At what point do you NOT support the small local shop? - Page 5

varmonter · #61 10-20-2018, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parlorman

Well, my local shop is The Music Emporium. It doesn’t get much better than that so I’ll support them as long as they (and I) are still there.

I live 3 hrs away and i support them as well.
I have to say advance music in Burlington VT
is my LGS . No i don't buy everything there
i buy a lot online as well generally the prices
online are cheaper and i just pay the
sales tax at the end of the year

.
but I like to play instrument before i buy.
When i shop if they don't have it at my LGS
i'll drive the 3 hrs to TME to play one.

Br1ck · #62 10-20-2018, 02:30 PM

It is easier when your local store is Gryphon Strings or Guitar Showcase or Sylvan. I don't go into any of those stores without trying to buy $30 worth of stuff, or occasionally $1600. But I look at it as entertainment. I spend one to two hours there, can get great advise on how to repair stuff, play one or two $5,000+ guitars or mandolins. I've educated myself on all eras of D 18s and D 28s. But mostly, I need to reinforce to myself that the instruments I own are really good. Plenty good to see me through.

My area is also a hotbed of small one and two man outfits. I like to supports the likes of SunnAudio and Dazzo pickups too. What Gryphon can provide is a great string or pick selection when I go on a periodic hunt for something new, or just have to have a dobro capo.

Now I buy from Sweetwater occasionally, like when they start selling Sennheiser mics for $99, or I need PA speakers and such. I go to GC once a year and buy 12 packs of d'Addario strings on black Friday.

ataylor · #63 10-20-2018, 02:33 PM

I’d love to buy a D-18 from my local shop, and have told them that, but not when I can get it elsewhere for 20-25% cheaper. If they would even meet me in the middle I’d have bought one from them already.

robj144 · #64 10-20-2018, 02:45 PM

I don't have a small shop near me, so it's moot.

davidd · #65 10-20-2018, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ripdotcom

simple and true. Nice amps btw, I have a 72 Princeton with the deluxe upgrade transformer.

A vintage PR is a thing of beauty. best amp in the world IMO. My '69 has a 12" Red Fang alnico and just sings. I prefer my PR's over my Deluxe Reverb amps. On the hunt for a Vibrolux. Yes, I know wrong forum to discuss this.

Brucebubs · #66 10-20-2018, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ataylor

I’d love to buy a D-18 from my local shop, and have told them that, but not when I can get it elsewhere for 20-25% cheaper. If they would even meet me in the middle I’d have bought one from them already.

That's exactly what I tried to do with a Maton 12-string back in post #2. I barely finished asking when the young kid sales assistant told me, "We don't do discounts, buy it from them".
So I did.

andyspur · #67 10-20-2018, 03:03 PM

Unfortunately the local shops are pretty limited. The chances are that if I want to try a Martin, for instance, it will have been pretty well 'played' before I get near it. I am therefore happy to travel the 2-3 hours each way to try and buy what I want,

fazool · #68 10-20-2018, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatitis

...I guess I’m just curious where people stand on the line between supporting the little guy and throwing money away?

Common fallacy of economics misunderstanding.

let's map out your scenario:

Let's say the little guy can buy the capo for $24 and sells it for $36.
Let's say GC can buy the capo for $12 and sells it for $20.

(this approximates your numbers)

Buying it from the little guy you spent $36 and he got $8

If you really cared about the little guy, you would have bought the capo from GC for $20, then handed $16 to the little guy. You get the same capo for the same price and the little guy gets twice as much cash in hand.

No one does that though and when you propose it people act like you're nuts. But the reality is it has nothing to do with the real financial numbers, nor about actually doing whats best for somebody else. It's doing what makes oneself feel better (and less guilty) about their buying habits.

guitar george · #69 10-20-2018, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazool

If you really cared about the little guy, you would have bought the capo from GC for $20, then handed $16 to the little guy. You get the same capo for the same price and the little guy gets twice as much cash in hand.

Kinda the same idea - My niece is selling boxes of chocolates to raise money for her youth opera society. They will get 30% of the money from all the chocolates they can sell. Delivery is to be late November and she would have to deliver them. I told her we don't really want any chocolates, a month before Christmas, and these were made without preservatives, so they would barely be any good by Christmastime. Instead, I said, why don't I just donate some money to the opera society? She said, "that would be even better". I did donate and everyone is happy except the chocolate company.

Mrbirdog · #70 10-20-2018, 04:54 PM

When that ugly three letter word becomes a factor regarding where to buy from...…..

donlyn · #71 10-20-2018, 04:56 PM

At what point do you NOT support the small local shop?

When you feel you are being treated poorly.

I know there are a lot of things that can create such a feeling, but to me, basic politeness plays the biggest part.

Not just with music stores, but with all businesses and relationships, this is the true test.

Don

ThermiteTermite · #72 10-20-2018, 05:21 PM

They are businesses, not welfare cases. It is up to them to make me want to buy their product. It is not up to me to support them.

Thin Crust · #73 10-20-2018, 06:24 PM

When Elixir’s are $27.95.

brad2001 · #74 10-20-2018, 06:48 PM

I have always bought locally from small shops. It has always been 2 for 1 on strings in Wichita, but you have to ask, okay. I've only owned 4 acoustic guitars in 30 years but they were all purchased local from mom and pop, my Fender elect was an attic find. Have I paid more as a result of not internet shopping? Sure I have, but I see it as "buy once, cry once" and there isn't anything my local shop won't do for me. It's worth it.

Gibson 60's Dove
67 Fender Coronado mod

jp2558 · #75 10-20-2018, 07:59 PM

I have a mom and pop (literally) 1.5 mies down the road that's been there since 1946. The original owner was friends with Leo Fender. The current owners are still the stand by what you sell, for a fair price, and lifetime follow up service. I have guitars I bought there over 30 years ago and if I ever need them to put them on the bench there is never a charge unless warranted. In my mind guitar center or online can't match that. Good people are worth every penny.