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Bah, local music shop rant!


Truckstop
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In fairness, the 'setup' thing is never going to be right.

I'm a real picky b*gg*r with setups and the chances are that if I played a bass belonging to anyone here I'd not like the way it had been done.
Equally, if that person picked one of my basses up they'd feel exactly the same. :)

The best solution I've ever experienced was in a Hertfordshire shop that, sadly, is no longer with us.
They gave every instrument a vague setup and, once you'd bought it, you'd go up to the top floor workshop and sit with their dedicated tech who would set it up [b]exactly[/b] how you wanted it.

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1421229528' post='2658574']

These days shops have to play it safe in order to stay in business. TBH the majority of bass players (i.e. those not on Baschat) don't want interesting. They want something like a P or a J bass preferably one that says Fender on the Headstock.
[/quote]

I find Fenders interesting, I don't like novelty items.

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I used to work part time in a model and hobby shop.

My job was to arrive at 11 and put the CCTV on (tape wasn't long enough to last from 9am!) and then walk a lap of the shop dusting product and shelves, ensure product looked good on the shelves and in the right place.

On a delivery day, put product out fitting it into the shelves and refreshing displays ant top up display cabinets

Then I was to sweep / mop the floor

Then get onto the repairs booked in

All the while stopping to serve customers.

Working in this routine ensured no part of the shop got missed and, along with good customer service ensured we were always top 3 of the small chain of stores.

We'd often have an item in that we knew would be a slow seller but would catch attention and draw people into the shop.

My manager would often plan a window display around such an item, my aim was to sell it before he had chance!
I often succeeded :D

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1421229528' post='2658574']


These days shops have to play it safe in order to stay in business. TBH the majority of bass players (i.e. those not on Baschat) don't want interesting. They want something like a P or a J bass preferably one that says Fender on the Headstock.
[/quote]

The majority of our customers are not on BassChat but there's no great bias towards Fender.

We find quite a lot of BassChat members are more 'conservative' than much of our customer base.

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It IS difficult though, think way back when..you'd have a choice of a few models and a few colours - the market is so diverse these days that it does make pleasing everyone very tricky.

I've bought online, I've bought from shops and I've bought from shops that are online - it really doesn't matter to me, but I DO accept the value of playing the actual bass before I decide to part with the cash. Doesn't mean I don't buy blind, but if I really like the bass I'm playing but perhaps preferred another colour, I'd likely just put up with it!

Cheers,
James

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[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1421234702' post='2658671']
I have heard tales of these non-Fender basses but never really believed them to be true. Perhaps one day I will cross the county and visit South Oxfordshire so I can see such legendary beasts with my own eyes.
[/quote]

Careful, they scare easily. But they'll be back and in bigger numbers...

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[quote name='molan' timestamp='1421234138' post='2658661']
The majority of our customers are not on BassChat but there's no great bias towards Fender.

We find quite a lot of BassChat members are more 'conservative' than much of our customer base.
[/quote]

But shops like the one you work in (plus Bass Direct and The Gallery) are specialist shops and tend to cater for the more discerning musician. I go to shops like that specifically to see non-mainstream products. The OP was talking about the typical all-round music shop. Their customers was stuff that is familiar and cheap.

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1421236088' post='2658688']


But shops like the one you work in (plus Bass Direct and The Gallery) are specialist shops and tend to cater for the more discerning musician. I go to shops like that specifically to see non-mainstream products. The OP was talking about the typical all-round music shop. Their customers was stuff that is familiar and cheap.
[/quote]

Ah, sorry, I was really referring to your thought that the 'majority of bass players' didn't want interesting.

That's not the case with our customers but then, as you've said, a lot of people come to us already knowing we do have things a bit different to a lot of other stores.

I do stand by the fact that we do get 'everyday' people that just happen to find us online, or live locally that pop in and they are always much more open minded about trying, and buying, things that aren't Fender.

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1421236088' post='2658688']
But shops like the one you work in (plus Bass Direct and The Gallery) are specialist shops and tend to cater for the more discerning musician. I go to shops like that specifically to see non-mainstream products. The OP was talking about the typical all-round music shop. Their customers was stuff that is familiar and cheap.
[/quote]

So a person who buys a Fender can't be discerning?

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Back in your box Wayne - that's twisting his words ;)

It's a fair point that 'mainstream' music shops often stick to Gibson and Fedner plus a selection of pointy sh*t that the majority of buyers would at least recognise. BG, BD etc. do brands that I've never heard of with my status as 'enthusiastic amateur' - it's a different market but I know if I wanted to check out a whole range of instruments regardless of what was on the headstock, I'd look to one of those shops.

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[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1421237040' post='2658700']
So a person who buys a Fender can't be discerning?
[/quote]

I play (and therefore have bought) Fender only (plus a Squier which is at least half Fender) and I am not in the least discerning. I also ride a Harley Davidson, case proven.

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[quote name='2stringsmcginty' timestamp='1421243973' post='2658852']
While wearing a 'born in the USA' T-shirt? :P
[/quote]

No, that[i] would[/i] be discerning. I prefer to display my designer shirts from the House of Wychwood (brewers of fine ales).

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[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1421183529' post='2658263']
...
I know how to look after people as I'm one of the old brigade (ask Kiogon, he knows about service too) The only problems having a shop are the people that come in to try a guitar or bass and then buy it online! When they get it and there's a fault they then bring it to me and ask me to fix it because 'you're the dealer for these'. :rolleyes:

got very short shrift off me albeit very politely :D

What to stock? that was the hard part because if I had 6 strats and 3 tele's I would have the wrong colours :blink: It's one of the reasons I retired, the net killed it, you can't have it all ways can you? Net prices or a service? you choose.
[/quote]

I assume you offered to do it for a price?

That's where the service bit comes in.

The CEO of John Lewis made a statement that shops are increasingly important as places for people to go and examine products before making a choice.

I wonder if the best business model would be to keep stock but never sell it. Make money purely on setups and consumables.

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1421229528' post='2658574']
So my guess would be that the shop is putting all it's efforts into the stuff that does sell, and they are probably too busy with that to bother about the stuff that doesn't.

These days shops have to play it safe in order to stay in business. TBH the majority of bass players (i.e. those not on Baschat) don't want interesting. They want something like a P or a J bass preferably one that says Fender on the Headstock.
[/quote]

Bingo!

Basses move slowly whether they're presented the best way possible, or dusty with old strings.

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[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421230151' post='2658585']
As long as the online stores stay in business we can have an infinite selection of instruments delivered within a few days at the best price so from a selfish point of view what will we lose if the shops close?
[/quote]

Some people like local shops, and supporting local businesses. A shop often has more to offer local musicians than purely sales of instruments and accessories.

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[quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1421237292' post='2658705']
Back in your box Wayne - that's twisting his words ;)

It's a fair point that 'mainstream' music shops often stick to Gibson and Fedner plus a selection of pointy sh*t that the majority of buyers would at least recognise. BG, BD etc. do brands that I've never heard of with my status as 'enthusiastic amateur' - it's a different market but I know if I wanted to check out a whole range of instruments regardless of what was on the headstock, I'd look to one of those shops.
[/quote]

As I wrote earlier. These shops will become fewer and fewer. It's an attempt by the manufacturers to reduce competition and get the shops to be exclusive.

Buy £100k worth of basses from us or none. You buy £100k of brand A, how much Brand B can you afford.

Why bother selling £10k worth of basses to some small shop in the middle of nowhere who might reorder £1k worth every two or three months when you can sell thousands online?

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[quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1421237292' post='2658705']
Back in your box Wayne - that's twisting his words ;)

It's a fair point that 'mainstream' music shops often stick to Gibson and Fedner plus a selection of pointy sh*t that the majority of buyers would at least recognise. BG, BD etc. do brands that I've never heard of with my status as 'enthusiastic amateur' - it's a different market but I know if I wanted to check out a whole range of instruments regardless of what was on the headstock, I'd look to one of those shops.
[/quote]

Depends how large your local shop is. Fender and Gibson both have minimum orders, which means that a small shop won't be able to buy in to stocking those brands.

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[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1421244883' post='2658866']
Basses move slowly whether they're presented the best way possible, or dusty with old strings.
[/quote]

If you don't keep your stock clean your chances of a sale are reduced and, if you do manage to sell the item, you'll be doing it at a knockdown price and losing margin.

That's a business preparing itself to fail for the sake of a duster.

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[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1421174501' post='2658069']
Surprisingly the prices were really good!

The BB425 was £269, USA P £650, Mexican Jazz (70's) £520.
[/quote]

I would have thought that most bass players can do a basic set-up?

If the prices are good, you could offer to buy the bass, but insist that they chuck in a new set of strings (as you'd have to buy some anyway). For the sake of a set of strings that would have cost them a tenner (ish) they will have a sale, and you will have a well-priced bass that you could clean up with an e-cloth, set up with your own fair hand and put the new strings on...

Everyone's a winner! Then, when they replenish their sold stock, there will be more new basses in decent condition so they will sell more.... and so on.

Well that's business sorted. Next week I'll turn my mind to World peace. B)

Edited by Conan
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[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1421247142' post='2658906']
If you don't keep your stock clean your chances of a sale are reduced and, if you do manage to sell the item, you'll be doing it at a knockdown price and losing margin.

That's a business preparing itself to fail for the sake of a duster.
[/quote]

It's not preparing to fail, because no business that cares so little about selling basses that they're dusty and badly set up is reliant on sales of those items.

The only downside to that are the people who have no intention of buying noticing, saying nothing to anyone who works at the shop, and instead goes online to have a moan about it.

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It wouldn't take a shop long to set up each bass coming to factory spec, Fender issue a booklet with their basses detailing basic set-up, it might not be perfect for everyone but at least it ensures that the instruments are playable. I would never buy a bass that was too badly set up to be able to tell if it was any good or not.

Edited by FinnDave
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