G.C itis is spreading

[sixty2strat]

I really miss the days when shops treated you as a customer/friend

Went into a shop that is pretty far form were I live now. I used to go there A lot when I took some courses at the local college. In fact bought my 1st Marshall, a lead n bass combo there in 1982. Not been there in a year or so, got the car back from state inspection and a tune up so was out on a joy riide. So I stop in It was a nice surprise: lots of nice gear all well maitained. So I am kinda of looking all over, like I always do nothing in mind but willing to buy if I see the right item:walked out of many a shop with a new fuzz or plexi. So I am in there 15 minutes or so. looking around. I kinda feel I am being watched, which I dont like, odd since I picked up nothing or turned on an amp. So I see an SVT and 2 rack mounts typeSVT400's. My friend wants a back up SVT. Suddenly the the owner calls out to me across the store can I help you, I reply just browsing, HE then yells at me CAN I HELP YOU. I get piss'd, his 1st tone was a bit pushy 2nd time was rude. I replied loudlly " I TOLD YOU I AM JUST BROWSING .....at that point I decide to leave I dont need the attitude. I was shocked: I expect that kinda of treatment of GC. Damm I was a pro, I know how to treat gear, I am not a tire kicker or timewaster. My roomate worked for the guy years ago and I bought a bit of stuff from him. I was treated like a gangbanger in Tiffany and co. Makes me miss the old days when music stores were a home away from home. I was going to buy a Valve Jr head for shits n giggles.they had for a great price ( been wanting one to fool around with for a while) and I will forget that I saw the SVT heads. Sorry had to vent.

[Ken Ho]

I dunno, that's a typical small store experience for me. I always found them expensive and unfriendly. It's the big stores and the net that introduced the idea of good customer service in my world.
You might have been part of the "in crowd" in "the good old days", but I wasn't.

[DrSax]

Originally Posted by Ken Ho

I dunno, that's a typical small store experience for me. I always found them expensive and unfriendly. It's the big stores and the net that introduced the idea of good customer service in my world.
You might have been part of the "in crowd" in "the good old days", but I wasn't.

EXACTLY!!! I'm surprised to hear someone say this, actually, but that is how I always felt in small mom/pop stores. I mean, whatever, i hope they all do well etc., but from my experience I've always been treated better at GC (and I'm not exactly a huge GC fan).

[Birddog]

My local GC (Buffalo, NY) always treats me like a king. The couple of salespeople I regularly deal with are knowledgeable and really friendly.

There is good and bad about chain stores, and there's good and bad about mom & pop operations. I have no compunction about giving the Buffalo GC my business.

[Washburnmemphis]

Originally Posted by Birddog

My local GC (Buffalo, NY) always treats me like a king. The couple of salespeople I regularly deal with are knowledgeable and really friendly.

There is good and bad about chain stores, and there's good and bad about mom & pop operations. I have no compunction about giving the Buffalo GC my business.

+1 - I bought my last two guitars and a used SFTR at the Buffalo GC.

(I should add Jackson Music aren't slouches either. They do a great job of being competitive especially with GC a 10 minute drive away.)

[Birddog]

Originally Posted by Washburnmemphis

+1 - I bought my last two guitars and a used SFTR at the Buffalo GC.

(I should add Jackson Music aren't slouches either. They do a great job of being competitive especially with GC a 10 minute drive away.)

I completely agree with you. Jackson is great, too. Bought my TRRI there.

[theflyingturtle]

Originally Posted by Ken Ho

I dunno, that's a typical small store experience for me. I always found them expensive and unfriendly. It's the big stores and the net that introduced the idea of good customer service in my world.
You might have been part of the "in crowd" in "the good old days", but I wasn't.

+1,000

[Scott57]

Originally Posted by Ken Ho

I dunno, that's a typical small store experience for me. I always found them expensive and unfriendly. It's the big stores and the net that introduced the idea of good customer service in my world.
You might have been part of the "in crowd" in "the good old days", but I wasn't.

Originally Posted by DrSax

EXACTLY!!! I'm surprised to hear someone say this, actually, but that is how I always felt in small mom/pop stores. I mean, whatever, i hope they all do well etc., but from my experience I've always been treated better at GC (and I'm not exactly a huge GC fan).

My experience, as well. I was always given a whole three to five seconds to decide if I wanted to buy that (then) thousand dollar Gibson or not. However, I have also come across several local shops where everyone is cool. Likewise, the local GC is not a bad place to shop.

No love just because it's a Mom & Pop shop and no hate just because it's a national chain. I just don't spend time or money where the place is ran by jerks.

[newmod]

Originally Posted by Scott57

I just don't spend time or money where the place is ran by jerks.

Amen!

[itkindaworks]

Originally Posted by Ken Ho

I dunno, that's a typical small store experience for me. I always found them expensive and unfriendly. It's the big stores and the net that introduced the idea of good customer service in my world.
You might have been part of the "in crowd" in "the good old days", but I wasn't.

That's sort of been my experience in small shops too(one recently went bust). I've only had 1 real hounding experience in GC.

[Flinx]

Originally Posted by Ken Ho

I dunno, that's a typical small store experience for me. I always found them expensive and unfriendly. It's the big stores and the net that introduced the idea of good customer service in my world.
You might have been part of the "in crowd" in "the good old days", but I wasn't.

+1

[Liquid Ranger]

Sorry fellows, gotta disagree...you've been drinkin' too much of the GC Koolaid. I've been told that great deals on Gibson's can be found at Best Buy as well. B

[Polynitro]

maybe hes deaf? Hes been working in a music store since 1982.

I go to Guitar Center just to fart around and nobody bothers me. I go to Alpha and I get accosted with "dude check out the new midi Strat!" as soon as I walk in the door.

[BallisticGuitars]

i don't know, sounds you probably overreacted based on your story. The guy asked you twice if he could help you - at face value I don't see a problem with that. It's not like he said to stop playing the guitar, turn down the amp, or get lost.

[sixty2strat]

Originally Posted by Jason2112

i don't know, sounds you probably overreacted based on your story. The guy asked you twice if he could help you - at face value I don't see a problem with that. It's not like he said to stop playing the guitar, turn down the amp, or get lost.

Well I'd agree maybe but the tone of voice, tells a lot. I did respond after his first question, even if it was pretty disstainful toward me, next time it was plain rude. at 40 I know rudness Just shocked me, guess they only want you come in and say what you want. Sort of like the old time PA state stores, for us older folks. Might as well deal with MF. Felt the guys at the guitar show were polite by contrast