chillybilly
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Just returned from a few non-music-related errands but as I was close to GC I stopped in to buy...a music stand. I have railed against the use of stands on a stage (unless you're seated and playing an orchestra instrument) but for rehearsal purposes they can be indispensable - and a damn sight cheaper than paying for another iKlip.
Apparently the watchword has gone out at GC - kill them with kindness. I wasn't greeted this warmly by so many people the last time I dropped three and a half bills at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I was hello-how-are-you'd in the hallway leading to the restrooms...by the guy pacing the entry to the drum room...by the guy AND the girl in the live sound department...and by the guy in the guitar department. An optimist might say it's nice of them to take an interest...a pessimist might say it's a last-ditch attempt to make to their sales numbers and they are closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.
The Gemütlichkeit dissipated quickly when it became clear I had entered for one lone inexpensive item and did not need strings, picks, gongs, ukuleles or congas.
But while I awaited the checkout procedure at one of the department's registers, an individual standing at the next register was throwing multiple tantrums. Relying strictly on his 'outside voice' thus making his narrative unavoidable, this person had a mid-tier acoustic guitar in its case with the cover open. The backstory, tragic as it was, was the instrument belonged to a US serviceman who lost his life. Not sure if it was combat or even military-related but the current owner's sentiment didn't extend as far as keeping his departed's guitar. As has been discussed here many times, selling used gear and/or trade-ins at GC is usually a guaranteed loser. They will look up 5 recent transactions on eBay and take half that figure (e.g. Pedal A sells for 65, 70, 75, 80 and 85. They offer half of the average 75 = 37.50).
The staffer explained their rather simple formula and even turned his display around to show his math and offered $450. Shouty Sam was apoplectic. 'That's a $1200 guitar! It's virtually untouched!' Sam warmed to his task. 'In fact, it's new!' The staffer politely pointed out that it wasn't technically new and even if it were GC could not advertise/sell it as such for obvious reasons. 'You're gonna mark that thing up to $800-900 and sell it! Someone's going to get a steal!' Well, Sam, that is the general idea in any business model especially in used items. And so he thought it was haggle time at the flea market and was berating the poor clerk at length. 'Gimme $500 and we're done! $500 and I leave now! $500! Come on! You can do that!' He paced in a circle like a caged lion. An act? Really this obnoxious? Hard to tell.
'I don't make the rules, sir' said the staffer with a mix of impatience, desperation and finality, staring at his monitor in the tradition of airline ticket agents who wish to avoid eye contact with irate passengers.
I gave an exaggerated eye roll to the staffer ringing my transaction to express a bit of solidarity with them in dealing with the clueless and/or the rude. I nearly broke 'the fourth wall' to intercede with Shouty Sam and explain a) that I had dealt with GC's policy before and it was as inflexible as they claimed and b) if he wanted anything more than 50% of market value (whatever that actually might be) he would have to rely on the usual internet sales vehicles.
Unfortunately, I can't provide an definitive ending to the story, happy or otherwise, as I hied it out of there with Shouty's voice still reverberating. If he got his extra $50 he certainly didn't deserve it given his histrionics. That ever-growing cynical part of me couldn't help but wonder if he'd come by this instrument via less honorable means and if the dead soldier wasn't a complete fiction. I do hope the GCers held fast - poor souls.
Apparently the watchword has gone out at GC - kill them with kindness. I wasn't greeted this warmly by so many people the last time I dropped three and a half bills at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I was hello-how-are-you'd in the hallway leading to the restrooms...by the guy pacing the entry to the drum room...by the guy AND the girl in the live sound department...and by the guy in the guitar department. An optimist might say it's nice of them to take an interest...a pessimist might say it's a last-ditch attempt to make to their sales numbers and they are closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.
The Gemütlichkeit dissipated quickly when it became clear I had entered for one lone inexpensive item and did not need strings, picks, gongs, ukuleles or congas.
But while I awaited the checkout procedure at one of the department's registers, an individual standing at the next register was throwing multiple tantrums. Relying strictly on his 'outside voice' thus making his narrative unavoidable, this person had a mid-tier acoustic guitar in its case with the cover open. The backstory, tragic as it was, was the instrument belonged to a US serviceman who lost his life. Not sure if it was combat or even military-related but the current owner's sentiment didn't extend as far as keeping his departed's guitar. As has been discussed here many times, selling used gear and/or trade-ins at GC is usually a guaranteed loser. They will look up 5 recent transactions on eBay and take half that figure (e.g. Pedal A sells for 65, 70, 75, 80 and 85. They offer half of the average 75 = 37.50).
The staffer explained their rather simple formula and even turned his display around to show his math and offered $450. Shouty Sam was apoplectic. 'That's a $1200 guitar! It's virtually untouched!' Sam warmed to his task. 'In fact, it's new!' The staffer politely pointed out that it wasn't technically new and even if it were GC could not advertise/sell it as such for obvious reasons. 'You're gonna mark that thing up to $800-900 and sell it! Someone's going to get a steal!' Well, Sam, that is the general idea in any business model especially in used items. And so he thought it was haggle time at the flea market and was berating the poor clerk at length. 'Gimme $500 and we're done! $500 and I leave now! $500! Come on! You can do that!' He paced in a circle like a caged lion. An act? Really this obnoxious? Hard to tell.
'I don't make the rules, sir' said the staffer with a mix of impatience, desperation and finality, staring at his monitor in the tradition of airline ticket agents who wish to avoid eye contact with irate passengers.
I gave an exaggerated eye roll to the staffer ringing my transaction to express a bit of solidarity with them in dealing with the clueless and/or the rude. I nearly broke 'the fourth wall' to intercede with Shouty Sam and explain a) that I had dealt with GC's policy before and it was as inflexible as they claimed and b) if he wanted anything more than 50% of market value (whatever that actually might be) he would have to rely on the usual internet sales vehicles.
Unfortunately, I can't provide an definitive ending to the story, happy or otherwise, as I hied it out of there with Shouty's voice still reverberating. If he got his extra $50 he certainly didn't deserve it given his histrionics. That ever-growing cynical part of me couldn't help but wonder if he'd come by this instrument via less honorable means and if the dead soldier wasn't a complete fiction. I do hope the GCers held fast - poor souls.
