The Next Chapter for me...High End Boutique Guitar Shop

[Juggernaut]

Not to be a jerk and ask favors but will you get a CCV in and let me finance it?

+1

 

[some dude]

Well as it's 80% internet business I could share some 2c of my past experience managing a major online info site and shop (not guitar related, but electronics).

-Basic priority order for potential customers surfing the web for product is Price Info > Picture/Vid/Audio > Features/Description > Conditions and shipping cost => all of these must be immaculate

As a foreign buyer (Canadian), the two things I hate are when I find the foreign shipping policy and I can't figure out where the shop is physically located.

I also kind of dislike it when I'm lumped into 'Overseas Shipping'... seeing as I can almost see the United States from my house and there's no water between us.

-Biggest downer is if a shop has gear listed but price only on demand. I know there are several reasons to not show certain prices, but it's a no-no as you lose the most potential buyers at this stage.

I'm too lazy to ask for the price. If it's not listed, I'll check out other stores.

-Stay away from flash and fancy stuff. Bad for browser usability and SEO/searchability, but I guess you know these anyways, running a site like this

I hate complicated websites. I hate slow loading websites. I hate websites where you have to wait for the flash portion to reload when you're comparing specs on pedals. I really hate it when I click the back arrow after surfing through 15 pages of product and am taken back to the home page because all the products were linked in either flash or frames.

-Don't hide any sections that users want. Obviously you don't want people to just search the clearout section, but also look at the higher priced/new items. However if you force them to look at any stuff that YOU want them to look at, they will get pissed off - i.e. less happy - i.e. less likely to buy

I hate it when I click on something like "Pedals" and I'm forced to look alphabetically at every pedal they offer, in groups of 9, until I get to the part where they show their Xotic pedals with no option to click on a letter and jump ahead.

 

[tfridgen]

Carefully screen your employees. Nobody likes douchebags who think their opinion of a certain piece of gear is the only opinion. I HATE going into a music store and having them say I probably wouldn't like this or that.... how the fuck do they know???? Anyways, congrats!!!!!
Oh ya, naked chicks bouncing on trampolines would probably get bodies in the store.

 

[Mark Day]

AWESOME BUDDY!!!!

Mark

 

[The Hoff]

Best of luck, sounds exciting. It'll be great to have that site around-knowing the company could be fully trusted.

Always thought that would be a ridiculously great job (as long as the business was good)

 

[Gitfiddler]

reach out to Bob Willcutt of Willcutt guitars. he has always had a high-end store in a small town and always carried high-end gear. he was successful pre-ebay as well and has been one of the top shops for PRS and hamer for many years

good luck

 

[jasonmwnf]

I second the request for financing. Although i can't afford to plop 3 or 4 grand on a bouitque amp, i could certainly afford the monthly payments! Good lord i'd have some rig now if diezel or fractal or tone merchants, etc financed! on second thought... maybe you shouldn't offer it, lol.

 

[James Lugo]

That's awesome man, anything I can do I'm there. The key with moving to LA is being in it for the long haul. Can be a rough town. I've been here a long time and for me it took a while to find my niche'. But you're a Marine this'll be a piece of cake...lol

james

 

[lester]

Brad, with your experience with modded amps you might want to consider finding someone to fire up that service in house for you/us as well. Do it right at a fair price and turnaround-I'm there.

 

[skoora]

Good luck with this. It's a hard industry to be a one off in. I used to fantasize at doing a high end store (no squires ) in Seattle but didn't have faith in their being a market for it up here.

Carry lines that you can go reasonably deep with, unless of course they only have a few models. We have stores here for eg. that carry Bogner but will only have a Shiva or older Uberschall and they've had the same ones for over a year. A store that caries G&L and has one USA model but several tributes and never has a decent selection. Of course they can special order for you but the whole point is you want to try it first.

 

[zee1usa]

Wow, you can be happy every day now!

 

[noob_pwn]

Ship to Australia! Our guitar stores suck, you guys reckon you've got it bad!
Best of luck dude!

 

[King Guitar]

Thanks for all the well wishes and PM's. If I get half the support wished to me I will be ok.

To answer a few questions on motivation and direction.

1. Yes I still have the real estate operation up here, I am a partner and a broker but not involved in day to day operations.
2. I have had a well known guitar shop in the past so not new ground for me, and I can be that much smarter this time around.
3. I am only interested in offering gear I think is the best stuff around. Brands like Bogner, Suhr, Diezel, /13, James Tyler, Tom Anderson, PRS, Tone King etc...
4. I also plan to have all manner of killer used guitars and amps with a pile Gibsons, Fenders, Marshalls etc... I just dont want to be a dealer as they make you carry everything.
5. I have no interest in being a traditional Music Store, hell I don't even want to sell strings and that kind of stuff. Just real pro stuff that relates to guitars and amplifiers/racks with no attitude and done right.
6. This will be based in my home state of Rhode Island but that is irrelevant as internet/mail will be the foundation of 80/90% sales. We will ship anywhere on the planet for fair rates.
7. As far as location I am not sure, high visible retail, cool old building in the city or warehouse with small showroom up front.

Still kicking that around.

 

[Rødskjegg]

That's f'ing awesome! Too bad it's overseas.
Best of luck Brad!

 

[Lord Toneking]

Brad, you will need employees. Hire me! I will be th BEST employee EVER!!!

Lead me to greener pastures! I will work my ass off and make you the happiest boss ever!

Congrats and best of luck!

 

[King Guitar]

That's f'ing awesome! Too bad it's overseas.
Best of luck Brad!

I love to ship to Holland more than I like sex, so no worries.

 

[again with this]

Way super cool! Can't wait to see it take shape. Don't forget to cater a bit to the metalheads.

 

[King Guitar]

Way super cool! Can't wait to see it take shape. Don't forget to cater a bit to the metalheads.

Not hard to do as I am one right there with you guys.

 

[again with this]

Way super cool! Can't wait to see it take shape. Don't forget to cater a bit to the metalheads.

Not hard to do as I am one right there with you guys.

I mean the knuckle draggers, not the Aqua Net crew

 

[King Guitar]

Way super cool! Can't wait to see it take shape. Don't forget to cater a bit to the metalheads.

Not hard to do as I am one right there with you guys.

I mean the knuckle draggers, not the Aqua Net crew

Don't sell your self short, I see you as more of a Strap Hanger than a knuckle dragger my man.