What do you Think? About Service.

ChromeCultStudios · Post by **ChromeCultStudios** » Monday Mar 24, 2008

State College music store. In Nov of this year went in to buy my son a guitar. Was told it would come in with in a week, I paid full price. Before I even got out the door I was told, oh we just called the company the guitar is back ordered 2 to 3 weeks. Since I used my credit card, I said no problem (You know what a Cluster that is to get corrected) Guitar didn't get to my son until Jan 14th.

Well last Friday. Went to the same store to get my son a new electric. He played a few, the one he wanted had a buzz on the E and A string. I ask can you adjust the neck, sales guy said no problem. I picked out a hard shell case and had the price. Told him I would be in on Monday to pick it up. Since the last go around and the sales guy remembered the last guitar problem. He didn't ask for any money down. Just said thanks for doing business with us and see you Monday.

Went in today and this is the greeting I got. I ask, so how did the neck work out? Reply Great ... We sold the guitar on Saturday.. I said what that is messed up.. Sales guy didn't even seem to care. Just Sorry

So went to pick my son up and explain what happened. He said that is F***ked up... Then he said guess I won't ever shop at that store again.

And I agree.... It's a shame they are the only game in town.

RAINBLOW MUSIC SUCKS......

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Monday Mar 24, 2008

How did I know you were talking about Rainbow when I began reading your post?

I went in to buy a pack of guitar strings when I was 17 and the sales associate had a bit of an attitude with me. While I was there, a mother was there buying an amp for her son or something, and repeatedly said "Thank you" to the sales associate. The sales associate didn't thank her for the sale, say "kiss my ass," nothing. I haven't stoped into Rainbow since.

Last summer, old sKool needed to retube his power amp, which is a Mesa Simul-Class 2:90. His girlfriend was in the State College area, so he had her stop in since Rainbow is an authorized Mesa service store. The sales associate started making this big deal that she asked for so many tubes, thinking they were for a Rectifier or something. Finally, Ken's girlfriend called him so he could talk directly to the guy to explain why she asked for so many tubes. The guy asked what he was putting so many tubes into. old sKool said, "A Simul-Class 2:90!" Dude says that yeah that would take that many tubes. DUUURRRRRRRRRR!!!

Then he precedes to tell old sKool like he's some dumb kid to get the amp checked out if it pops a fuse.

Fuck Rainbow. They can kiss my ass.

As far as State College stores go, I have always been really happy with the service I get from Robert M. Sides. They don't have all of the high end stuff that Rainbow has, but if I'm buying an item at a store, I'm paying for service. Otherwise, I'll just buy it from Musician's Friend or Zzsounds. The cats at Sides are real cool. I may be placing an order for a bulk box of bass strings there soon.

EyesOfAnguishbassist · Post by **EyesOfAnguishbassist** » Monday Mar 24, 2008

That is fucked up.

Merge · Post by **Merge** » Monday Mar 24, 2008

Someone tell me how that place is still in business.

Geetarzz · Post by **Geetarzz** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

They are still in business because of Gibson, Fender, Paul Reed Smith, Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Charvel........They have all of the good lines and the owner knows it. I guess thats why he feels like he can be a complete dick to every person that walks through the door. I f I broke a string and he was the only place on the face of the planet that had strings, i'd either learn to play with 5, or try gutting a cat for his intestines before I gave that turd .2 cents of my money.

MoonManTom · Post by **MoonManTom** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

I was in the New Rainbow Music, and yes they have an awesome selection, but Still cant beat the prices of Musicians Friend or the Guitar Center in Harrisburg, who has alot of the same Guitars as Rainbow! I also like the Music Mart in State College, the guys there are always great to work with! I've never had a problem with them and always seem to get a good discount or great price on things! Granted they dont have the selection, but they are awesome people!

my 2 cents!

tom

ChromeCultStudios · Post by **ChromeCultStudios** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

We hit every store in State college and the selection is slim. We will be heading to Altoona on Saturday. What stores should I visit and what should I stay away from? This is sad if I can't support local businesses. If no luck, we will be going online after Saturday. Again, Thanks for your support. And please, only refer to them as RAINBLOW Music

MoonManTom · Post by **MoonManTom** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

When In Altoona, I go to the Music Emporium at the front the Wally World Plaza! Johnny & Tom there are great guys, and will treat ya good!
Good Luck

M(_*_)NMAN

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

Geetarzz wrote:If I broke a string and he was the only place on the face of the planet that had strings, i'd either learn to play with 5, or try gutting a cat for his intestines before I gave that turd .2 cents of my money.

Totally agree! I'm not one of those people who expects sales people, waiters/waitresses, ect. to bend over and kiss my ass just because I'm a customer, but I also don't like to be treated like a piece of shit. In addition to my experience, along with old sKool's and Chromecult's, I've heard so many horror stories about that place. Those expensive Gibsons can sit on the racks. Make that .04 cents of money that they'll never get. As my esteemed friend and fellow bass player, Kent, once said to me: I don't understand why a music store owner would have that sort of attititude when they're competing with things like Musician's Friend and Ebay.

And yes, definitely check out Emporium; Johnny, Jamie, and the gang will take good care of you.

skipisode · Post by **skipisode** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

I've personally only been in the aforementioned store a few times. I do tend to agree that the attitude of staff was poor toward customers, both on my part and the part of others I observed in the store while I was there. I remember going there to try to obtain parts for a Floyd Rose
on one of my guitars, and the guy was kinda a dick about it. He tried to
tell me which part I needed (which I already knew) without ever even seeing the guitar. The part he attempted to sell me after going into his parts box wasn't even remotely what I was looking for or needed. I politely said thanks I'll check back later and left (thinking what an ass).
Also, they never seem to ask "can I help you with anything". I haven't been back since. I found the part I was looking for elsewhere.
As far as help, I've always received decent treatment at Music Emporium.

Team Transylvania · Post by **Team Transylvania** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

www.americanmusical.com <--- will never let you down
www.musiciansfriend.com <--will only let you down sometimes

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

Service is important to me — not necessarily as important as price — but it's important, and not just in buying musical equipment.

If a business can't make the time to at least try to meet my needs, especially when I have $$$ in my hand, ready to make a purchase, I'll go someplace else. I don't like to be effed around.

Case in point: Years ago, when I bought my first PC, I went to Circuit City. I spent about an hour, mulling over options and asking questions of the salespeople on duty. When I came to my decision, I pointed and said, "I want that one." The salesman actually looked at me and said, "This is gonna take a little while to finallize this sale and we close in 10 minutes. Can you come back tomorrow and buy it?" No lie, this actually happened.

I left, drove straight to Wal-Mart, saw the same computer I decided on at Circuit City, bought it for less, then used the computer I bought to email Circuit City to let them know that their sales team sent me home with my money in hand because they were apparently in a hurry to get home that night.

For my trouble, Circuit City sent me a voucher for a free scanner and at that time, scanners were several hundred dollars. Lazy staffers cost the company some dough that night, not only in the lost sale but in the free scanner. It was funny because when I went to pick a scanner, it was the same guy I was talking with before and I'm pretty sure he knew I was the guy who "told on him." hehe.

Fuck 'em. Do your job or let someone who wants to work do it for you. That's my opinion on customer service.

r:>)

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

Customer service is no-kidding my favorite part of my job at the Emporium. I'm not shy to tell the boss the rest of it is all crap to me, I hate stocking, inventory, all that stuff... I really only care for maintaining the instruments, and customer service. I'm a reasonably bright guy, and I can make considerably more money elsewhere, but I love putting a new guitar in a kid's hands, or selling a new toy to a seasoned pro.
To any of you who dream of someday having a guitar shop... it ain't as easy and cool as it might seem. Because of the aforementioned MF and Ebay, profit margins on most items are far less than what they were before the internet and box stores, so you have to sell a lot more. It's not sitting around all day playing guitar, in fact, I played guitar FAR more when I worked other jobs, and when I do get to play at work, I'm demoing a guitar, so it's not about what I want to play. I generally play the same few licks and progressions so people can get a good idea of differences in sound, not my playing style.
Anyway, service is the name of the game for brick and mortar stores. Treat somebody poorly, and they're going to come in to your store to try that Gothic Les Paul, then go order it from MF. Hell, they're going to do that anyway, a fair percentage of the time. Might as well make a friend on the deal.--------->JMS

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

won't say where...but i've been to a music store where someone in front of me in line got buddy prices for drumsticks. i paid full price.

Team Transylvania · Post by **Team Transylvania** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

that blows. thats not fair.
if their gonna hook someone up, atleast do it when no one else is trying to buy something.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

Maybe that guy bought a kit. Maybe that guy didn't try to dicker on a small-ticket item. Maybe your particular sticks cost that store more. That's not a question of customer service, it's a question of customer loyalty. It's easy enough to get a buddy price... be a buddy. Come in every week and buy something so I can keep my job. We treat our regulars rather well, I'd say, and I think other local shops probably do the same. You don't have to spend a lot, but consistency gets noticed.
Still, the buddy price isn't that much less, but it's a reward for loyalty, and it depends on the situation. Some products have wiggle room, some don't.--->JMS

f.sciarrillo · Post by **f.sciarrillo** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

The dude who owns that is a jerk. I dealt with him one time and never again.

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

They guys who own Music Haven (Shawn & Ray) in Johnstown have always treated me and everybody I know very well. Definitely check them out.

Music Haven
659 Lamberd St.
Johnstown, PA 15904
814-266-5184

RLeahey14 · Post by **RLeahey14** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

The guy at Ford Music in Altoona tried to tell me that they don't make left handed guitars yet he had posters of two left handed players on his wall and I told him I already had a left handed bass... I haven't been there since.

Naga · Post by **Naga** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

I haven't been in Ford Music for awhile. Not for any reason in particular,... Just not a place I get to very often

The guys at Music Emporium are pretty damn good on the costumer service bit though. Any shop you walk into, you can feel the whole "That guy needs to buy something" feel. I'm usually just browsing around, and if I find something worth my money, I'll walk out with that item in hand. Most of the guys at Music Emporium tend to just let me relax, run around, look over this, that, the other, etc. Not really any pressure. They're obviously good music community guys. I don't remember having any disappointments at that store

skipisode wrote:I remember going there to try to obtain parts for a Floyd Rose on one of my guitars, and the guy was kinda a dick about it.

Thanks for the reminder... Johnny, since some of you guys here on RockPage work at MusEmp, do you guys have Floyd Rose parts on an individual piece basis for sale? I have plans to get some of the small placeholder pieces that're breaking down in mine. The one is busted and lost anyway

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

Naga wrote:I haven't been in Ford Music for awhile. Not for any reason in particular,... Just not a place I get to very often

The guys at Music Emporium are pretty damn good on the costumer service bit though. Any shop you walk into, you can feel the whole "That guy needs to buy something" feel. I'm usually just browsing around, and if I find something worth my money, I'll walk out with that item in hand. Most of the guys at Music Emporium tend to just let me relax, run around, look over this, that, the other, etc. Not really any pressure. They're obviously good music community guys. I don't remember having any disappointments at that store

skipisode wrote:I remember going there to try to obtain parts for a Floyd Rose on one of my guitars, and the guy was kinda a dick about it.
Thanks for the reminder... Johnny, since some of you guys here on RockPage work at MusEmp, do you guys have Floyd Rose parts on an individual piece basis for sale? I have plans to get some of the small placeholder pieces that're breaking down in mine. The one is busted and lost anyway

yeah i like how the emporium guys don't give me the evil eye when i test out a cymbal. that is good considering i like to hear what i want to buy!

RamRod 1 · Post by **RamRod 1** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

Had a bad expirence recently. I have a "60's' Vox Super Beatle head that's quite a challenge to work on so I sent it to a place in Hollywood called "Amp Crazy" which specializes in transistor Voxes. The turnaround was supposed to be 6 to 8 days. The guy whined about it being hard to work on and let the thing hang on for 11 months. Finally I e-mailed him and threatened to go to the Pa. Attorney General's office. Boom! It's in the mail by the next week and working great! I hated to take action but if you don't want to fix them, don't avertise that you do.

Moxam 123 said:

"They guys who own Music Haven (Shawn & Ray) in Johnstown have always treated me and everybody I know very well. Definitely check them out."

Speaking of Music Haven, 5 weeks ago I dropped off a "59" Fender Bassman head there to get recapped. I didn't want to pressure them to get it done but stopped in a week and a half later and for some strings and it was completely finished working 100% for a VERY REASONABLY price. I got it back before the "Beatle" head!

Thanks Shawn

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

That place in greenwood is a joke. My buddy and fellow side effect Joe, dropped off a BC Rich warlock because the switches were tweaking out.

When he got it back, they didn't work at all. The dude said,"Oh yeah, I just bypassed them. I figured you just wanted it to work.". How fucked up is that?

That's like taking your boat to get fixed and they poke another hole in it to let the water out. WTF???

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday Mar 25, 2008

DirtySanchez wrote: That's like taking your boat to get fixed and they poke another hole in it to let the water out. WTF???

Great analogy!

ChromeCultStudios · Post by **ChromeCultStudios** » Saturday Mar 29, 2008

Thanks to Rick for the help on Saturday. My boy is know an owner of a
Jackson JS30 Dinky. Great service.... Sounds and plays great, my boy is very pleased. By the way he says F RainBlow Music in State College.

ROCKPAGE

What do you Think? About Service.

What do you Think? About Service.

Thanks for the support

Music Emporium Got My Business