First time at GC (long)

[Da Parrot-chick]

I swear this is all true. It all happened in one visit.

I bought a keyboard from a friend of mine to do some composing on, and
started getting a few gigs on it. I figured I'd need at least a gig bag, a
case would be better. I figure I'd give GC a chance, even though the store
is like 20 miles from my house.

I find it and walk in. First off I can't tell who works there; the sales
staff looks just like the customers. That's no problem but there's nothing
to distinguish them: no badge, name tag, t-shirt, feathered beanie, nothing.
Okay, I figure they'll recognize a new customer and approach me. Fresh
fish, ready to gorge on any bait they put out there.

Ha. First clam. The folks behind the counter glance up, frown, and go back
to their paperwork. I wander around for five minutes and not a single
person says hello or can I help you or even hiyadoon. That's their
greeting: a frown and then use the invisible ray gun on me.

I finally find the keyboard room; it's deserted but for two guys sitting in
a chair shooting the breeze. I give them a nod; they glance over and then
ignore me. Okay. I turn away and see case that looks perfect, but it's
behind some other gear. I reach for it and just as I put my hand on the
handle, I hear a stern voice call out, "Hey put that down!"

Ha. Second clam. I turn around and the two guys are laughing at my startled
look. I ask them what's going on, I'm just checking out this case and one
guy says, "That's my case and it's not for sale. I did a demo of new gear
an hour ago." Turns out it's the factory rep and the keyboard department
manager. They laugh some more while the manager says that the cases are on
the other side of the store. How's that for persuasive sales technique? I
put the case down on the floor and walk out of the room while the two guys
continue their breeze-shooting. This is how they treat new customers?

On my way to the keyboard room I see a woman who's a dish. Charm for days.
She comes from around the counter so I know she works there. The Dish gives
me a smile, asks if I need any help. I decide to see how her department,
guitar accessories, works. I tell her I'm looking for a guitar stand (I was
at the time). She shows me a couple, then says, "If you need any help I'm
right here." The Dish gets a coupla points.

I wind my way past the bass guitar rack and see some high-end gear. Since
I'm a bassist too, I decide to see how the bass department holds up. I
stare at one bass (a Warwick Thumb; Benj knows how good these axes are--Jack
Bruce and Paul McCartney both have one; I think Robert Trujillo had one for
a minuet too) for about three minutes before a guy approaches me and asks if
I want help. I tell him I'm interested in this bass and I'd like to try it
out.

Ha. Third clam. He says sure but he's never liked them because they sound
too woody. That'll sell a bass every time--diss the product before the
customer can even say what he's looking for. I ask if I could try it out
and he hooks me up. I play for about 30 seconds and love it but don't let
on. He stands there, silent, keeping the carpet from floating up in the
air. I finally hand it back and thank him (no response from him).

I finally make it back to the cases and see Joe No-Gig-Tonight Neckbone
working the counter. He doesn't greet me either, but he does greet the two
teenage chickies who follow me in. Every sentence they utter is a great
witticism or deep thought to him and he's as gracious as a prince. They
don't buy anything, just giggle, ask some questions, and split. I've been
in the room for about five minutes, maybe more, and no one has approached
me. Joe Neckbone finally walks up and asks if I need help. By this time I
find a gig bag and express interest. He mumbles some monosyllables in
response, until I ask the price. Then he springs to life.

Ha. Clam number four. "$40, man." I swear, Dale Carnegie must be bound
and gagged in the store room. They musta bought up all the available copies
of his "How to Win Friends & Influence People" and burned them in the
boiler. Anyway, my budget is $50 for a bag and $100 for a case, but I try
and lower the price (as a matter of principle): "I'll give you $30." "No,
that's as low as I can go. I could give you $35 on a used case or a
blemished case, but that one's brand new." I cock an eyebrow: "Oh really?"
Then I put the bag on the counter, unzip the pocket, and pull out a sales
slip. The case was a return from two weeks hence and the zipper stuck
closing it up. The stitching was single-stitch--cheap. I leave the slip
and the bag on the counter and break without saying goodbye but not before
giving him some stink face for his limp attempt at oily talk. Joe
Wish-I-Had-A Gig Neckbone just stands there staring at me while keeping the
carpet from rolling up.

I've had it and am heading for the door. But I'm cool. The Dish is talking
to some customers but interrupts herself to say, "Thanks for coming in," and
I favor her with a nod. She was the only pleasant part of my visit. I hop
in the battleship, pull out of the parking lot, and vow never to return.

Last chapter: I head downtown to a store I've been patronizing since they
opened in the 1970s; I was one of their first customers. The owner
recognizes me as I walk in and greets me, asking me how can he help. I tell
him I need a gig bag and he says, "New or used?" " I ask what he's got and
he grabs a perfectly new-looking bag off a shelf and says it's mine for $15
because part of the lining inside is ripped but he assures me it's fine.
Gives me a 6' cable out of the bargain bucket. No extra charge.

The only way I'm ever going into a Guitar Center store anywhere ever again
is if the place is on fire and I'm helping pull people out.

[Sean Conolly]

"Da Parrot-chick" <just@sk.me> wrote in message
news:M0E4b.4474$tw6.948@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
> I swear this is all true. It all happened in one visit.

My local GC actually has a good manager who does try to establish a
relationship with the customer and goes out of his way to help repeat
customers. In turn he's managed to build a decent staff, they're not all
good but there's a least one person in each deprtment who is knowledgable
and helpful. They have two good guys in the drum room, so usually when I go
in I don't get jerked around.

However, a lot of times I'm not looking for a specific item, I'm just
checking for what's cheap or on clearance. Last time I was in I saw a new
six piece Pearl Export shell pack w/ snare for $425. That's not bad for an
above average entry level kit IMHO.

Sean

[bjacoby@users.iwaynet.net]

Da Parrot-chick <just@sk.me> wrote:
> I swear this is all true. It all happened in one visit.

<snip truly fine GC loss of virginity story>

Been there. Done that.
It sounds all too familiar.

However, don't sell GC short. You can't judge on just
one visit. You just have to hit them just right.

Example: SA has one of their weekly "huge" sales.
One special item are these hard (formed plastic with
aluminum trim and bracing) bass and guitar cases.
Yeah they are China clones, but still VERY nice
and like $20. I buy two. Compare to the usual brands
costing like hundred each.

Example: GC has weekly "huge" sale. I find giant
3-way LP conga stand. It's a demo model. $70. Totally
like new. Sells for $170 at interstate (weighs a TON
so shipping will cost a fortune), and CPP wants over
$200. Also find demo LP "torpedo" $15. Normal price
(Interstate) $61 plus shipping.

I mean it's no wonder my house is overflowing with
crap!

But as for the worthless staff, it's clear all they
really need is some "real" management to put a boot
to their collective butts. Which is why we need to
keep whining here about them. Hopefully someone
high enough up at SA/GC is lurking and takes the hint.

Benj

[-MIKE-]

"Da Parrot-chick" <just@sk.me> wrote:

> The only way I'm ever going into a Guitar Center store anywhere ever again
> is if the place is on fire and I'm helping pull people out.
>


Sig, up for grabs!


-MIKE-

--
http://mikedrums.com
mike@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

[-MIKE-]

"Sean Conolly" <sjconolly_98@yaaho.com> wrote:

> My local GC actually has a good manager who does try to establish a
> relationship with the customer and goes out of his way to help repeat
> customers. In turn he's managed to build a decent staff, they're not all
> good but there's a least one person in each deprtment who is knowledgable
> and helpful. They have two good guys in the drum room, so usually when I
> go in I don't get jerked around.


I've seen great, consciences, respectful staff at mega-chains, too.
But what I've noticed is, they never seem to last long. I'm
guessing they quit because they refuse to buy into, and become
infested with, the corporate mentality that the upper management
forces on these guys.


-MIKE-

--
http://mikedrums.com
mike@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

[Da Parrot-chick]

<bjacoby@users.iwaynet.net> wrote in message
news:bivrfq$52f$1@tribune.oar.net...
> Da Parrot-chick <just@sk.me> wrote:
> > I swear this is all true. It all happened in one visit.
>
> <snip truly fine GC loss of virginity story>
>
> Been there. Done that.
> It sounds all too familiar.
>
> However, don't sell GC short. You can't judge on just
> one visit. You just have to hit them just right.

They had several chances. Five, in the one visit. Only one person in the
store, the Dish, had any customer service skills at all. Would you go back
to a business where you had four poor interactions with the staff, or would
you go to a place that actually welcomed your visit and let you know?

> Example: SA has one of their weekly "huge" sales.
> One special item are these hard (formed plastic with
> aluminum trim and bracing) bass and guitar cases.
> Yeah they are China clones, but still VERY nice
> and like $20. I buy two. Compare to the usual brands
> costing like hundred each.
>
> Example: GC has weekly "huge" sale. I find giant
> 3-way LP conga stand. It's a demo model. $70. Totally
> like new. Sells for $170 at interstate (weighs a TON
> so shipping will cost a fortune), and CPP wants over
> $200. Also find demo LP "torpedo" $15. Normal price
> (Interstate) $61 plus shipping.
>
> I mean it's no wonder my house is overflowing with
> crap!

All good points, Benj. Thing is, I'm willing to pay more if it means I get
better service. And I let the stores know it too.

> But as for the worthless staff, it's clear all they
> really need is some "real" management to put a boot
> to their collective butts. Which is why we need to
> keep whining here about them. Hopefully someone
> high enough up at SA/GC is lurking and takes the hint.

I hope they actually find WMDs in Iraq, too. But I doubt either will
happen.

[Adam]

-MIKE- (mike@mikedrumsDOT.com) wrote:

> "Sean Conolly" <sjconolly_98@yaaho.com> wrote:
>
>> My local GC actually has a good manager who does try to
>> establish a relationship with the customer and goes out of
>> his way to help repeat customers. In turn he's managed to
>> build a decent staff, they're not all good but there's a
>> least one person in each deprtment who is knowledgable and
>> helpful. They have two good guys in the drum room, so usually
>> when I go in I don't get jerked around.
>
>
> I've seen great, consciences, respectful staff at mega-chains,
> too. But what I've noticed is, they never seem to last long.
> I'm guessing they quit because they refuse to buy into, and
> become infested with, the corporate mentality that the upper
> management forces on these guys.

I have had jobs with four different companies, two large national
or multinational, and two small and local. Of the two large
companies I lasted 5 weeks at burger king (summer job - I could
have stayed through term but I hated it) and about 6 months at
Safeways (another summer job. I could have transferred when I
moved away to university, but didnt because I hated it). Of the
two small companies I lasted a year at my first restaurant, where
despite doing an incredibly scummy job (Kitchen Porter) for
rubbish pay, there was a real team spirit, good benefits, and a
friendly working environment. I only left because I had taken on
extra playing and I just didnt have the time. The other, where I
still work, started as a casual job over easter last year. I
enjoyed it so much that I have kept going back on a casual basis,
working occasional hours during term, and full time during
holidays.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has found that smaller more
local companies are just nicer places to work. In both small
companies I feel like part of the team, a valued member of staff,
whereas with the larger companies I get the feeling that head
office say they need X people on each shift, and that all the
employees are there to make up numbers. So its not surprising
that the service from larger companies feels impersonal, because
it is. Ignore the name badges, as far as management are concerned
base-rate staff are just numbers and are treated as such.
Of course there are exceptions, and no doubt there are some
really good managers out there working for large chains who make
the employees feel valued and create a good team spirit, but IME
they are few and far between.
Anyway, thats just my 2 generic currency units worth.

--
<INSERT SIG HERE>

[TJ Hertz]

Adam wrote:
> -MIKE- (mike@mikedrumsDOT.com) wrote:
>
>> "Sean Conolly" <sjconolly_98@yaaho.com> wrote:
>>
>>> My local GC actually has a good manager who does try to
>>> establish a relationship with the customer and goes out of
>>> his way to help repeat customers. In turn he's managed to
>>> build a decent staff, they're not all good but there's a
>>> least one person in each deprtment who is knowledgable and
>>> helpful. They have two good guys in the drum room, so usually
>>> when I go in I don't get jerked around.
>>
>>
>> I've seen great, consciences, respectful staff at mega-chains,
>> too. But what I've noticed is, they never seem to last long.
>> I'm guessing they quit because they refuse to buy into, and
>> become infested with, the corporate mentality that the upper
>> management forces on these guys.
>
> I have had jobs with four different companies, two large national
> or multinational, and two small and local. Of the two large
> companies I lasted 5 weeks at burger king (summer job - I could
> have stayed through term but I hated it) and about 6 months at
> Safeways (another summer job. I could have transferred when I
> moved away to university, but didnt because I hated it). Of the
> two small companies I lasted a year at my first restaurant, where
> despite doing an incredibly scummy job (Kitchen Porter) for
> rubbish pay, there was a real team spirit, good benefits, and a
> friendly working environment. I only left because I had taken on
> extra playing and I just didnt have the time. The other, where I
> still work, started as a casual job over easter last year. I
> enjoyed it so much that I have kept going back on a casual basis,
> working occasional hours during term, and full time during
> holidays.
> I'm sure I'm not the only one who has found that smaller more
> local companies are just nicer places to work. In both small
> companies I feel like part of the team, a valued member of staff,
> whereas with the larger companies I get the feeling that head
> office say they need X people on each shift, and that all the
> employees are there to make up numbers. So its not surprising
> that the service from larger companies feels impersonal, because
> it is. Ignore the name badges, as far as management are concerned
> base-rate staff are just numbers and are treated as such.
> Of course there are exceptions, and no doubt there are some
> really good managers out there working for large chains who make
> the employees feel valued and create a good team spirit, but IME
> they are few and far between.
> Anyway, thats just my 2 generic currency units worth.

The staff at my local Burger King are utterly incompetant and obnoxious...
they make no effort to help customers, be nice, be quick. McDonalds is only
slightly better. These places would get so much more business (they have
mine, but only for convenience value if there's nowhere else open) if they
properly trained their staff.

I started working for a major chain clothes shop the other week. This
company is one of those big worldwide giants but really have their ****
together with regards to customer service and training... paying attention
to details, both with staff and merchandise (which I wouldn't usually wear,
but can't deny it's good stuff). All four managers are great people, the
staff are happy, the pay is good. Goes to show that at least some large
corporations recognise the importance of their employees.

Back on topic, I guess the UK is lucky in that almost all the music shops
are individually owned. Maybe not mom-and-pop, but the shops are small
enough to hire and take care of fairly decent staff - some not as good as
others, but none as bad as the GC experiences I've read about.

--
TJ Hertz
http://www.whatyourenot.com

[Joey Furr]

Our GC is managed well also. Some may remember my stories about GC giving me
free stuff becuase they didn't have what I needed when I needed it.

--

....Joey
"...so hold the mustard on those flames, y'all." - Aaron Draper

"Sean Conolly" <sjconolly_98@yaaho.com> wrote in message
news:ShJ4b.4380$UF.369@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
> "Da Parrot-chick" <just@sk.me> wrote in message
> news:M0E4b.4474$tw6.948@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
> > I swear this is all true. It all happened in one visit.
>
> My local GC actually has a good manager who does try to establish a
> relationship with the customer and goes out of his way to help repeat
> customers. In turn he's managed to build a decent staff, they're not all
> good but there's a least one person in each deprtment who is knowledgable
> and helpful. They have two good guys in the drum room, so usually when I
go
> in I don't get jerked around.
>
> However, a lot of times I'm not looking for a specific item, I'm just
> checking for what's cheap or on clearance. Last time I was in I saw a new
> six piece Pearl Export shell pack w/ snare for $425. That's not bad for an
> above average entry level kit IMHO.
>
> Sean
>
>
>

[Dan Radin]

"Joey Furr" <joeyfurr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Ubedncum-pJ1Ns6iU-KYgw@comcast.com...
> Our GC is managed well also. Some may remember my stories about GC giving
me
> free stuff becuase they didn't have what I needed when I needed it.

<soapbox>
Those places (big boxes) are not set up to allow the "free throw-in" unless
you're really there for a while and figure out what works and doesn't. Most
good salespeople know that you have to throw in some sticks and drumkeys
with a kid's first drumkit purchase, but management may not understand that,
so a good salesperson has a cache of potential throw-ins. At my store, we
had an entire aisle in the basement of stick seconds, parts, stands, throne
tops, broken pedals, cymbals felts, free videos, etc. We also were one of
the top drum departments in the Sam Ash chain because, as Mike said, the
management was adequate, the GM was excellent, and the department manager
and "elderstatesmen" sales staff knew their stuff and how to teach it to the
new guys even if they only made it a week or two.

As somebody else said in this thread, you indeed make you commission on the
profit dollars, not the total sale dollars, so you may make more on a $20
cable than on a $1k Roland synth. But what most kids forget is that being
successful in music retail is all about the relationships and word of mouth.
If you treat a customer right the first time, he'll hopefully come back and
tell his buddies to come see you. You can't think in terms of the single
sale in front of you, but most people get into music retail as a part time
or short term thing, and that's why they fail, as evidenced by the 90% of
music retail employees today. Why do you think I do most of my business with
Mark Turner and George Lawrence, rather than Jack's Drum Shop, which is five
minutes from me? I have no problems with Jack's; I like Greg and Ken, but
Mark and George go the extra mile for me every time. They treat their
customers right.
</soap box>

[Glenn Dowdy]

"-MIKE-" <mike@mikedrumsDOT.com> wrote in message
news:YeydnYKia8TcH86iXTWJig@comcast.com...
>
>
> I've seen great, consciences, respectful staff at mega-chains, too.
> But what I've noticed is, they never seem to last long. I'm
> guessing they quit because they refuse to buy into, and become
> infested with, the corporate mentality that the upper management
> forces on these guys.
>
What corporate mentality is this? Most corporations like to make money over
the long run with repeat customers. What you're talking about is bad
management, period. Was Mars that different?

Glenn D.

[-MIKE-]

>>
>> I've seen great, consciences, respectful staff at mega-chains, too.
>> But what I've noticed is, they never seem to last long. I'm
>> guessing they quit because they refuse to buy into, and become
>> infested with, the corporate mentality that the upper management
>> forces on these guys.
>>
> What corporate mentality is this? Most corporations like to make money
> over the long run with repeat customers. What you're talking about is bad
> management, period. Was Mars that different?
>
> Glenn D.
>
>

My conscientious misspelling aside :-), I'm talking about
management pushing policy over people. It's hard for sales staff to
get personal and establish repeat customers, when the corporation
sees numbers, numbers, numbers, not names and faces. When you want
to try out a pair of sticks on a cymbal or try a cymbal on a kit,
and they don't let you, because "it's policy," that doesn't generate
sales.

Real life example: For a reason I still can't comprehend, I'm not
allowed to take *my own sticks* into the store! I want to spend
money at the store, but I can't bring my own sticks in. I ask for a
reason. Answer: "It's the policy." I said that I understood it is
the policy, but could they explain the reason behind the policy.
"It's just policy."

Well, it's my policy to take this wad of cash over to some other
place that doesn't have its collective head up its collective
crapper. :-)


-MIKE-

--
http://mikedrums.com
mike@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

[George Lawrence]

Thank you, Dan, and it's nice to have friendly competition like Mark at K&S.

--
George Lawrence
George's Drum Shop
1351 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road #21
Copley, Ohio 44321
http://www.GeorgesDrumShop.com
http://www.Drumguru.com
330 670 0800
toll free 866 970 0800

"If thine enemy wrong thee,
buy each of his children a drum."
-Chinese proverb




"Dan Radin" <dan.radin@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:HAO4b.16219$NC2.2999@nwrdny01.gnilink.net...
> "Joey Furr" <joeyfurr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:Ubedncum-pJ1Ns6iU-KYgw@comcast.com...
> > Our GC is managed well also. Some may remember my stories about GC
giving
> me
> > free stuff becuase they didn't have what I needed when I needed it.
>
> <soapbox>
> Those places (big boxes) are not set up to allow the "free throw-in"
unless
> you're really there for a while and figure out what works and doesn't.
Most
> good salespeople know that you have to throw in some sticks and drumkeys
> with a kid's first drumkit purchase, but management may not understand
that,
> so a good salesperson has a cache of potential throw-ins. At my store, we
> had an entire aisle in the basement of stick seconds, parts, stands,
throne
> tops, broken pedals, cymbals felts, free videos, etc. We also were one of
> the top drum departments in the Sam Ash chain because, as Mike said, the
> management was adequate, the GM was excellent, and the department manager
> and "elderstatesmen" sales staff knew their stuff and how to teach it to
the
> new guys even if they only made it a week or two.
>
> As somebody else said in this thread, you indeed make you commission on
the
> profit dollars, not the total sale dollars, so you may make more on a $20
> cable than on a $1k Roland synth. But what most kids forget is that being
> successful in music retail is all about the relationships and word of
mouth.
> If you treat a customer right the first time, he'll hopefully come back
and
> tell his buddies to come see you. You can't think in terms of the single
> sale in front of you, but most people get into music retail as a part time
> or short term thing, and that's why they fail, as evidenced by the 90% of
> music retail employees today. Why do you think I do most of my business
with
> Mark Turner and George Lawrence, rather than Jack's Drum Shop, which is
five
> minutes from me? I have no problems with Jack's; I like Greg and Ken, but
> Mark and George go the extra mile for me every time. They treat their
> customers right.
> </soap box>
>
>

[NoSheeples]

>They had several chances. Five, in the one visit. Only one person in the
>store, the Dish, had any customer service skills at all. Would you go back
>to a business where you had four poor interactions with the staff, or would
>you go to a place that actually welcomed your visit and let you know?
>
>> Example: SA has one of their weekly "huge" sales.
>> One special item are these hard (formed plastic with
>> aluminum trim and bracing) bass and guitar cases.
>> Yeah they are China clones, but still VERY nice
>> and like $20. I buy two. Compare to the usual brands
>> costing like hundred each.
>>
>> Example: GC has weekly "huge" sale. I find giant
>> 3-way LP conga stand. It's a demo model. $70. Totally
>> like new. Sells for $170 at interstate (weighs a TON
>> so shipping will cost a fortune), and CPP wants over
>> $200. Also find demo LP "torpedo" $15. Normal price
>> (Interstate) $61 plus shipping.
>>
>> I mean it's no wonder my house is overflowing with
>> crap!
>
>All good points, Benj. Thing is, I'm willing to pay more if it means I get
>better service. And I let the stores know it too.
>
>> But as for the worthless staff, it's clear all they
>> really need is some "real" management to put a boot
>> to their collective butts. Which is why we need to
>> keep whining here about them. Hopefully someone
>> high enough up at SA/GC is lurking and takes the hint.
>
>I hope they actually find WMDs in Iraq, too. But I doubt either will
>happen.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

It's not the companys fault per say. Home depot is the same way, there are 2
stores 20 miles apart here, and they are total contrast to each other. It has
to do with 2 things, management, and the quality of help available. If the
store happens to be in a town full of ghetto druggies, then guess what? That's
what your going to get.

Stores sometimes have no choice. Stick with the **** help they have or not be
there at all. Sometimes there is just not a lot of good help to choose from. I
went through this crap when I managed a Dairy procceseing plant. The town it
was in was horrible,
Forget it man. 9 out of ten could not even do the job let alone show up for
work.
The options were, close the plant or deal with the Bull ****. Sometimes it is
the stores fault, and sometimes it's not.
These things will self correct. There is a local music store here who's name I
won't mention, but after years of being the GC guess what? They lost 50% of
their customer base, and are on the way out.
Same thing will happen with GC. Some other music store will offer better
service and that will be the end of GC, at least in that area.



"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch. Liberty is
a well armed lamb protesting the vote."

[riddim]

The Baltimore and Gaithersburg MD GCs don't seem to have quite the high
cretin/customer ratio. They must have some adult supervision.

[riddim]

The Baltimore and Gaithersburg MD GCs don't seem to have quite the same high
cretin/customer ratio as some of the stores I hear horror stories about.
They must have some adult supervision.

I would suggest that those of us who have issues with the lack of counter
help be make sure to stop by the manager's office on the way out and share
their feelings with him or her. If you don't get taken care of, send an
e-mail to the regional or national office.

[Robert Schuh]

Da Parrot-chick wrote:

> I swear this is all true. It all happened in one visit.
>
> I bought a keyboard from a friend of mine to do some composing on, and
> started getting a few gigs on it. I figured I'd need at least a gig bag, a
> case would be better. I figure I'd give GC a chance, even though the store
> is like 20 miles from my house.
>
> I find it and walk in. First off I can't tell who works there; the sales
> staff looks just like the customers. That's no problem but there's nothing
> to distinguish them: no badge, name tag, t-shirt, feathered beanie, nothing.
> Okay, I figure they'll recognize a new customer and approach me. Fresh
> fish, ready to gorge on any bait they put out there.
>
> Ha. First clam. The folks behind the counter glance up, frown, and go back
> to their paperwork. I wander around for five minutes and not a single
> person says hello or can I help you or even hiyadoon. That's their
> greeting: a frown and then use the invisible ray gun on me.
>
> I finally find the keyboard room; it's deserted but for two guys sitting in
> a chair shooting the breeze. I give them a nod; they glance over and then
> ignore me. Okay. I turn away and see case that looks perfect, but it's
> behind some other gear. I reach for it and just as I put my hand on the
> handle, I hear a stern voice call out, "Hey put that down!"
>
> Ha. Second clam. I turn around and the two guys are laughing at my startled
> look. I ask them what's going on, I'm just checking out this case and one
> guy says, "That's my case and it's not for sale. I did a demo of new gear
> an hour ago." Turns out it's the factory rep and the keyboard department
> manager. They laugh some more while the manager says that the cases are on
> the other side of the store. How's that for persuasive sales technique? I
> put the case down on the floor and walk out of the room while the two guys
> continue their breeze-shooting. This is how they treat new customers?
>
> On my way to the keyboard room I see a woman who's a dish. Charm for days.
> She comes from around the counter so I know she works there. The Dish gives
> me a smile, asks if I need any help. I decide to see how her department,
> guitar accessories, works. I tell her I'm looking for a guitar stand (I was
> at the time). She shows me a couple, then says, "If you need any help I'm
> right here." The Dish gets a coupla points.

Now Skip,
We all realize that you think it is hip to be a homophobe, but I take it you
also think it is cool to be a misogynist? "The Dish?" How would you like it if
you were on a gig and some dolt referred to you as "The Moolie?" Why do you keep
posting in a drumming newsgroup anyway?



--
Robert Schuh
"Everything that elevates an individual above the herd and
intimidates the neighbour is henceforth called evil; and
the fair, modest, submissive and conforming mentality,
the mediocrity of desires attains moral designations and honors"
- Nietzsche

"The meek shall inherit nothing" - Zappa

[Neal Fejedelem]

Hello everyone I'm somewhat new to the group but thought I would share my 2
recent experiences with GC.

The first I went to GC and since I am just getting back into drumming I
pretty much was just looking around and picking up a few misc things and
some heads.It took forever for someone to help me and then the guy behind
the counter who got my heads gave them to me to look at and
disappeared.Finally the other guy in the department (who was busy selling a
set when I got there so I can't blame him) had to ring me up.This was after
15 min of sitting at the counter.Needless to say I was pissed off.

Now my second time was much better.This time I decided to go to a different
GC since there are 2 near me that are about the same distance.I soon as I
got in the drum room I had some one there to help me.I was there to pick up
a pair of high hats and was on a somewhat limited budget.I didn't want to
spend too much but I wanted high hats I liked,not some cheap ZBT's or
anything like that.I told this to the salesperson and he gave some sticks
and told me to go play around and tell him what pair I liked and he would
see what he could do.He even came by and was playing on some so I could
listen.I walked out of the store with a new set of 14" A New Beat high hats
for $170.These list for $380 and the sale price at Musician's Friend and
every other website is $224.99.Definatly a MUCH better experience.Needless
to say next time I need to buy something I will be going back and looking
for the same guy just because he hooked me up and he deserves the commision.

My point is I had two different experences because I dealt with two
different salespeople.Find someone who knows the instrumet and is good at
sales and stick with them.It doesn't matter if its at GC, SA or whatever
your local store happens to be.If you don't like the service or the sales
staff just don't go there.If enough people do that they will get their act
together or go broke.

Neal

"Dan Radin" <dan.radin@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:HAO4b.16219$NC2.2999@nwrdny01.gnilink.net...
> "Joey Furr" <joeyfurr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:Ubedncum-pJ1Ns6iU-KYgw@comcast.com...
> > Our GC is managed well also. Some may remember my stories about GC
giving
> me
> > free stuff becuase they didn't have what I needed when I needed it.
>
> <soapbox>
> Those places (big boxes) are not set up to allow the "free throw-in"
unless
> you're really there for a while and figure out what works and doesn't.
Most
> good salespeople know that you have to throw in some sticks and drumkeys
> with a kid's first drumkit purchase, but management may not understand
that,
> so a good salesperson has a cache of potential throw-ins. At my store, we
> had an entire aisle in the basement of stick seconds, parts, stands,
throne
> tops, broken pedals, cymbals felts, free videos, etc. We also were one of
> the top drum departments in the Sam Ash chain because, as Mike said, the
> management was adequate, the GM was excellent, and the department manager
> and "elderstatesmen" sales staff knew their stuff and how to teach it to
the
> new guys even if they only made it a week or two.
>
> As somebody else said in this thread, you indeed make you commission on
the
> profit dollars, not the total sale dollars, so you may make more on a $20
> cable than on a $1k Roland synth. But what most kids forget is that being
> successful in music retail is all about the relationships and word of
mouth.
> If you treat a customer right the first time, he'll hopefully come back
and
> tell his buddies to come see you. You can't think in terms of the single
> sale in front of you, but most people get into music retail as a part time
> or short term thing, and that's why they fail, as evidenced by the 90% of
> music retail employees today. Why do you think I do most of my business
with
> Mark Turner and George Lawrence, rather than Jack's Drum Shop, which is
five
> minutes from me? I have no problems with Jack's; I like Greg and Ken, but
> Mark and George go the extra mile for me every time. They treat their
> customers right.
> </soap box>
>
>

[Da Parrot-chick]

"Robert Schuh" <rob@robschuh.com> wrote in message
news:3F54325C.6A09EE18@robschuh.com...
> Da Parrot-chick wrote:

> Now Skip,
> We all realize that you think it is hip to be a homophobe, but I take it
you
> also think it is cool to be a misogynist? "The Dish?" How would you like
it if
> you were on a gig and some dolt referred to you as "The Moolie?"

Lookit who's lecturing me on ettiquite and being PC!! What the hell!

Why do you keep
> posting in a drumming newsgroup anyway?

I was going to ask you the same thing, but then I remembered everybody needs
a hobby. Whatever keeps you away from the kit, eh Schuh?

[bjacoby@users.iwaynet.net]

Neal Fejedelem <nfejedelem@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hello everyone I'm somewhat new to the group but thought I would share my 2
> recent experiences with GC.

Of course I'm not new to the group, but I will relate my latest
GC story.

GC had this "huge" labor day sale and I decide to go check it out.
They had some pretty nice sale prices on things I didn't need,
but of course the thing that interested me the most was the
drum room bargain table. Had some Grover cable snares for $10
and I'd have bought all they had if they were 13" but they
were 14". Had VF brushes dirt cheap, but they were the non-folding
kind. Feh. And so it went. But then I notice this "junk box"
there full of all kinds of feet, hardware and beaters. But no price
listed anywhere. Well of course there is a huge line of people
milling around waiting to buy stuff and I can't get a question
in edgewise. And finally when I just bull up to the counter
to ask. Nobody has any idea. Eventually, however, I do find out
the price is $4 per item no matter what it is! Interesting.
I can buy a $4 tension rod or $4 stand foot! Don't think so.

But what I do like is there is a pair of slightly used DW 2-way
demo beaters (which I always use and needed more) and this Yamaha
clamp that you can clamp things to cymbal stand with etc.
All these things are a super buy at $4 each. So I try to buy.
Well, some family is buying the kid a drumset and it has the
whole drum dept tied. up. Eventually a guitar guy comes through
sees me there and takes me to the guitar dept to check out.
So far so good. I figure I'm about to be another GC happy camper.

So I check out. The guy tells me my reciept will be at the door
when I leave. I wander the store a bit more and try to leave.
No dice!; No receipt. My purchase is NOT even in the computer.
Gigantic conference ensues. They try this and that. They call
this guy over and that guy over. I point out that Visa had no
problem with the charge that they just phoned in on my card!
Naturally because of our discussions here, I'm feeling frisky
so I start telling them that they need to get this going because
they are cutting into my Sam Ash time! They then threaten to NEVER
let me out of the store! :-)

So finally the manager comes over fiddles with the computer some
and in the end gives up, hands me the bag and says "have a nice day".
So this wasn't a total horrible experience and I guess since a
computer was involved it wasn't totally their fault. And I ended
up with a super buy on stuff I really needed. But still, I DID
have to work for it!

Benj

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