Maybe Indie Guitar Stores Disappear for a reason

  • Thread starter Thread starter skoora
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skoora

skoora

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Man, Tried to buy a guitar off eBay from a store and when calling to confirm their return policy (unsure about how the neck shape will feel) they contradicted what the listing said about a re-stocking fee applying to returns. Basically instead of applying to items returned in worst shape than they went out in, it applied to everything, no matter what. That was all I needed to feel I couldn't take chance on this guitar. Even though I felt 90% sure I would like it and was ready to go, I can't risk eating 15% to have bought a guitar to find out it's not right. They were polite and everything about the conversation was fine but I hope they realize, on-line so many instrument sales hinge on a feeling of security in that if something's not right you'll be covered. It killed the deal. Looks like it's back to the GC Used site. Shame, I was glad to find a guitar I was interested in at a non-chain store but they couldn't come through.
 
When I first started going amp crazy about 5 years ago I went to a local store to buy some items for my stepdaughters violin. They had a block letter 5150 head that was a bit beat up for 1300!! I was on my first modded 800, Lee Jackson I think, that I grabbed for 750 off eBay. I wonder how long it sat..used ones in pristine condition were 600 on the bay. I'm sure they make their money on school band items but clearly they didn't do the research on that amp.
 
I hate GC, but they do offer some nice services, and they've got the financial backing to support things like returns and warranties. They price used gear fairly well too. I picked up a late 90's-early 2000's B.K Butler Tube Driver from my local GC for $160. I'm pretty sure someone bought it secondhand from them, didn't like it due to the old tube, and returned it. A brand new Tube Driver goes for $300 with a waiting period (unless Butler is selling one on Reverb), and prices on the older ones are all over the place. If I had found that pedal in a mom n' pop store, it would have been at least $250, most likely more.

What guitar were you looking at, just out of curiosity?

Does it take a bit of time with a guitar for you to decide if it's for you or not? Or did you not have the chance to try it out beforehand? Not trying to pry, just curious (and bored).
 
CaseyCor":3e6h5yhx said:
I hate GC, but they do offer some nice services, and they've got the financial backing to support things like returns and warranties. They price used gear fairly well too. I picked up a late 90's-early 2000's B.K Butler Tube Driver from my local GC for $160. I'm pretty sure someone bought it secondhand from them, didn't like it due to the old tube, and returned it. A brand new Tube Driver goes for $300 with a waiting period (unless Butler is selling one on Reverb), and prices on the older ones are all over the place. If I had found that pedal in a mom n' pop store, it would have been at least $250, most likely more.

What guitar were you looking at, just out of curiosity?

Does it take a bit of time with a guitar for you to decide if it's for you or not? Or did you not have the chance to try it out beforehand? Not trying to pry, just curious (and bored).
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I remember your post on that pedal. I agree, GC is a good resource. Just got a 78 JMP 2203 yesterday from them. 999, not bad but not great. Not mint and has a replaced OT. But this might be the best sounding JCM/JMP I've had. Killer.
 
Are the prices for old Marshalls going up? Seems like it's getting a bit more expensive. I've always wondered how long it would take for the well to run dry. Collectors, players who buy them for modding purposes, etc...There's only so many out there...can't last forever. I'm not against modding them or anything, I just find it interesting.
 
CaseyCor":1cot5oe4 said:
I hate GC, but they do offer some nice services, and they've got the financial backing to support things like returns and warranties. They price used gear fairly well too. I picked up a late 90's-early 2000's B.K Butler Tube Driver from my local GC for $160. I'm pretty sure someone bought it secondhand from them, didn't like it due to the old tube, and returned it. A brand new Tube Driver goes for $300 with a waiting period (unless Butler is selling one on Reverb), and prices on the older ones are all over the place. If I had found that pedal in a mom n' pop store, it would have been at least $250, most likely more.

What guitar were you looking at, just out of curiosity?

Does it take a bit of time with a guitar for you to decide if it's for you or not? Or did you not have the chance to try it out beforehand? Not trying to pry, just curious (and bored).
Click to expand...

It probably takes me about 5-10 minutes to figure out if can live with a neck. If the neck is right it takes probably 1-2 minutes. I couldn't try the guitar though as it was an on-line purchase so once it's shipped to me I'm on the hook for at least 15%.
 
Price wise mom and pops just struggle, but i sigh harder and harder walking into motor city guitar and noticing more and more used amps, and less and less people. It was a weekly occurance to find a few good conversations with people you never met. Now i find my self surrounded by tourists, simply wandering the isles with an "ooooh its a geetar" mentallity yet i never see half them pick one up and the other half doesn't even plug them in or attempt to tune them when they do! Some of these shops are communities, and its gonna be a shame to see some of them start dissapearing because of market issues.
 
One shop here told me when I asked about the return fee..... That is how much we make off the sale if you return it or not.
They would make the same amount of money if I keep it or return it.
 
That's weird... I buy online from a number of independent shops and I've never paid a restocking fee when returning a guitar I just didn't like.

Steve
 
I agree with the OP. I had an instance years ago where I got screwed on an Ibanez JS guitar I bought. The shop is out of business now. Good for them ha.
 
CaseyCor":203tuklo said:
Are the prices for old Marshalls going up? Seems like it's getting a bit more expensive. I've always wondered how long it would take for the well to run dry. Collectors, players who buy them for modding purposes, etc...There's only so many out there...can't last forever. I'm not against modding them or anything, I just find it interesting.
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I think like everything else its really a buyers market. I look at eBay completed listings and I see lots of deals for JCM and JMP 2203/4s. Even GC had a vertical input JCM 4010 for 800 the other day. My 78 JMP 2203 I just got for 1000 shipped...I think 3 years ago it would have been listed for 1500. Not sure why the market has come down a bit for vintage Marshalls..maybe everyone's buying 5153 minis! Don't they know ANY vintage Marshall shits all over it?? :lol: :LOL:
 
The EVH has been craping all over many amps Vh4 and Marshall's included..( per Rig Talk)
 
Pretty sure that regardless of the venue, guitars and amps aren't going to disappear. That said, having you cake and eating it too - well...maybe not. And that's okay. The risk should be shared.
 
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