done now. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 121
Location: Powder Springs, Ga. | Aggravating as it may be you have just learned a lesson in how a "free market" economy works. They have the right to sell items for whatever price they want and the only reason they do is because there are people uneducated enough to pay it, otherwise their prices would be lower. You however are what’s known as a "smart consumer". You have compared prices and thus will get the best product for the money. I, like you, would prefer to buy from the local store but not at over inflated prices. Mom and Pop are going to have to learn how to compete with stores like Guitar Center if they want to survive.
Isn't America great?
P.S I know you know all this but I thought I'd help you vent. |
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November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | I wonder if there is someone else there who actually has the power to sell things at a reasonable price.
I used to buy supplies from a local guy who would come close to matching mail order pricing. It was a win-win deal. They made a little profit instead of paying inventory stocking costs, and I got the parts I wanted now.
Unfortunately, the guy who would deal left the local store and those remaining didn't have the moxie to run the business. It was eventually sold to another owner. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I absolutely agree...they're free to get whatever price they can out of whomever wants to buy at said price. I was (but am no longer!) just frustrated at what I perceive as illogical behavior. But, whatchagonnado?
I know what I'm gonna do. I'm goin' to Katmandu! That's where I'm goin' to. If I ever get out of here... |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I've had good luck at my "non-corporate" store (Huber-Breese). Before I bought my AD-II there I was already a familiar face. The price came down to internet range very quickly. I gave them the lowest internet price I could find for my uke and they matched that. When I bought a mic I did not even have to ask for the "good" price. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I bought my Motif8 from Huber-Breese. And the price they quoted me over the phone was in-line with internet prices. I was surprised because I was only checking stock and they took it upon themselves to quote it without being asked (good salesman!), and quote it at a very competitive price. I picked it up about two hours later. I was impressed by their operation. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Yeah...I think they are doing okay. They do a ton of lesson business. Sometimes it's hard to find a parking spot. |
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July 2002
Posts: 327
Location: Houston, TX | I had a conversation with the owner of my local neighborhood place a few years ago, and I told him that I wanted to support local businesses whenever possible. I said I didn't expect him to match prices with MF or any other virtual store, but I needed him to get closer to that price for me to be comfortable. I don't mind paying a little more to buy from this local place, because of the perks of having a local store for lessons for my son, ability to get picks and strings at a moments notice, a place to go try out some guitars, etc...
I don't do this with little stuff, but if I'm buying a guitar or an effects pedal or something substantial, we'll negotiate. I think we're both ok with this arrangement.
I don't think we should expect to find the lowest price or a price matching policy at the local independent shop. You're right about the guitarport being outrageous at $285 when GC and the big online places have them for $99. My question is would you pay $129 or $139, considering this is maybe what it takes to keep the little engine chuggin. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I buy my bubble wrap from a place in Indiana because I cannot find it locally for the same price. So even with shipping it is still cheaper.
it is a global economy |
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September 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | I have been buying all of my guitars amps from the same place the last nine years the personal service and friendship are worth more than the few dollars I spend.
Paul (Sleepy Harp Hopkins) |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | They are free to sell anywhere, but don't seem to get the point that a loyal LOCAL customer is in the long run better than an internet customer.
It seems to me that they have basically communicated to you how valuable your business is to them. |
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January 2005
Posts: 49
Location: Orlando, Fl | When I lived in Fort Lauderdale, I always supported the local guys like Modern Music, MAE, etc. The nice thing about south Florida is that every corner you turn, there was a Mom and Pop store.
Now that I have moved to the Northeast (yes, I know, I willingly left sunny Florida for cold @$$ Masachusetts) I have notice a serious lack of mom and pop music stores. They are out there, but they are few and far between.
Now, I know that Daddy's Junky Music is not a mom and pop store, but they have always treated me right and are a great alternative to GC(<--evil). I have one particular sales guy at the Boston store that has always treated me very well and I have bought very little without going through him. So in the end, I don't mind spending the few dollars I have with them since they treat me right. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | PaulB got it. It's not that I want to pay low-ball prices; the shipping savings is a wash with the sales tax when buying locally, but there is a cost associated with immediate gratification. I'm willing to pay a premium over the cheapest internet price if I can have it right now without waiting for UPS (although that's sometimes entertaining in its own way).
My frustration is that in person, in the store, they are unwilling to even consider a reasonable offer for what is mostly old, outdated stock. Yet they'll put it up on fleaBay for what is essentially the same price, and then have to pay someone to box it up, ship it, etc. It's just nonsensical that they would prefer to go that way. |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I also try to support the smaller stores whenever possible. I have a Guitar Center about 10 minutes from my office, but I would rather drive 20 minutes to Ritchies Music. Their prices are a little higher, but they way I see it, they have a great sales and repair staff. I understand that it costs money to hire good people. To me, it's worth a couple of extra dollars to deal with people who know what they're talking about and treat me right.
I was in G.C. a few weeks ago talking to the sales guy about a couple of LX's that they had there and I actually knew more than he did about the guitar, and I'm no expert. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | There's a local mom n' pop (literally, a family biz, and mom works there) music shop near me that's like the one described...that generally carries crap. I swear they have guitars that have been hanging in there since 1986, and the prices are NOT cheap. I don't know how they stay in business. Even string sets they sell for like $3-5 more per set than the going rate. I'd love to support them, but ALL their stuff is dated, and waaaay over priced.
On the other extreme, GC recently sold my 14 year old "niece" a Fender Stratacoustic (her other uncle took her to buy it). I was so pissed they sold her a guitar in the condition they did...the action was so high you could drive a bus under it. There was no way in hell she was going to learn to play on it-was hard for ME to play the damn thing. Last week, I took it to my local luthier to have it set up, and he told me the neck was so warped he couldn't fix it. I took it back to exchange. The other stratacoustic in stock was the same. Luckily, I was being helped by the manager. He gave me a Takamine retailing for $469 for an even swap on the $299 Stratacoustic-at HIS initiative. He wouldn't consider doing that on any of the O's, but, was still a nice gesture on the Takamine. I guess considering their size, GC has that kind of flexibility with price, and the manager knew I was a regular there and wanted to keep me coming back. Turns out, when I brought the guitar home, it was the original one my niece wanted, but couldn't afford...so all worked out, well.
I'm not sure what my point is exactly, other than you really need to do your research and know your prices when buying gear wherever you go, or you can have your ass handed to you. I've had all kinds of experiences at both mom n pop shops, and the guitargets...luckily I knew enough info to get the best value and/or protect my wallet. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . There's a local mom n' pop (literally, a family biz, and mom works there) music shop near me that's like the one described...that generally carries crap . ."
StarMusic, by any chance?? |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | YUP.
Their son is really nice, and I used to give them a lot of business when they had a store down the street from my apartment in Lake Hiawatha in the 90's (Drew managed that store), but they closed that one. The one in Morristown is just sad. Haven't been there in nearly a year...I stop in once in a while to see if anything changed, but it's like a time capsule in there. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Lemme give anybody who's never been there a quick description of the "ambiance" of StarMusic:
Take one of those REALLY old electric heaters (the kind with the "glowing" wire elements in it.
Unplug it and get a cat to piss in it. Not ON it . . . but IN it.
Let it dry for about four months behind a clothes dryer that's had the vent hose disconnected and the lint filter removed (extra points if the dryer's in a damp, mildewy, subterranean basement).
Plug the heater in, and let it run on "HI" for six months NON-STOP (just make sure one of the months is August.
Happy Shopping. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Yeah, that's incredibly accurate. I never would have come up with the same detailed word choice, but that's really effing dead on. You're amazing! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . I've often considered being a restaurant critic. |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | Like the rest of you I would like to support the local Mom & Pop shops as much as possible, but only to a point. Once the dollar difference gets to a respectable size I vote to preserve my own familie's resources.
It's kind of a shame but we are in a global internet economy. I work for a large Telephone company any people dont think twice about ditching us to save a few bucks, so-what if a few of us Telephone workers get laid off, the consumer has spoken. People move out of my older community to McMansions in corn-field subdivisions, it doesnt bother them that they are gutting our older communities. I could go on and on with other examples.
So I am sorry to say as quaint as the little shops may be, it's the law of the jungle out there. If I can save a few bucks it might mean more paino lessons for my daughter, a nicer birthday present for my wife, or maybe I can afford that new guitar I been gassin' for a few months sooner. I didnt design the system I just live in it. |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I HAVE to write a book of "Cliffisms" one of these days. :D |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Clifficisms?
Cliffifications?
Cliff Notes? |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Originally posted by alpep:
I buy my bubble wrap from a place in Indiana because I cannot find it locally for the same price. So what do they pack the bubble wrap in to ship it???? Foam Peanuts??? |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | tten owes me a keyboard.
And Al, I initially parsed your post as 'I buy my bubble wrap from India'. I had to read it a couple of times...thought maybe you were outsourcing. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | We have a lot of independent guitar stores on El Cajon Blvd and University (San Diego)...fine for picks, strings, and stands. As for O's and A's - forget it.
So, I may have a shipping wait but I support and deal with "Poppa Al." Not only can I get the guitars that I want, he has sold them for less than I have ever seen advertised. Of the five new guitars and the tenor uke, this last one (2005 Collector's) is the only one I asked the price prior to committing to buy. And, I don't have to accept floor stock. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | "They are free to sell anywhere, but don't seem to get the point that a loyal LOCAL customer is in the long run better than an internet customer."
This used to be true, but more and more it's the "blow out" internet sales that keep stores in buisness. I know one store whos mail-order and now internet sales are the bread and butter. Another, well known icon in the Vintage guitar arena who used to have a store in Frederick, closed his store partially because Japan and Europe emptied his shelves faster than he could fill them. It just wasn't fun I guess to have a store that all he did was pack up stuff for shipment.
Yet another aspect of stores who sell online, especially those who use eBay, find that often people are willing to pay more, with less hassle for the same items they can't move in the store.
The whole online selling thing, especially with the eBay factor is just an odd monkey wrench into every marketing model in existance. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Cliff Notes!! That's great I'd buy it! |
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OT: Freaking mom and pop (venting)