I went into a well know music store last week. It's one that you would recognize but shall remain nameless in this blog. So, I went into this music stores whose initials are GC to purchase some low end drum bags for a Yamaha kit I bought used a few months ago. The bags were $100 and after I did my research (I realize that I did that backwards) I found out, I got a pretty good deal.
On the other hand, I also purchased a new head for my main snare drum. It's been showing some age and I thought, 'well, since I'm here.'
That, as it turns out was not a good deal.
This store, like many others will price match anyone else, but you gotta do your homework first and go in an informed shopper. Even though you know you're gonna have to haggle to get the best deal.
I've done business (a lot of business) with this chain and they have a record of all my purchases. Sometimes I feel I do pretty good in there and other times not. I guess what aggravates me the most is when I find a better price on this particular chains own web site. Why not just sell it for the same price in the store as you do on your site and make everyone happy?
Well, I'm not stupid. I know the answer is brick and mortars have much more overhead, offer immediate access to the merchandise, employs people to answer questions, offers demos...yada,yada,yada.
The only real reason to shop a brick and mortar is if you really, really need immediate access to the merchandise. The employees, by and large, are not helpful. Well-meaning perhaps, but not helpful. The demos are a joke and I
really hate going in to shop.
Most of my purchases have been made on-line, where I'm more apt to bargain hunt. I generally find much lower prices, even with shipping costs included and I don't have to deal with the inevitable scorn from salespeople who know they're probably not going to get my business.
My last major purchase was a cymbal that I purchased on-line from a local retailer who had just come through bankruptcy. A little bit of a risky move, but American Express takes a lot of the risk out of any on-line purchase anyway. As a point of reference, the cymbal is a top of the line Paiste Signature ride cymbal and it retails for over $700. After weeks of searching E-bay and then retailers trying to find a reasonable deal, the best I could come up with was a price of just under $500 plus shipping.
On a whim, I checked with the local retailer just out of bankruptcy and for some unknown reason, they sell the cymbal for $366. It's not in stock, but they can order it, have it dropped shipped to the store and I can pick it up there, no shipping costs. A no brainer. The only downside, I gotta pay tax, but still......
No moral to this story. I could tell you about several purchases made through E-bay or at an on-line retailer that have been a much more pleasant and cost savings experience than walking in that local chain.
A lot of people predict the chain won't survive. Folks tell me all the time of unpleasant experiences at the GC. I bought my DW kit there only after the store manager followed me into the parking lot, stood inside my car door and relented to a ridiculous price so I would take the kit home then and there. I don't think that exists anymore. I used to ask for a manager so they cut make me a "deal I couldn't refuse", but they don't do that anymore either.
So, I'll plan ahead, stay well stocked on sticks and heads, keep researching the best price, make sure I'm getting a good deal on musical equipment and watch for the "going out of business" signs that will probably adorn that chain store someday soon.
