What online music retailers do you recommend?

[ghettosynth]

Sweetwater has never been competitive on price for me.

How else do you think they pay for the candy?

At any rate, I like 'em. I wait for sales.

I had a good friend who swore by them as well. I don't return things often and I don't tend to need any user support. So, consequently, I do want a good buy. I've called them on more than one occasion, but other vendors beat them on total price.

They do have a cool facility though. I went with my friend to visit them once as he had some business to take care of and wanted to do it in person.

[incubus]

Sometimes (like when I got my emerson kit for my strat rebuild) they are the best option. It's always shipped quickly and efficiently, and like I said, sometimes they have terrific prices. Just depends.

Can't say the same for MF/GC online I mean they are cool and all, and I like their financing deals, but if you order on a Monday, they might ship on Wednesday

[chk071]

Do you guys not find Thomann a bit expensive? I've ordered loads of stuff from them over the years, but I now find them no longer all that competitive on pricing. Their service is very good though...

Dunno how it is elsewhere... but in Germany, it's like this: First major online store has a price of 229 €, any other major online store has the same price. It's called competetive pricing. Or is it called marketing arrangement? I always confuse those two...

Well, at the very least, i do think stores spend a considerable time in checking out what competetitors charge, or what quantities they sell with the set price. I don't know how Thomann's prices compare to the european market in general. U.S. market is of course a bit less expensive, because you don't pay VAT (and i think the stuff is in general a bit less expensive anyway).

[Robmobius]

Do you guys not find Thomann a bit expensive? I've ordered loads of stuff from them over the years, but I now find them no longer all that competitive on pricing. Their service is very good though...

Dunno how it is elsewhere... but in Germany, it's like this: First major online store has a price of 229 €, any other major online store has the same price. It's called competetive pricing. Or is it called marketing arrangement? I always confuse those two...

For us here, in the land of Leprechauns and corrupt politicians. Pretty much everything is overpriced. I think we are one of the most expensive countries in Europe.

When we heard of Thomann on the Irish music forums, etc. (a good few years ago now). A lot of us started buying from them because they were so cheap. As you say, these days they now seem on parity. We even have a shop now called X Music that will price match Thomann (but they have a poor range).

I've been getting into field recording over the last few years. I honestly wanted to buy my all gear from Thomann, because they really do have an excellent. But I was pricing the kit and I found stuff a lot cheaper elsewhere.

For me personally, I no longer see them as my trusted 'go to' shop . I'd definitely advise people to shop around. If they are not already doing that.


C'est la vie...