hamfist Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 GAK has always looked after me well. Always seem to get a properly boxed, genuinely brand new instrument with them. Soundslive also. Noticeable negatives for PMT & Thomann from me though. What are your experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I always try to buy through my local shops, I will look for the best price online and if my local shop can get close I will order through them (I will happily pay a bit more just to be sure the local dealer survives) I am sure most of the online guys do a sterling job but if I don't use the local shops they will just vanish and I won't get the chance to walk into the local shop, have a sudden attack of GAS and leave a good few hundred quid lighter than I went in with! I have brought used guitars online from both private and trade sellers usuallu via evilbay and except for an "immaculate" Epiphone SG with a cracked neck and both pickups disconnected my experiences have always been good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTaff Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Never had an issue with Andertons or DV247, ideally I'd buy locally but there's not much choice around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I cant fault Thomanns so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 All of my experiences with Thomann have been positive - good customer service, everything well packaged and prompt delivery.. General consensus seems to be to buy secondhand over brand new - can save you hundreds of pounds and instruments are generally well set up if they've been used unlike some of the horror stories you hear about new gear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1358881356' post='1946544'] I always try to buy through my local shops[/quote] Me too, and I gladly pay 25% more, but only if they do their job well. But as to large online bass dealers, the original question, my experience with the following has been perfect or more than perfect: Andertons GAK Gear4Music Thomann [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1358881356' post='1946544'] an "immaculate" Epiphone SG with a cracked neck and both pickups disconnected [/quote] For an Epi, that was indeed immaculate. Wow. Count yourself lucky! best, bert Edited January 22, 2013 by BassTractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Never had any problems with GAK or Thomann. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Never actually bought a bass online, but I tried so hard to buy my Takamine classical locally, then gave up on that and thought I'd settle for a U.K. company, no joy, so eventually, sadly, my money went to Germany. Can't fault Thomann's performance in this matter though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Basschat marketplace, easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushers Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 tried dv247 didnt agree with me, last bass i bought i got local shop to order it for me and they price matched Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave D Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 i have a local PMT by buy online via Dolphin (owned by PMT) because I had great customer service from one of the sales guys there. Thomann have always been prompt and efficient so use them too. Had a falling out with DV247 over a PA enquiry, so their name is mud in my house. If its just a straight purchase, I'd be happy using pretty much any of the large, well known online companies though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Basschat.co.uk - the range, the price, the customer service [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 The PMT Oxford store is great, but their online shop struggled to get something sent to the Oxford store when I used to live 1 minute away from it. GAK have always been fantastic, as have Andertons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Yes, yes we all know about the BC marketplace, and I use it regularly. But thats no good if you want something new, or with a warranty, or a special particular something which is just too rare to find used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Thomann, GAK and dv247 have all been good for me. Had a warranty issue with a product from Thomann which was resolved very swiftly and with zero fuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Would have a hard time buying an instrument online but for everything else I've used Thomann frequently, GAK a handful of times and stringbusters loads. Also bought strings from Status and I've never had to deal with customer service, but that's only because all of the orders have been hassle free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 A local shop to me are simply brilliant and they are also developing online sales steadily. They will negotiate prices and Gary their bass man is not only a great bloke he can also play a bit of bass Promenade Music. Thomann have always delivered on goods and service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 [quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1358891065' post='1946795'] A local shop to me are simply brilliant and they are also developing online sales steadily.... Promenade Music. [/quote] Had great service and price from them online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Where possible I try to buy in local stores to support them. I obviously like to save a bit of cash (hey - I'm Scottish!), but I also like to support my local stores and don't mind spending a little bit more to help keep them going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyboy Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Andertons were first class for me , and sorted a problem quickly and with no fuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 But to answer the questions, I've found GAK to be verrrry helpful, even going so far as to help me out when legally they had no need to. Soundslive were also very helpful, as are Absolutemusic and gear4music. The only one I have had purely neutral experience with were dolphin music. Nothing bad, but nothing remarkable either, certainly considering how helpful and knowledgable the other retailers were in my dealings with them. FYI, I've actually bought from so many simply because there were specific instances where only one of them had the item (or set of items) I wanted in stock at any given time, hence I've tried them all at various times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu-khag Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Gak sold me a guitar with rusty strings, dodgy finish, awful action and minus any of the tools and proper box, I complained and they promptly swapped for a brand new one which came with all the case candy and nicely set up. Good customer service in that they responded and dealt with the problem but its a shame it had to happen in the first place. 75 quid cheaper than buying local though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Bass Direct, Thomann & GAK have all been pretty good for me. No faults just good seervice all round. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassection Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I tend to shop with Guitarguitar the most. If not them, then Dolphin music or GAK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mylkinut Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Thomann have always done well by me... but then I do have a few family members who work there so maybe I get special treatment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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