Music Store

[SG_Lefty]

I'm interested in starting a local music instrument store. I was wondering if anyone has any resource information on finding out info on the following;

 

Marketing

Start-up cost

Becoming an authorized dealer

Working with wholesalers/distributors.

 

Thanks,

[richardmac]

I dunno, but I just went to a new music store in our area and boy did it suck. Had two different brands of guitars - Dean, and some other brand I've never heard of.

 

I've read, on these boards, that it's tough getting a Gibson or Fender license because you have to move a lot of product or they won't consider you.

 

It might be much easier to open up a USED music store. The economy sucks, people are looking to save money, and I'd assume you don't need Fender's approval to sell used Fenders.

 

If you're serious, get involved with the small business institute. They can tell you lots more than I can.

[Kramerguy]

 

I dunno, but I just went to a new music store in our area and boy did it suck. Had two different brands of guitars - Dean, and some other brand I've never heard of. I've read, on these boards, that it's tough getting a Gibson or Fender license because you have to move a lot of product or they won't consider you. It might be much easier to open up a USED music store. The economy sucks, people are looking to save money, and I'd assume you don't need Fender's approval to sell used Fenders. If you're serious, get involved with the small business institute. They can tell you lots more than I can.

 

 

+100000000

 

Go for used gear. Better profit margin, better brands, win/win.

[MusicGuy101]

So many factors come into play. Are there a lot of used stores around? Is there a lack of name brand music stores offering quality, new insturments? I guess after answering those, you could probably figure out which angle will fit the demand of the area more.

 

Just a thought, a few music stores in my area (used equipement) have 1-2 little practice rooms and have a teacher come in for private lessons. Could be something to consider. Then I guess it gets down to a good location, flyers to all the high school kids who are hooked on Rock Band and want to start playing a real instrument, and I wish the best of luck and lots of success.

 

I'm in Canada so things are a little different but I know the government here has a few programs in place helping people strt businesses be it grants, or help in the start up in other ways so check with your local offices. Who knows ...

[Kramerguy]

Well, allow me to fill in one perspective on that

 

I HATE going to Sam Ash, GC, for stuff. The key to their failure IMO is their customer service. They are generally glad to help you when you are dropping a few thousand $$ (and even then sometimes they aren't very helpful), but if you are spending less than $1000, forget it. You will get a level of service comparable to that of a taco bell drive through in the south-central part of town.

 

I just went in yesterday to Sam Ash, looking for a replacement nut for my bass... it went kind of like this:

 

Me: "hi, I need a replacement nut for my bass"

Clerk: "uhhh... uhhh... okay.. "

 

He turns around and looks blankly at a wall of parts for about 15 seconds then turns back to me

 

Clerk: "uhhh... we don't have any"

Me: "well you DO carry them, right?"

Clerk: "uhh.welll... uhhhh. yeah, we do"

Me: "Well can I order it?"

 

Clerk lets out a long drawn out sigh to inform me that he's not interested in helping me, but I don't take his cue and continue..

 

Me: "it's a fender..year/model...etc.."

Clerk doodles on the computer for a couple of minutes, clearly unable to figure out how to look it up...then he just steps away from the computer and says:

 

"uhh... You should just go online and order it from a website that carries parts"

 

Me: "yeah, fine.. whatever"

 

I leave.

 

This is probably the AVERAGE experience I have when going into these stores. I shouldn't have to explain to the clerk that I don't want to order online, pay shipping, then get the wrong thing and have to cross ship it 3 more times to get it right...

 

Anyways... used gear is great.. it either works well, or it doesn't. Half my gear is used, some bought online, some from music stores.

 

The BEST music store I ever shopped at was in south philly - all used gear, all reasonably priced, and the store was PACKED with gear, it was piled up everywhere, and the sales guys were all pretty cool, let you try anything, and didn't rush or ignore you. (try asking the guys at sam ash to let you play a $3000 guitar lol, if you can even get their attention)

 

So if you really want to make a go of it, remember:

 

That customer who is buying a $5 pack of strings, a $6 nut, or even a $100 guitar today... you treat him well, and he will come back for that $2000 amp and $3000 guitar. Treat him like crap.. well, he's off to Sam Ash, GC, or where ever. Just be competitive with the major stores and you got customers for life.

[lonotes]

 

That customer who is buying a $5 pack of strings, a $6 nut, or even a $100 guitar today... you treat him well, and he will come back for that $2000 amp and $3000 guitar. Treat him like crap.. well, he's off to Sam Ash, GC, or where ever. Just be competitive with the major stores and you got customers for life.

 

 

+1000. I told one of the owners of my local Mom & Pop that I was never going to come into his store again. Of course he was concerned and wanted to know why. I explained to him that on five different occasions I came in simply to buy a set of strings, and walked out with a new instrument. I just couldn't afford to buy strings from him anymore. Service is the key.

[Kramerguy]

 

+1000. I told one of the owners of my local Mom & Pop that I was never going to come into his store again. Of course he was concerned and wanted to know why. I explained to him that on five different occasions I came in simply to buy a set of strings, and walked out with a new instrument. I just couldn't afford to buy strings from him anymore. Service is the key.

 

 

haha, that's awesome.

[richardmac]

I really think, for the mom/pop stores, it's about the low end stuff and the used gear. Let's face it, they're not gonna compete on price with GC and Sam Ash. I'm not going to find a Paul R Smith at the mom/pop, new, for the same price as the big hitters. Not that they're likely to even have the license to begin with.

 

This brings up the other point about the crappy economy. People may check out that new Line 6 amp at the mom/pop shop, but if it's 50 bucks cheaper at GC, they're going to save the 50 bucks.

 

But the big centers, at least around here, have a crappy selection of used gear. And they offer a crappy trade in - usually about 25% of what you paid. That's where a small shop could compete.

 

I also agree about the practice rooms and lessons - I've seen that in pretty much every small shop. It's probably mandatory for survival. Which means finding and keeping a really good teacher or teachers is important.

 

OH, and size matters. The bigger your shop, the more stuff you have, the more interested people will be.

 

I sort of go mom/pop on the real low end. I bought my acoustic, my strat, and my les paul at Sam Ash. I bought two cheap acoustic guitars at the local mom/pop. But they don't carry $1,000 acoustics.

[lonotes]

 

haha, that's awesome.

 

 

It's actually not Mom & Pop except in the generic sense, It's owned by two brothers, easily 20 years my junior. The two owners always greet me by name as I enter, ask if I'm looking for anything in particular, and then back off to allow me the space to browse around. I never feel like any of the sales staff are hovering over me, yet every time I have a question about a piece of gear, there's someone right there with the answer. I have bought from or traded with them for six (I think) different instruments, including my Gibson acoustic, an American Deluxe Strat, A Korean Spector bass and a Fender American Standard Precision bass. Oh yeah, there was an Ovation acoustic too. And amazingly enough, although they can't guarantee to price match with online dealers, their prices are close enough that they always get a crack at it if I'm looking for something in particular. Gotta support the locals whenever possible.

[faileddrummer]

 

Well, allow me to fill in one perspective on that I HATE going to Sam Ash, GC, for stuff. The key to their failure IMO is their customer service. They are generally glad to help you when you are dropping a few thousand $$ (and even then sometimes they aren't very helpful), but if you are spending less than $1000, forget it. You will get a level of service comparable to that of a taco bell drive through in the south-central part of town.

 

 

Say what you will, but I can't say a DAMN bad thing about my Sam Ash... They guy knocked like a hundred off my set and gave me a free 20" B8 Ride, free sticks which he claims just came out, free stands, and I only spent about $600. Then I went back to get the rest of my B8's and he threw in a free head protector thing. I think the guy just likes helping drummers out, maybe it's just him, but, until he leaves, I'll keep going back. Besides, there's nothing else near me. Small businesses don't exist in Tampa.

[richardmac]

I think it depends on the folks at the store or sometimes the folks in the department. I bought my guitars at Sam Ash, but not my PA gear, because every time I go in that department, it's manned by some ass hat. But the guitar guys at Sam Ash are fairly cool. So I buy my PA gear at Guitar Center.

 

Regardless of the store, if I come in and I'm looking at stuff and you won't answer my questions, I will never, ever, EVER buy anything from you.

[bruto]

I take guitar lessons in a practice room of a mom and pop music store (been playing for years - just decided to start taking lessons again.) The store does just fine - and is competitive with GC, ProSound, and Musician's Friend. And he does a brisk business setting up guitars purchased elsewhere. He does a lot of live sound too - something he has a word of mouth reputation for being good at. So, the mom and pops aren't gone.

 

And has anyone ever tried to listen to a particular instrument at Guitar Center? I can't hear a thing in there.

[Kramerguy]

I think it depends on the folks at the store or sometimes the folks in the department. I bought my guitars at Sam Ash, but not my PA gear, because every time I go in that department, it's manned by some ass hat. But the guitar guys at Sam Ash are fairly cool. So I buy my PA gear at Guitar Center. Regardless of the store, if I come in and I'm looking at stuff and you won't answer my questions, I will never, ever, EVER buy anything from you.

 

Well the Sam ash is really close to my job, so I frequent the place enough that they should recognize me by now.. but they never do, simply because the turnover, especially in the guitar department, is horrendous. Almost an entire new crew every three months. They hire for crap pay and no longer pay commissions, so the quality of personnel is pretty much, like I said, equal to that of a fast food restaurant.

 

I have noticed a stark difference between the different departments. The drum department does seem to have more helpful people generally. The PA and Lighting departments are always vacant, you have to track someone down usually and they don't seem to want to help when you do finally find them.

 

In the guitar department, they evade you at all costs, until you start hanging out in front of a $3000+ item, then all of the sudden, they magically appear and want to be your best friend. They surely do seem pissed when I'm appearing to be very interested in that $4000 marshall full stack and then tell them I'm there to get a pack of guitar strings

[faileddrummer]

Well the Sam ash is really close to my job, so I frequent the place enough that they should recognize me by now.. but they never do, simply because the turnover, especially in the guitar department, is horrendous. Almost an entire new crew every three months. They hire for crap pay and no longer pay commissions, so the quality of personnel is pretty much, like I said, equal to that of a fast food restaurant. I have noticed a stark difference between the different departments. The drum department does seem to have more helpful people generally.

 

I bought the cheapest set they had (price matched musiciansfriend) and the guy has remembered me since. It's a sign... Drop guitar and grab a pair of sticks.

[daddymack]

Another option is to get into websearching the new Korean, Indonesian, Viet Namese and Chinese manufacturers. These people are all looking to get into the US/Canadian/Euro market, and will cut ridiculous deals if you can put the volume together to cover the shipping costs. Since I don't like spamming, all I will say is I am currently trying to work up a deal with one Chinese company to import unfinished instruments and some parts. The prices are ridiculously low, and for the most part the quality of the wood and workmanship are good....but the seafreight is the killer, so you need to combine with other buyers, work out a consignment deal, etc. to absorb the freight, import duties, customes costs, freight forwarding, etc.

[grickie]

Well I have been looking to do a store for years...until all the people I know that have'em closed them. Most just do repair work now. I visited one of my favorites stores today (Midtown music) they are closing as soon as they can.

I used to go to music go round alot but the prices are higher than new and they won't budge.

Ebay has become the place to sell so there just isn't as many used buys as there once was.

I decided to open my own website to list my gear and occasionaly sell an item or two on ebay.

Was approached by a few other stores to see if I wanted to buy ( the store that is) but seems as though most are just losing money.

there just is not much return on investment....a room full of 2-4000 guitars selling at cost or just above...same goes for the amps.

 

If there was a way to make a living at this I would like to know but as it is I buy low sell low and just enjoy the guitars for the short time I have them and pass them on.

[faileddrummer]

 

Well I have been looking to do a store for years...until all the people I know that have'em closed them. Most just do repair work now. I visited one of my favorites stores today (Midtown music) they are closing as soon as they can. I used to go to music go round alot but the prices are higher than new and they won't budge. Ebay has become the place to sell so there just isn't as many used buys as there once was. I decided to open my own website to list my gear and occasionaly sell an item or two on ebay. Was approached by a few other stores to see if I wanted to buy ( the store that is) but seems as though most are just losing money. there just is not much return on investment....a room full of 2-4000 guitars selling at cost or just above...same goes for the amps. If there was a way to make a living at this I would like to know but as it is I buy low sell low and just enjoy the guitars for the short time I have them and pass them on.

 

 

There are plenty of stores still open too! Keep in mind, Sam Ash, Guitar Center, Musicians Friend, and all the others have all had to do the same thing. Buying a closing shop would probably be a good idea... All the work is done. Contracts arranged and everything. You need someone who knows everything about a certain department. Knowledge + fair prices + getting to know your customers personally = EPIC WIN. Nothing would make me feel more welcome than walking in to a shop, the guy behind the counter handing me my favorite pair of sticks, and showing me to a new arrival from my favorite cymbal company.

[grickie]

The stores are open but their buying power is in the millions....no way for the little guy to get enough leverage to get a leg up. Guitar center and Sam ash along with a few others may be the last guys standing....I was hoping the guitar center buy out by bain capital would flounder so I could do a store. But from what I am finding out they are buying the mom and pops good inventory as they faulter.

[faileddrummer]

 

The stores are open but their buying power is in the millions....no way for the little guy to get enough leverage to get a leg up. Guitar center and Sam ash along with a few others may be the last guys standing....I was hoping the guitar center buy out by bain capital would flounder so I could do a store. But from what I am finding out they are buying the mom and pops good inventory as they faulter.

 

 

They all started somewhere... And I guarantee it wasn't with a few hundred stores.

[daddymack]

 

They all started somewhere... And I guarantee it wasn't with a few hundred stores.

 

I'm old enough to remember when there was only one GC, one Manny's and one Sam Ash...when there was no major dominant force and the music sales universe was all small shops wishing they were Manny's...good or bad, the increased buying power has made major changes in the ability of the average small town musician to get his/her hands on pro gear without going into hock for life.

[barneyc4]

veri nice I like