#61
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I used to manage an independent bookstore in the days before Amazon. The independent bookstores that have stayed in business have diversified. They carry cards, gifts, and host events. The brick and mortar guitar shops that I know in my area have also diversified- they have contracts with local schools to buy their band instruments, they have lessons, etc. Some businesses get creative and adjust and others don’t.
I support my local guitar shop as much as I can but if they don’t have what I am looking for, I’ll go elsewhere. Many factors are at play here and as has been mentioned the online shopping option affects many sectors. Best, Jayne |
#62
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That's what I hate to hear. That's why I wrote the post. Maybe there's still time to raise guitar market consumer awareness. Not everyone loves the post but I'm not driving at individual opinion, only trying to say what needs to be said...because it matters.
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#63
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#64
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Those folks need jobs too.
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Nothing bothers me unless I let it. Martin D18 Gibson J45 Gibson J15 Fender Copperburst Telecaster Squier CV 50 Stratocaster Squier CV 50 Telecaster |
#65
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If I drive to Oregon and buy a guitar, I pay OR sales tax. Why should I pay AZ tax on a guitar bought in OR just because I had it shipped?
The real question is, how can some vendors ship so cheaply. I can buy a guitar case from Elderly and they will give me free shipping, but if I were to ship an empty box back to Lansing it would cost me over $80.
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#66
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I didn't read the whole thread. I simply don't care. I do not/will not buy a guitar online. I will support my "Friendly Local Guitar Shop" (FLGS) any day over an online retailer. If my FLGS doesn't happen to be a licensed dealer of a guitar brand that I am interested in, I know that I can find one within a 3-4 hour drive. Yeah, I may be old school but then again, I am getting old, so there's that. Have a nice day.
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#67
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#68
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If you needed something beyond the generic, you were not likely to find it at Walmart. If you needed knowledgible help... I wouldn't be to quick to just write off mom & pop stores. All of us have at least some power as to how things can go. Where we choose to do business and spend our money can have a positive effect. |
#69
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#70
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#71
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#72
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Reverb, AGF and the Internet helped me get back into acoustic guitar on my time and my terms. I have a fairly hectic work schedule - I leave the house for work at 6.45 am and I am rarely home before 7.30 pm. Weekends are filled with activities for the kids, household chores, errands and family obligations.
I read AGF at night, watch lots of Youtube videos, and correspond by email with dealers, sellers and forum members. The Internet is my lifeline to the world of acoustic guitar. In the 2 years since I've gotten back into guitar I've: - purchased (Reverb) and sold (AGF) a wonderful Northwood - purchased (Internet dealer) and sold (AGF) an excellent Avian - purchased (AGF) my Carter-Poulsen - purchased (brick and mortar store in Tokyo) my K. Yairi - purchased (two different Internet dealers) my Bashkin GC and OM - purchased from Asia (Internet dealer) my Michaud - purchased (local Guitar Center) a GS Mini for my younger son - purchased (local Goodwill) my Yamaha - traded three guitars that were gathering dust for my Martin M-36 (local shop, but which I located online!) - located a local luthier who fixed up a '92 Strat with seized electronics from years in storage & dressed the frets on my Carter-Poulsen - met online, and then in person at Woodstock, Michael Bashkin, and ordered a build from him - met online, and then in person at Woodstock, Joel Michaud, and ordered a built from him I like local shops and patronize them when I can. I like the local GC and Sam Ash and have always been respectfully treated there. I like luthier built guitars and that the Internet has made all of them accessible. I like the amazing selection at Dream Guitars, boutique sellers on Reverb, transacting on AGF. I like that Marcus Wong always has time for silly questions about build choices. When I think I might like to try another Martin, I like that Elderly and Maury's are there, but I too fear for my local place and wonder if I need to put in a custom build just to help them keep afloat. But I cannot imagine how many years it would have taken for me to do this without the Internet and online transactions - not to mention having to bargain for time off and live with the guilt of running to the local store at the expense of a kid's homework or practice. Nor do I think any store in NYC much less any store in the country, would have offered me the variety, access to luthier-built, foreign production and mainstream brand guitars, and exposure to size, build, style, tone wood, and more as in the modern era of Internet purchasing.
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Bashkin 00-12 Adi/Hog Bashkin 0M-MS Swiss Moon/PRW(build thread) Bashkin GC-12 Sitka/Koa Carter-Poulsen J-Model German Select Spruce/MacEb Fender MIJ Strat ('90) and 50s RW Tele ('19) Martin 00-28c Spruce/BRW('67) Martin M-36 (R) Sitka/EIR Michaud O-R Cedar/Koa - New Build Michaud J-R Sitka/MBW K. Yairi RF-120 Spruce/EIR KoAloha KTM-25 Koa/Koa Yamaha G-231 Cedar/Hog ('71) |
#73
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Bill |
#74
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I've purchased all my guitars both new and used, where I've gotten the best quality, price and customer service at the time...
No one business has a lock on those commodities, whether they're online, Big Box store or local B&M...I've seen the best and worst attitudes in all of them... But if anyone else would like to give me a blank check for my next guitar, I'll certainly take your opinions under consideration...before I buy it where I want...
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"Music is much too important to be left to professionals." Last edited by Denny B; 02-17-2019 at 09:17 PM. |
#75
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Exactly
For the record, neither does Alaska, Delaware, Montana, or New Hampshire
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |