#16
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I suspect that the internet side of the business is doing fine, which is part of the incentive to close underperforming stores. The store that lowrider mentioned in the OP—The Music Zoo—has a gorgeous showroom that opened just before the pandemic, and has been closed since (except for the upcoming reopening on Saturdays). Their internet business has basically been carrying them, so there was no need to reopen the showroom. It will really be a Zoo on Saturdays… |
#17
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I think Music Zoo must have to open the showroom to keep their Martin Authentic Expert status. I think they learned during Covid that they didn't need it and most of their sales were internet, out of state. If I'm around on the 6th, I'll swing by just to see what it's like over there.
Sam Ash only giving 10% on stuff that they are going to have to pack up and move shows exactly what has been wrong with therm. They haven't realized what's been going on with internet pricing for a long time. When I asked, years ago, what it would take to get 20% off of a Martin, the salesman said ''Are you crazy, I don't even get 20%'', but I could get that easily online. MZ, at the time told me that they would match any legitimate online price, but I'd have to pay the tax. I thought that was fair and I was trying to decide which Martin dread I wanted when Covid hit. I'm glad they'll be opening the showroom again, maybe I'll find something I like! |
#18
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Late last year I bought a used Strat from Sam Ash online. They offered free shipping and a generous return policy. Much better than many Reverb dealers. As it turned out I ended up returning the guitar because there was no more adjustment available in the truss rod -- it was at its max.
It was nice to be able to return the guitar with no questions asked. I had a day off so I drove to the nearest location which was in suburban Cleveland. I didn't have to deal with packing and shipping and the charge was returned to my card immediately. That was worth paying a little bit of a premium. Same with Guitar Center. I guess if you're looking for the very lowest price possible then shop online but if I'm buying an item without a warranty then I want to be able to return it. Preferably to a store. FWIW, the Cleveland store seemed to be pretty well stocked with new and used items and adequately staffed. I hope they made the cut.
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Waterloo WL-14X Scissortail Collings OM2H Gibson 50's J45 Fender EJ Strat Last edited by joeappel; 03-23-2024 at 01:55 PM. |
#19
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The Atlanta store is closing. It does not surprise me as there is a ton of "brick and mortar" competition. There are 5 or 6 GCs in the metro area, and a good number of independent shops as well. There was certainly nothing wrong the the Atlanta location, but post covid they didn't offer anything that GC or the others didn't. Pre-covid they did have a series of jam nights that were kind of hit or miss to me, but I was not a regular.
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#20
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#21
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#22
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Yep, that's my understanding as well. Guess I won't be bumping into you anymore at KoP.
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Martin:1956 00-18, 1992 D-16H, 2013 HD-28, 2017 CEO-7, 2020 000-28 Modern Deluxe Santa Cruz OM/PW, Larrivee OM-03R, Taylor GS-Mini Mahogany, Taylor 356CE, Fender American Professional Stratocaster, MIM Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epiphone ES-339 Pro YouTube Channel | Listen to my stuff on Spotify/Apple Music |
#23
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I have purchased several guitars from Sam Ash over the years and have generally preferred them to Guitar Center. Sad state of affairs overall in the Music Retail business right now.
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| 1968 Martin D-28 | 1949 Gibson J-45 | 1955 Gibson LG-2 | Santa Cruz 000 Cocobolo / Italian Spruce | Martin D-18 1939 Authentic Aged | Martin Gruhn Guitars Custom D-21 Adi/Madi | Gibson J-45 | Fender American Elite Telecaster | Fender American Standard Stratocaster | Gibson Les Paul Standard | Gibson Les Paul Studio | PRS Custom 24 10-Top | Gibson Les Paul 1960 Reissue (R0) | |
#24
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Me neither. I knew there was a Sam Ash store somewhere, but I thought it was mostly online sales, like Elderly. I didn't realize there was a chain of them.
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Please don't take me too seriously, I don't. Taylor GS Mini Mahogany. Guild D-20 Gretsch Streamliner Morgan Monroe MNB-1w https://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/ |
#25
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Now my choices are head down to GC in Plymouth Meeting (about 25 minutes away) or we have a fairly small (but decent) store called George's Music about 10 minutes away. And I think West Chester has some stores. Oh, my best bet now would be to drive down 202 to the GC in Wilmington to save on taxes. I'm not in the market for anything at the moment but I think honestly at this point, I would just do the online thing considering the local music store situation and I'm experienced enough to trust videos/etc... I'm turning 50 soon-ish (yikes!) so I'll probably be in the market for something to celebrate then. I'd hate to be a new player in this scene right now.
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Martin:1956 00-18, 1992 D-16H, 2013 HD-28, 2017 CEO-7, 2020 000-28 Modern Deluxe Santa Cruz OM/PW, Larrivee OM-03R, Taylor GS-Mini Mahogany, Taylor 356CE, Fender American Professional Stratocaster, MIM Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epiphone ES-339 Pro YouTube Channel | Listen to my stuff on Spotify/Apple Music |
#26
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They are mainly a northeastern store. Here's a short informative read.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Ash_Music
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#27
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I wonder if Sam Ash owns the real estate for the shops they are keeping open? Much easier to control one’s rent that way… Also, perhaps the inventory in the Cherry Hill store will improve once they transfer inventory from neighboring stores. It makes sense that people who are not from the NYC area (or who never visited Music Row on 48th St. in its hey-day) aren’t familiar with Sam Ash, but the company has been around for a century, and thir 48th St. store (which was in multiple buildings) had to be one of the largest music stores ever—it covered a third of a city block. Not a great way to celebrate one’s 100th anniversary, but if closing stores makes them more competitive and keep the (figurative) doors open, it’s the right move. |
#28
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The KoP store is a couple of miles down the road from the mall
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#29
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I feel now that folks have largely embraced the idea of buying guitars online there's going to be a huge reorganization of instrument stores and a lot of places that sell new guitars will be shutting down. It's just not possible for them to compete.
There will be music instrument stores, of course, but I imagine they'll have to specialize, and one way that they'll specialize is by primarily focusing on used instruments, which big online retailers have a harder time doing. Personally, I haven't bought a guitar from an actual store in I can't remember when. I've bought twenty or thirty online in the last decade. It's just a different world now. |
#30
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Heluva way to celebrate their centennial...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) Last edited by Steve DeRosa; 03-27-2024 at 06:37 PM. |