Why not GC?

[Father Gino]

Any of you old guys remember the average mom and pop shop back when we were kids?

Yes, I remember them very fondly. Maybe I was lucky to have real good ones here in Konnecticut (there are still a few good ones actually), but I miss those days. What can I tell you, I miss the local hardware store, the local market, the local pharmacy, the local movie theatre. Now everything is a mega chain store. No use complaining about it, that's just the way it is.

 

[shamus63]

Yup that one...Bobby's a good friend and he doesn't slap much but he's the baddest pick player I know of.

http://www.bobbyvega.com/

Did a little time with Tower of Power, filling in for Rocco.

I envy that job!

 

[BigBallz]

"No use complaining about it, that's just the way it is."


Because we did not complain, it now is the way it is.....

 

[Father Gino]

However, I don't buy my basses from them or any other local shop because I want my new bass to come to me untouched by the public.

I dunno, I've heard if you buy from some of these innernet guys, they might lick the merchandise or even rub their azz on it.

Seriously though, I prefer a hands on approach when buying an instrument. I'm scared of buying a bass sight unseen. Granted, I've done that twice with EBMMs with great sucess, but in general, I'd rather play the individual axe first. And I've got absolutely nothing against buying used basses where I'd most definitely lay hands on them first.

I'm not fond of GC because the place is like a giant, annoying video arcade. Gives me a headache. I do go there occasionally because they have such a large selection of stuff, but I was disappointed that the Manchester, CT store did not have any of EBs new stuff just before Christmas. The bass sales dude didn't even know they were out yet or what the new line was all about. I did first play a Sterling at GC which brought me to this present state, but I didn't buy it there. I'll check stuff out @ GC and then buy it from Pete or the Dude even if it costs me a few bucks more. If it cost hundreds more that might be different.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Any of you old guys remember the average mom and pop shop back when we were kids?

Nope...I hung out here as a kid drooling over basses. I bought my first StingRay from the HOG in 1978.

 

[shamus63]

Seriously though, I prefer a hands on approach when buying an instrument. I'm scared of buying a bass sight unseen. Granted, I've done that twice with EBMMs with great sucess, but in general, I'd rather play the individual axe first. And I've got absolutely nothing against buying used basses where I'd most definitely lay hands on them first.

Yeah, for me it's amps tried and purchased locally (most of the time); basses tried locally/ordered new online (again, most of the time). With Dude and Jack involved in the purchasing process, I don't worry about a lemon (especially if it's an EBMM).

 

[Big Poppa]

Guys you can get romantic about the good old days paying retail for strings from the mom and pop stores.you can wax nostaligic about the limited selection that you couldnt touch unless mom or pop could get off the barcalounger and there wasnt too much static coming in on the rabbit eared tv to give you service or the time of day...Remember the energetic young buck wanting to move the store forward but was straightjacketed by the burned out owners dreamin of a condo by the greyhound track?

Now the mom and Pop better be drinking hot coffee and have their sh&t together because here is a giant that lets you play it, gives you thirty days money back, gives you credit and stocks ten times what the local does. Whether you like GC or not they have forced people to really focus and take care of their customer or perish.

 

[bovinehost]

Now that's what I'm talking about. I'm not one bit nostalgic about the shops that were around me when I was a kid.

One place was in the only mall on the MS Gulf Coast at the time - I forget what it was called, but they had boatloads of pianos and organs and marching band instruments and sheet music and they all wore white shirts and ties.

Hanging behind the counter, 2 Fender basses. Later in the game, they added some Ibanez stuff.

Not exactly the stuff of dreams. I think they had an age requirement if you actually wanted to touch one of the Fenders.

By the mid-70s, we had Mountain Music. Run by relatives of the guys in Skynyrd, if looks are anything to go by. This was better - MUCH better. They had Peavey, tons of it (hey, it was MS), and some okay basses. You paid retail. Why wouldn't you? Wasn't like you could go down the road to compare prices on that Rickenbacker.

And the whole shop was smaller than a two-car garage.

I, like most of you other old geezers, can get cranky about the unholy din of a metropolitan Guitar Center on Saturday afternoon. But hey! I'm old! I'm cranky! That unholy din is the sound of money - lots of it, apparently.

When I was all hot for a retro-looking modern-appointed bass, where did I find my Mike Dirnt P? Guitar Center. (Don't worry, boss - I already sold it.)

Nah, I might privately complain about the noise, but it's worlds better than what I had when I was growing up.

I'm still cranky from hunger, though.
Jack

 

[maddog]

Service vs. Price. What mix do you want? All it boils down to. I am very loyal to my fav local bike shop even tho' we got the big chain in town with rock bottom prices. My local shop has got me pegged on what I want, give me a beer when I walk in the door and will open the shop after hours if I really need something. But then again, if I were back in school with a grad student's paycheck, I'd be unashamedly visiting the big chain for them rock bottom prices.

 

[francric]

The only complaint I have is, if they can carry a crap load of other manufacturers, why not EBMM? I visit two GC's in different states about two to three times a year. One had a Sub and one had a used Axis. I've asked why and all they can say is they don't know.

 

[shamus63]

I think we all benefit from having both around. The personal touch of the mom/pop's; the inventory and pricing of the big guys.

 

[shamus63]

The only complaint I have is, if they can carry a crap load of other manufacturers, why not EBMM? I visit two GC's in different states about two to three times a year. One had a Sub and one had a used Axis. I've asked why and all they can say is they don't know.

Actually, the one here in San Francisco has a fair selection of EBMM basses (when you consider wall space and the competition); I don't check their guitar selection.

 

[Randracula]

My local GC treats me nice for the most part......Sam Ash is another story

 

[bovinehost]

I'd be interested to find out what the 'average' price is of a guitar or bass sold at GC.

The median price, maybe, is what I mean. I think that would answer a lot of questions about why there are more of those than there are of these.

What do you guys think? More like 300 bucks or more like 1200 bucks? I bet I know what it's closer to....and why they stock what they stock.

Jack

 

[shamus63]

My local GC treats me nice for the most part......Sam Ash is another story

You have a Sam Ash down there?

 

[shamus63]

I'd be interested to find out what the 'average' price is of a guitar or bass sold at GC.

The median price, maybe, is what I mean. I think that would answer a lot of questions about why there are more of those than there are of these.

What do you guys think? More like 300 bucks or more like 1200 bucks? I bet I know what it's closer to....and why they stock what they stock.

Jack

I'll check that as well at the SF location this Saturday, but for the most part I'd say $850 was right about in the middle for their stock.

 

[BigBallz]

Guys you can get romantic about the good old days paying retail for strings from the mom and pop stores.you can wax nostaligic about the limited selection that you couldnt touch unless mom or pop could get off the barcalounger and there wasnt too much static coming in on the rabbit eared tv to give you service or the time of day...Remember the energetic young buck wanting to move the store forward but was straightjacketed by the burned out owners dreamin of a condo by the greyhound track?

Now the mom and Pop better be drinking hot coffee and have their sh&t together because here is a giant that lets you play it, gives you thirty days money back, gives you credit and stocks ten times what the local does. Whether you like GC or not they have forced people to really focus and take care of their customer or perish.

I really don't like to be forced. With online sales this year DOUBLING that of last year for all sorts of merchandise, the benifit of GC or any major retailer, grows smaller and smaller. Yes, you can go and play a bass and check out the quality but your quality is not an issue. Buying online is more conveinent, have wider choices of gear in stock, or told when it will be in stock if backordered\don't have to fight the crowds or sales personal.

I have consistantly gotten lower prices online also. Hmmmmmm....

Now I am NOT one who goes to stores to play the gear, then goes online to buy it. I bought my previous EBMM Bass from GC. We don't need to repeat that story.

I just like the quickness, choice and less hassle of buying online.

 

[bovinehost]

There's no doubt in my relatively tiny mind that online is not only the future but is also a major part of the present.

This forum is a perfect example of why and how it works. I don't know how many basses have been purchased as a direct result of participation in the forum, but...quite a few. (And remember, I don't just sell them - I buy them and play them, too, so I'm not exactly immune.)

Something as relatively simple as the Build An Instrument feature sells basses.

(Note to BP: smack Code Monkey around about updates featuring Bongos and new models. I hear about this all the time from potential customers.)

Isn't Guitar Center in league with Musician's Friend? Owned by the same people? I've heard that, but have no idea if it's true.

If not, then Steve and I are poised to conquer the world.

 

[shamus63]

I really don't like to be forced. With online sales this year DOUBLING that of last year for all sorts of merchandise, the benifit of GC or any major retailer, grows smaller and smaller. Yes, you can go and play a bass and check out the quality but your quality is not an issue. Buying online is more conveinent, have wider choices of gear in stock, or told when it will be in stock if backordered\don't have to fight the crowds or sales personal.

I have consistantly gotten lower prices online also. Hmmmmmm....

Now I am NOT one who goes to stores to play the gear, then goes online to buy it. I bought my previous EBMM Bass from GC. We don't need to repeat that story.

I just like the quickness, choice and less hassle of buying online.

Actually, my neighborhood store that sold me the Stealth Bongo matched prices with MF...a big plus!

 

[bovinehost]

Whether you like GC or not they have forced people to really focus and take care of their customer or perish.

I really don't like to be forced.

He's talking about retailers.