What's Elderly music's deal?

[Mr_GoodBomb]

This isn't an attack on them. I always hear great things, and I go there when I want to see great pictures of actual instruments and not the obviously photoshopped MF stuff.

 

However, their prices are a little high, and on used gear, it's especially unreasonable (stuff listed as "VG" or "EX" except it needs fret work or some other costly repairs that not everyone can do). What's the deal with them? It seems the get a lot of customers and talk despite those prices. The customer service I hear is very good, but if customer service with MF or similar is poor, you just hang up and call back and get someone else more reasonable.

[lp_junkie]

I've always gotten great service from them and dealing with someone that knows what the hell they are talking about is always worth a little more to me.

[BryanMichael]

I've always gotten great service from them and dealing with someone that knows what the hell they are talking about is always worth a little more to me.

 

 

Yeah,

I think you are paying for "credibility" with Elderly. What you see is what you get and it has been evaluated by someone who KNOWS guitars. They also deal in a lot of higher end and vintage stuff, so I think there is a bit of a markup/trade-in valuation that goes on, so you really do get what exactly what has been shown to you.

[Greg.Coal]

..... However, their prices are a little high, and on used gear, it's especially unreasonable (stuff listed as "VG" or "EX" except it needs fret work or some other costly repairs that not everyone can do). What's the deal with them? It seems the get a lot of customers and talk despite those prices. The customer service I hear is very good, but if customer service with MF or similar is poor, you just hang up and call back and get someone else more reasonable.

 

 

Great store. You are correct to say they get a lot of customers and their reputation is AAA. That would mean others don't prize the lowest price as much as you do.

 

I find it hard to believe that they have labeled something "VG" or "EX" that needs costly repairs. Did you really mean that?

 

So, sounds like you've made the trip up there. I remember going there first in about 1976 ... there were more stores like Elderly's at the time. Then, creeping onset of g u i t a r c e n t e r ...... and mail order.

 

Personally, I would rather buy my imported instruments from a local retailer!

 

Greg

[epi56ebony]

I would rather buy my USA made instruments online and get free shipping and no tax. The savings I will use to set up the instrument if it needs that. If it's defective, Musicians Friend will pay for the shipping back.

If you just don't bond with the instrument you pay to send it back and you get 45 days to do all this.

I'm sure Elderly is more restrictive in returns.

Also I guess some people enjoy paying more for an item than getting the lowest price. It's their money I guess.

For me though, lowest price ALWAYS wins.

[volvo1800]

I would rather buy my USA made instruments online and get free shipping and no tax. The savings I will use to set up the instrument if it needs that. If it's defective, Musicians Friend will pay for the shipping back. If you just don't bond with the instrument you pay to send it back and you get 45 days to do all this. I'm sure Elderly is more restrictive in returns. Also I guess some people enjoy paying more for an item than getting the lowest price. It's their money I guess. For me though, lowest price ALWAYS wins.

 

 

socialist.

[lowbrow]

I think their standard description for used stuff is more of an ass cover than a true assessment of a guitar needing fretwork or whatever. They're a small independent store, they need to be careful. I think their prices tend to be right about inline with the going rate. Have never bought from them (except parts), know many who have and all had a good experience. Too bad they no longer ship amps.

[Selsaral]

In my experience, they're incredibly anal about used instruments. If it's not 100% perfect, they tell you so. If the fretwork isn't absolutely perfect, the best it could ever be, they tell you it needs a fret dressing. Often they decide that it's not worth the investment to fix things like that on a guitar, and they sell it 'as-is' assuming that the customer will buy it and do it themselves. If they think they can make their money back by doing the work themselves, they will.

As for new prices, they appear to have the exact same prices as MF etc, but they don't run a ton of deals.

[etawful]

I would rather buy my USA made instruments online and get free shipping and no tax. The savings I will use to set up the instrument if it needs that. If it's defective, Musicians Friend will pay for the shipping back. If you just don't bond with the instrument you pay to send it back and you get 45 days to do all this. I'm sure Elderly is more restrictive in returns. Also I guess some people enjoy paying more for an item than getting the lowest price. It's their money I guess. For me though, lowest price ALWAYS wins.

 

 

And that's the reason there are so few mom and pop shops left where you can actually go, get good service, try products before you buy them and actually build up a rapport with a local store (not to mention their tech).

 

As more and more people start thinking like that, we'll wind up in a situation where WalMart, Guitar Center, McDonalds, and their like will be competition free. Of course, as this happens, there will be an even more noticeable decline in quality and more and more of the manufacturing will be sent overseas.

 

But I digress.

 

Elderly is a GREAT place to deal with. They don't always have the best prices, but they are a great group of people.

 

EVERY new instrument they sell is inspected and set up (including minor fret work, etc.). http://elderly.com/repair/setups.html So even if you buy a low-end Fender from them, they give it a full set up before it ships. Sometimes it's worth an extra few bucks.

[Inazone]

The first piece of gear I ever bought "online" was from Elderly, in around 1998-99. It was a used Jackson guitar, and the only way to buy online from them was to essentially reserve an item via email, and then call to actually purchase it. Their website was better than most, especially with multiple pictures and detailed descriptions that they provided, as opposed to the typical stock manufacturer photos and marketing propaganda.

[Oldskool Texas]

I like the facts that (1) each guitar has actually been looked at and evaluated by a human being who knows something about guitars, and (2) when you call them on the phone, you get to talk to one of those people, who will often have the guitar in their hands while you talk to them.

 

Elderly is one of only two places I would buy used gear from online. Stan and the gang are straight shooters, IMO, a dying breed.

[Selsaral]

EVERY new instrument they sell is inspected and set up (including minor fret work, etc.). http://elderly.com/repair/setups.html So even if you buy a low-end Fender from them, they give it a full set up before it ships. Sometimes it's worth an extra few bucks.

 

 

This is very true. I've been to Elderly many times. I've played every strat they had in the store on several visits. Every MIM was absolutely golden. Great setups, not a single sharp fret end or uneven fret. Then I go to BestBuy and there isn't a single MIM in vaguely good shape. Every single one has hideous overhanging fret ends.

 

That alone is the reason to go there. No hit/miss. Just great guitars. You pay for it, but the list price is the exact same as MF, so it's not like they are ripping anyone off.

 

I've bought 4 guitars there, including my Martin and Fender strat that I still gig with. My Fender is one of the best I've ever seen.

[k4df4l]

I bought a used guitar from them and it was dead on mint (exactly as they described in emails) and the price was identical to what average completed listing on fleabay was at the time for the same guitar.

[Grantus]

I would rather buy my USA made instruments online and get free shipping and no tax. The savings I will use to set up the instrument if it needs that. If it's defective, Musicians Friend will pay for the shipping back. For me though, lowest price ALWAYS wins.

 

 

if lowest price always wins, why are you buying USA-made stuff?

[Hubert Stumblin]

I have only heard and seen good things about them.

People selling instruments who actually know instruments. What a concept.

I'd say if you are going to spend a good amount of money on a quality instrument in the first place you may as well pony up a little more for their personal service to make sure the thing is in top notch shape.

[mnewb1]

I have been to Elderly many times. I have bought and sold about 7-8 guitars there. I have also had set ups and repair work done, and I would say, unequivocally, that they are awesome people. I have gone in for hours at times playing guitar after guitar without anyone ever standing over me like a vulture...try that at guitar center. The customer service is excellent and I have found that they will deal some with you on price.

I am very lucky to live near them and would recommend them without hesitation!!

[BydoEmpire]

I really like Elderly. They had Elixers for $8/pack recently. That's a great deal. They also have a lot of books/CDs/videos that weren't easy to find elsewhere (nowadays Amazon and eBay make that less of an issue).

[kulardenu]

I had a lil hottie frisk my guitar case leaving there before... It was very sensual!

[peavey_impact]

This isn't an attack on them. I always hear great things, and I go there when I want to see great pictures of actual instruments and not the obviously photoshopped MF stuff. However, their prices are a little high, and on used gear, it's especially unreasonable (stuff listed as "VG" or "EX" except it needs fret work or some other costly repairs that not everyone can do). What's the deal with them? It seems the get a lot of customers and talk despite those prices. The customer service I hear is very good, but if customer service with MF or similar is poor, you just hang up and call back and get someone else more reasonable.

I used to get some amazing deals on used gear from the back in the day. Not so much now, especially since they no longer ship used amps

[rog951]

I used to buy all my mail order stuff from Elderly, back before the internet existed...hell, even back when their little monthly flyer was free. I'd say I've bought at least 10 guitars from them over the years. Yeah, you might pay a little more but you get a guitar that has been given the once-over by an expert.

They've always been great to deal with, and their condition description has always been accurate...except once: my ex bought me an '80 LP Standard in VGC+ as a gift. I'd bought several VGC+ guitars before that and they'd all been practically new. This LP was beat absolutely to {censored}. I mean, finish gone off the neck and chunks of wood missing from the back of the guitar's body! But that guitar played and sounded so great I didn't even call them. To this day I wonder how that guitar rated a VGC+...it must've been mis-labeled or something.

[Mr_GoodBomb]

I find it hard to believe that they have labeled something "VG" or "EX" that needs costly repairs. Did you really mean that?

 

 

Here's a few examples.

 

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-16001.htm

 

Excellent conditon, EXCEPT it needs the frets leveled, the output jack replaced, and the trem arm is missing, among more minor things.

 

 

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-16240.htm

 

Excellent condition, except it needs the bridge and tailpiece reinstalled, and the jack rewired. And for that price, you could easily find a used one in like-new condition, or almost buy a new one.

 

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-16230.htm

 

Excellent condition, except the neck pickup needs reconnected, among the normal setup stuff needed.

 

I just don't understand how something in excellent condition could need so much work.

[rog951]

Here's a few examples. http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-16001.htm Excellent conditon, EXCEPT it needs the frets leveled, the output jack replaced, and the trem arm is missing, among more minor things. http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-16240.htm Excellent condition, except it needs the bridge and tailpiece reinstalled, and the jack rewired. And for that price, you could easily find a used one in like-new condition, or almost buy a new one. http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-16230.htm Excellent condition, except the neck pickup needs reconnected, among the normal setup stuff needed. I just don't understand how something in excellent condition could need so much work.

 

 

On low end stuff like you posted, they can't afford to put the labor into them to get them back to snuff and still make money. So they offer them up like that; they're not in excellent condition, but they will be when they're fixed. That's why they say "EC- EXCEPT..." for example.

[FrooShonTay]

I just wanted to pop in to say that Elderly is by far the best store I have been in, and that's not just for musical instruments, anything. I've always found their price on new items to be in line with what you could get anywhere else. They don't really offer deals like other places, but they make up for it in customer service and knowledge. I went to college at MSU, so my roommate and I would go there for hours just to sit and play instruments that we could never afford, and no one ever gave us crap.

 

Nearly all of the instruments were tuned and had a good setup. Their employees don't work off of commission, so you'll never be hassled to buy anything and they give honest advice. Employees would admit that they were experts in a particular area, but they'd introduce you to someone who could answer your questions, rather than give you a half-assed answer.

 

I'm really disappointed that I don't live in Lansing anymore and can't go there. A trip to Elderly would always put me in a good mood.

[Mav64]

I deal with them on a regular basis as they are a customer of mine and a terrific Reunion Blues dealer. I've never heard a bad word about them...

[Kid Klash]

They provide great service, and great service means dedicated, caring staff members. Those staff members have to eat and feed their families, as is the case with most small "mom-n-pop" music shops. They don't get the deep discounts on new gear that the Megalamarts get, so they need to charge a bit more to pay for their inventory, pay their staff, and make a small profit.

The next time you call one of the big internet sellers and the person you talk to knows nothing about the products, screws up your order and talks like a trained chimp, you'll understand why Elderly and all the other small shops that provide great service charge just a little bit more on some things (but not everything).