vic I have often walked into music shops looking for advice on an amp or guitar, or just simply wandering amongst the equipment and have gotten the impression that staff are not really interested in you as a potential customer...I must add that on some occasions I was treated as a VIP. The worst experience I've ever had was during last year in London's Denmark street at Music Ground (now occupying the premises where Andy's Guitars once was) Three shop assistants were sitting casually at the "reception" chatting away while I was looking at some vintage guitars which were quite high up on the walls. I was the only person in the shop. Not one of these dudes said a word to me or asked me a question of any sort....I walked out never to return. Gave my business to Angle Music, a one-man-owner guitar shop just above them in the same building. I was wondering whether I'm alone on this...? or am I just over sensitive....?
AlanRatcliffe Alone? We had rather a lengthy discussion on this a while back. Some hate for some stores, some love: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-discussion/why-are-people-that-work-at-muso-shops-idiots/. You'll notice the thread topic has since changed, and one comment was edited out - someone even consulted a lawyer! Good times!
vic Alan Ratcliffe wrote Alone? We had rather a lengthy discussion on this a while back. Some hate for some stores, some love: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-discussion/why-are-people-that-work-at-muso-shops-idiots/. You'll notice the thread topic has since changed, and one comment was edited out - someone even consulted a lawyer! Good times! Apologies...unaware that this topic was covered earlier. However a very recent visit to shop in the Northern suburbs catalyzed my posting on the topic.
Bob-Dubery To be fair to the guys in Denmark Street, they do tend to get a lot of tourists that come in to stare at the expensive vintage guitars and then buy a pick. I should know ? I also think that sales staff in many shops and many types of shops are not sure when to approach the customer. They either hang back and let the customer approach them, or they start following the customer around asking all kinds of questions. There's a middle ground there somewhere. There are people who know where the balance is, and how to read a customer. Some customers like to be approached, others like to do the approaching. Good sales staff will figure this out. I overheard two sales guys talking in a shop recently about how they could tell within about a minute of dealing with somebody in the shop if they were serious about buying something or just simply curious about some piece of kit or just killing time. "But these youngsters can't do that and they waste half an hour with some guy who is never going to buy anything." This takes experience and training and mentoring. Which takes time, and accepting that you need to learn and being willing to do the learning.
Squonk To be fair... I visited Denmark street in 2007, My brother was showing me around as well as inquiring about his live setup. He has all the boutique pedals and a Cornford Amp but wasn't happy with his tone in a live setting. One thing I noticed is that he did seem very arrogant when dealing with the staff in the various shops. The truth is they were trying to determine what he wants and what level he was at, he was just annoyed because they asked some basic questions. He eventually met his match in the shop near "Hanks", it's one of those shops that only stock quality guitars and boutique amps and effects . No Zoom, or Ritmiller(or even Boss???) It was a young guy (early 20's) who took my brother through his whole live setup and eventually assisted him with buying stuff from another shop down the road. Here's the good thing - he treated my brother with the same contempt that he was dishing out to everyone else. This quickly got my brothers attention, and he started listening rather than being offensive. 8)
vic Yes I guess there is always another side to the coin...... I remember Hanks is almost straight opposite from Music Ground. The best service levels I've experienced in Denmark street was at Wunjo guitars (google it) where I found all staff to be friendly and helpful. They make you feel welcome and show interest even if you are a tourist. And not unsurprisingly, their shop is full of potential customers.
