Music store feedback

CornFlakes · 2008-09-26T11:15:02+00:00

I’m not going to say any names or anything but holy crap. The only thing they good at is to confuse you. The thing is I want to resolve my bass problem I’m having or just replace my bass with another one. Is this only me or are there other people that have the same problem or complaint about muso stores or, is it that Cape Town people don’t have good service skills? >☹

AlanRatcliffe

Please note
With Cornflake's permission, we have changed this thread title. We did this because the old title was too negative considering that many stores were also getting good reports.

I would urge you to post all your comments here (both good and bad), so that they are all contained in one thread. I am going to merge today's new thread "Things we like about Music Shops" into this thread and those posts should show up after this one. (EDIT: For some reason they showed up before this post)

Please:

Before posting a negative comment - If you have a negative experience with a store, try and sort it out with them before posting. It is only fair that you give them a chance to fix the problem before slating them in this thread. As mentioned before, everyone has problems at some time or another, it's how they deal with them that really defines their customer service.

Make sure of your facts - bear in mind that this is a public forum and if you mention names and post something that is untrue (or unprovable!), you might be liable for charges of slander or libel.

Wizard

Well ... the positive vibes are just gushing in.
NOW we need the music store owners to come visit again.
?

I think positive feedback with actual names is almost more brutal than negative feedback.
The desire to get your name onto the positive list can be a very strong one.

A nice healthy form of competition ... ?

It's a system that works very effectively in the mego-lithic corporate I work for.
Little negative, but glorification of the top 10%.
The hunger to get onto the elite list is astounding.

msch997

I have to give Kudos to Marshall Music Woodmead here in Sandton. The manager is Garth Mcleod (actually also the drummer for Sugardrive), a nicer guy you could not hope to deal with. He goes through loops for his customers along with Brent who is the guitar guy <now that Stuart Goodwin has left>. These two guys have only given me service out of the top drawer and their pricing is always competitive.

WantzChas

Ok, have to resurrect this one after what happened this morning. I phoned Marshall Music Woodmead just now to find out whether they are stocking the DiMarzio AirZone/ToneZone I've been looking to buy since last year. Phoning them because since I was last there, Brent, a sales person there, was supposed to mail me when they receive the DiMarzio line with retail prices, but unfortunately never bothered in doing the trouble.

Getting back to the phone call, a lady answered telling me that no one can help me because they have a sale and is very busy. So I asked whether she can help me, not with technical advice or anything, just to check whether they have a product in stock. She couldn't understand a word I was saying and wasn't helpful at all. I'm really sorry if it is only me, but that is probably the worst customer service I've ever experienced. How can you not have anyone at the phone that can at least search inventory and comply with customer enquiries.

Many people have experienced this, but at the store they don't bother helping a guy my age, since I'm probably "just browsing". Only when you ask for assistance they seem to help. I really hope that this isn't a usual occurrence since I used to prefer the store from all in the region.

Gearhead

Methinks Wantz should call again and if she can't help, demand she should get someone who can ?

vic

Bottom line is that there are good and not so good stores. Both are the products of the people working there.
I do not care too much for expertise 'cause I can figure things out myself. However I "demand" decency,honesty and efficiency from people whom I deal with. No matter where.

nick_D01

hey all

i can understand the frustration that everyone goes through but yeah, i dont think its fair to go 'round making all inclusive decisions and line up every music store clerk on the face of the planet in your sights. this gfsa member works at a cape town based shop (tokai actually) and i for one aint no idiot, and i think you can ask any customer that comes to my store and they'll tell you the same.

AlanRatcliffe

I don't think anyone is saying all music store salespeople are idiots - they're not. There have been some kudos given to deserving salesfolk in this very thread. I'm an ex-music store salesguy myself and some of the most knowledgeable people I know work in stores.

Sadly, music store employees are a cross-section of people just like any other, with good and bad, and working in a store doesn't automatically make someone an expert, honest or efficient - the real-world examples in this thread are proof of that.

Vic summed it up rather nicely I think:

vic wrote Bottom line is that there are good and not so good stores. Both are the products of the people working there.
I do not care too much for expertise 'cause I can figure things out myself. However I "demand" decency,honesty and efficiency from people whom I deal with. No matter where.

What this country needs is a local version of Sweetwater - a store that only hires people with a deep knowledge of the products they are selling and only stocks brands that those people are happy selling. Sadly our economy is still very much rooted in the budget end of the market, so I can't see a store like that thriving at the moment.

chris77

To all music store staff, a few pointers. Firstly, greet me when I enter your store. If you are busy elsewhere when I enter, come over and say Hi when you're finished. It makes me feel welcome and I will probably buy something - even if its only strings or a few plecs- out of courtesy. Secondly, dont try to hard to sell me something. If you see me looking at or picking up an instrument, then get involved. Dont follow me like a hawk. Thirdly, dont assume that you know what I like, prefer, idolize, own, crave or deserve. You dont. I will tell you if I think you ought to know. Lastly, treat me with respect. I might not be Hendrix incarnated, my version of Layla might sound like a cat being drowned and my technique might fill your heart with laughter, but I love my music just as much as you do. So basically, treat me well and make me feel appreciated and you will have a loyal customer. Now, thats my 5cents worth and my expectations, likes and dislikes may differ from all the other folks on the forum. But I guarantee you that if you do not at least make us feel welcome in your store, you've lost a customer for life.

[deleted]

my technique might fill your heart with laughter

A very underrated side to music, there's a soft place in my heart for awkwardness.

I can understand the dilema of sales people. They most likely recieve contrary orders from their managers compared to what they feel is beneficial. You then end up with schizophrenic sales people in a bad mood. I've had the experiance of dealing with a very negative sales person. Honestly, if I wasn't so damn enthusiastic I might just have given up there and then. Perhaps it was a very bizarre sales tecnique or the effect of dealing with years customer complaints. Working with people can be very tough and a credit to those who do it well.

vic

chris77 wrote . But I guarantee you that if you do not at least make us feel welcome in your store, you've lost a customer for life.

BRAVO !

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