BMU wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
I know. That in itself has been weighing on me - and musos generally follow the pricing. So things are going to change, but I'm saying not necessarily for the better.
You're really concerned about this. I'll think about it. Yeah maybe things get worse, then again maybe not. Can't change it either way so consumers should do what they've always done: buy where the best deal is.
The thing is, the music stores are part of the local musical economy and
community. I can't see them surviving on only the smalls and, when they move on, who is going to: organise workshops with people like Govan, Eklundh, Morse, etc.; run developmental programs like Weekend Warriors and Sesame Street; lend gear to help sponsor non-profit or benefit concerts; endorse and promote local artists, etc.? Let alone buy advertising on your favourite local guitar-oriented site. In the long run it is better for us to buy locally wherever possible and build the local industry up to the point where we do get better prices just from sheer numbers.
If the local stores all move on to the great gig in the sky, where does that leave us for smalls? Sure, many of us can buy strings, plectrum and spares in bulk from overseas, but what of the majority of players who go from one set of strings to the next (or even singles - just replacing those that break) on a shoestring budget? Or don't have a bank account, let alone a credit card to order online? What about the times you are caught flat-footed when something breaks or when you realise you are on your last set of strings? And what about when you want to upgrade to something big that MF doesn't carry (like the better PA or recording gear) - I really don't fancy being stuck with shipping charges on something like a pair of PA subs...
What about those of us who want to play something before they buy it? Musician's Friend have a good returns policy (which also boosts their stock for these "secondhand" sales, but it isn't viable internationally.
Once again, the usage of phrases like "if their prices were reasonable" imply that local stores and/or importers are ripping us off. Which is simply not the case. You cannot compare prices in country of origin to local prices - as we've discussed before at length.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure that at some point, MF are going to realise it's costing them serious money in shipping and do away with the free shipping thing. Even if they are getting 50% off on their shipping thanks to volume, I really can't see them making any profit on selling a $400 amp and shipping it to SA.
