what's your best online store musicial instruments?

[Robert Randolph]

Ive had terrible experiences with audio-midi (3 times now).

would you be willing to share what they were? Or would you prefer not to? I'm just curious bcause I have had good luck with them, but it could be just that, luck..

1. Ordered item labeled in stock. Nothing for a week... seemed odd so I email.. sorry not in stock.. we must've forgotten to email you. well damn.

2. Thought Id try again...Ordered item as normal. No item received AGAIN. This time email (3 of them) receives no answer, it gets here 3 weeks later. No explanation at all.

3. Third time, and most likely last, I order for a client a keyboard to have for a session. Have fastest shipping option, it's his $$. Item not in stock AGAIN even though it's clearly labelled. Ask for a replacement item, similiar and it takes 8 days to get here after paying extra for overnight/2-day (I forget which). 2 weeks total.


The times they responded, they were courteous... but apparently Im not the only one who has troubles like this.


Contrast with jrrshop.com, who the one time Ive had a problem (they forgot to ship, or lost an item)... I called up and they overnighted one, for free so I could make a gig I had with the item. Awesome. It cost them a load to do it too... with no complaints or anything. Also great email responses.. help with purchases and whatnot. very cool... so cool I keep their link in my signature.

[Robert Randolph]

I also "shop" for instruments at my local GC... sometimes I buy there only because of a guy named AL who gives me the most incredible deals on earth... below cost sometimes even. Only on guitars and amps tho... fender deville 410 for 450$ new? cmon, you know I go back everytime i wanna buy something guitar related

[Hink]

I also "shop" for instruments at my local GC... sometimes I buy there only because of a guy named AL who gives me the most incredible deals on earth... below cost sometimes even. Only on guitars and amps tho... fender deville 410 for 450$ new? cmon, you know I go back everytime i wanna buy something guitar related

having sold a lot of gear in my life with several music stores I can tell you unless he's family or you grew up with him, then it's doubtful you're getting the deal you think. See in order to make commission you must reach a certain monthly amount of profit margin. GC use to be 35,000 dollars a month, not of gear but just profit. GC is very strict on their policy. Fail the draw twice in a row and you're gone.

However every salesman knows the prices and profit margin of every piece of gear. Salesmen are crafty and well trained at getting you to buy what they want. Chances are there was a deal on the amp, whether it was a contest, a clearence what have you trust me he's not giving you something below cost. That would be the same thing as reaching into his own pocket and paying for part of your purchase...just a friendly reminder, salesman don't do anything that doesn't line their pockets...especially gc.

On top of that if another dealer of Fender in the area caught wind of a below cost sale they stand a strong chance of losing the account. In other words the manufacturer makes sure that companies stay compititve, but go below their limit and they will suspend or drop the store completely. In fact Fender is one of the tougher companies and wont allow two fender dealers in the same area, if the store that has the account violates the rules very quickly someone is waiting for the slot.

FWIW one of the companies that gives the worst profit margin is Shure. Roland runs lots of contests as does Korg...beware the salesman, he keeps a record of what you talk about, he knows what you own, he knows what you do for a living, he can manipulate you so easy you're walking out the door with "the best deal" and he's inside laughing...sad but true...

[gnu23]

Online: Zzounds, AudioMidi and eSoundz

Never had a problem with any of 'em, but the Trilogy box I ordered from AudioMidi has hosed disks, which seems to be a common occurrence with Trilogy anyway. Spectrasonics is FedEx'ing me a new disk set.

Should mention Sweetwater, but I always seem to get a better price elsewhere.

Brick 'n Mortar: Damned sorry to have seen Mars go out of business. But as Ugo said, in the DC area Washington Music Center is very good (anyone remember Veneman's?), but even though it is in Maryland and about 30 miles from my house, driving in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area is always problematic - the Maryland motto is "Don't Think and Drive".
Bill's Music in Catonsville is good and I've bought several basses and guitars there. If Bill's doesn't have it, I may trudge to GC in Towson just to try out something and then have Bill's order it for me - can't stand GC - or Musician's Friend ...

[Robert Randolph]

I know what you're talking about hink... but I can walk in and get anything I want from him at below cost... and Im well aware of what cost is for specific items, because I can get most things at cost elsewhere (except certain things for which I goto jrrshop for).... Might I add he isnt paid commission (management), which I assume is the main reason he goes so low. Very active in the musical community locally etc... just a nice guy.

There's no way GC will lose a fender account

[Hink]

Online: Zzounds, AudioMidi and eSoundz

Never had a problem with any of 'em, but the Trilogy box I ordered from AudioMidi has hosed disks, which seems to be a common occurrence with Trilogy anyway. Spectrasonics is FedEx'ing me a new disk set.

Should mention Sweetwater, but I always seem to get a better price elsewhere.

Brick 'n Mortar: Damned sorry to have seen Mars go out of business. But as Ugo said, in the DC area Washington Music Center is very good (anyone remember Veneman's?), but even though it is in Maryland and about 30 miles from my house, driving in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area is always problematic - the Maryland motto is "Don't Think and Drive".
Bill's Music in Catonsville is good and I've bought several basses and guitars there. If Bill's doesn't have it, I may trudge to GC in Towson just to try out something and then have Bill's order it for me - can't stand GC - or Musician's Friend ...

I was a Martian in Natick Mass. I know the truth about that company, and it is too bad they folded, but it was bad management and not listening to the employees. I will say that never in my life have I had a job as fun, I was in the technology dept. Which included keyboards, recording, pro audio and dj...I loved the dj room especially right after lunch with the fog machines and light shows. It was a gas to work there and I made friends for life. I also made a lot of money and got a ton of free gear. Like the MXL V67 mics, they came in and gave us each one, free. It was switching to commission that brought the store down, when coporate made the announcement it was happening they said their biggest goal was for the customers not to know. I had one guy ask if we had switched the first week. Fights broke out, and good employees left. But I got my memories, and I had some fun and learned a lot.. BTW did you know the owner of Mars was the same guy who owned office depot?

[Hink]

I know what you're talking about hink... but I can walk in and get anything I want from him at below cost... and Im well aware of what cost is for specific items, because I can get most things at cost elsewhere (except certain things for which I goto jrrshop for).... Might I add he isnt paid commission (management), which I assume is the main reason he goes so low. Very active in the musical community locally etc... just a nice guy.

There's no way GC will lose a fender account

in Mass there was two Mars stores natick and Somerville, because GC was across the street we could not sell Mesa Boogie in Natick. But Somerville could. There are the rare times when people have their deals but it's all about the dollars. I believe at GC managers are not allowed to sell so chances are he is using a patsy to give you a deal and get rid of an employee at the same time...seen that happen alot. GC wont lose a Fender account, but one store could. Roland was ready to pull out of GC in Natick, but Mars went belly up.

The funny thing is because I worked for so many stores (I went where the customers went) I stay out music stores. One because I just don't want to play the game, second because they always try to drag me in.

I was in a store last year that's part of like a 6 or 8 store chain. I was talking to the salesman, just chatting when the Roland rep came in. His eyes got wide and was "John are you working here now" I said no, he looked at the owner and said "that's too bad" now I can't go back without.."c'mon you know you want to". I don't want to, I don't shop out my studio either, it's for my use and my use only. Though I am thinking of making a loop/sample cd of my style of guitar playing.

Online I know what I want, I can afford retail (my sister passed unmarried and very wealthy, she left me very comfortable, but I'd go to work for GC if it would bring her back) so I do everything online. Besides my ups guy is a good guy, nice to see him..

Last year I did all my xmas shopping sitting on the couch the day after Thanksgiving...I love it...even delivered gift wrapped...