So, yesterday a friend and I set out to update our percussion setups. We both play wind instruments and are learning to play hand drums -- congas (him) and african hand drums (me). So we go to the mega complex music store and start looking around...pretty bad. They have one each of the most expensive congas, but not whole sets. Their prices are also too high...so my friend inquires about a tumbao to match his conga. The saleschild (who has now clearly progressed to a daily thorazine dose as part of his mental hygiene regimen) mumbles something about the fact that they're not in stock. My friend inquires as to how long it would take to get one (answer: mumblemumblemumble) and then points out that the price they are asking is about $50 more than he's seen it elswhere online, to which he would also have to add sales tax. (answer:mumblemumblewe'llmatchanyadvertisedpricesmumblemumblemumble). My friend replies that if the salesdroid will look up a site on the internet, he can show him a lower price (answer:mumblenointernetaccessmumble).
We leave. Thinking that we understand how to deal with this problem, we head to XXXX's Drum Shop, figuring that a specialy store focused on percussion instruments will be the place to find what we need.
pretty bad....almost no inventory of the stuff we're looking for (or anything else for that matter). My friend inquires about the tumbao. The guy behind the counter (obviously the owner or manager) declares in a loud, clear voice that he NEVER stocks high end stuff, because "you're going to want a specific color, etc." He also wanted more for the items in question if they were ordered.
Now, I LIKE to support local merchants if they provide me with the stuff I need and give me good service. I'm willing to pay more for an item if I can go down to the shop and get it, get advice about it, yack with the guys, etc.
Having said that, I spent a lot of time last night thinking about our experience and trying to figure out what the people that own these businesses are thinking -- why would they expect me (or anyone else) to waste our time coming to their store, just to have them order somehing that we can order ourselves for more money and then have to charge us sales tax???? It makes no sense. The problem that brick and mortar stores have is that they are trying to compete with internet retailers on price alone, and that is a losing game....they can't. The ONLY way these stores will stay in business is to realize that their prospective clientele are the folks, like moi, that WILL support them and pay a little more if they extend themselves and provide good inventory, good service (put the thorazine kid in the warehouse or something), and value add through advice, maintenance help, clinics, instruction, etc.
Based on what I experienced yesterday, both of these establishments should simply close their doors and do business online.
We leave. Thinking that we understand how to deal with this problem, we head to XXXX's Drum Shop, figuring that a specialy store focused on percussion instruments will be the place to find what we need.
pretty bad....almost no inventory of the stuff we're looking for (or anything else for that matter). My friend inquires about the tumbao. The guy behind the counter (obviously the owner or manager) declares in a loud, clear voice that he NEVER stocks high end stuff, because "you're going to want a specific color, etc." He also wanted more for the items in question if they were ordered.
Now, I LIKE to support local merchants if they provide me with the stuff I need and give me good service. I'm willing to pay more for an item if I can go down to the shop and get it, get advice about it, yack with the guys, etc.
Having said that, I spent a lot of time last night thinking about our experience and trying to figure out what the people that own these businesses are thinking -- why would they expect me (or anyone else) to waste our time coming to their store, just to have them order somehing that we can order ourselves for more money and then have to charge us sales tax???? It makes no sense. The problem that brick and mortar stores have is that they are trying to compete with internet retailers on price alone, and that is a losing game....they can't. The ONLY way these stores will stay in business is to realize that their prospective clientele are the folks, like moi, that WILL support them and pay a little more if they extend themselves and provide good inventory, good service (put the thorazine kid in the warehouse or something), and value add through advice, maintenance help, clinics, instruction, etc.
Based on what I experienced yesterday, both of these establishments should simply close their doors and do business online.
Comments
In the Boston area, the majority of the music stores do not cater to the professional musicians. Instead, they cater to students, hobbyists and aspiring musicians. These people couldn't afford the higher end gear, or would rather spend the money on food, rent or diapers. So it isn't worth it for the stores to stock the high price gear in order to have it sit around gather dust or scratches.
It used to be better -- Boston used to get high-grade gear, but not at the lower NYC street prices.
What I wonder is whether the change is because the Boston Music scene isn't as thriving as it was, or it's a more general issue across the country.