Members LynchProtoge Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I can imagine for beginners and people without much internet savvy that the in store assistance that buying retail helps; but for everyone else, why bother? local (generally speaking): higher prices, state sales tax, limitations on returns, limited selection. online: competitive pricing, (generally) free shipping, no state taxes, no questions asked returns, vast selection. And, my personal pet peeve - dealing with a salesman who presumes I'm an idiot (regarding product info & pricing) for the first couple mins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LOLRECONLOL Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I try to avoid Guitar Center/etc the best I can, except when I buy from the used section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members realtree71 Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I've got really good deals at GC. Just have to go to the manager and dicker hard with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LynchProtoge Posted November 11, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 Originally Posted by realtree71 I've got really good deals at GC. Just have to go to the manager and dicker hard with them. I'm too nice to haggle. I know they gotta pay rent just like me, so I just prefer to avoid that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlackCat Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I'd prefer to deal locally when possible. Beyond that I'd rather go to a mom and pop than a mega chain. I'd rather spend my money at a place where I have some kind of positive business relationship and can get some level of personalized service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jtr654 Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 When I go to GC I know what I'm buying and get deals on them. I like that I have a place that I can bring a product back if it Fail and get a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jim85IROC Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I always try to buy from the local guitar shop, but I usually wind up buying from Guitar Center or online. The local shop always has something that interests me, but then GC or the internet winds up having something that I wind up liking more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sk8centilli Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 Most of my business goes to the local GC. The employees are great, the prices aren't much different than I find online (yes, I haggle) and if I don't find it here, I check their used site and have it shipped to the store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fixintogo Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I always try to buy from the local guitar shop, but I usually wind up buying from Guitar Center or online. The local shop always has something that interests me, but then GC or the internet winds up having something that I wind up liking more. I'm the opposite. I'll go to GC to look at and play all the shopworn floor models, then I purchase from one of the local shops. They actually have people who do set-ups, string changes, and adjustments before letting you get out the door -- imagine that! But I'm finding that the real deals are in the hand-picked used guitars that my local shops get. I've seen some unbelievable bargains they've taken in as trades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vintage clubber Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I try to buy locally when I can. there are certain things I will go elsewhere for like pickups, parts, etc. I primarily buy guitars used vs. new with few exceptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members photon9 Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 My local store, Parkway Music, makes it really easy to shop locally. The staff is very knowledgeable and there when you need them. Their prices are consistently competetive if not cheaper than GC and online shops. For example they have brand new Casinos for $510 right now. And they always have a great selection. They always have Rickenbackers in stock, hard to find Fenders and tons of interesting used guitars. I love going there just to window shop even. It's nice having a store of that caliber in my area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AaronF Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I used to never buy locally and just buy online. I bought an amp from a store locally and they were super cool when I took it in there for a repair. A tube socket had a soldering problem and they diagnosed and fixed the amp for me for free. I will definitely try to buy my next guitar from them in the future. The full service aspect of it is worth the extra $100-$200 to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bubkus_jones Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 Buying "local": Trying before you buy, the ability to haggle, you can take the guitar home with you that day, returns are immediate and not reliant on proper return shipping (and the associated costs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billythegoat Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 The music shop in the town where I grew up in gets my business when I am there.The one where I am now not so much. There is a small shop two doors down from a Long and McQuade that I feel sorry for. I went in once to have a peek and the owner didn't even look up from his paper. He must have gave up sometime ago and was completely checked out. The L&M is nice however and they have pretty top notch customer service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I don't haggle. I know stores love people like me, and I know hagglers do, too, because it's suckers like me that allow hagglers to get the deals that they do. That said, I pretty much exclusively buy online for new stuff these days. When I can, though, I prefer to buy used amps locally because the shipping is usually bad on these. When buying new, I love shopping from Sweetwater because you can see exactly what you're buying and compare it with others of the same model. Especially for acoustics and natural finishes, it's important to get a top you love visually as well as sonically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bro Blue Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 For small things, yes. For bigger purchases, no. We have two local stores and they usually charge too much and will not budge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LynchProtoge Posted November 11, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 Originally Posted by BlackCat I'd prefer to deal locally when possible. Beyond that I'd rather go to a mom and pop than a mega chain. I'd rather spend my money at a place where I have some kind of positive business relationship and can get some level of personalized service. Originally Posted by jtr654 When I go to GC I know what I'm buying and get deals on them. I like that I have a place that I can bring a product back if it Fail and get a new one. I've not been to many (if any?) shops that will let you take home & return, especially special orders that they normally dont stock. Originally Posted by bubkus_jones Buying "local": Trying before you buy, the ability to haggle, you can take the guitar home with you that day, returns are immediate and not reliant on proper return shipping (and the associated costs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 It depends. Instruments, I prefer to hold them in my hand first so most of my purchases have been local. But I've bought successfully on line too, just not as often. Usually something inexpensive, like an SX bass, a Regal resonator. I had to order my upright online, they just don't have those in local shops for the most part. And I've owned a Carvin since 1983 that I mail ordered. I try to get the more expensive instruments & the occasional small stuff locally, cords, straps, stuff like that, except for strings. Strings I order online cause they are so much cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LynchProtoge Posted November 11, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 Originally Posted by Pine Apple Slim It depends. Instruments, I prefer to hold them in my hand first so most of my purchases have been local.But I've bought successfully on line too, just not as often. Usually something inexpensive, like an SX bass, a Regal resonator.I had to order my upright online, they just don't have those in local shops for the most part.And I've owned a Carvin since 1983 that I mail ordered.I try to get the more expensive instruments & the occasional small stuff locally, cords, straps, stuff like that, except for strings. Strings I order online cause they are so much cheaper. Most online retailers offer a fair return policy, so you can essentially 'try before you buy'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 Originally Posted by LynchProtoge Most online retailers offer a fair return policy, so you can essentially 'try before you buy'. I just tend to avoid the potential hassle, with return shipping, dealing with folks who may or may not be amenable.I really don't like to return stuff, even to a local store.A lot depends on my perception of the consistency of the product. I'd probably take the risk on a new Custom Shop Nocaster, but not on a new 335 for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Weiner_Bomb Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 Two words Pawn Shop. Some of the most interesting gear I came across. A chain store would be my second choice because they would at least be most inclined to match prices. A 'mom and pop' store hardly ever moves any inventory in my experience. I attempted to get one owner to match a musicians friend price on a epiphone wilshire that he was advertising for 150% more. "well, if I do that, I would go out of business"... Some practices prefer to move inventory, some will hang on to it for whomever for however long.. being the business is in Alaska, he probably comes out even this way just because of the shipping prices. -shrug- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lonnie99 Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I'm the opposite as I buy used almost always. My local GC has a great supply of used gear at all times and the sales guys are mostly cool. Except that one guy, he bugs me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PrawnHeed Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I tend to buy online. However, a friend just bought a guitar and amp for their son (complete beginner) and we went to the local store to try a few guitars. Paid slightly more than we would online, but he got a properly setup guitar, new strings, a handful of picks, a usable strap and a cable thrown in. They actually screwed in the trem claw, adjusted the saddle height and reset the intonation. He got a great playing guitar instead of a project which, as a beginner, is what he needed. BTW: He chose a Yamaha PAC 112J and a Line6 Spider 15 which I spent about 3 hours playing last night and I couldn't help thinking how fantastic this was compared to the {censored} I had to learn on 40 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 No, because - A) They're not that well stockedB) The ones that are left in town (or near) are clip joints (over priced)C) None of them have ever exhibited good or routine courteous service If it weren't for "C", they'd still get more of my business. There is one about 30 miles away from me that's pretty darn good. It's stocked as well as a more modest sized Guitar Center. And their prices are competitive. But the tax down there is over 8% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Special J Posted November 11, 2012 Members Share Posted November 11, 2012 I buy most of my big ticket items used, so either forums, Craigslist or occasionally Ebay. For accessories, I try to give my local mom and pop as much business as possible. I have a great relationship with them, and have spent a good deal there over the years. I'm not a fan of Guitar Center and try not to spend too much time or money there. If there's something I don't need right away, and it's a good deal, I might buy it online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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