MoJo JoJoe wrote
I've been quite outspoken about people who mercilessly hunt down the last 1 or 2% discount on a deal with the stores for exactly this reason. I really enjoy visiting the stores big and small, but have had the nicest interactions with the smaller stores where a chat (and even a cup of coffee) is always on offer. Often you don't have to deal with a clueless casual employee (big 'box-mover, discount king' store), instead getting top-class advice from a seasoned professional (small store). I have been happy to pay a little more for the privilige and pleasure of being able to deal with these guys. I can only wish more people will start to see the advantages and as such we will lose fewer of these smaller store. Such a shame!
+1. It's often a better overall deal. There's a particular pool shop that I like to deal with. I know that I could get the bits and pieces cheaper elsewhere, but I wouldn't get the good advice that they have given me for free, and without that I may well have spent more.
I think music stores are vulnerable to a certain scenario: I want a new amp. Do I want the X-Rated Metal Mutator, or the Zappa Frunobulator? So I go into a store, pick the salesperson's brain, ask if I can plug in and try them out, and THEN thank him very much for his time and buy the one I've decided works for me on e-bay. I save some bucks. Clever old me. But what happens if everybody does that? Pretty soon that shop will give up the unequal battle, followed by the next shop and the next shop.... and then all we'll have left is voetstoets purchases on the Internet or the "box-mover, discount kings" with their "take it or leave it" attitude.
