I went to a different guitar store than usual today. It is on the way home from work, and I have been wanting to check it out.

I needed to grab some strings ( a few packs,) some new Cables, and I decided to grab some wall hangers to hang a couple more axes my practice area.

So I walk around for 15 or 20 minutes, the sales kids ( I was going to say men, but I doubt any of those guys shave,) ignore me. Well one looked up from his playstation for a second as I walked in the door.

As I am approaching the till they notice I have like a couple hundred bucks worth of stuff ( I always end up with more stuff than i intended when I go guitar toy shopping,) and suddenly they're approaching me, so I can say so and so helped me, so they can get the commission. The guy who got there first tried to give me his card, and said his name like 3 times.

The girl at the till asked me who helped me, and i said no one, and guy shoots me a dirty look.

I don't think I'll ever go there again, even though it's a convenient location.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Well you're a big bully Twelvebar.

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I know what you are saying 12B. First impressions are usually the correct one.

I know what you're talking about. The only shop close by me is a pretty good shop if all you want is no service until you check out with what you had to look an hour for. The guys at this shop don't want to help you unless they know you're in a band then it's too much help. I guess it's better than having to order and wait.

That was was you 12B? I stop playing a good game a Resident Evil and you did not give her my name!!!!

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I hear ya! That's why I find good shops, get to know the staff, and only deal with them.

One of my earliest threads was about this very subject.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Who has a Playstation In a guitar shop lol. And man, I hate it when People do that, I'm a little picky, But still, I only mention the people who actually help me out, not whoever runs up to me, etc. You should have bumped The kid over and owned him at soome games on your way out! Well, at least I would

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My Baby, 2008 Standard American Jazz Bass

Went to the grand opening of a rival of "GC" here in the Valley a few years ago. This was a Sunday and Saturday had been their first day open -- 45 minute drive across the valley. My official mission was to get a set of 5 string bass strings but like many GASsers, I rarely walk out with just what I came in for.

I arrive and see two male clerks helping a 30-something looking woman in a microskirt and skimpy top. The young teen with her is presumably her younger sister or daughter. And it's taking both clerks to show her one "Hello Kitty" guitar. Meanwhile, the only other person on the floor -- a woman -- is helping 3 buff looking guys looking at amps.

Behind the counter is a cashier and another guy who turns out to be an Assistant manager. They both see me in the bass section but neither moves to help for the 10 minutes or so I'm wandering there.

Finally, I go over to the accessories counter, not to impressed already. Incredibly, there's a clerk standing there looking like he's doing inventory ... and he never looks up!!!! Absolutely amazing. After maybe a minute I ask if he can help me and he says, "Oh sorry man, no I can't ... someone else will probably be able to in a few minutes."

Huh????? Had he been wearing "corporate" type attire, maybe I'd have assumed he was an auditor, not an employee. But he had on an employee name tag was was dressed more or less like the others.

Now I'm disgusted so I head to the main door and just as I reach it, the 2nd guy who'd been standing (just talking from what I can see) runs over. That's when I see the assistant manager tag. He mentions that as I can see (I can?) they're very busy but he calls to one of the two helping "Hot Mom" and her sister/daughter ... can he break off for a moment to get my strings?

He gives me a look, walks over to the accessory counter and asks the guy standing there where the strings are. The guy who couldn't help me just a moment ago gets them and hands them to the other guy. Who then tosses (no exaggeration) them to me over the counter and says I need to take them to the cashier.

(I'd have walked out but I needed the set for that night and really didn't have time to go anywhere else. That's why I put up with this ...)

Now incredibly, just as I approach the cash register in front, the woman standing there tells the Asst Mgr "I'm supposed to go on break now ... can you get that for me?" And she starts to walk away, leaving me standing there. At that point, the Asst Mgr had also migrated over to "help" with the Hello Kitty purchase, so he had to come back to ring me up.

Needless to say, I never went back. I also wrote about my experience when I found their corpporate address. Never got an answer, so I just supposed that they don't want my kind of business and that was that.

In NY City, this would be rather normal in many places, right down to the lack of response from 'corporate'.

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You dig?

It was the handheld one. PSP or whatever.

In Canada the big chain is called Long and McQuade. They make Traynor amps too. Which rock pretty hard. Anyway i always get excellent service from them.

I'll stick to them.Just figured I'd try the other store, as it's right on my route home.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I've walked out of places with no service--sometimes even leaving stuff there that I was going to buy.

Fortunately there are some places where they will help you and they know what they're talking about.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

seriously who plays games when your around 100's of instruments. was he playing guitar hero.

This is why I do not frequent my local GC. I have had 3 bad experiences there. I did find a good shop on the other side of the freeway that gets all my major guitar purchaces (unfortunately MF gets my string purchaces).

Do not get me wrong GC does have some good stores, I've been in a couple. But do not treat me like a I'm an inconvience when I am there to spend my hard earned money. Someone should get off their butts when I want to look at a guitar that happens to be on a hook 12 feet up. I do not pick up something I cannot afford and generally do not touch unless I plan to buy.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Yup, I go to long and McQuade, whenever i need something big. ive had nothing but good service from them, of course il go to my local independant music store when i can, just because the prices are like.... 30% cheaper, but they dont carry as much an long and McQuade

Quite honestly, here in canada, out of all of the music stores i've visited ive never went into a store with bad service... im kinda curious about these commission music shops.

I feel you man, Knowing me i would have said something i would have felt bad about later. But you as a shoper, they should have ask to help you from the get go. Just lazy kids i guess.