Sound Control & Turnkey in Administration

[Smellybum]

As a former employee for Sound Control - I was saddened to receive this email, I have no reason to doubt it, eBay and online discounts seem to have killed a british icon, Pound control and I go way back , Pat Kelly(owner) is a stand up guy and did a lot for me as a kid, I hope he and all the employees get something back.

A great place I spent every Saturday of my teenage life in 17-21 St. Marys' Street Edinburgh, Sound Control's branch.

(For those not in the know- Pat's business partner of ;a lot' of years went his own way and formed guitat guitar, Kip seems to be doing well right now)

I can't beleive another good lot of shops have gone to the dogs, very sad indeed.

Excuse the sales blurb from Dolphin, they seem to be keen to help/sell.
Sound Control/Turnkey go into Administration.

After many months of speculation and rumour it has been revealed today, 30th April 2008, that Sound Control, including Turnkey, have gone into administration.
At least 10 stores have already closed and unfortunately 100+ staff have been laid-off. At this time we have no further information, but what is quite clear is that any new or existing orders are unlikely to be fulfilled.
We take customer service very seriously at Dolphin Music, so in view of the demise of Sound Control, we will be increasing staffing levels this week & this weekend to ensure that we can meet the increased demand.
In view of the serious impact these events could have on customers who have placed orders in good faith, Dolphin Music would like to offer an advice service to any worried Sound Control or Turnkey customers. Anyone seeking advice on how to cancel a Sound Control or Turnkey order and ensure that they receive a refund should call the number below and one of our advisors will be happy to assist.
Any customers planning to make a purchase from Sound Control or Turnkey are equally welcome to call Dolphin Music and we will match or better the price offered by them.

[Buzz002]

Yes it's a terrible shame. I must say me and my dad must be in that shop every week just to browse and chat to the amazing people that work that. Those other shops can try their best to mop up the left over customers but they can never match the service offered at soundcontrol.

I am really worried for the guys that work there. They do a sterling job and deserve to get something back for their amazing efforts.

To think ive been saving for the last 3 months to buy some new PA. I was even going to apply for a job in the Norwich branch in the summer

I would never buy this sort of stuff over the internet. You knew what you got at soundcontrol. You KNEW without fail the amazing service you would get and for those reasons I always went in shop.

Unbelievable, cant believe it and very disappointed.

[Spudmurphy]

Sad indeed that the advantages of e commerce (leading to cheaper on line prices) is contributing to the many reasons why high street premises are closing down.

It's all very well saying "well they should reduce their prices and compete with their on line peers". Online traders aren't paying $2000 dollars a month shop rental, council taxes, wages, insurance.

It's happened to a buddy of mine who was paying an exorbitant rental fee for his shop. - Now it has been converted into another "Cheap Booze" shop!.

Times move on - there are fantastic advantages in e commerce and I have taken advantage of them myself.

But unless I keep on supporting my local shop community, together with the resultant social interaction, then more shops like my buddy's and Smellybums buddy, will close.

[Blind Lemon]

As a long standing supplier to them, we were also shocked at the news.

Pete
Strings and Things Ltd

[colinboy]

its always sad when business's close due profit loss but a local shop of mine closed this yr too because the shop owner told me they cannot compete with the internet and the prices people pay online.

its sad for many job losses also.

[pjc812]

One of the problems on this side of the pond is the perceived "sales tax advantage". If a store ships something outside of a state they do not do business in, they do not collect the sales tax in the ship to state. The customer is still liable for it, oh yes (supposed to report as 'use tax'), but those things rarely ever get checked.

So, I would have people saying "yes but on MF I don't have to pay sales tax".

New York is changing trying to change that in their state by making mail order companies collect the state sales tax. That would solve a myriad of problems from unfair advantages for out of state businesses to states loosing millions of dollars in uncollected revenue.

[GreyDad]

Just found out about this this morning - I'm gutted!

Bought my Ashdown rig and SR5HH through them and was getting psyched up to discuss a Bongo6. I hope my local store (Bristol) survives and they manage to keep it going somehow. I have about 120 quid in my account there which is at risk I suppose but I think that's small beer compared to peoples jobs and lives being screwed up.

Internet is fine but for music and instruments there's nothing to beat walking in, picking up and playing the damn things first - and I always got a deal and great service.

Sad days.