prince
I am working just outside London for a couple weeks and decided the time was right to replace the guitar I left behind in SA. Denmark Streets friendliest guitar shop apparently closes at 7pm and if I left work a few minutes early, got a fast train, a couple of quick tube rides and i could be at Denmark Street's friendliest guitar store and have half an hour to do my shopping.
I left work on time but then the 4.36 to London was delayed/cancelled. Half an hour later I was on my way, it would be tight but I could still make it. Tube changes went well, and I found the right exit at Tottenham Court road station first time but there were major roadworks and I had to work out a deviation around the roadworks (whole street is closed) and got to the door of the friendliest guitar store at exactly 7.00pm. Sign on the door says "Closed", the guy in the shop shakes his head and nobody is letting me in, probably 5 other people still wandering around in the store, looked like they were going downstairs for lessons or something. Through the window I could see a Fender in my first colour choice just waiting to be bought but the guy in the shop was doing some stuff on a computer and yakking on the phone whether he was choosing to ignore me or not I don't know but he certainly wasn't letting me in to spend my £££££'s. I was still looking through the window when he left at 7.30 and thought twice about whether to say something to him while he was locking up, it probably would have been some Afrikaans words I learnt in the army.
I hope the guitar is still there in 10 years time because not a %£" and I buying anything from Denmark's friendliest guitar store. Tomorrow I will try and get to Wembley music store before they close at 6.00pm or will go to Dawson on the weekend and spend my hard earned ££££'s.
[/Rant off]
Still not sure whether the new toy should be red or black. Decisions, decisions.
epictring
Funny post! ?
But I'm sorry about what went down, good luck on your new axe!
Bob-Dubery
What happened wasn't your fault nor the store's fault. They didn't do anything to you. If you must curse something then curse foul, fickle fate. Then if you still find that guitar attractive phone the store, express your interest and ask if they can hold it for you until the weekend.
Squonk
Why don't you take a trip to Brighton, not too far from London to the Guitar , Amp and Keyboard (GAK) , way better than any shop in Denmark Street
Edit *** they are currently having a winter sale
http://www.gak.co.uk
If you are up to traveling, Guildford, Surrey has a great shop Andertons
http://www.andertons.co.uk/ , Lovely little town full of guitarists walking everywhere. ACM (Academy of Contempory Music) is also there, also worth popping in and having a look at the campus
DaFiz
It's not something you rush anyway. Take your time over the weekend, sit down and get to know the guitar. 8)
Bob-Dubery
Squonk wrote
Why don't you take a trip to Brighton, not too far from London to the Guitar , Amp and Keyboard (GAK) , way better than any shop in Denmark Street
Cool! You could make a day of that. Take in the Royal Pavilion, wander around The Lanes, and then get a pint of Harvey's.
Ooooh. I'm getting all thirsty.
singemonkey
The staff have a right to knock off after a long day, same as everyone. What happens if, after they let you out with the guitar at 7:30, another desperate customer comes knocking just as they're opening the door for you? If you feel it's fine to work after hours without overtime, that's fine. But you can't make that decision on behalf of other people. What it 'looked like' and what was actually happening may be two different things.
Friendly is fine. But they said they were closing at 7pm and they closed at 7pm - contract fulfilled. If you like the guitar, go in on Saturday morning and get it. While you're there you can browse all the other stores at your leisure and not get rushed into a hasty decision.
Malkav
singemonkey wrote
The staff have a right to knock off after a long day, same as everyone. What happens if, after they let you out with the guitar at 7:30, another desperate customer comes knocking just as they're opening the door for you? If you feel it's fine to work after hours without overtime, that's fine. But you can't make that decision on behalf of other people. What it 'looked like' and what was actually happening may be two different things.
This!
Slavery has been abolished, even in music stores, no jokes.
aja
red!
deefstes
The important thing is that you post pictures ocne you've bought your new toy.
aja
Then send pictures to the music store that ignored you
Attila
You have my sympathy’s and I agree that’s RUBISH and typical plodder mentality, that oke/okes will work for me ...ummmm lets see NEVER.
As a businessman it cost nothing to stick ones head out of the door - communicating that you are closed for browsing, but if you wanted to pick something up you will be allowed in .... deal done.
Attila
Nicholas-L
People went on about Denmark street and that I should go check it out when I went to London last year. Although the street has a very cultural/heritage to it, I was just very disappointed with the stores especially stock selection (I thought you know it's the UK they surely have better stock that here in SA) and the staff in most of the shops there. The Brits in London don't seem to know much about customer service.... not even an acknowledgement that I was there, so the next day I hopped on a train sat for 2 hours till I got to Guildford and went to a store called Andertons... Man o man ??? diabetic in candy store ?. That's actually where I checked out the Blackstar series for the first time. These guys were the friendliest bunch of guys ever (that I met in the UK - other than the Scottish).So naturally I bought something to take with from my adventure. Maybe next time I'm there I'll go check out the Wembly music store.
prince
Probably a little more relaxed today having just got home after putting in 2 hours of unpaid an-requested overtime because something needed doing.
Lots of relevant comments been made here, thanks guys. I will probably go into one of the Dawsons stores around Manchester where I can shop on weekend. Guilford or Brighton would also be a rushed visit after work in the week.
Wunjo's advertise that they close at 7 and when I decided to rush in after work I knew it would be a close thing. I am the kind of person who doesn't perform when the food is crap, I just never go back there again, ever. Unfortunately, same is going to happen here. Just a little bit of interest in what the guy in the Sharks shirt and veldskoens was looking at through the window for half and hour would have done the sale. Even if I didn't collect it last night and came back today or Friday to get it. I was more interested in looking at what the Torino red looks like in real life, I am a patient person and would have waited a few days to collect (ja sure).
Anyway, the post was in jest from the beginning and a trip to London and back was more fun than sitting in my hotel room. But the reply that would win the prize (if there was one) is AJA's comment. Excellent idea, maybe I should order my new guitar from another shop in Denmark street and go straight into Wunjo's, pull it out and ask Tommy the deaf, dumb and blind boy, what he thinks. ?
Zulublues
Hi prince, there's your problem. Would you open your door to some guy from Africa wearing only a Shark's shirt and vellies ? Next time try some trousers with that clobber ! ! ! Probably scared the Be J....... out of them ! !
prince
Camo shorts, Sharks shirt and vellies, even in winter ?
