I'm speaking about national chains. I haven't had a lot of luck dealing with them and am ready to stop. I'm not a collector, but enjoy trying out different specific models from time to time; think obscure but not necessarily collectible models. It seems everytime I contact one of these stores (Guitar Center, etc...) the staff simply don't know how or want to do any kind of description or provide any details. If I call, I might get some details, tell them I want to purchase it, they tell me they'll write the ticket and call or email back, and then if (a big IF) I hear back, the guitar was sold. If I email, I usually get no response of any kind or the guitar is removed from the website within a day or two of my email. This has happenend several times, with retail stores all over the country.
I'm left with the following conclusions:
1. I am picking some really sweet models, and the staff doesn't realize how sweet they are until I bring them to their attention, and they or their buddies buy them, further prolonging my GAS. Conspiracy theory, I know. Maybe some of them have been sold already, certainly not all of them though.
2. I am living some kind of weird guitar based Twilight Zone episode/Purgatory where I am unable to complete a successful retail transaction unless its through the bay or a new purchase.
3. The employees of these places really don't care about service, and are confounded by complex terms like "saddle", "string height", "cleats", and "tuners".
4. And before anyone jumps on the easy one, maybe its me. Surely not? Naaaahh.
So I ask you, have you had good fortune dealing with these places? I've always had good experiences locally, and when dealing with the smaller shops remotely that I find through Gbase, places like Elderly, etc. Have you found a process that helps facilitate the transaction? Or should I just move on and stop considering these places for purchases. Rant off.
I'm left with the following conclusions:
1. I am picking some really sweet models, and the staff doesn't realize how sweet they are until I bring them to their attention, and they or their buddies buy them, further prolonging my GAS. Conspiracy theory, I know. Maybe some of them have been sold already, certainly not all of them though.
2. I am living some kind of weird guitar based Twilight Zone episode/Purgatory where I am unable to complete a successful retail transaction unless its through the bay or a new purchase.
3. The employees of these places really don't care about service, and are confounded by complex terms like "saddle", "string height", "cleats", and "tuners".
4. And before anyone jumps on the easy one, maybe its me. Surely not? Naaaahh.
So I ask you, have you had good fortune dealing with these places? I've always had good experiences locally, and when dealing with the smaller shops remotely that I find through Gbase, places like Elderly, etc. Have you found a process that helps facilitate the transaction? Or should I just move on and stop considering these places for purchases. Rant off.